Effect of some environmental factors on the density of Barnacleʼs Balanus amphitrite amphitrite nauplius larvae in Shatt Al-Basrah

Abstract

Effect of some environmental factors on the density of the nauplius larvae of the barnacles Balanus amphitrite amphitrite was studied at water of Shatt Al-Basrah South Iraq for the period from July 2011 until January 2012, as samples were collected twice monthly by six replicates as well as measured the environmental factors. Results showed that the density of nauplius larvae of barnacles ranged between (55-128) larva / 100 L, water temperature ranged between 11.3 ºc - 30.5 ºc, salinity between (42.6 – 54) ppm, pH between 7.7 to 8.4 and dissolved oxygen between (4.7 - 7.7) ppm. As shown a positive relationship between nuplius density and salinity, water temperature, while an negative relationship emerged between nuplius density and water dissolved oxygen, pH.