Establishing a fish repository at Ege University Faculty of Fisheries (1965-2023): A Journey on a long and challenging road to becoming a museum

INTRODUCTION

Marine fish are a vital food source for humans, underscoring their importance. Both commercial and hobbyist fishermen routinely catch them. Moreover, their global significance extends beyond an impressive annual catch of roughly 100 million tons; they also encompass underwater scientific research and tourism. Research on Türkiye’s marine fish began in the late 18th century, spearheaded by the German-born Dr. Curt Kosswig, a significant figure in advancing natural science in the country. In 1951, publications on fish and fishing in Türkiye were initiated under the “Istanbul Baltalimanı Hydrobiology Research Institute” under Kosswig’s leadership (Figure 1a). He also played a key role in developing academic staff through theoretical lectures (Figure 1b) and nationwide fieldwork (Figure 1c).

Figure 1.(a): Curt Kosswig working in his room at the Baltalimanı Hydrobiology Institute (1955), (b): Curt Kosswig giving a lecture at the Faculty of Sciences, Ege Üniversitesi, İzmir, Türkiye (April, 1967), (c): Curt Kosswig at H.B.A. “ARAR” research vessel (1954), (d): 1st National Congress on Marine and Freshwater Researches. 15-17 October 1981, Urla-İzmir (1- Curt Kosswig, 2- Remzi Geldiay, 3- Savaş Mater).

Dr. Remzi Geldiay, a student of Kosswig, furthered his research at Ege University in 1961, marking the second generation. Under his guidance, the Marine Biology Research and Application Laboratory was established in 1965. Dr. Savaş Mater, a Ph.D. graduate under,¹ embarked on building a collection of marine fish in Türkiye. The first National Congress of Marine and Freshwater Research, held at the Urla Unit of Ege University Faculty of Fisheries in 1981, was Kosswig’s final event (Figure 1d). Inspired by the publication “Memories from the Scientific Expeditions of Dr. Curt Kosswig for the History of Türkiye’s Fauna²” Mehmetoğlu (2018)³ coined the phrase “Türkiye’s fish never forgot KOSSWIG!” aptly expressing our sentiment. Today, rigorous and conscious biological research on fish species in Turkish seas carries on, and without a doubt, it will continue.

This project has been driven by cataloging all marine fish species in Türkiye, much like a living museum, to benefit future generations. Museums are treasured spaces where we can witness the echoes of the past. In Türkiye, museum practices have evolved to modern standards in the Republican era. Modern museums play a vital role in educating society and fostering socio-cultural development through societal, social, psychological, and technological lenses.⁴ Various works have introduced fish species found in the Turkish seas,^5–14 along with inventories listing all species in the collection.^15–18 In this study, however, we’ve compiled a checklist based on the most recent publications, offering the latest species lists and new species records for Turkish marine fishes. The availability of marine fishes in our collection has also been documented.

“Museum” hails from classical origins, specifically the Greek “mouseion” which meant a place for contemplation or a philosophical institution. The term was later Latinized as “museum,” used primarily during Roman times for locations of philosophical discussions. Today, various well-known dictionaries provide slightly differing definitions. The Oxford Dictionary describes a museum as a building for storing and exhibiting objects including antiquities, natural history, and art. Collins Dictionary terms it a building where a vast number of interesting and valuable objects like works of art or historical items are kept, studied, and displayed to the public. Britannica Dictionary identifies a museum as a building where interesting and valuable items such as paintings, sculptures, scientific objects, or historical artifacts are gathered and displayed to the public. Lastly, The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines it as an establishment dedicated to the acquisition, preservation, study, exhibition, and educational interpretation of objects possessing scientific, historical, or artistic significance.

On the other hand, biological repositories are critical to many scientific research projects. These repositories store and preserve various biological samples, such as tissues, cells, DNA, other biomolecules, as well as vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and plants. They provide a secure environment to ensure the long-term integrity and availability of these samples for future studies. Additionally, biological repositories facilitate data sharing and collaboration among researchers and institutions. They offer access to a broad range of samples from different species and populations, enabling comparative studies and new discoveries. Moreover, these repositories often provide standardized protocols and quality control measures to ensure the reliability and reproducibility of research findings.

