SOME ASPECTS OF THE ECOLOGY OF LITTORAL INVERTEBRATES IN A COASTAL LAGOON OF SOUTHERN OMAN

Some aspects of the ecology of benthic, planktonic and weed-associated littoral invertebrates of a coastal lagoon in southern Oman are descr ibed. invertebrates were studied at five sites during two pre-flood mo nths and one post-flood month; 38 taxa belonging to 22 major groups we re recorded. Their distribution and relative importance were variable at sites and in sampling months. Five categories adapted to the fluctu ating salinity regime of the lagoon were recognized. The overall litto ral diversity was low. Similarity, diversity and evenness indices refl ect the spatial and temporal response of communities to environmental conditions influenced by floods. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.