Nurcin Killi , Ozan Sagdic
In this study, seasonal abundances and distribution of Cladocera species were investigated in Gulluk Bay, Mugla. Sampling operations were performed in four stations during April-October 2017. Zooplankton samples were taken horizontally by WP2 UNESCO plankton net with 200 micrometer mesh size. Five Cladocera species which are P. avirostris, P. tergestina, E. spinifera, P. polyphemoides, P. intermedius were determined in the study area. Other zooplankton groups in the samples were copepods, appendicularians, chaetognaths and meroplankton. P. polyphemoides was found in all sampling months except July. Maximum mean abundance of P. polyphemoides was observed 317 ind./m³ in April. P. avirostris showed maximum abundances in May and June but these values were not very high. P. intermedius was found in September and October in the samples. P. tergestina was dominant Cladocera species in May, June, July, August and September. Maximum abundance of E. spinifera was determined in June (mean 105 ind./m3).