Distribution and ecology of tintinnids in the plankton of Lebanese coastal waters (eastern Mediterranean)

The tintinnids of Jounieh Bay in Lebanon were identified and their numerical abundance determined in horizontal and vertical net samples from February 1979 to December 1980. Large fluctuations in abundance and composition of the tintinnid fauna occurred during the period of investigation. Two distinct peaks were noted, a major one in May–June and a minor one in November–December. The first followed the main phytoplankton peak, suggesting a positive nutritional relationship between the two populations. The most abundant species were Tintinopsis beroidea and Eutintinnus lusus-undae . A few other species showed great abundance during shorter periods. In all, 121 species were recorded during this period, and of these 12 belong to the genus Tintinnopsis and 11 to Eutintinnus .