First Report of Predation on Egg Capsules of Invasive Rapa Whelk by Sharpsnout Seabream (Diplodus puntazzo) in the Black Sea

Abstract

The presence of the egg capsules of Rapa whelk, Rapana venosa, in the stomachs of sharpsnout seabream was observed for the first time. Samples were collected on August, 2017 in the Artvin, Hopa region (Black sea of Turkey). Rapa whelk is one of the successful invasive species in the world. Due to highpredationpressure on native mussels by invasive whelk in the Black Sea, their populationsdecreased. Femalerapa whelks lay high amount of egg capsules on hard substratum (stones, mussels, whelks etc) during summer. The sharpsnout seabream seems to be an important predator on egg capsules of Rapa whelk due to both species shared same habitat in summer months.