Study of ecology and taxonomy of Cnidarian medusae (Malagazzidae, Phialellidae and Phialucidae) in Northwestern Persian Gulf (Bahrakan coasts)

Abstract

In order to study of Cnidarian medusae populatiopn dynamic in Bahrakan waters (Northwestern Persian Gulf), planktonic samples were collected from 6 stations during July, August, October of 2010 and December, February, April of 2011. Sampling was conducted with 300µm mesh size plankton net. Water quality parameters such as salinity, pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen were measured. In this study 6 species belonging to 3 families (Malagazziidae ،Phialellidae ،Phialellidae) were identified .The medusae density was the highest in July (60.97 ± 2.56) and lowest in August (2.01 ± 0.76) . Octophialucium funerarium is the first report in the Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf. In The result of Correlation test showed that the temperature has the higher relationship whit density of medusas (P<0.01).