ZOOPLANKTON ANNUAL CYCLE IN A MEDITERRANEAN COASTAL AREA

The annual cycle of the zooplankton community in the Saronikos Gulf (A egean Sea, Greece) was studied over a period of 2 years. The sampling scheme included monthly hauls at three stations differentiated accordi ng to depth and neritic character. Maximum values of total zooplankton abundance were found in summer months up to early autumn and partiall y in spring. Copepods dominated during most of the year (Clausocalanus furcatus, Paracalanus parvus, Temora stylifera, Ctenocalanus vanus, O ithona similis, Oithona plumifera), while cladocerans (Penilia avirost ris) were abundant in summer months and in September. No important flu ctuations were detected between the 2 years of study, while monthly on es were more significant in the more neritic station during the winter -spring period. Correspondence analysis showed that the seasonal evolu tion of zooplankton is related to environmental parameters: temperatur e, hydrography expressed in open sea influence and topography.