Tintinnids (Protozoa: Ciliata) from the coast of Hurghada Red Sea, Egypt

Abstract

An examination of plankton samples collected from the inshore and offshore waters in the vacancy of Hurghada area in the Egyptian Red Sea coast revealed the presence of a diverse community of planktonic tintinnids (Protozoa). Ninety two tintinnid species belonging to 13 families and 30 different genera are described and illustrated in the present paper. Most of the species recorded in the present work were previously known from tropical waters, some are cosmopolitan, while a few are cold water inhabitants. A comparison between the present data and that previously recorded in the Red Sea and/or adjacent area indicated large differences in records to the favor of the present work (60 new records).