Dominant intertidal crustacean and gastropod species in Qeshm Island, Iran, northern Persian Gulf

Abstract

Qeshm Island is the largest island of the Persian Gulf. It is located in the north-eastern part, near the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Between 2007 and 2010 by support of the Persian Gulf Biotechnology Research Center a collection of the two most dominant macrobenthic fauna groups (Gastropoda and Crustacea) was gathered around the island. A total of 28 intertidal stations were investigated, including four basic habitat types (rocky, sandy, mud flats and mangrove forests), which resulted in a large diversity of species encountered. The present report provides a summary of the collected taxa. A total of 123 taxa belonging to Crustacea and Gastropoda are recorded in the present study. Identification of the species up to the lowest possible level was attempted; about 88% were identified up to species level. In total, 109 species have been identified. Rocky sites were the most diverse intertidal habitats in the island.