Distribution of zooplankton in offshore waters of the west coast of the United Arab Emirates

Seasonal fluctuations in the composition and abundance of zooplankton of the west coast of the UAE were investigated in 1993-1994. Zooplankton populations peaked in late spring and summer. The monthly numerical average of total zooplankton was about 2740 m^-3, with a biomass equal to 412 mg.m^-3. Copepods dominated zooplankton counts accounting for about 51% of the total. Tunicates, cladocerans, mollusc larvae and chaetognaths were also dominant groups during the study, and together comprised about 31% of zooplankton. Spatial variations in abundance of almost all zooplankton species and groups were not significantly different, indicating a homogeneity in composition among stations. Nine new geographical records, mostly copepods, were identified for the region. Species-diversity and evenness in species distribution were generally low compared to the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean.