Identification of Cypraeidae in southern intertidal zones of Qeshm Island, the Persian Gulf

Gastropod communities were investigated along two intertidal sandy and rocky shores in Qeshm Island, the northern Persian Gulf, IR Iran to identify the species of the family Cypraeidae. Monthly sampling was undertaken from May 2007 to April 2008 by haphazardly placing eighteen 0.25 m2 quadrates along two 30m wide transects located approximately 300m apart, perpendicular to the sea, in each sandy and rocky shore. Four species and subspecies belonging to the family Cypraeidae were identified including Cypraea feline fabula, Cypraea grayana, Cypraea nebrites and Cypraea turdus winckworthi. All species occured on rocky shores. Identifications were verified by Dr. Robert G. Moolenbeek, from Natural History Museum of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.