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SAP-BIO-Lebanon National Report Page 35 of 95
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Table 9. The zoobenthos (Lakkis, S. et al., 1996.)
Microzoobenthos
Research on microzoobenthos on the Lebanese coast is almost nonexistent. The only study
reported the presence of 12 taxa of which gasteropods, archiannelids, nematodes and harpacticoids
are the most abundant (Gowing and Hulings, 1976). Their density being proportional to the
intensity of urban pollution. Protodrilus similis is an example of an indicator of organic pollution
whereby the species is more abundant in highly polluted beaches.
Macrozoobenthos
The macrozoobenthos on the Lebanese coast counts actually 662 species: Spongiaires (33),
Cindaires(9), Turbellariés (1), Nemertes (1), Polychètes (136), Sipunculiens (2), Mollusques
(298), Brachiopodes (1); Crustacés (104); Echinodermes (16); Ascidies (26); Bryozoaires (33)
and Nematodes (2). These species belong in general to the Mediterranean and Atlantic Fauna and
include 37 introduced species: lessepsiennes (31); Indopacifique (1) and Exotiques (5) (Bitar and
Kouli-Bitar, 2001).
The five exotiques species need warm sea water: Oculina patagonica (Cindaire), Hydroides
dirampha (polychetes) and Microcosmus exasperatus, Rhodosoma turcicum, Symplegma
brakenhielmi (Ascides).
The 31 species of Indopacific origin called " lessepsiennes" are: Lytocarpus philippinus
(hydraire), Paleonotus chrysolepis, Bhawania goodi, Pseudonereis anomala, Lysidice ntatlensis,
Pseudoeurythoe cf.acarunculata, Cirriformia semicincta, Branchioma cingulata, Hydroides
grubei, H. heterocera, H. minax, h. operculata, Spirobranchus giganteus (polychetes),
Scrupocellaria jolloisi, Thalamoporella indica (bryozoaires), Trochus erythraeus, Cerithium
scabridum, Purpuradusta gracilis, Brachidontes pharaonis, Pinctada radiata, Malleus regulus,
Gafrarium pectinatum, Mactra olorina (mollusks), Myra fugax, Portunus pelagicus, Atergatis
roseus, Ixa monody, Penaeus semisulcatus (Crustaceae), Synaptula reciprocans (echinoderm),
Phallusia nigra, Herdmania momus (ascidia).
One indopacific species: Strombus decorus. This mollask does not belong to the lessepsiennes
species because it is absent in the Suez Canal.
Among the indopacific species, many are well established on the Lebanese coast and seems that
they are well adapted to the region:
- Ceritium scabridum, very abundant in the shallow basins and mainly where these gasteropodes
are on the surface.
- Brachidontes pharaonis, are present abundantly on the plateau that characterize the Levantine
coast. In the occidental Mediterranean, their presence is dominated by the edible muscle Mytilus
galloprovincialis. The later, which was reported in Lebanon by Gruvel in 1931, is totally abscent
these days (it is present in Turkey), was not replaced by B. pharaonis.
- Pinctada rediata, edible species present on the Lebanese coast, form sometimes-true layers.
Unfortunately, this species is becoming rare because of pollution. For example in Beirut, and this
species is exploited in Sarafand.
- Strombus decorus, a species well established in Lebanon, and it is very abundant with
Cymodocea nodosa. Sometimes we find it in hundreds on the beaches.
- Phallusia nigra, present in places with a lot of organic matters and on the ports.
Other species are becoming abundant (example: Synaptula reciprocans) forming Facies places
(example: Oculina patagonica and Lytocarpus philippinus which stingy upon touch.
It is worth to look after these species by time and space because they risk replacing the local
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Prepared By M. Nader & S. Talhouk June, 2002