Seasonal Abundance of Zooplankton at Mangrove and Sandy Shore Habitat at Almarjan Zone, Jazan

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1 Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 2017; 2(4): doi: /j.aos Seasonal Abundance of Zooplankton at Mangrove and Sandy Shore Habitat at Almarjan Zone, Jazan AbdAllah Tharwat AbdAllah *, Adel Alhababy, Mohammad Javed Kamal Shamsi, Sahar Hassan Haroun, Mohammed Salah AbdelDayem Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia address: (A. T. AbdAllah) * Corresponding author To cite this article: AbdAllah Tharwat AbdAllah, Adel Alhababy, Mohammad Javed Kamal Shamsi, Sahar Hasan Haroun, Mohammed Salah AbdelDayem. easonal Abundance of Zooplankton at Mangrove and Sandy Shore Habitat at Almarjan Zone, Jazan. Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. Vol. 2, No. 4, 2017, pp doi: /j.aos Received: May 21, 2017; Accepted: May 31, 2017; Published: July 14, 2017 Abstract: Zooplankton abundance was poorly studied at Jazan coastal area. The present study dealt with identification of zooplankton at sandy shore and mangrove coast at AlMarjan zone. Species richness and population density at different seasons will be determined at both studied areas between May 2016-April PH, conductivity, water temperature and salinity will be determined. Regression analysis between water criteria and zooplankton abundance will be calculated at different seasons. Ciliates, rotifers, nauplius larva, Gammarus, veliger larva, nematodes, Planaria, copepods and Kinorhyncha were identified at both studied areas. Highest species richness and abundance was recorded during summer season for Almarjan sandy shore and mangrove sites. At sandy shore; ciliates were the highest abundant zooplankton, while Kinorhyncha showed the least abundance. Nematode was the highest abundant at Almarjan mangrove, while Gnathostomulida were the least abundant zooplankton. Conductivity, salinity and water temperature showed significantly correlation relationship (P < 0.05) with zooplankton abundance. Data were discussed to highlight the role of zooplankton abundance in the mangrove and sandy shore ecosystem. Keywords: Zooplankton, Seasonal Abundance, Sandy Shore, Mangrove, Almarjan 1. Introduction Zooplankton have great importance at marine ecosystem. They represent the first consumer organisms at marine food web. They live at depths up to 350 meter below water surface [1, 2]. Zooplankton perform dual vertical migration; upward at daylight to follow their preys; the phytoplankton and downward by night being hide from predators [1]. Zooplankton are the main food sources for fishes and other intertidal and epipelagic animals [2]. They live at neritic zone and at epipelagic zone. Marine plankton are classified as oceanic plankton (plankters inhabiting water beyond continental shelves), neritic plankton (plankters inhabiting water overlying continental shelves) and brackish-water plankton (plankters inhabiting brackish-water areas such as estuaries and mangrove). According to the duration of planktonic life, the zooplankton are classified into two groups; holoplanktons and meroplanktons. The permanent members of animal plankton as zooplankton are called holoplankton. Meroplanktons are temporary members of the zooplankton. They are organisms that live as plankton for only part of their life cycle. Meroplanktons constitute the planktonic larvae of animals from different types of habitats: rocky shores, subtidal communities including kelp beds, coral reefs, estuaries, and the deep ocean floor. These larvae differ completely from adult stages at their mode of living as adults either live on the bottom or swim as nektons [3]. Little work was made about identification of zooplankton in Jazan. Farasan report stated the presence of copepod as zooplankton in surface seawater [4, 5]. Bakhsh [6] studied zooplankton as food source for bream fish in Jizan. Calanoid and Euphausiid zooplankton are the most important zooplankton in the red sea [7]. Some zooplankton live at 400m depth at areas of low oxygen concentrations [8]. The present work concerns with investigating seasonal distribution and abundance of zooplankton inhabiting surface

