Seasonal and bathymetric variations of epiphytic macroflora on Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile leaves in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (Greece)

摘要: A survey on the epiphytic macroalgae growing Posidonia oceanica leaves was conducted along a depth transect in Laganas Bay (National Marine Park of Zakynthos, Greece). Samples were collected using scuba diving at depths 5, 10 and 15 m July 2001 January 2002. The meadow’s density measured each shoots to examine and/or calculate: number per shoot, leaf surface Leaf Area Index (m 2 AEm )2 ), taxa their coverage. Meadow decreased deeper sampling sites. Total relatively constant different both summer winter. Maximum shoot occurred for periods. from shallow deep stations because decrease density. Concerning macroflora, total 30 taxa, specific infraspecific rank, identified. Filamentous crustose abundant summer, forms dominant coverage identified varied between seasons, with higher values being observed during summer. Macroalgae shallowest deepest station seasons. present study shows that many parameters play an essential role epiphytes settling, among them features, depth, light intensity.