Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Observations of benthic fauna of the South Yemeni coastal waters.

Volume 34 Issue 1&2

Mohammed A. Saad

Abstract

Analyses of the benthic samples collected from the coastal waters between Ras Al Ara and Ras Fartak and around Socotra showed that numerically Polychaeta was the most abundant group (54.6%) in the benthic fauna with 3553 n/m², followed by Crustacea (36.2%) with predominance of amphipods, isopods, decapods, cumaceans and tanaidaceans. Echinodenns contributed to 7.2%, though absent at several stations. Other benthic communities recorded were molluscs (0.5%), nematodes and nemertines (1 %). About 50% of the benthic fauna collected were from Ras Al Ara and Aden, the minimum being from Al Kalb (4.4%). While Polychaeta exhibited a direct correlation with the mud content of the sediment, the relationship of Crustacea was negative.

Date : 31-10-1992