Diversity and abundance of Ichthyoplanktons in east coastal waters of Khoozestan province

Abstract

Following studies on the identification and estimation of fish larvae density in Khoozastan Creeks study was carried ouu in East coast of Khoozestan to completely cover the area, from Dec. 1999 till Nov, 2000. Monthly samplings were carried out in 4 stations in East coasts of Khoozestan watere (Eastern side of Khor e - Mosa channal), using 500 micron Bongo net and oblique haules from bottom to the surface. From a total No. of 4765 observed larvae, 24 families were identified. Gobiidae (29,670) Clupeiformes Per Flexion (21.3%), Leiognathidae (10.6%), Clupeidae (163%) and Callionymidae (4.45%) were the dominate families. Other families such as Cynoglossidae, Scianidai, Engraulidae. Bregmacerotidae, etc,. were scarce. Half of the obser.red larvae were common in all the sampling stations Except serimeh station that showed a, higher larval frequency, other Stations were similar in this regurd.Mean diversity index was highest in May, June, July and Auguest and was lowest in Aprill, Octa and NOV. Analysis of variance only showed significant differences of diversity indices between seasons, and Spring and Summer were different from Autumn and Winter. Analysis of averge values of these two indices in the studied areas only showed the significance of evenness in various areas, and grouping searated the East coast from other two areas (Creeks and the West coasts), Non significance of diversity index in the studies areas shows that they could be similar. All the identified larvae were also present in Creeks and the west coasts, and most of the families present in West coasts were also observed in the East coast.