Distribution and biomass of macrobenthic fauna in the Chabahar Bay (North Eastern Sea of Oman)

Population density, distribution and biomass of macrobenthic fauna in Chabahar Bay were investigated from May ۱۹۹۵ to March ۱۹۹۶ on a bimonthly basis. The most abundant groups were Amphipods (۲۱%), Polychaetes (۱۹%), Gastropods (۱۵.۷%) and Bivalves (۱۰.۶%). Maximum (۱۳۰۰۰ individuals/m۲) and minimum (۴۶۰۰ individuals/m۲) were observed in May and July respectively. The changes in density were influenced by monsoon season of the Indian Ocean. Spatial and temporal variations in biomass were recorded for all groups separately. The lowest biomass was observed during monsoon period (July-September) with a mean of ۵۱.۵ g dry wt/m۲ and the highest in permonsoon period (March-May) with an average of ۱۶۴.۸ g dry wt/m۲. The results are discussed in terms of understanding secondary production of Chabahar Bay.