Diversity and Relative Abundance of Crustaceans in Ain Al-Ghazala Lagoon, Libya
الملخص
The present study investigates the species diversity and relative abundance of crustaceans in Ain Al-Ghazala Lagoon, a coastal ecosystem located on the northeastern Libyan coast. Sampling was conducted during both summer and winter using sediment sieves, baited traps, and hand-nets. Fourteen species of crustaceans were identified, with Penaeus semisulcatus (22%) and Metapenaeus monoceros (18%) being the most dominant. Other notable species included Portunus pelagicus (15%) and Callinectes sapidus (12%). The diversity and abundance patterns observed indicate a well-structured crustacean community influenced by habitat complexity, substrate type, and environmental parameters such as salinity. The presence of commercially and ecologically significant species underscores the lagoon’s importance as a biodiversity hotspot. The study highlights the need for conservation and continuous monitoring to sustain the ecological balance of this vulnerable coastal habitat and provides baseline data for future ecological assessments and resource management strategies in Libyan lagoons.
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