Identification and distribution of the intertidal Rocky shores Echinodermataof Gheshm Island,( the Persian Gulf , Iran)

Echinoderms are among the most abundant benthos possessing various economic, ecological and nutritional importance.

Studying and investigating the biodiversity and spatial distribution of echinoderms in the rocky shores of Qeshm.

Biodiversity and distribution of Echinoderms in eight stations (Toola 1, Toola 2, Aftab, Dafari, Tango, Havafaza, Biotechnology, and Naz Island) and three intertidal zones (high, middle and low) on the rocky shores of Qeshm island in summer and winter seasons (August and January 2018) were investigated. At each station, one to two transects oriented perpendicular to shore were determined. Echinoderms were counted with 3 replications in each station and inertidal zones.

Results:

 In this study, 12 echinoderms from 9 families were identified. The maximum and minimum frequency  were observed in winter with an average of 17 ind/m2</sup> in the mid tide zone of the Havafaza station and in the summer with an average of 1 ind/ m2</sup> in the low tide zone of the Naz Island station, respectively. Ophiocoma scolopendrinae was the dominant species (21.39%) in all stations. The results of the three-way permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) showed that the  community structure of echinoderms is different in the different stations and sampling seasons. The highest and lowest Shannon index, Margalef index and Pielou index were compared among sampling stations and different seasons. According to the results of Simper test,Ophiocoma scolopendrina, Astropecten hemprici, Holothuria leocospilota Holothuria scabra, Astropecten phragmorous, Diadema setosum accounted for the highest percentage of participation in Bray-Curtis dissimilarity in terms of species density, between summer and winter seasons and in different sampling stations.

Conclusion:

 The population structure of Echinoderms in the studied stations is influenced by various factors such as seasonal changes, tourists and residential areas.