Benthic macro-invertebrates community in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (2012)2

Four stations were investigated: two in the First Inlet named Galeso and Scaletta and two stations in the Second Inlet of Mar Piccolo Cimino and Battendieri. Samples were collected seasonally for one year (2012) with three replicate in each station. A total of 3987 specimens with a total biomass of 914.85 g, were determined. Benthic macroinvertebrate composition was characterised by Annelida, Crustacea Mollusca, Echinodermata, Tunicata, Bryozoa and Platelminta. Mollusca (60%) and Crustaceans 34.3% followed by Cnidaria (2.14%) dominated the communities while all other species, represent a negligible part.