الفهرس 
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Abstract
Protozoa play a fundamental role in the marine food web and also play a crucial role as biomonitors of water quality. The present study is carried out to follow up the Protozoa species composition and abundance off Hurghada Egyptian Red Sea coast, in relation to the monthly fluctuations of some physical parameters. Protozoa samples were monthly collected from 12 stations representing different habitats during August 2014 to July 2015 off Hurghada, some physical parameters were measured (temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen). Protozoa samples were collected using net with 20 µm mesh size, preserved in 4% formaldehyde, and examined using an inverted microscope for identification and assessing their diversity and abundance.
The present study revealed that surface water temperature fluctuated between 20.4°C and 30.9°C, salinity level between 39.7‰ and 40.04‰, pH between 8.1 and 8.6 and well oxygenated water with annual value between 7.1 mg/L and 7.6 mg/L. A total of 213 species were recorded and classified into three divisions: 151 species of Ciliates (including 149 Tintinnids belonging to 12 family 36 genera and 2 other Ciliates belonging to one genus), 59 species of Foraminifera belonging to 45 genera and 37 families, and 3 species of Radiolaria belonging to 3 different families and genera. Ciliates were the most dominant group, followed by Foraminifera. The contributions of Radiolarians were negligible.
The linear regression confirmed that there was no influence of temperature, DO, pH and salinity on the abundance of total Protozoa, while a weak relationship with the measured physical parameters and each group. Moreover, explained independence of the abundance of all Protozoan groups and no impact of each of them on the other. Spatial and temporal distribution of Protozoan abundance showed a significant difference (p<0.05).
The strategy of collection in the present study based on may stations covering one area on monthly basis lead to recognizing Protozoa community and structure better. Some of the recorded species in the present study were either not detected before off Hurghada or detected in other regions in the northern Red Sea. Further similar studies are needed to cover the whole Egyptian Red Sea coast, with introducing molecular techniques for better identification.