Space-time variation of ciliates related to environmental factors in 15 nearshore stations of the Gulf of Gabes

Mediterranean Marine Science

A. HAMZA¹  J. ELLOUMI²  Z. DRIRA²  H. AYADI² 

[1] Institut National des Sciences et Technologie de la Mer. Centre de Sfax BP 1035 Sfax 3018;Université de Sfax, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Département des Sciences de la Vie. Unité de recherche UR/11ES72 Biodiversité et Ecosystème Aquatiques, Route Soukra Km 3,5, B.P. 1171, CP 3000 Sfax;

关键词: Gulf of Gabes;    size classes;    planktonic ciliates;    abundance;    biomass.;   

DOI  :  10.12681/mms.792

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Diversity and structure of ciliate communities in the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia) were investigated based on a survey of 15 nearshore stations along 237 Km, by monthly sampling over a 1-year. Ciliated protozoa were identified to genus and/or species level and enumerated. Statistic tools were used to explain the ciliates assemblage. High ciliates species richness from 133 taxa was recorded, including new records of 76 species. This study showed a longitudinal distribution of ciliate communities, which are organized in northern stations (from Tabia to Harbor of Gabes) and southern stations (from Zarrat to Jabiat Haj Ali). The number of taxa increased significantly in northern stations but decreased in the southern. This distribution was mainly influenced by the salinity and phytoplankton abundance. Ciliate taxa were grouped into fives size-classes: 15-30 µm, 30-50 µm, 50-100 µm, 100-200 µm and >200 µm. In terms of abundance, most abundant size groups were small ciliates (15-30 μm) accounted from 15 to 79 %, while the greatest biomass contribution came from the 50-100 μm size classes. We thus conclude high diversity of ciliates communities that showed a geographical distribution influenced by abiotic and biotic factors along the coast of Gulf of Gabes.

【 授权许可】

Unknown