Identification of intertidal Brachyuran crabs of the northwest of Chabahar Bay (Oman Sea) as a mangrove ecosystem

Specimens of the Brachyura (8 species) belonged to 5 families including: Camptandriidae, Dotillidae, Ocypodidae, Macrophthalmidae and Varunidae were carried out at northwest of Chabahar Bay in intertidal zones of Sistan and Baluchistan coast (north of Oman Gulf) in spring 2011. The specimens were collected using hand and sometimes by using a scoop net and preserved in 70% alcohol, shipped to the laboratory and identified by using identification keys. Diagnostic characteristics of these species were investigated too.