Identification and distribution of edible and decoration of the shells from the Bushehr area, Persian Gulf

Identification and distribution of edible and decoration shells were carried out in Bushehr shoreline areas (50˚ 38´ - 29˚ 27´ to 52˚ 41´ – 27˚ 17´) from September 2008 to July 2009. The objectives of this study were identification, distribution and stock abundance of edible and decoration shells and in Bushehr shorelines. Samples were obtained bimonthly or seasonally from Ganaveh to Nayband at low tide. Some transects were selected and in each transects two sampling quadrat (0.25 m2) was placed at random. In one location Derage was used. Specimens were identified and numbered and the percentage of samples was used to show the distribution of the species in different areas. Faunal affinity between stations was calculated by Sorensen formula. In the studied area a total of 45 species or species groups were identified. The main area distribution for live edible bivalve, Solen brevis was located sat Bopatil, Gassir, Kaloo, Piazi and Bordekhoon. Other bivalve, Paphia cor that was sampled alive was distributed in the Gassir and also empty bivalve shell (90%) was seen in the Bordekhoon shoreline. Also the most important areas for the decoration shells were located in the Golestan and Nayband that 74% of these species were included of olive shells. In Golestan 50% of the shells was Callista spp. The empty bivalve shells, Trachycardium lacunosum were distributed in Lavar shoreline. The other species or species groups were distributed in the shoreline of the study areas in different months with the low abundance.