Although macrobenthic assemblages are considered as major players in many ecosystems around the world, the ecology of Caspian Sea macrobenthos is currently understudied. This study describes the species composition and quantitative distribution of macrobenthos in the southern Caspian Sea and relates the distribution to seasonal changes at three depths (1, 5 and 10 meters) on the Boojagh Marine National Park (BMNP) coast in the southern Caspian Sea between the summers of 2015 and 2016. To investigate the distribution of macrobenthos in BMNP, the data of 450 samples were analyzed. In this study sixteen species were identified: Cerastoderma glaucum, Mytilaster lineatus, Pyrgula grimmi, Anisus kolesnikovi, Stenogammarus carausui, Paraniphargoides motasi, Onisimus caspius, Pterocuma pectinatum, Pterocuma sowinskyi, Pseudocuma (Stenocuma) gracile, Nais sp., Hypania invalida, Manayunkia caspica, Streblospio gynobranchiata, Hediste diversicolor, Amphibalanus improvisus. Among them, the non-indigenous C. glaucum was the dominant species, accounting for 27% of the total abundance and in descending order P. grimmi with 14.4%, A. improvisus with 8.7%, M. lineatus with 7.9%, Nais sp. with 7.5%, N. carausui with 5.2%, P. motasi with 5%, S. gynobranchiata with 4.5%, H. invalida with 5%, M. Caspica with 3.1%, P. sowinskyi with 2.5%, O. caspius with 2.4%, A. kolesnikovi and H. diversicolor with 1.8%, S. gracilis with 1.6% and P. pectinatum with 1.5% were in the next rank. Significant differences in abundance across the sixteen species were observed among depths and seasons. This study highlights the potential consequences of established non-indigenous species in the southern Caspian Sea.

In this research, growth rate, blood parameters and proximate composition of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) cultured in brackish and freshwater were evaluated. Two treatments (brackish and freshwater) in 3 replications were investigated. Six 1.5 m³ fiberglass tanks were used for this experiment, containing 180 rainbow trout specimens with average weight of 47.2±0.1g. Feeding rate in treatments was about 3% of body weight based on water temperature and fish biomass. Total length and weight of fish were measured in 15 days intervals. After 135 days of culture period, some fish samples were transferred to the Lab. Blood were directly collected from the heart. Muscle composition was analyzed for proximate composition. The results showed that the body weight of samples in brackish water was increased significantly after 45 days of culture period. Blood factors including WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, lymphocyte, thrombocyte and concentration of K + ions in fish cultured in brackish water showed a significant increase (P<0.05). Muscle composition analysis showed a significant increasing (p<0.05) in fat and dry matter in freshwater treatment, while moisture was significantly higher in brackish water (P<0.01)

Coral reefs are specialized communities that develop clear, well-lit tropical and subtropical water; they provide shelter and canopy for great variety of organisms, living in mean temperature of 20 degrees C. Coral Bleaching and mortality have been associated with elevated seawater temperature. The aim of the study was to investigate coral bleaching and evaluate health condition of the corals. Distribution of coral reefs around Kish Island was determined by the Timed Swim (TS) technique. This survey carried out in 2 times (May and October, 2009) in 2 depths of 3-5 m and 6-10 m. Two Divers swam in constant speed for a set amount of time in three dive sites. The timed swim survey around the Kish Island showed that the most healthy live hard coral assemblages were found in the site called Persian Gulf seaport, whereas the greatest percentage of bleached corals were located in Jurassic Park station, located at the southeast of the Island. Branching corals (Acropora sp.) were bleached among all 3 stations and no sign of recovery could be detected. In Big coral site suitable substrate for accumulation of living organisms including Echinometra mathaie (sea urchin) existed due to presence of great amount of algae on dead corals and rocks. Based on the observation, it seems that the cause of reef destruction in Kish Island fall in to two categories, natural and human impacts.

Urmia Lake is one of the two large hypersaline lakes in the world which have Artemia. It is located in northwest of Iran. Due to a decrease in water inflow and volume, the salinity of Urmia Lake has reached to more than 300 g.l(-1) since 2001. The increased salinity has greatly influenced biological aspects of the lake, and caused the lake undergoes at critical conduction. The aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution fluctuations of phytoplanktons and selected physicochemical factors in relation to Artemia distribution in Urmia Lake during 8 months. Statistical analysis of mean values of ion concentrations and phytoplankton abundance indicated significant differences among sampling months. The minimum and maximum values for the selected factors were, as Cl(-) 176.2-201.3 g.l(-1), CO(2) 95-175mg.l(-1), dissolved oxygen (DO) 0.1-2.8 mg.l(-1), HCO(3)(-) 144-496 mg.l(-1), PO(4)(2+) 104-875 mg.l(-1), NO(3)(-) 330-4104 mg.l(-1), NO(2)(-) 4-21.5 mg.l(-1), SO(4)(2-) 10490-29840 mg.l(-1), Ca(2+) 561-1606 mg.l(-1), Mg(2+) 3649-14587 mg.l(-1) while water hardness was 21000-62000 mg.l(-1). Fourteen phytoplankton genera included Bacillariophyceae (10 genera), Chlorophyceae (2 genera) and Cyanophyceae (2 genera) were identified during sampling period. The smallest average density of phytoplankton 97249 L(-1) was observed in December 2005 and the greatest average density 481983 L(-1) in August 2005. Dunaliella sp. composed 92.1% of the lake's phytoplankton. Statistical analysis of phytoplanktons fluctuations showed a significant difference among different months (p<0.05).

Post larvae of wild and cultured spawners of the Indian white shrimp (Penaeus indicus, Milne Edwards, 1837) were reared to market size, in commercial ponds of shrimp farming site of Helleh, in Bushehr Province, during a six months period. Environmental factors, management process and the diet used to feed shrimps were almost similar for both treatments. Averages of the weight, length, specific growth rate, food conversion ratio and survival rate were measured and compared between the two treatments at harvesting time. Results indicated that, the post larvae of wild spawners had better growth, higher survival rate, and lower food conversion ratio. Weight gain of abdominal portion of the body, was higher in wild post larvae (P<0.01), which was in contrast to cephalothorax weight (P<0.01). Length-weight relationship measurements illustrated that, cultured post larvae obtained from wild spawners had similar size and were more acceptable for the market. Broodstock background could be the main reason for given differences, in which, those captured from the sea, had better condition due to receiving appropriate food with higher genetic diversity. To produce high quality post larvae for the expanding shrimp farming industry as an economic activity in the country, it is suggested that broodstocks to be obtained either from the sea as sub-adults or matured spawners, or to be provide from culturing shrimps, raised in conditions closest to the nature (i.e., ambient factors, prepared diets) and also with appropriate genetic diversity.