Variation in the overall abundance and number of jellyfish species were recorded at each station during the 6 research cruises (Fig. 5a–f). In total, no jellyfish were observed in 8 of the 36 samples. The total density of the jellyfishes ranged from 0 to 543.25 individuals/m3 (St 5, October 2008). The highest number of identified species was 8 species per station (St 2, April 2008). The spatial distribution of jellyfishes without clear patterns in the investigated areas was evaluated : theme an total abundance, number of species(Fig. 5g), and indices of richness, diversity, and evenness(Fig. 5h) ariedamong each research cruise. The mean jellyfish density in most research cruises was less than 5 individuals/m3. The peak abundance was observed during October 2008 (167.25794.96 individuals/m3), although the lowest number of species was identified then (0.8370.4 species per station) (Fig. 5g). Similarly, among the 6 research cruises, the
lowest richness (0.1370.07), diversity (0.00970.006), andevenness (0.03870.019) indices were observed in the samples collected during October 2008