2 103 AbdAllah Tharwat AbdAllah et al.: Seasonal Abundance of Zooplankton at Mangrove and Sandy Shore Habitat at Almarjan Zone, Jazan water of intertidal areas on Almarjan sandy shore and mangrove areas. Species richness and diversity index will be determined. Data will be discussed to evaluate the effect of seasonal changes on the distribution of zooplankton in the sandy and muddy mangrove coastal marine ecosystem. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Study Site Almarjan sandy shore coast and Almarjan mangrove were the studied sites (E42 33 N16 90 ) Figure 1. Map showing study areas Water Criteria Determination Physical and chemical water criteria were measured at littoral areas of Almarjan sandy shore and mangrove habitats using Hanna ph meter instruments for ph and temperature measurement, Hanna salinity meter for salinity measurement and Genway conductivity meter for conductivity determination Sampling Zooplankton samples were collected seasonally from littoral zone at sandy shore of Almarjan coast, and at mangrove of Almarjan coast about 10:00 am during the period; May April, Plankton net 353µ (Forestry Supplies) was used for this purpose. Identification of Zooplanktons were according to previous studies [2, 9, 10, 11] Population Density and Relative Abundance Plankton were identified by examining collected water samples by Zeiss Research Microscope. For each plankton group, number of individuals at 1ml water sample determines the population density. Ratio of population density of each planktonic group to total densities of all examined groups was the calculated relative abundance Species Richness Species richness (R) quantifies how many different types the dataset of interest contains [12, 13]. It calculates the number of different invertebrate species at each of the studied areas Statistical Analysis One factor ANOVA (analysis of variance) was applied using SPSS 22 statistical software program to determine the significance of spatial distribution of planktonic organisms at the investigated area. P<0.05 was selected as the minimum significance level for statistical analysis. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the effect of water criteria on zooplankton abundance at both studied sites. 3. Results and Discussion 3.1. Water Criteria at Different Seasons The mean seasonal values of ph, salinity, water temperature and conductivity detected at Almarjan sandy shore (Table 1) and mangrove (Table 2) studied sites.

3 Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 2017; 2(4): Table 1. Mean ± SD of water criteria determined seasonally at Almarjan sandy shore site. ph Water temperature salinity Conductivity Winter ± ± ± ± Spring 7.55 ± ± ± ± Summer ± ± ± ± Autumn ± ± ± ± Table 2. Mean ± SD of water criteria determined seasonally at mangrove site. ph Water temperature salinity Conductivity Summer 8.02 ± ± ± ± Autumn 7.38 ± ± ± ± Winter 7.44 ± ± ± ± Spring 7.48 ± ± ± ± Species Richness Variable richness of zooplankton species was demonstrated during different seasons at Almarjan sandy shore and mangrove studied sites. At intertidal zone of sandy shore species richness was 8 at summer, 5 at autumn, 4 at winter and 7 at spring seasons. Species richness at mangrove was 7 at summer, 4 at autumn, 6 at winter and 7 at spring seasons Identified Zooplankton At the intertidal zone of Almarjan sandy shore. Ciliates were the defined protozoan zooplankton. Metazoan zooplankton were nematodes, copepods, rotifers, Planaria, kinorhyncha, nauplius larva