The study of distribution, abundance and biomass of Streblospio gynobranchiata in the sediments of southern coasts of Caspian Sea (Bandar Torkman and Babolsar)

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the seasonal variation of distribution, abundance and biomass Streblospio gynobranchiata of substrate sediments on the Southern coasts of the Caspian Sea (Bandar Torkman and Babolsar) in 2018-2019. Sampling was done seasonally and 6 stations at depths of 5, 10 and 30 meters of the 2 transects. The results showed that the mean (±SE) of abundance and biomass were in the Babolsar transect (respectively) 207.06±51.40 ind.m-2 and 0.042±0.006 g.m-2 and seasonal study, the highest abundance and biomass in Babolsar transect with mean (respectively) 1297.47±284.95 ind.m-2 and 0.222±0.040 g.m-2. So there was a significant difference between the abundance and biomass in different seasons (p<0.05). Also showed that the mean (±SE) of abundance and biomass were in the Bandar Torkman transect (respectively) 206.51±53.07 ind.m-2 and 0.043±0.005 g.m-2. According to seasonal study, the highest abundance in Bandar Torkman transect with mean 942.27±180.07 ind.m-2 in summer and highest biomass 0.153 ± 0.03 g.m-2 recorded in spring, so there was a significant difference between the abundance and biomass in different seasons (p<0.05), which is due to their reproductive cycle. The total organic matter in different seasons was fluctuating, which could be due to the depth, substrate and ecological origin.

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