Categories
vol-22PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS OF THE SEA GRASS
CYMODOCEA NODOSA (UCRlA) ASCHERSONIN THE
MEDITERRANEAN WATERS OF ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT
H.M.MOSTAFA*
Department of Oceanography, Faculty of Science, University of
Alexandria, Moharrem Bey, 21511-Alexandria-Egypt.
Key Words: Phenology; Seagrasses; Cymodocea nodosa; Alexandria; Egypt.
ABSTRACT
Samples ofthe seagrass Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson were
collected seasonally during 1993 from seagrass bed at Montazah Bay
(east of Alexandria), Egypt. Different phenological parameters (shoot
density, leafdensity, etc.), were measured. Generally, the highest values
of phenological parameters were recorded in early summer, while the
lowest were recorded during autumn and Winter. Maximal leafarea
index was recorded in June (2.01 m2.m-2) and minimal in February
(0.14 m2.m-2). The maximum leafbiomass was recorded in June (90.7 g
dw.m-1 and the minimum in November and February ( 35.2 and 28.3 g
dw.m- respectively). The length of the internodes ofthe plagiotropic
rhizome was minimal during Winter (4 mm). Toward early summer, it
reached its maximum length (26 mm), decreased toward mid summer (21
mm), reaching its least in autumn (l 0.5 mm). Neither flowers nor seed
were detected. It seems that the growth ofCymodocea nodosa is most
probably related to changes in water temperatures and other
environmentalfactors.
