CHANGES IN MESOZOOPLANKTON ABUNDANCE, BIOMASS AND SPECIES COMPOSITION WITH DEPTH IN THE LEVANTINE BASIN (EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN)

Species composition, abundance and biomass distribution of mesozooplankton species with depth were studied in the Levantine basin (eastern Mediterranean) within the framework of SESAME (Southern European Seas: Assessing and Modelling Ecosystem changes). Copepods were found to be the dominant group at all depth layers sampled during both sampling periods. Mesozooplankton biomass and abundance varied between 2.2-18.1 mgm-3, 72.28-757.55 ind.m-3 in April 2008 and 0.98-4.67 mgm-3 and 99.54-492.52 ind.m-3 i October 2008, respectively. Mesozooplankton biomass and abundance tend to decrease with depth