Association between the Crab, Nepinnotheres pinnotheres (Linnaeus, 1758), and the Endangered Species Fan Mussel, Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758), from the Aegean Sea, Turkey

Abstract

Pinna nobilis, commonly known as the fan mussel, is an endemic and endangered species found in the Mediterranean Sea. The association between the crab, Nepinnotheres pinnotheres (Decapoda), and P. nobilis (Bivalvia) from the Aegean Sea, Turkey was examined in this study. The crab samples were collected in the Urla Karantina Island, Izmir Bay, the Aegean Sea. The biometric characters of bivalve and crab in this coexistence were analyzed. 80% of the P. nobilis was occupied by N. pinnotheres.