Vertical distribution of zooplankton in the epipelagic zone off Sharm El-Sheikh, Red Sea, Egypt

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to track the seasonal vertical distribution of zooplankton abundance in the epipelagic zone off Sharm El-Sheikh, Red Sea. Zooplankton samples were collected seasonally within the depth ranges of 0–25, 25–50, 50–75, 75–100m at a single station off Sharm El-Sheikh City. The present study is an attempt to expand knowledge about the structure as well as the vertical distribution of the epipelagic zooplankton community in the Gulf of Aqaba in general and in its southern part in particular. The results indicate the occurrence of 52 copepod species and several species of other planktonic groups in the study area; the zooplankton standing crop fluctuated between 1124 and 4952 organisms m−3. Copepods appeared to be the predominant component, forming an average of 86.5% of the total zooplankton count, and with other groups demonstrated a markedly different seasonal vertical distribution. Twelve bathypelagic copepod species were reported during the present study, and five species were new to the area, having migrated northwards from the main basin of the Red Sea.