and veliger larva. At Almarjan mangrove, collected metazoan zooplankton were nematode, copepod, Planaria, gnathostomulida, nauplius larva, trochophore larva and fish larva. Ciliates were the identified protozoan zooplankton Zooplankton Seasonal Abundance Population density of zooplankton collected at summer, autumn, winter and spring seasons from Almarjan sandy shore and mangrove coastal zone was tabulated at Table 3 and Table 4 respectively and represented graphically at Fig (2 and 4). At sandy shore; ciliates were the highest abundant zooplankton, while Kinorhyncha showed the least abundance. Nematode was the highest abundant at Almarjan mangrove, while Gnathostomulida were the least abundant zooplankton. Table 3. Mean seasonal abundance of zooplankton at intertidal zone of sandy shore habitat at Almarjan coastal zone. Species Summer mean ± SD Autumn mean ± SD Winter mean ± SD Spring mean ± SD Total Taxonomic group Ciliates 140 ± ± ± ± Protozoa Nematodes ± ± ± ± Nematoda Copepods 102 ± ± ± ± Crustacea Nauplius larva ± ± Crustacea Veliger larva ± Gastropoda Water flea Cladocera 100 ± ± ± ± Crustacea Rotifers ± ± Rotifera Planaria ± ± Platyhelminthes Kinorhyncha 32.5 ± Kinorhyncha Total Table 4. Mean seasonal abundance of zooplankton at intertidal zone of Almarjan mangrove coastal zone. species Summer mean ± SD Autumn mean ± SD Winter mean ± SD Spring mean ± SD Total Taxonomic group Ciliates ± ± ± ± Protozoa Nematodes ± ± ± ± Nematoda Copepods ± ± ± ± Crustacea Nauplius larva ± ± ± Crustacea Planaria ± ± Platyhelminthes Gammarus 95 ± Amphipoda, Crustacea Trochophore larva ± ± Annelida Fish larva ± Pisces Gnathostomulida ± ± ± Gnathostomulida Total Two factor ANOVA showed significant effect of species (P < 0.001), season (P < 0.001) and interactions of season and species (P > 0.001) on zooplankton abundance at intertidal zone of Almarjan sandy shore.

4 105 AbdAllah Tharwat AbdAllah et al.: Seasonal Abundance of Zooplankton at Mangrove and Sandy Shore Habitat at Almarjan Zone, Jazan sp ecies*se ason sum m er autum n w inter spring 100 D V ciliates nem atodes copepodes nauplius larva veliger larva w ater flea rotifera planaria kinorhyncha Level Figure 2. Seasonal abundance of zooplanktons at intertidal zone of Almarjan sandy shore (bars indicate standard error). Figure 3. Seasonal variation of percentage composition of zooplankton at intertidal zone of Almarjan sandyshore a- summer season, b-autumn season, c- winter season, d-spring season.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 2017; 2(4): 102-108 106 150 125 sp ecie s*sea so n sum m er autum n w inter spring 100 D V 75 50 25 0 ciliates nem atodes copepodes nauplius larva Planaria G am m

5 Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 2017; 2(4): sp ecie s*sea so n sum m er autum n w inter spring 100 D V ciliates nem atodes copepodes nauplius larva Planaria G am m arus trochophore fish larva gnathostom ulida Level Figure 4. Seasonal distribution of zooplankton at intertidal zone of Almarjan mangrove (bar indicates standard error). Two factor ANOVA showed significant effect of species (P < 0.001), season (P < 0.001) and interactions of season and species (P < 0.001) on zooplankton abundance at intertidal zone of Almarjan mangrove. As shown from Table 5 zooplankton diversity index was mostly higher in sandy shore than mangrove habitat. Diversity was peaked in summer for sandy shore habitat and spring for mangrove habitat. Autumn season showed lowest diversity index for zooplankton at both studied areas. Table 5. Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H ) of zooplanktons at Almarjan sandy shore and mangrove. Season Sandy shore Mangrove Summer Autumn Winter Spring Figure 5. Seasonal variation of percentage composition of zooplankton at Almarjan mangrove, a- Summer season b-autumn season c-winter season d-spring season.

