Distribution and ecology of Medusae and scyphomedusae (Cnidaria) in Tunis Gulf (SW Mediterranean)

The Medusae of Tunis Gulf (25 species) are qualitatively the third zooplanktonic group after Tintinnids and Copepods. Anthomedusae (eight species), Trachymedusae (five species) and Leptomedusae (four species) represent the major part among the 20 species of Hydromedusae identified during our study (December 1993-November 1995). However, the Limnomedusae (two species) and the Narcomedusae (one species) are poorly represented. In the Bay of Tunis, Obelia spp., the most common and dominant species, command the quantitative fluctuations of Hydromedusae and reach exceptionally the density of 25 800 ind. m(-3). Within the Scyphomedusae (five species), Pelagia noctiluca is the most common species which outbreaks in winter and autumn. Tunis Gulf seems to be, composed of two jellyfish communities; the first one is composed of endogenous species showing a constant period of blooming like Olindias, Cladonema, Aurelia, Cotylorhiza and Rhizostoma and sometimes permanent like Obelia spp. and Clytia spp.; the second. is represented by exogenous species considered as visitors like Velella, Sminthea or Pelagia whose presence on the coast is dependent on local and particular winds and currents. (C) 2003 Publie par Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.