The ecology and distribution of the littoral ostracods of Cyprus

Abstract

Living ostracods were collected during autumn 1973 from the coasts of Cyprus by means of S.C.U.B.A. diving. Six biotopes were recognized, each supporting a characteristic ostracod fauna: filamentous algae, calcareous algae, encrusting algae, sea-grasses, sand and silt. A preliminary analysis of the geographical distribution of the species encountered suggests that they fall into three groups; a cosmopolitan group, found throughout the Mediterranean and the N.E. Atlantic, a group endemic to the Mediterranean, and a small number of species so far known only from the Eastern Mediterranean.