Assessing the diversity of macroinvertebrates communities and their relationship with environmental factors in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman

Marine benthic macrofauna plays an important role in ecosystem processes in the marine benthic zone. This study aims to investigate the biodiversity pattern and identifying benthic macroinvertebrates in the coastal zones of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Two sampling periods were performed in this study; the first: from November 2018 to January 2019 and the second: from December 2019 to January 2020. Sampling was carried out at 19 sites with three replicates (171 samples). A total of 164 species belonging to 85 families and 31 orders were identified. The most abundant families were Ampeliscidae and Apseudidae with mean values of 19.5±42 and 11.1±18 in m2, respectively. The most abundant class were Malacostraca and Polychaeta. The family Nephtyidae with eight identified species was the most in all stations. Amphipholis squamata, Byblis sp., Capitella capitate, and Amphioplus sp. were the significant species that contributed to the differentiation between stations. Furthermore, according to CCA analysis, dissolved oxygen (DO) showed a strong direct relationship with Callianassidae, Anthuridae, Paraonidae, Maeridae, and Corophiidae. Also, a strong indirect relationship was found between Haminoeidae and DO. Turbidity showed a strong direct relationship with Flabelligeridae and as well as weak direct with Cirratulidae. Furthermore, chlorophyll-a showed a strong direct relationship with Nereididae, and other parameters showed a medium direct relationship with Maldanidae and Haminoeidae. The Composition of bed sediment was also showed a strong relationship with macroinvertebrates communities in the study area. The diverse health status was not totally in a good condition and needs to be improved. These findings could be applied in further studies for habitat management and monitoring programs.