Temporal and spatial distribution of rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata in the Persian Gulf

This study aimed to investigate spatial and temporal distribution of rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata along the Persian Gulf coastlines from Hormozgan to Khuzestan Province. Sampling was performed by a 0.25 m2 quadrat through coastlines from winter 2015 to autumn 2016. According to the results, maximum value of oyster length was 55.42 mm in Hormoz Island. Minimum values of length and weight in spring, summer and winter was occurred in the Ameri harbor while minimum value of wet and dry weight registered for Bandar Abbas harbor. In addition, Bandar Abbas harbor experienced minimum values of dry weight, wet weight length and width of all samples in the autumn. Results of environmental factors analysis revealed that there was a strong relationship between wet and dry weight with salinity and temperature. Generally, salinity showed strong relationship with length and width of samples while temperature showed less strong than salinity in the CCA analysis. According to high frequency of oyster populations in some areas of the Persian Gulf and due to importance of these animals, regarding to management programs and oyster culture in future should be considered.