Vertical distribution of CALANOIDA and its qualitative and quantitative changes during the winter and spring seasons in the coastal waters of Ras al-Basit and Umm al-Tuyour areas, north of Latakia city

Abstract

The vertical distribution of Calanoida species was studied at different depths, down to 500 m, during winter and spring in the Syrian coastal waters of two areas north of Latakia City.

Temperatures were ranged between 13.2°C to 24.6°C, with the lowest values ​​in winter and the highest in spring. Average salinity values ​​were 38.86‰ and 39.27‰, with the lowest values ​​observed in winter and the highest in spring.

A total of 56 species were recorded, with spring showing the greatest diversity at
 55 species. The highest average density was recorded during Spring at
 2521 individuals/m³, while the lowest was 887 individuals/m³ in Winter. The species of Clausocalanus were the most abundant during the winter, with an average abundance of 298 individuals/m3 (34%), followed by species of Paracalanus with 142 individuals/m3 (16%). Likewise, during the spring, the species of Clausocalanus were the most abundant, with an average abundance of 1000 individuals/m3 (40%), followed by species of Paracalanus with 512 individuals/m3 (20%).