The “Scientific Material of the Faculty of Fisheries of Ege University (ESFM)” is a biological repository established on March 19, 2007, by the faculty’s administrative body. Since its inception, specimens identified during various research activities have been assigned registration numbers. ESFM, as the first official unit in Türkiye dedicated to biological diversity conservation, boasts a collection unmatched by any other institution in the country.¹⁹ Since January 2010, ESFM has been registered with the Registry of Biological Repositories, managed by the Smithsonian Institution. The preserved specimens in the collection primarily serve as the basis for various scientific research and as comparative material. ESFM is located on the ground floor of the administrative building of the Ege University Faculty of Fisheries, covering an area of 199 m². Specimens in the collection are preserved using either a 10% formalin or 70% ethanol solution.¹⁹

This research aims to catalog the fish species collected from diverse fieldwork conducted over the past half-century along the coasts of the Black Sea, Marmara Sea, Aegean Sea, and Mediterranean Sea in Türkiye. This includes arranging these species as museum specimens following international standards and presenting them comprehensively. This collection is the oldest and largest of its kind in Türkiye, and considering Türkiye’s four unique seas and the neighboring countries with coastlines, it holds significant value both nationally and internationally. Therefore, this project will ensure that fish species found in Turkish seas are meticulously preserved for future generations. In conclusion, we’ve created the marine fish collection in Türkiye with an eye to the future. We hope this collection will be a valuable resource for ichthyologists and taxonomists in Türkiye and beyond. A further goal is to develop this collection into a museum open to the public in the near future, which will play a pivotal role in preserving and educating about our rich fish diversity for generations to come.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our Turkish marine fish collection, ESFM-PIS, houses specimens collected from Türkiye’s Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean Sea, and Mediterranean coasts since 1965 (Figure 2). These samples were taken during various MS and PhD studies and national and international academic and commercial projects. After being caught, the fish were promptly preserved in a 10% formalin solution using whatever means were available. When the conditions weren’t optimal, we froze the specimens, stored them on ice, and transported them to the lab for fixation as soon as possible. We identified the species based on the works of²⁰Whitehead et al. (1984-1986),⁸Akşıray (1987),⁹Mater et al. (2005), and¹⁴Mater et al. (2011). The names of the species listed in the table were chosen in line with current databases,^21,22 and the systematic classification of species followed²³ Nelson et al. (2016). For the identification process, we used glass jars of appropriate sizes based on the dimensions of the species. We wrapped the jar lids with parafilm to minimize formaldehyde leakage. Each jar had a tag containing the scientific name, sampling date and location, and catalog number. All materials in the collection were cataloged in the EFSM as ‘ESFM-PIS/Sampling year-Catalog number’ (Figure 3).

Figure 2.Turkish seas and research area.

Figure 3.A sample of preserved material.

RESULTS

Established in Paris in 1946, the International Council of Museums²⁴ defines a museum as a non-profit, enduring entity serving society. Its role includes research, collection, conservation, interpretation, and tangible and intangible heritage exhibition. Museums are open and accessible to all, fostering inclusivity, diversity, sustainability, and ethical and professional communication. They encourage community participation and provide varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection, and knowledge sharing.

In this study, we classified marine fish collected from the Turkish seas and preserved at Ege University’s Faculty of Fisheries for about six decades. This classification process resulted in an up-to-date database. Most of these marine fish specimens, each with a unique registration number, were obtained from projects conducted in Turkish seas and have been cited in various scientific papers. A smaller portion of the specimens are contributions from academics or volunteers from different institutions.

