Nanoplankton from the Gulf of Elat (= Gulf of Aquaba), with particular emphasis on the choanoflagellates

EM examination of a few grids from a water sample from the Gulf of Elat (= Gulf of Aqaba) yielded 26 nanoplankton spp. (exclusive of calcareous nanoplankton). Twelve [Pachysoeca depressa, Parvicorbicula campaniformis, P. infundibuliformis, P. pedicellata, P. pulchella, P. socialis, Pleurasiga minima, P. minima, P. sphyrelata elatensis ssp. nov., Salpingoeca camelopardula, S. cruciformis and S. natans] of the recorded organisms are choanoflagellates, none of which were previously recorded from the Red Sea. P. sphyrelata elatensis is described from shadow-cast whole mounts. The Gulf of Elat nanoplankton flora and fauna appear to be very similar to those of the Mediterranean.