Assessing the ecological quality status of arid mangroves in the Gulf of Oman, Iran, using benthic indices of AMBI, M-AMBI, and BENTIX

Polychaetes are suitable indicators to evaluate the benthic ecological status and respond to natural and anthropogenic. We evaluated the ecosystem health of the mangroves of Azini and Gwadar based on benthic indices including AMBI, M-AMBI, and BENTIX using polychaete communities. The results showed that in both regions, EcoQ classifications ranged from "high" to "moderate" in BENTIX, "good" to "excellent" in AMBI, and "good" in M-AMBI. The M-AMBI was significantly correlated with sediment variables, including total organic matter (TOM), total organic carbon (TOC), and silt/clay. The result revealed a significant correlation between the biotic indices and the TOC content of sediments. According to the results, TOC can be used as a descriptor and indicator to evaluate the health of mangrove ecosystems in relation to benthic indices. In addition, it is necessary to combine several indices to assess the status of ecosystems

Competitional settlement of brown alga Iyengaria stellata and soft coral Zoanthous sansibaricus on muddy and muddy-rubble intertidal substrate in the Hormuz island

The effect of substrates on the surface cover by the soft coral, Zoanthus sansibaricus, and the brown alga, Iyengaria stellata, and their competitional condition, was compared in Hormuz Island by estimating of coverage area in 40 quadrates (50×50 cm). This soft coarl (Zoanthid) is a dominant species in the island’s intertidal zone and I. stellata is a dominant macroalgea most of the year. Significant negative correlation (p<0.01; r =-0.607) revealed competition between the two species for settlement on the two substrates. Soft coral with 61.7% coverage was dominant vs. 16.8% for brown algae on muddy-rubble substrate, but on sandy-rubble substrate, the brown algae was dominant with 37.8% coverage vs. 19.5% for the soft coral. It seems that better competitional conditions in settlement on unconsolidated substrate have some advantages for Z. sansibaricus

Effect of nutrients on total lipid content and fatty acids profile of Scenedesmus obliquus

ABSTRACT 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 %), especially α-linolenic acid (28.4%) were related to N and P, but its correlation with K and Mg was more evident. The most important factors correlated with high amount of monounsaturated fatty acids were also N and P, followed by K and Mg to a lesser extent. This study demonstrated that the same algal strain may be a source of different amount of fatty acids, depending on the composition of the culture medium

A new record confirms the occurrence of Aphanius mesopotamicus Coad, 2009, in southwestern Iran (Actinopterygii: Cyprinodontidae)

We report the occurrence of Mesopotamian tooth carp, Aphanius mesopotamicus Coad 2009, in a southern branch of the Karkheh River, 10 km west of Hoor-Al-Azim Wetland. This is the first report of successful collection of this species after its first collection in 1978-80 and futile efforts during the last three decades and after its original description based on those old museum specimens

Habitat classification of southern coast of Qeshm Island based on surface geology structure

1757-1763<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:="" "times="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;="" mso-bidi-language:fa"="" lang="EN-US">Habitat classification based on the surface geology structure <span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-bidi-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:="" en-us;mso-bidi-language:fa"="" lang="EN-US">was <span style="font-size:9.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;="" mso-bidi-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:="" en-us;mso-bidi-language:fa"="" lang="EN-US">applied to 122 km of the southern intertidal stretch of the Qeshm Island in 2010.  <span style="font-size:9.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-bidi-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:="" en-us;mso-bidi-language:fa"="" lang="EN-US">Natural and anthropogenic features of the covered area were initially surveyed using GPS, and then 12 sites were designated.   Seasonal alteration to surface geology was studied through field surveys, photography, and the Google Earth photos. Three major substrate types of sandy (66.9% or 82 km), rocky-sand (24% or 29 km), and rocky (9.1% or 11 km) were identified. Soft substrate constituted the major part of the mid-western, while rocky substrate was the main feature in the mid-eastern. Results also indicated that southern coast of Qeshm Island was more prone to wave and wind actions than the northern coast. Since rocky and rocky-sand substrates possess various shelters and, hence, support more biotic groups, they require special management to reduce the undesirable impacts on macro invertebrates.</span

