A study on the coastal zone isopod (Crustacean: Malacostraca) fauna in Larak Island (Persian Gulf)

Present research was conducted to investigate and identify Isopoda (Crustacea) fauna at the coastal zone of Larak Island in the Persian Gulf. Sampling was carried out from different coastal sites including intertidal and shallow subtidal habitats. During the research period from December 2013 to June 2014, all sandy beaches, mud flats, beneath stones as well as subtidal sand, mud, and seegrass beds were subjected for sampling. Isopod samples were collected via various methods such as sieving and netting with suitable mesh size and after fixing in 90% ethanol and tagging, were identified through valid identification keys. In total, five species belonging to three families under four genera were recognized. Only one species of the family Ligiidae, Ligiapersica was found in supralittoral zone of rocky shores. The family Sphaeromatidae was represented with two genera and three species including Sphaeromopsis persikolpos, Sphaeromopsis sarii and Cymodoce waegelei, and the family Cirolanidae, with Atarbolana sp.