Iranian Branchiostoma species (Cephalochordata, Branchiostomatidae) inhabiting Chabahar Bay (Gulf of Oman), with remarks on habitat preferences

Authors : Abdolvahab MAGHSOUDLOU

Pages : 179-186

View : 31 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Variations in the population of lancelets inhabiting Chabahar Bay were surveyed statistically. Multivariate analysis of the Iranian Branchiostoma population using 5 morphometric characteristics indicates no separation of populations by locality in the study area insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ANOSIM global; R = 0.2);. Principal component analysis of the mean values of the 5 meristic characteristics of the present population with those of conspecifics of other populations around the world showed that Iranian lancelet populations are very similar to B. lanceolatum and completely different from the B. arabia and B. belcheri previously reported in adjacent waters insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ANOSIM for pairwise tests; R = 1);. Cluster analysis indicates that the Iranian B. lanceolatum shows greater affinity with its conspecifics in the Mediterranean than in the Indian Ocean. The distribution of lancelet populations correlates more closely with sand particles; however, this correlation was not significant insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P = 0.28);. The novel aspect of this study is the information presented about B. lanceolatum populations in the Iranian Gulf of Oman and its greater affinity with the species reported with Mediterranean conspecifics.
Keywords : Lancelets, identification, Makran Sea, Branchiostoma lanceolatum