Khelifi-Touhami, M., R. Semroud, E.H. Hamdi, M. Ounissi, A. Haridi, M.N. Daly & P. Aissa. (2007). The planctonic copepod communities from the southern Mediterranean Sea (Algeria, Tunisia) with a redescription of Paracalanus indicus Wolfenden 1905 (Copepoda: Calanoida). Cahiers de Biologie Marine. 48(4):327-338.

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Khelifi-Touhami, M., R. Semroud, E.H. Hamdi, M. Ounissi, A. Haridi, M.N. Daly & P. Aissa

2007

48(4):327-338.

Publication

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The composition, diversity and ecological affinities of pelagic copepods from the eastern Algerian coast and the contiguous Tunisian littoral (Bizerte shelf) were studied. The synthesis of the results showed peculiarities of the communities inhabiting these shelf waters. One hundred forty three copepod species were identified from which Copilia lata Giesbrecht 1891 is recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea. The copepods of the continental shelf of eastern Algeria seemed to be abundant and highly diversified. Ecological affinities revealed the influence of local and regional oceanographic conditions. Paracalanus indicus Wolfenden 1905 was recorded for the first time in the Algerian and Tunisian coastal waters, Because of the close morphological characteristics of P. indicus and P. quasimodo Bowman 1971 inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean, a compared study to distinguish between both species was undertaken. Despite its abundance in the Algero-Tunisian coast, representing 46% of total copepods, P. indicus was not found in the Mediterranean oriental basin or the north occidental part of the Mediterranean Sea. Although with careful morphological study, it is very difficult to distinguish between the two species.

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