New Data about the Decapod Crustaceans in the Syrian Marine Water (South of Lattakia)

Abstract

This study has been conducted in the framework of display the results of research efforts during the period 2011-2017, aimed at contributing new knowledge to the benthic biodiversity in Syrian marine ecosystem.

This study specializes with the biological diversity of Decapod Crustaceans in the marine waters at the south of Latakia. The samples were collected during scientific experimental trawling grounds of different depths.

The number of marine decapod species reported for the study are (21) species, the species that recorded for the first time from the Syrian sea are: Metapenaeopsis aegyptia and Aristeus sp .

Aristeomorpha foliacea, and Parapenaeus longirostris dominate at a depth of 500 - 600 m. Penaeus pulchricaudatus  and Metapenaeus monoserus also dominate the study area at a depth of 50-100 m

Further study of marine biodiversity in Syria and the expansion of the areas covered by the studies allows for the registration of more species and provides important scientific additions that can be used in the future in the environmental management of the Syrian coast.