6 107 AbdAllah Tharwat AbdAllah et al.: Seasonal Abundance of Zooplankton at Mangrove and Sandy Shore Habitat at Almarjan Zone, Jazan Zooplankton density and species richness were peaked at summer season for the intertidal zone of Almarjan sandy shore and mangrove sites. Based on relative abundance (Fig 3) the protozoan ciliates were the highest abundant zooplankton at Almarjan sandy shore. Nematodes were the most abundant metazoan zooplankton, while kinorhyncha were the least abundant. At Almarjan mangrove (Fig 5) nematodes were the highest abundant zooplankton and gnathostomulida were the least abundant. Based on abundance data (Table 3 and Fig 2) zooplankton at summer season can be arranged at intertidal zone of sandy shore region as follows: Ciliates > Nematodes > Copepodes > Planaria > water flea (cladocera) > Nauplius larva > Kinorhynca. At mangrove (Table 4 and Fig 4) zooplankton were ranked as follows: Nematodes > ciliates > Gammarus > nauplius larva > copepods > Planaria > Gnathostomulida Figure 6. Seasonal abundance of zooplankton at intertidal zone of Almarjan sandy shore and mangrove coastal zones. Total zooplankton abundance data (Fig 6) showed higher population density for sandy shore at summer and spring seasons. One way-anova showed significant difference (P < 0.05) between total zooplankton density at intertidal zone of sandy shore and mangrove investigated sites. Duncan's comparison of means test demonstrated that total zooplankton density at sandy shore were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than mangrove site Effect of Water Criteria on Seasonal Abundance of Zooplankton Pearson correlation analysis between measured water criteria and seasonal zooplankton abundance was calculated. correlation analysis of water criteria with zooplankton abundance inhabiting intertidal zone at Almarjan sandy shore showed nonsignificant relationship with ph (r = 0.48, p > 0.05), Salinity showed significant relationship (r = 0.931, p = 0.03). Surface seawater temperature (SST) demonstrated significant effect on zooplankton abundance (r = 0.948, p < 0.05). conductivity showed no significant difference (r = 0.958, p > 0.05). At Almarjan mangrove; regression relationship was significantly (r = 0.922, P < 0.05) between seasonal variation in SST and zooplankton abundance. Salinity demonstrated significant regression relationship (r = 0.970, P < 0.05) with zooplankton abundance. Significant relationship (r = 0.983, p < 0.05) was shown between ph and zooplankton abundance. No significant regression was shown between conductivity and zooplankton abundance (r = 0.838, p > 0.05). Few works referred to zooplankton in Jazan. However, no previous study concerned identification of zooplankton species in Jazan coastal area. Zooplankton plays an essential role in the food chain at marine ecosystem. They feed on phytoplankton and gain high energy input. Some zooplanktons are carnivorous. They feed on other zooplankton. Animals at higher trophic levels that feed on those zooplankton aquire the necessary energy amount required to perform vital activities [2]. Biodiversity of zooplankton and the increase in their population densities is indicator of good and healthy marine ecosystem. Paul, etal. [14] used zooplankton abundance for the evaluation of abietic stressor in temperate estuarine ecosystem. presence of inorganic or organic pollutants may resulted in the absence of certain species or decrease of population density of existent species [7, 15]. AlAsgah and Bedawi [16] studied Zooplankton at Gizan Reservoir and recorded copepod, water flea and rotifers. The same types of zooplankton were recorded during the present study. Zooplankton were peaked during the present work at summer season. This agrees with previous studies [16, 17]. Bakhsh [6] studied the biology of thread bream Nemipterus japonicus at Farasan Islands and Jazan seawater and found that the food content of that fish contains copepods and amphipod in food content of the thread bream. This is in accordance with the present results where both zooplankton groups were recorded. Calanoid and Euphausiid zooplankton are important zooplankton in the red sea [7]. Farasan report stated the presence of copepod as zooplankton in the surface seawater [5]. The present studies agree with this study and showed the presence of high abundance of copepod as a holoplankton at the intertidal zone of sandy and muddy shore. In the present work, nematodes were the most abundant metazoan zooplankton in both mangrove and sandy shore intertidal zone. The results are in agreement with Rombouts, et al. [18] who stated that the presence of high nematode density among zooplankton assemplage indicates good water criteria. Future studies will be concerned on factors and threats affected population density of zooplanktons in Jazan coastal habitats. 4. Conclusion The present work was made due to the shortage of information about identification of zooplankton in Jazan coastal zone. Recorded zooplankton at summer season was the highest among different seasons, while winter season showed the least species richness and abundance of collected

