Ecological Study of Some Macroinvertebrates in the Intertidal Sediments of Khor Al Zubair, Basra City, Iraq

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	Ecological Study of Some Macroinvertebrates in the Intertidal Sediments of Khor Al Zubair, Basra City, Iraq
Article 55, Volume 29, Issue 4, July and August 2025, Page 989-998 PDF (642.37 K)
DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2025.442613
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Author
Ali et al.
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the species composition and relative abundance of aquatic macroinvertebrates (mollusks, crustaceans, and annelids) in the intertidal zone of the Khor Al-Zubair area. Sampling was conducted from January to May 2024 at three stations along Khor Al-Zubair to determine the dominant species and distribution patterns. Physical and chemical parameters—including water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity—were measured. Results indicated that all parameters were within normal ranges, except for salinity, which reached a notably high level of 62 ppt. Many macroinvertebrate species were absent from the dataset, and the overall diversity appeared low, likely due to the negative impact of elevated salinity on species richness. Based on species that contributed significantly to the ecological structure, four main types of macroinvertebrates were identified. Dominant taxa included the crab Scylla serrata, the annelid Namalycastis annandalei, the oyster Crassostrea cucullata, and the barnacle Balanus amphitrite.
Keywords
Intertidal sediments; Macroinvertebrates; Physical and chemical properties; Khor Al Zubair


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