Composition and Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Zooplankton Community in the Egyptian Red Sea Coast at Hurghada

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Zooplankton survey was carried out between August 2015 and July 2016 along the Egyptian Red Sea coast of Hurghada to describe the species composition and spatial-temporal variations of zooplankton community in this region. The area of study was divided into four transects vertical on the shore line and three zones parallel to the shoreline. Plankton samples were collected bimonthly by plankton  nets of 350 µ and 500 µ mesh size and 100cm mouth opening. Volume of water filtered in each tow was calculated by the flowmeter added to the plankton net and the density of zooplankton was calculated. The relationship between the abundance of different zooplankton groups and some environmental parameters in the area was studied. Diversity indices were determined using PRIMER5. A total of 415933 individuals/m3 representing different groups of zooplankton were collected. Zooplankton were most abundant at MAR1 and had the lowest abundance of zooplankton at MAR3 where 26338 individuals/m3 were collected. Zooplankton community is dominated by copepods that formed about 53% of all zooplankton collected. Zooplankton was abundant in the warmest period of the year from May to August with a peak of abundance in July and August, where 91267 individuals/m3 and 97466 individuals/m3 were collected respectively. There was a significant relationship between temperature and the abundance of zooplankton. 

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