Research Article

Summer mesozooplankton community structure in a semi-enclosed bay of the Southern Black Sea

Volume: 43 Number: 3 August 18, 2026
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Summer mesozooplankton community structure in a semi-enclosed bay of the Southern Black Sea

Abstract

This study investigated the temporal and spatial variability of mesozooplankton community structure, abundance, biomass, and species composition in Hamsilos Bay, located in the southern Black Sea, during the summer of 2024. Zooplankton samples were collected monthly from six stations distributed throughout the bay between June and August 2024. Mesozooplankton abundance and biomass exhibited pronounced temporal and spatial variability, with generally higher values recorded at shallow inner-bay stations. Copepoda and meroplankton constituted the dominant components of the mesozooplankton community throughout the study period. In terms of abundance, Paracalanus parvus, Oithona similis, and Acartia clausi were the dominant species in June 2024, whereas a marked increase in the abundance of Oithona davisae was observed during July 2024 and August 2024. In addition, copepod early life stages represented a substantial proportion of the mesozooplankton community throughout the sampling period. Biomass distribution differed from abundance patterns and was mainly influenced by the contribution of meroplanktonic larvae and relatively large-bodied organisms. Multivariate analyses revealed significant differences in mesozooplankton community structure among sampling periods and stations. Overall, the results indicate that the summer mesozooplankton community structure in Hamsilos Bay was associated with temporal shifts in dominant species and local environmental conditions. Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of evaluating both abundance and biomass together to achieve a more comprehensive assessment of mesozooplankton community structure.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

No specific ethical approval was required for this study.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the Dean’s Office and the Department of Hydrobiology, Faculty of Fisheries, Sinop University, for granting permission to conduct the field sampling surveys. This research received no external funding.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Hydrobiology, Aquaculture and Fisheries (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 18, 2026

Submission Date

June 2, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 43 Number: 3

APA
Üstün, F., & Uygun, O. (2026). Summer mesozooplankton community structure in a semi-enclosed bay of the Southern Black Sea. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 43(3), 313-323. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.16
AMA
1.Üstün F, Uygun O. Summer mesozooplankton community structure in a semi-enclosed bay of the Southern Black Sea. EgeJFAS. 2026;43(3):313-323. doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.16
Chicago
Üstün, Funda, and Orçin Uygun. 2026. “Summer Mesozooplankton Community Structure in a Semi-Enclosed Bay of the Southern Black Sea”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43 (3): 313-23. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.16.
EndNote
Üstün F, Uygun O (August 1, 2026) Summer mesozooplankton community structure in a semi-enclosed bay of the Southern Black Sea. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43 3 313–323.
IEEE
[1]F. Üstün and O. Uygun, “Summer mesozooplankton community structure in a semi-enclosed bay of the Southern Black Sea”, EgeJFAS, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 313–323, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.12714/egejfas.43.3.16.
ISNAD
Üstün, Funda - Uygun, Orçin. “Summer Mesozooplankton Community Structure in a Semi-Enclosed Bay of the Southern Black Sea”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43/3 (August 1, 2026): 313-323. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.16.
JAMA
1.Üstün F, Uygun O. Summer mesozooplankton community structure in a semi-enclosed bay of the Southern Black Sea. EgeJFAS. 2026;43:313–323.
MLA
Üstün, Funda, and Orçin Uygun. “Summer Mesozooplankton Community Structure in a Semi-Enclosed Bay of the Southern Black Sea”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, vol. 43, no. 3, Aug. 2026, pp. 313-2, doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.16.
Vancouver
1.Funda Üstün, Orçin Uygun. Summer mesozooplankton community structure in a semi-enclosed bay of the Southern Black Sea. EgeJFAS. 2026 Aug. 1;43(3):313-2. doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.16