Biodiversity of Demersal Species from Trawl Surveys in the Iranian Waters of the Persian Gulf

Özet

Data from trawl survey was used for estimate of biodiversity indices and abundance of demersal resources in the Iranianwaters of the Persian Gulf. Sampling was done by R/V Ferdos 1 from 49 00E to 57 00E during January–March 2013.In thisstudy, 130 stations within the 10-20 m, 20-30 m and 30-50 m depths were sampled. Abundance and biodiversity of demersalfish communities at different depth strata were evaluated by various indices. In summary, of 113 taxa identified, only 91 fishspecies were found typically demersal, 6 were pelagic and 16 were other marine organism groups. The results showed that4.4% of 113 species have critically imperiled status, 5.3% are imperiled and 9.7% appear to be rare but not immediatelyimperiled. The indices value of Shannon for entire investigated area (10-50 m depths) were 3.14, Simpson 0.04 (D) and 0.96(1-D), Pielou 0.72, Margalef 8.45 and Menhinick 0.15.Sorenson’s coefficient between depths was 0.97 that shows highsimilarity in the depth strata. In general, the results of abundance and biodiversity indices indicate that, the health score is fairbut this region is under stress.