TEMPORAL CHANGES OF A MACROBENTHIC ASSEMBLAGE IN EVROS DELTA (NORTH AEGEAN SEA)

Monthly samples of the macrobenthic fauna were collected during Februa ry 1983-February 1984, in a coastal lagoon of Evros Delta (North Aegea n Sea), characterized by a very strong monthly fluctuation of temperat ure and salinity. 3 groups of samples were distinguished, the first in cluding those taken during the spring months, the second, those taken during summer and autumn, and the third, the samples of winter months. All the above samples were homogeneous concerning number of species, species richness (MARGALEF index) and evenness, but not as far as spec ies diversity (SHANNON-WIENER index) is concerned. The monthly variati on of the total number of individuals and total biomass was significan t, with highest values in spring, beginning of summer and autumn. Most months, polychaetes dominating, having the highest relative abundance and wet biomass. The 8 dominating species, which had a cumulative dom inance of about 93%, showed strong monthly variation of abundance and biomass.