The Mediterranean, one of the most significant inland seas worldwide, includes the Eastern Mediterranean basin encompassing Türkiye. These seas, differing in geology, geomorphology, oceanography, and ecology, each host unique fish fauna. The Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, inland seas, are home to cold-loving, endemic, cosmopolitan, and Atlanto-Mediterranean species. The Northern Aegean shares some similarities with these two inland seas. However, on the Southern Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, cold-preferring species give way to temperate and warm climate-loving species, including Lessepsian species, migrants from the Red Sea.¹⁴

Fish, the primitive vertebrates, make up roughly half of the vertebrate group in the Mediterranean basin, with 894 species. The Turkish seas host 542 fish species. Among these, 462 are found in the Mediterranean, 458 in the Aegean Sea, 256 in the Marmara Sea, and 157 in the Black Sea (Figure 4). Furthermore, around 57% of these species are Atlanto-Mediterranean, 13% are Mediterranean endemic, 15% are cosmopolitan, and 15% hail from the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific¹⁸ (Figure 5).

Figure 4.Percentage of fish number (F%) in the Turkish seas.

Figure 5.Percentage of number of fishes (F%) in the Turkish seas according to their origin.

Our study has resulted in the scientific collection of specimens from 360 species, representing 131 families, from the seas around Türkiye. This collection includes jawless fish species, 35 from 18 cartilaginous fish families and 311 from 107 bony fish families. Thus, our collection at ESFM-PIS represents 66% of fish species found in Turkish waters (see Table 1; Figure 6). Established in 1965, our marine fish collection has grown significantly recently. It now includes 54 (15.0%) foreign bony fish species. Our collection houses 20 cartilaginous fish and 8 species of bony fish listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Among these, 28 endangered species (are critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable) (see Table 1).

Figure 6.Percentage of number of fishes (F%) by years in the ESFM-PIS.

DISCUSSION

The Ege University Faculty of Fisheries has meticulously cataloged its marine fish specimens in an internationally recognized system. For each specimen, we’ve recorded specifics like the collection date, the sampling location, quantity, habitat, depth, and project number. We’ve also noted down the collector and identifier details for each specimen. Preserved in glass jars with a 10% formalin solution, these specimens are carefully labelled with standardized ESFM tags.

Over time, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of fish species found in Turkish seas. Starting with a report of 530 species by¹⁸Karataş and colleagues in 2021, the count has now reached 544, thanks to the new records added by Çınar and colleagues,²⁵Irmak and Özden,²⁶Manaşırlı and Mavruk, and²⁷Ergüden and colleagues. Of these, our ESFM-PIS has registered 360 species, accounting for roughly 66% of the total. Further, of the 69 cartilaginous fish species found in Turkish seas, 37 (54%) are housed in museums, as are 322 of the 474 bony fish species (68%). The remaining 187 species, largely comprising large, rare, deep-sea, and commercially uncatchable species, are not in collections.

Most of our specimens hail from the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean, with a smaller number from the Marmara and Black Sea. We’re working to broaden our collection to include samples from all fish species in all Turkish seas. Currently, our collection houses 28 endangered species, including 11 that are critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List.

Our collection also features 54 (15.0%) species that have migrated into the Mediterranean and Southern Aegean Seas from the Red Sea after the Suez Canal was opened. We’re committed to continually adding these species, which will bolster the overall species count. The ESFM-PIS, with its rich species diversity, is a valuable resource for researchers studying Turkish marine fish. As we add the missing species, the collection will continue to grow. The 60-year span of collected samples, adhering to museum standards, paves the way for a comprehensive research path, aiming to include all Turkish marine fish species in the ESFM-PIS.

This study draws on specimens from various research and projects in four different Turkish seas. These samples have been integrated into the “Turkish Marine Fish Department” within the Ege University Faculty of Fisheries’ Scientific Material (ESFM), an initiative we started in 2007. Our goal with this initiative is to preserve fish species found in Turkish seas for future generations. We hope that this department will be a valuable resource for scientists interested in fish systematics and fish biology in Türkiye and around the globe.

