The spatial distribution of macro-and meiobenthic assemblages in organogeneous and terrigeneous sandy bottoms of the Jordanian coast of the Gulf of Aqaba was studied by SCUBA-diving. Transects were sampled along the shore in various types of bays and fringing coral reefs from beaches to the depth of 35 meters. Variations of densities as well as the main taxonomic groups are analysed according to sedimentary environments. In the embayed bottoms, macrobenthic densities show large fluctuations related to the types of biotopes (15,000-450 ind m-2). They are homogeneous in sandy patches situated along the reef slopes. Polychaetes are largely predominant followed by sipunculids and bivalves. Meiobenthic densities vary between 0.3 to 5.4 .10 15 ind m-2 showing a decrease according to depth. Nematodes are dominant followed by copepods, nauplii, rnicropolychaetes, and other taxa like Kinorhynchs, Tardigrades, Gastrotrichs. Variations of macro/meiobenthos ratio are analysed according to ecological data. Comparisons with avaliable data in similar biotopes of the tropical indopacific area are developed.
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