Decapod fauna of seagrass beds in the Rovinj area

Abstract

        Seagrass beds composed of the eelgrass Zostera marina , Zostera noltii and Cymodocea nodosa were formerly widely distributed in the Rovinj area (northern Adriatic Sea). At present, only small patches in some sheltered bays have remained. The seagrass beds are very rich in decapod fauna, 42 species have been sampled in the area. Some of these species are very common, whereas some of them are rarely reported from the Adriatic Sea. The data presented refer to the presence of species, their abundance, seasonal variation with some remarks on their role in the community.