Study of Diversity and Density of Calanoid Copepods (Copepoda: Calanoida) in Bahrakan Waters (Northwestern Persian Gulf)

The aim of this investigation was to study the Calanoid Copepods density and diversity in Bahrakan waters (Hendijan Harbor، Persian Gulf، Iran). Sampling was conducted during July، August and October 2010 and December، February and April 2011. Zooplankton were collected with plankton tows using 100- μm mesh net. Environmental parameters including salinity، temperature and dissolved oxygen were measured. In this study، 16 species of Calanoids were identified، among them; Acartiella faoensis with relative frequency of 28% was the most abundant species during the studying period. This species was first reported from the Persian Gulf Iranian waters. The Calanoid density was highest in August and lowest in December and February. There was Positive significant correlation coefficient between density of Calanoids and water temperature (P<0. 05). The Shannon diversity index was maximum in July and ranged from 0. 98 to 2. 42 during the year.