The succession of mesozooplankton groups in inshore and offshore waters of the İskenderun Bay (northeastern Mediterranean Sea)

The purpose of the present study was to characterize annual cycling of the zooplankton groups and to describe their monthly succession in the Iskenderun Bay. Zooplankton samples were collected monthly using a WP-2 net (200μm) at inshore and offshore stations during March 2010- February 2011. A total of 27 mesozooplankton groups were observed. Copepoda mostly dominated the mesozooplankton population, however the highest abundance peaks were driven by Cladocera during summer months and by Doliolida in early autumn at offshore. Environmental factors lead to succession of zooplankton groups in the area