Infestation of the pearl oysters by the boring and fouling organisms in the northern coast of Persian Gulf

Abstract

Infestation of the pearl oysters Pinctada margatifera and Pinctada fucata b the boring and fouling organisms at pearl culture farms as well as in the wild were studied in the northern coast of Persian Gulf Barnacles, spat of edible oysters and tublicuious polychaete were major fouling organisms in the pearl culture farms.In natural beds, however, sponges, algaes and ascidians were considered to b the main fouling organisms. The boring sponges, Cliona vastifica,. Clions margaritifera., CIiona carpenterl and the boring mussels, Lithophaga hantyana, Lithophaga malaccana were the most destructive boring organisms among studied species, causing considerable damage to the shells. The pearl oyster, Pincrada margaitifera farmed in The Kish island were found to be the most affected. The maximum rate of the pearl oysters was apparently related to the invasion by predators. The relationship between frequency of cleaning and growth of the pearl oysters also was investigated during this study.