7 Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 2017; 2(4): zooplankton. Variable abundance and species richness was shown at different seasons for sandy shore and mangrove studied sites. Water temperature, salinity and conductivity showed significant effect (P < 0.05) on zooplankton density and species richness. Acknowledgement The authors are thankful to the scientific Dean of Jazan University for financially supporting that work as a part of the 6 th scientific program, grant number References [1] Castro, P. and Huber, M. (2012) Marine Biology. ninth Edition. McGraw Hill publishers. FAO, (2006) Mangrove, description, Saudi Arabia. [2] Lee, G. and Stokes, J. (2006) Marine Science. An illustrated guide to Science. Chelsea House publishers. [3] Nybakken, J. W. (1997) Marine Biology an Ecological Approach. Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc., 4th Ed. 481 pp. [4] Farasan islands protected area master management plan (2000) National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development, Riyadh, [5] Abuzinada, A. H. (2001) First Saudi Arabian National Report on the Convention on Biological Diversity. The National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development. [6] Bakhsh, A. A. (1994) The biology of thread bream Nemipterus japonicas (Bloch) from the Jizan region of the Red Sea. J. KAU. Mar. Sci, 7: [7] ObuidAllah, A. H., AbdAllah, A. T., Abu-Eldahab, H. M., Abdul-Rahman, N. S. and Mahdy, A. A. (2005) Impact of heavy metal contamination on seasonal abundance of planktonic copepods inhabiting mangrove area in Safaga, Red Sea, Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Experimental Biology (zool.), 1: [8] Abdul Azis, P. K., Al- Tisan, I. A., Daili, M. A., Green, T. N., Dalvi, A. G. I. and Javeed, M. A. (2003) Chlorophyll and plankton of the gulf coastal waters of Saudi Arabia bordering a desalination plant. Desalination, 154; [9] Bradford-Grieve, j. M.; Haakonsen, L. and Jillett, J. B. (1983) The marine fauna of New Zealand: pelagic calanoid copepods: Families Euchaetidae, Phaemidae, Scolecithricidae, Diaixidae and Tharybidae. Memoirs. N. Z. Oceanographic Institute 90: [10] Heron, G. A. and Bradford-Grieve, J. M. (1995) The marine fauna of New Zealand: Pelagic Copepoda: Poecilostomatoida: Oncaeidae. Memoirs. N. Z. Oceanographic Institute 104: [11] Hickman, C. P., Roberts, L. S., Keen, S. L., Larson, A., l'anson, H. and Eisenhour, D. J. (2011) Integrated Principles of Zoology. 15 th edition. Mc-Graw Hills Higher Education Publishers. Boston, Madrid [12] Jost, L. (2006) Entropy and diversity. Oikos, 113, [13] Tuomisto, H. (2010) A diversity of beta diversities: straightening up a concept gone awry. Part 1. Defining beta diversity as a function of alpha and gamma diversity. Ecography, 33, [14] Paul, S., Wooldridge, T. and Perissinotto, R. (2016) Evaluation of abiotic stresses of temperate estuaries by using resident zooplankton: A community vs. population approach. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 170: [15] Mahdy, A. A. (2005) Taxonomical and Ecological studies on Marine Zooplankton of the Red Sea, Egypt. Msc. Thesis, AlAzhar University, Assiut, Egypt. [16] Al-Asgah, N. A. and Bedawi, R. M. (1988) Some observations on water quality and aquatic fauna of the Gizan Reservoir in Saudi Arabia. J. Coll. Agric., King Saud Univ., Vol. 10, No.2, pp [17] Gaughan, D, Potter, C. (1995) Composition, Distribution and Seasonal Abundance of Zooplankton in a Shallow, Seasonally Closed Estuary in Temperate Australia. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science Vol. 41 (2): [18] Rombouts, I., Beaugrand, G., Artigas, L. F., Dauvin, J. C., Gevaert, F, Goberville, E., Kopp, D., Lefebvre, S., Luczak. C., Spilmont, N., Travers-Trolet, M., Villanueva, M. C., Kirby, R. R. (2013) Evaluating marine ecosystem health: Case studies of indicators using direct observations and modelling methods. Ecological indicators

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