Effect of environmental parameters on Amphipods biodiversity in the Iranian continental shelf of the Oman Sea

Abstract

Biodiversity of the Amphipods was determined in the Iranian continental shelf of the Oman Sea from Jask to Gwadar (approximately 350 km stretch). Sampling was carried out in 10, 50, 100 and 200 m depth along five transects of approximately equal distances from each other. Sampling was done with Van Veen grab (0.1 m2) in three replicates; temperature, salinity, and Dissolve oxygen were recorded by CTD. Amphipod species were identified and abundance counted. Ecological indices were estimated and their correlation with environmental parameters was determined. The ecological indices were found to be highly correlated with dissolved oxygen, temperature while there was no significant relation to salinity.