(1) A quantitative temporal study of the meiofauna of Lebanese sand beach was conducted over a 18 month period. The study was statistically designed, the meiofaunal data were statistically analyzed using 1- and 2-way analysis of variance with replication. (2) The total meiofauna had 2 peaks of seasonality, expressed in terms of numerical density, March-April-May and Aug-Sept-Nov. The peaks were most obvious in the wave-wash zone and less obvious at the 40 cm water table. (3) Individual taxa had varying seasonality. The Harpacticoida exhibited no seasonality. Those taxa exhibiting 1 seasonal peak in the wave-wash zone were the Turbellaria, Gastrotricha and Nematoda (minus Epsilonemidae) and Oligochaeta. Those with 2 seasonal peaks included the Epsilonemidae, Hesionides arenaria, Petita amphophthalma and Ostracoda. (4) The Turbellaria, Gastrotricha, Hesionides arenaria and Petita amphophthalma exhibited one peak at the water table whereas the Epsilonemidae, Opisthobranchia, Mystacocarida and Halacaridae exhibited 2 peaks. (5) The seasonality of the Opistobranchia, Mystacocarida and Halacaridae was restricted to the 40 cm water table. (6) Food supply is considered to be a primary factor in the seasonality of Lebanese sand beach meiofauna. |