Standard Classification of Intertidal Habitats in North Qeshm Island (Persian Gulf)

1172-1180As a new approach to ecological classification, the “Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS)” was applied to 141 km of the northern intertidal stretch of Qeshm Island during 2010. Biotic Cover and Surface Geology as the two components of the classification were used. Considering the extent and geomorphology of the area, 9 sites were designated using GPS. Density and distribution of biotic community were determined using 0.5×0.5 m quadrate and sediment was sampled up to 15 cm below the surface. Totally 32 codes were determined for 40 habitats (biotopes), and their positions were displayed on map by GIS. Acar spp., Barbatia sp. (molluscs), and Zoanthus sp. (cnidarian) can be regarded as the rocky substrates’ specific biotopes, while Stichodactyla sp. (cnidarian) and Halophia sp. (seagrass) can be regarded as the sandy substrates’ specific biotopes

A study on the diversity of gastropods in Hormuz Island with first record of two species from the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf

This study was carried out to determine the diversity of gastropod species in the intertidal zone of Hormuz Island in the Persian Gulf. Seasonal sampling was conducted in 7 selected sites by throwing nine random quadrates (0.5×0.5 m) in each site. Samples of each site were separately transferred to the laboratory and identified by the standard keys and verified by the Conchology Museum of Tokyo University of Science. Forty -nine gastropod species were identified, from which 2 species, Turicula nelliae and Linatella caudata were recorded for the first time from the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf. The highest number of gastropods in one site was 28 species in site 1 (East of Marine Research Center), Also highest number of gastropods in one season was 35 species in winter and lowest number was in 28 species in summer. Simpson dominance index, Shannon-Wiener species diversity index, Margalef richness index and evenness index were calculated in the different sites and results showed that site 1 contained the most amount of the Shannon-Wiener and Margalef indices and site 6 (West of Island) contained the most amount of the Simpson index. Also, site 3 (Mangrove forest) showed the lowest amount of the Simpson, Shannon-Wiener and Margalef indices, while maximum amount of evenness index occurred in this site

Polychaete Diversity and Functional Trait Composition in Subtropical Mangrove Ecosystems

Polychaetes play a vital role in the structure and functioning of benthic communities in mangrove ecosystems. Nevertheless, our understanding of the diversity and functional structure of polychaete assemblages across different habitats in the mangrove ecosystems along the coast of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman is limited. In this study, we investigated the species and trait composition of polychaetes and environmental variables, in vegetated and mudflat habitats of three subtropical mangroves. The results showed that Neanthes glandicincta was widely distributed across all regions and habitats. The three-factor ANOVA showed that the abundance and taxonomic diversity of polychaetes differed significantly between two habitats and three mangrove ecosystems. The abundance of polychaetes was observed to be higher in mud habitats than in vegetated habitats. There was a significant difference in species and trait composition between different regions and habitats. Vegetated habitats had higher proportions of crawler predatory species that are longer lived (3–5 years), with larger body size (80–100 mm), and are upward conveyors, whereas mudflat habitats had higher proportions of mobile (burrower) omnivore species that are moderately lived (1–3 years), with larger body size (>100 mm), and are biodiffusers. The three-factor ANOVA showed a significant difference in the community weighted mean (CWM) index between two habitats and three mangrove ecosystems. Thus, the species and trait composition of polychaetes depend on the structural complexity of their respective habitats. The DistLM analysis showed that total organic carbon content of the sediment was the main predictor variable influencing species composition, while silt/clay content and salinity were the main predictor variables influencing the traits’ composition. The results showed how the composition of traits and the structure of polychaete communities change in mangrove ecosystems, which can be used for future studies on conservation strategies for mangrove ecosystems throughout the world