A Study on Biodiversity of Planktonic Shrimp-like Communities in Artificial Reefs of the Khuzestan Coasts, the Bahrekan Area

The aim of this investigation was to study the planktonic shrimp-like communities density and diversity in artificial reefs of Khuzestan coasts, Bahrakan waters (the Persian Gulf). Sampling was conducted for one year from May 2011 to April 2012, monthly. Zooplankton were collected with plankton tows using 300 μm mesh net. Totally, two superfamily, Penaeoidea, Sergestoidea and one suborder Caridea and four families, Sergestidae, Luciferidae, Penaeidae, Alpheidae were identified. Metapenaeus affinis, Penaeus indicus and Parapenaeopsis stylifera species from Penaeidae family, the species Alpheus sp. from Alpheidae and Acetes sp. from Sergestidae and Lucifer hanseni from Luciferidae family were identified and introduced. The most abundant superfamily, Penaeoidea, with 54% and most abundant species was M. affinis from family Penaeidae with 32% relative abundance. Finally, two frequency peak was observed that the first peak found in September and the second November. Ecological indicators including Margalef species richness, Biodiversity Shannon, Simpson dominance index and Pielou evenness were measured in different stations and months. The most Shannon index and Pielou evenness at station B and the lowest rate at station D was observed. The most Simpson dominance index was in December (0.94) and Pielou evenness index during the same month the lowest (0.11). The Most of Margalef species richness index was in May (0.86) and lowest rate in August (0.20). These results is important for evaluation reserves Shrimp like larvae in artificial reefs Bahrekan area.