ISOPODA OF THE SUEZ CANAL

ABSTRACT Ten marine isopod species representing six families were collected from the Suez Canal in 1967 and 1969. Six species represent new records for the Canal, including Cirolana anadema n. sp. herein described. Collections obtained in 1971 from the northern Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean Sea contained eight species known from the Suez Canal. Possible migrations from the Mediterranean Sea toward or into the Red Sea may involve three species, and in the opposite direction four species. The status of two sphaeromatids formerly regarded as Lessepsian migrants is re-examined in the light of the “Isthmian Recent changes in the salinity regime and a general improvement of water conditions are examined in relation to the apparent enrichment of the Suez isopod fauna.