Author(s): M.M. Dorgham and M.M. Hussein
Article publication date: 1997-08-01
Vol. 15 No. 2 (yearly), pp. 415-435.
233
Keywords
zooplankton, Doha Harbour, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Seasonal changes in zooplankton assemblages in Doha Harbour, a neritic area in the Arabian Gulf were studied from December 1987 to November 1988 in relation to the seasonal variations of temperature, salinity and nutrients. The zooplankton community in the study area was characterized by low species diversity and a relatively low numerical density relative to other areas in the Gulf. High salinity seems to be a dominant factor affecting growth and the breeding cycles of the abundant zooplankton species. The average population densities ranged from a maximum of 47051m3 in June to a minimum of 993/m3 in November. Copepods were the major component, in the ratio of I: 1.7: 5.5 harpacticoids: calanoids: cyclopoids. This ratio showed a departure from that usually observed in warm waters. Some deep-water species were occasionally recorded indicating the possibility of adaptation of Indo-Pacific species to the area.