Diversity of Porifera along the coasts of Türkiye

This study compiled data on the distribution of sponge species on the coasts of Türkiye. The checklist consists of 183 speciesbelonging to 52 families, 16 orders, and 3 classes. The orders Haplosclerida (32 species), Poecilosclerida (28 species), Tetractinellida (26species), Dictyoceratida (21 species), and Suberitida (18 species) have the highest numbers of species found in the region. The Aegeancoast has the highest number of sponge species (155 species), followed by the Sea of Marmara (84 species), the Levantine coast (50species), and the Black Sea coast (24 species). Among the species, Niphates toxifera and Paraleucilla magna are alien species. A total of 12sponge species listed as endangered or threatened according to the Barcelona Convention or Bern Convention are found in the region.