Identification and distribution of Cryptofauna on the rocky shores of Hormuz Island

A seasonal study of the summer 2015 and winter 2015 was conducted in order to identify distribution of hidden creatures living in rocky shores of Hormoz Island. Sampling was executed in intertidal rocky zone around Hormoz Island at the spring tide. Sampling were done in the high, mid and low inter tidal zone of each station in a 30 meter transect. For measurement of seasonal biodiversity of cryptofauna, diversity indices including: Shannon-Wiener, Brillouin, Simpson, Margalef and Pielou species richness index were measured. In this study, 16 families, 23 genera and 31 species of Gastropods, 6 families, 11 genera and 11 species of Bivalves, 4 families of Plychaetes, 9 families, 10 genera and 10 species of Crustaceans, 3 families, 3 genera and 2 species of Echinoderms were identified. Performing an ANOSIM indicated that species composition differs in two seasons at separate stations and has a significant difference amongst distribution of each species at various stations (P<0.0001). Biodiversity index, evenness, and species richness were increased in winter.

Keywords:

Identification , Biodiversity , Cryptofauna , Rocky shores , Hormoz Island , Persian Gulf