New addition to the fauna of shallow-water hydroid polyps (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) in the Gulf of Antalya, Türkiye

The present study aimed to identify and characterize the hydroid fauna in the Gulf of Antalya, Türkiye. This paper reports 35 taxa belonging to 17 families identified in the region. Among the identified species, Clytia brevithecata, Clytia noliformis, Turritopsis nutricula, Scandia gigas and Acauloides ammisatum were recorded for the first time on Turkish coasts. Nineteen taxa – Amphinema rugosum, Coryne eximia, Clytia gracilis, Monotheca obliqua, Eudendrium merulum, Halecium tenellum, Orthopyxis integra, Hydractinia aculeata, Laomedea flexuosa, Laomedea angulata, Dicoryne conferta, Clytia linearis, Eudendrium simplex, Eudendrium capillare, Aglaophenia picardi, Halopteris diaphana, Salacia desmoides, Sertularella ellisii and Hydrodendron mirabile – are new to the Mediterranean coast of Türkiye. With the publication of this paper, the number of hydroid species documented along the Turkish coasts has increased to 132, highlighting the importance of these findings. The discovery of new species and the expansion of their range underscores the need for continued research covering different depths to better understand the ecological importance of these organisms and the biodiversity of the marine environment.