Abstract

Knowledge on the sponge fauna of the Black sea coast of Turkey is scarce, and only a total of 18 species have been reported so far. In the present study, Dysidea fragilis specimens were collected between 19 and 25 m depth off the coast of Sinop Peninsula in the central Black Sea coast of Turkey. Obtained individuals from the research area showed that the distribution area of D. fragilis expanded from the west Black Sea (pre-phosphoric region) to the central Black Sea (off the coast of Sinop Peninsula).