Temporal distribution of Portunus segnis (Forskål, 1775) and Venitus dentipes (Lucas in Guérin-Méneville, 1836) in set net in northwest of the Qeshm Island

This study was conducted to identify the intertidal crab species and their temporal distribution caught by set net in northwest of the Qeshm Island. A total of 120 crabs were collected monthly from February 2015 to January 2016. The specimens were collected by hand and then fixed in formaldehyde 10%, transported to the laboratory and then identified based on their morphological characteristics using identification keys. The results showed that the specimens belong to 3 families including Portunidae, Macrophthalmidae and Pilumnidae. Portunus segnis and Venitus dentipes were dominant species in set net in northwest of the Qeshm Island whereas, Eurycarcinus orientalis was observed in some months in the study period. Temporal distribution and frequency of species was different in overall year, so that the frequency of crabs in warm seasons (spring and summer) was higher than than in cold season (winter).