Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Mesozooplankton’s diversity and distribution between Cape Blanc (21°N) and Cape Boujdor (26°N): Moroccan Atlantic Coast

International Conference on Aquaculture & Fisheries

July 20-22, 2015 Brisbane, Australia

Laila El Arraj

ScientificTracks Abstracts-Workshop: J Aquac Res Development

Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to attempt to explain how distributed epipelagic mesozooplankton along the South Atlantic Moroccan coast is and how environmental parameters fluctuate and affect its distribution. In order to evaluate mesozooplankton?s distribution and diversity within this area, two surveys were carried out between Cape Blanc (21°N) and Cape Boujdor (26°N) during two seasons (autumn 2011 and summer 2012) hydrologically different. Referring to densities, distribution and structural indexes measured of the population, a clear difference between the south and north part of Dakhla region is noticed. The south part remains the richest and more diversified. The cluster analysis of sampled stations and the PCA performed between mesozooplankton?s densities and hydrological parameters have confirmed the same results. Actually, this area is extremely rich in both phytoplankton (primary production) and zooplankton (secondary production). The group of copepods seems to be clearly dominant in all stations sampled during both seasons, representing more than 90%.

Biography :

Laila El Arraj is a PhD student of 26 years old. The thesis she is preparing is about: Spatio-temporal analysis of vertical distribution of mesozooplankton in the south Atlantic Moroccan coast in relation to hydrological parameters and upwelling in this area. She has attended to many international congresses about marine science and has submitted some papers to national and international journals. She got her Master degree at the University Hassan II of Casablanca in Management and Valorization of Marine Resources in 2011.