The abundance and distribution pattern of zoantharians (class Anthozoa; order Zoantharia) was investigated in the intertidal zone of Hormuz Island (Persian Gulf). Sampling and data recording were randomly conducted every 3 months from autumn 2011 to summer 2012 at five stations using the belt transect method by grid quadrate, parallel to the coastline. The abundance of the two identified species, viz. Zoanthus sansibaricus and Palythoa aff. mutuki, significantly varied among the stations and between the zones (p< 0.05), but not among the seasons (p> 0.05). The highest abundance of Z. sansibaricus was found at station 2 (73.85%?1.98%) and for P. aff. mutuki at station 1 (1.96%?0.44%), while the lowest abundance of Z. sansibaricus was recorde

Spatiotemporal relationships between developmental stages (cydippid, transition and adult) of the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi and environmental parameters were seasonally evaluated using the random forest (RF) model along the Iranian coasts of the Caspian Sea. The mean density of M. leidyi in spring, summer, autumn and winter were 8, 54, 130, and 15?ind?m−3, respectively. The density of various stages, particularly cydippid, showed a decreasing trend with increase in depth. Cydippids had the highest abundance with a lower percentage in the deeper layers and colder seasons. Temperature was found to be the most influential parameter on the distribution of M. leidyi’s life stages, particularly cydippids, with a stronger effect in spring a

In a 2‐month trial, four different aquaculture systems, viz., (a) rearing at 50% daily water exchange without filtration (WE), (b) biofloc system (BFT1), without water exchange or filtration, (c) biofloc system (BFT2), similar to BFT1 but 10% of daily feed deducted, and (d) recirculating system (RAS), without water exchange, were compared through monitoring water quality as well as measuring the growth, haematological and immunological indices of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Metagenomics was also applied to characterize the microbial profile of the waters through screening 16S rDNA gene sequences. BFT systems demonstrated lower values of pH, dissolved oxygen but did higher concentration of total suspended solid (TSS) and 5‐day bioche

Fourteen morphotypes of the Aden nerite (Nerita adenensis) from Chabahar Bay, the northern Gulf of Oman, were sequenced for mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I and nuclear ATPSα genes. COI sequences across all morphotypes yielded uncorrected intraspecific genetic distances (p) of between 0.013 and 0.017, whereas interspecific p was 0.11–0.16 among congeneric species. For ATPSα, across all morphotypes, p was 0.00–0.03, whereas between N. adenensis and congeneric species, p was 0.07–0.19. Morphological analysis revealed a high degree of plasticity in shell colour, pattern and structure, while characters of the operculum and crenulations on the outer lip were more stable. Our descriptions provided here will be helpful in

Gastropods are the largest group of molluscs, with the highest abundance and habitats diversity. The species diversity of true limpets (Nacellidae) in Hormuz Island was investigated by collecting 121 specimens belonging to this family from two stations in the intertidal zone in fall and winter 2016 and 2017. Morphological studies were carried out on the basis of shell morphological characteristics, foot color, radula structure. Besides, the molecular study was also performed using the cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 (CO1) of the mitochondrial gene. The results of morphological studies indicate that all the specimens, despite having different phenotypes and differences in pattern and color of the shell traits, belonged to Cellana karachiensis

Abstract Effects of thermal discharge from Neka power plant on macrobenthic diversity and abundance was studied in the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. Samples were collected with Van Veen grab of 0.0250 m 2 surface area from 7 stations in winter and summer. A total of 42 species were identified that belonged to 22 genera, 18 families, 13 orders, six classes and three phyla. Bivalve with a total abundance of 90% in winter and 86% in summer constituted the most abundant group throughout samplings, the highest abundance of which belonged to the family Cardiidae. Gastropods followed bivalve in total abundance (8%) in summer and polychaetes (7%) in winter. Statistical analysis indicated significantly higher macrobenthos density at the thermal

Seasonal distribution of phytoplankton and factors affecting their presence in the Mazandaran coastal ecosystems were investigated in 2012. In this study, Distribution of the phylum and dominant species of phytoplankton and water quality parameters were evaluated along 4 transects (Amirabad, Babolsar, Noshahr and Ramsar) in the different layers of the water column at final depths of 5, 10, 20 and 50m. Variation of the dominant species and environmental parameters was analyzed using Principal Components Analysis (PCA). Average annual phytoplankton density was 318687823 cubic meters, the highest density in winter and lowest in spring was determined. Totally, 5 groups and 129 species of phytoplankton were identified, including Bacillariophyta

The hermit crabs in the intertidal zone of the Hormuz Island, Persian Gulf, were identified by seasonal sampling at six intertidal stations during 2010–2011. Nine species were identified, including one Coenobitidae (Coenobita scaevola) and eight Diogenidae (Clibanarius signatus, C. longitarsus, Diogenes avarus, D. planimanus, D. tirmiziae, D. karwarensis, Areopaguristes perspicax, Dardanus tinctor). All species in this study are new records for the Hormuz Island. Information on the habitats and geographical distribution of these crabs in the island is presented.

The effect of nutrients on the total lipid content and fatty acid profile of Scenedesmus obliquus isolated from the south coast of the Caspian Sea was evaluated. The nutritional compositions of the media impacted the growth rate and biomass of S. obliquus that ranged from 0.175 day-1 to 0.209 day-1and 0.92 gr?l-1 to 1.79 gr?l-1, respectively. The alga grew better in the medium which was characterized by higher levels of sodium and trace elements such as Fe, Mn, Mo, and Co and poor in N and P as compared with the other media. The highest level of the total lipid (32%) and the highest values of saturated fatty acids, in particular palmitic acid also were positively correlated with these nutrients. Peaks in polyunsaturated fatty acids (43.7 %)

Size at reproductive maturity of the xanthid crab Leptodius exaratus was determined by comparing gonadal development and the relative growth of gonopods and chelae in males and abdomens and chelae in females from August 2012 to August 2013. The size at which 50% of the of males and females were found to be mature was at carapace lengths (CL) of 16mm and 13mm, respectively. The smallest ovigerous female was 9.6mm CL. The ovigerous females were found throughout the year with a peak in August2013.The numbers of eggs varied between 600 and 9,000 in individuals 9.6 mm and 20 mm CL, respectively. The monthly changes of gonadal indices in males and females indicated that mating was at its peak in spring and summer. The ovaries began to d

This study was conducted to survey distribution pattern and seasonal and spatial abundance of hermit crabs in six stations located in the intertidal zones of Hormuz Island. Sampling was conducted during four seasons. Hermit crabs were fixed in 70% ethanol and were transported to the laboratory. With valid identification key, nine species in two families of hermit crabs were identified. SPSS, PAST, TAL (4.2) and R software were used for statistical analyses. ANOVA test using LSD showed that the abundance of identified species were significantly different among some of the stations (P < 0/05) but seasonal changes had no significant effect on abundance of the species. Cluster analysis showed that stations five and six had the highest likeness

Internal macrobioeroders and their erosion rate in three live and dead coral genera (Favia, Platygyra and Porites) from the intertidal zone of the Hormuz Island were studied by collecting five live and five dead colonies from each genus, from which 4?mm cross-sections were cut and photographed. Photos were analyzed using the Coral Point Count with Excel extensions. Totally, 9 taxa were identified: four bivalve species, one sponge, three polychaetes, and one barnacle. Bioerosion rate did not significantly differ among the three live corals, but among the dead ones only Porites was significantly more eroded than Favia. Sponge had the highest role in the erosion of the dead Platygyra, while barnacles were the most effective eroding organism in