Diversity and abundance of meiofauna in intertidal zone of Qeshm Island

Meiofauna are small, benthic invertebrates, playing a primary role in sediment nutrient cycling and stability in benthic ecosystems. During January ۲۰۱۹, biodiversity and abundance of meiofauna in sediments and algae of intertidal zone of Qeshm Island were investigated. Four stations were selected on Qeshm Island coastline, including Ramchah, Do-Koohak, Noqashe and Dargahan. Sediment samples were collected using sieves with ۵۰۰μm and ۳۷μm mesh size. Totally, eight groups of meiofauna, including Copdpoda, Nematoda, Amphipoda, Ostracoda, Isopoda, Mites ,Polychaetae and Platyhelminth were sorted and identified. Moreover, copepoda (۷۳%) was abundant in comparison to other meiobenthos in the studied area. Conclusions on assemblage structure and diversity of meiofauna between different stations showed that meiofauna were abundant in Noqashe station with abundancy about ۴۰%.

Keywords:

Copepoda , Persian Gulf , Marine sediment , Nematoda , Meiofauna