Distribution of Ichthyoplankton during the Summer Period in the Northern Cyprus Marine Areas

Abstract

In this study, ichthyoplankton samples collected during the July 1998 cruise of the R/V K. Piri Reis in the Northern Cyprus marine areas were evaluated. Samples were collected at 40 stations at 300-1200 m depth and yielded 73 eggs and 160 larvae in total belonging to 24 fish families including Clupeidae, Engraulidae, Gonostomatidae, Sternoptychidae, Chloropthalmidae, Paralepididae, Synodontidae, Myctophidae, Holocentridae, Triglidae, Carangidae, Sparidae, Mullidae, Labridae, Gobiidae, Trichiuridae and Soleidae. Among the deep marine species, Myctophiformes and Stomiiformes were the most important orders ranking first (29%) and second (12%), respectively. Anchovy eggs ranked first in the catch (49%; but with 28% dead), and Engraulidae 22%. Clupeidae also were abundant (11%), and Lessepsian (Etrumeus teres) and (Sargocentrum rubrum) larvae were reported from these waters for the first time. The important result of the present study is that pelagic fish sources in the area are dominant compared to the demersal fish species known previously.