Annotated checklist of macrobenthic fauna in Iranian Waters of the Caspian Sea

The checklist of benthic macrofauna in the southern Caspian Sea (Iranian waters) has been documented based on the published literatures and surveys of up to ۱۰۰ m depth during the last ۲۶ years. In total, ۹۲ species belonging to three main groups of Arthropoda, Annedida and Mollusca were recorded. The Arthropoda with ۶۷ species were the dominant group, followed by the Annedida, with ۱۴ species, and the Mollusca, with ۱۱ species. Amphipoda with ۴۶ species and Cumacea with ۱۵ specie were the most diverse groups in terms of species richness. In addition, ۷ species of Oligochaeta and ۶ species of Polychaeta were recorded. Mollusca consist ۶ species of Gastropoda and ۵ species of Bivaliva, and showed the lowest species richness. Results of ecological studies indicated that macrofauna was numerically (density ind/m-۲) dominated by Polychaeta, and Streblospio gynobranchiata was the dominant species which comprised more than ۶۰-۹۳% of total individuals. Seasonal variations in macrofauna species richness and density have been discussed. Finally, the classifications for mobility, sediment particle reworking and the associated sediment reworking functional types for ۹۲ identified macrofaunal species have been provided.

Keywords:

macrofauna , species checklist , Arthropoda , Annedida , Mollusca , the Caspian Sea