IMIS

In the present study, the taxonomical and ecological characteristics of species belonging to the subphylum Crustacea were determined in the Zostera facies along the Sinop Peninsula coasts of Turkey. During four sampling events (June 2004, September 2004, January 2005 and April 2005), samples were quantitatively collected by a quadrat (25 x 25 cm), and sorted with a 0.5 mm mesh sieve. In the laboratory, the organisms were sorted from the sifted sediment under a stereo microscope and stored in 70% alcohol. The extracted fauna and flora were separated into taxonomic groups, identified and listed according to the monographic works. A total of 55 species and 7057 specimens belonging to 41 genera, 34 families and 6 orders were recorded. With 35 species, Amphipoda is the most dominant order, followed by Decapoda with 6 species. Furthermore, physico-chemical data was collected: turbidity (ntu), dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/l), temperature (°C), salinity (ppt), pH and conductivity (µS/cm).