The Faculty of Fisheries at Ege University has cataloged its marine fish specimen collection in an international system. Information such as collection date, sampling location, quantity, habitat, depth, and project number have been recorded for each specimen. Details of each specimen’s collector and identifier are also logged. The specimens are preserved in glass jars filled with a 10% formalin solution and labeled with standardized ESFM tags. Over the years, a list of fish species in the seas of Türkiye has been compiled. Initially,¹⁸Karataş et al. (2021) reported 530 species. However, new records in subsequent years increased this count to 542, according to²⁸Çınar et al. (2021),²⁵Irmak and Özden (2021),²⁶Manaşırlı and Mavruk (2021), and²⁷Ergüden et al. (2022). The ESFM-PIS has registered 360 species, which is about 66% of the total. Among the 67 cartilaginous fish species found in Turkish seas, 35 (52%) are represented in museums. Of the 474 bony fish species, 311 (66%) are in collections. The remaining 197 observed species, largely comprising large, rare, deep-sea, and commercially uncatchable species, are not included in collections. Most specimens originate from the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, with fewer from the Marmara and Black Seas. Efforts are ongoing to expand the collection to include samples from all fish species in all Turkish seas. The collection includes 32 endangered species, 11 of which are critically endangered, according to the IUCN Red List. The collection also includes 54 species that have invaded the Mediterranean and Southern Aegean Seas from the Red Sea following the opening of the Suez Canal. The continued addition of these species will contribute to the overall species count. The ESFM-PIS, given its species diversity, is a significant resource for researchers studying Turkish marine fish. As missing species are added, the collection will continue growing. The 60-year span of collected samples, organized to museum standards, ensures a clear research path to include all Turkish marine fish species in the ESFM-PIS. This study is based on specimens obtained from various research and projects in four different Turkish seas. These samples have been incorporated into the “Turkish Marine Fish Department” within the Ege University Faculty of Fisheries’ Scientific Material (ESFM), an initiative established in 2007. The goal of this initiative is to preserve fish species found in Turkish seas for future generations. We hope that this department will benefit scientists interested in fish systematics and fish biology in Türkiye and worldwide.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research received funding from Ege University’s Scientific Research Projects Coordination Office (BAP), under project code FHD-2021-23431. We’re grateful for the financial backing provided by the BAP unit. Our thanks also go to the Dean’s Offices at Ege University Faculty of Fisheries for their dedication in maintaining scientific materials collected from Turkish waters over the past five decades. This work is a tribute to our late mentor, Dr. Savaş Mater (March 9, 1943-May 1, 2007), whose significant contributions led to establishing the Turkish marine fish collection at Ege University.

Author Contribution per CRediT

Conceptualization: Bahar Bayhan (Lead), Sencer Akalın (Supporting), Ertan Taşkavak (Supporting). Methodology: Bahar Bayhan (Lead), Sencer Akalın (Supporting), Salim C. Akçınar (Supporting), Murat Kaya (Supporting). Formal Analysis: Bahar Bayhan (Lead), Murat Kaya (Supporting), Okan Özaydın (Supporting), Tuncay M. Sever (Supporting), Alp Salman (Supporting), Şule Gürkan (Supporting), Dilek İlhan (Supporting), Orçin Uygun (Supporting), Burak Altay (Supporting). Investigation: Bahar Bayhan (Lead), Murat Kaya (Supporting), Okan Özaydın (Supporting), Tuncay M. Sever (Supporting), Alp Salman (Supporting), Şule Gürkan (Supporting), Dilek İlhan (Supporting), Orçin Uygun (Supporting), Burak Altay (Supporting). Writing – original draft: Bahar Bayhan (Lead), Sencer Akalın (Supporting), Burcu Taylan (Supporting), Murat Kaya (Supporting), Ertan Taşkavak (Supporting). Writing – review & editing: Bahar Bayhan (Lead), Sencer Akalın (Supporting), Ertan Taşkavak (Supporting). Resources: Bahar Bayhan (Equal), Burcu Taylan (Equal). Supervision: Bahar Bayhan (Equal), Ertan Taşkavak (Equal).