Temporal and spatial changes of crustaceans in mixed eelgrass beds, Zostera marina L. and Z. noltii Hornem., at the Sinop peninsula coast (the southern Black Sea, Turkey)

摘要

This research was carried out to determine the macrobenthic crustacean species associated with mixed eelgrass beds (Zostera marina and Z. noltii) occurring in the upper-infralittoral zone of the Sinop peninsula coast (the southern Black Sea, Turkey) and their bioecolological features. From June 2004 to April 2005, investigations were seasonally performed at the depths of 2-4 m at 6 different stations chosen on the Sinop peninsula coast. As a result of the study, a total of 7057 individuals belonging to 55 species and 6 orders were identified. Amphipoda was the dominant group in terms of number of species (63% of the total of orders) and number of individuals (83% of the total individuals). Among these, Ampelisca pseudospinimana had the highest dominance value with up to 1902 specimens (approximately 27%). However, Isopoda accounted for 47% of the total biomass. The species that have the highest individual biomass was isopod, Idotea balthica (35% of total biomass). According to a frequency index, 26 species were designated as constant, 13 species as common and 16 species as rare. The highest number of species (max. 26 species m(-2)) and number of individuals (2069 ind.m(-2)) were found at station 4 in fall and summer and the lowest at station I in winter (min. 6 species m(-2); 8 ind. m(-2)).