Macrobenthic communities in the tidal channels around the Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia

A yearlong seasonal survey was carried out during 2016–2017 at 26 stations representing four tidal channels of the north-western part Gulf Gabès (Tunisia). The area studied (characterized by a maximum range 2.3 m) subjected to diverse anthropogenic pressures: from phosphate industry and its metallic pollution, unauthorized bottom trawling in shallow water (known locally as ‘Kiss’), organic pollution nearby urbanized areas. total 23,506 invertebrates 311 taxa were collected. Dominant polychaetes with 51.4% individuals collected 39.3% taxa, amphipods (18.6% 15.5%), tanaids (12.3% 2.6%), molluscs (11.5% 18.3%). mean annual abundances varied widely one channel another: 300 3700 ind·m?2. located deeper waters exhibited greater variability. Measurements abundance revealed changes values winter, spring, lower numbers summer. Each characterized specific features fauna. macrofauna dominated polychaete Cirratulus cirratus (mainly spring) amphipod Microdeutopus anomalus winter), whilst both tanaids, Apseudopsis gabesi (the first sighting reported for area) A. mediterraneus, found be abundant winter least channels. Species are mainly deposit feeders, herbivorous omnivorous. analyses on spatial temporal population variations according composition fauna increasing or falling along function changes. In spite high level activities, Ecological Status (ES) assessment (applying AMBI M-AMBI indices) attributed High Good ES 10 stations, Moderate 11 five showed poor season. Sampling subtidal future long-term degradation such ecosystems coastal environment Tunisia is proposed.