A systematic study of Crabs in the Inter-tidal Zone of Hormozgan Province

A systematic study on distribution of crabs in the inter-tidal zone of Hormozgan province, stretches between Bandar Abbas to Bandar Lengeh, was carried out during four seasons for a period of one year (Octeber 1994 to September 1995). Four regions with different bottoms were chosen for sampling. This study was conducted for the first time in Iran and revealed the richness of crab’s species and also gave us a picture of the indigenous species of this region. In survey an attempt was made to study the standing stocks of crabs in this atea. The specimens were identified using identification keys from Malaysia (Lovett, 1981), Pakistan (Bianchi, 1985), the Mediterranean (schneiscr & Bauchot. 1987), Denmark (Jessen & Sparck. 194449), and work of other authors such as: (Abele, 1982; Jones; 1986; Nandi Pramanik, 1994; Titgen, 1982). Identification was conducted through carapace surface patterns, number of surface serrations and edges of the carapace and its lateral outgrowths, shape of eye, sh.....