Species composition and distribution of Alcyonacea (Octocorallia) in the northern Persian Gulf. (3rd May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shahbazi, Shemshad; Sakhaei, Nasrin; Zolgharnein, Hossein; McFadden, Catherine S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Volume 101:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 535
• Page End: 543
• Publication Date: 2021-05-03
• Subjects: Biodiversity -- coral reefs -- ecology -- gorgonians -- soft coral communities; Biology -- Periodicals; Marine biology -- Periodicals; 578.77
• DOI: 10.1017/S0025315421000527
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-3154

Abstract

Abstract: Studies concerning octocoral species from the Persian Gulf coral reefs are few. This study documents the diversity and abundance of octocoral communities from three islands in the north Persian Gulf, namely, Larak Island, Hengam Island and Qeshm Island. Belt transects were used to survey the octocoral communities at these islands. We used a rapid ecological assessment technique (REA) to assess the status and abundance of octocorals. Also, K Independent sample analysis was conducted on abundance and Shannon Diversity index data to determine if octocoral abundance and species diversity varied between islands. A total of 22 morphospecies, belonging to seven alcyonacean families, including Plexauridae, Ellisellidae, Alcyoniidae, Nephtheidae, Briareidae, Acanthogorgiidae and Subergorgiidae, were identified in this study. Statistical analysis indicated octocoral abundance and diversity at Larak Island reefs were higher than those around Hengam and Qeshm islands. The primary data presented in this study could serve as the baseline data for long-term biomonitoring programmes to estimate the status of octocorals in the Persian Gulf.