Variabilité mensuelle du zooplancton et de l'ichtyoplancton dans le golfe deTunis

Abstract

Monthly variability of zooplankton and ichthyoplankton abundance and composition were studied in 6 stations in the Gulf of Tunis between February 2003 and January 2004. Plankton trawls were horizontal, in surface and at night. Study area seems to be influenced by climatic conditions and the outflow of Majreda River that affect the surface temperature and salinity. Copepods, with many abundance picks in the year, formed the most abundant group (84%) followed by cladocerans (8%) and chaetognaths (3%). The swarms of appendicularians, cladocerans and medusas then for zoe are in spring. The highest fish spawning periods was in summer then the highest larva abundance was in winter and summer.