Distribution of ichthyoplankton in relation to ecological conditions in the epipelagial of the Gulf of Antalya

This study was carried out at 20 stations in epipelagial of the Gulf of Antalya between 2011 and 2012. Monthly ichthyoplankton samples were taken vertically by using WP-2 Closing Net with 333μm mesh size and 57cm frame diameter. As a result of the study, early life stages of 122 teleost fish species belonging to 11 orders and 45 families were determined. Species distribution, abundance, dominance, distribution area related with spawning period and depth were determined according to months. Besides, the temporal changes of total ichthyoplankton abundance were examined. In this respect, while maximum abundance was observed in May, June and July, minimum abundance of ichthyoplankton occurred in November, December and February. A similar tendency was observed in Species Richness and Diversity. So, richness and diversity were higher in Spring and Summer months than in Autumn and Winter months. Signalized to fish eggs, the lessepsian migrant fish Saurida undosquamis is the most dominant species in four months was determined. Changes of the physico-chemical parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, water clarity and total suspended solid matter) and nutrients (NOx, orthophosphate, ammonia), carried out the water analysis concurrently with ichthyoplankton samplings, were evaluated according to the months and the depths. Especially in the estuaries, differences of salinity between surface water and deep water is significant.