Oligochaetes (Annelida, Clitellata) in the Anzali International Wetland, north-western Iran

Abstract

In order to determine the Oligochaeta fauna of the Anzali International Wetland (northwestern Iran), samples of bottom sediment and aquatic vegetation were collected from 13 stations eight times from August 2012 to June 2013. As a result of the study, 11 species and one genus were identified: Tubifex tubifex, Limnodrilus claparedeianus, L. hoffmeisteri, Potamothrix hammoniensis, P. bedoti, Branchiura sowerbyi, Nais pardalis, Ophidonais serpentina, Dero digitata, Stylaria lacustris, Slavina appendiculata, and Mesenchytraeus sp. Some physico-chemical parameters of the water (depth, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH) were measured at the sampling site. The average density of the total oligochaete community in the benthos of the wetland was 6077 ind. m -2 . The Shannon-Wiener diversity index was on average 0.92, with a maximum of 1.57 and a minimum of 0.44 at different stations. Results indicated that the maximum and the minimum density were observed in June (21 837 ind. m -2 ) and in December (1041.9 ind. m -2 ), respectively. Most frequent and abundant species were the tubificids L. hoffmeisteri, L. claparedeianus, and P. hammoniensis. All determined oligochaete taxa except T. tubifex were new to the Anzali Wetland, including seven new to the fauna of Iran. The structure of the Oligochaeta community correlated with the progression of the trophic state of the aquatic ecosystem.

Benthic diatom and macroinvertebrate assemblages, a key for evaluation of river health and pollution in the Shahrood River, Iran

“…The use of biotic communities for monitoring aquatic environments, especially water quality, has several widely known advantages over physicochemical monitoring (Hering et al 2006;Sharifinia et al 2012a;Findik 2013;Tan et al 2014b). In running waters, where changes in hydrology are rapid and variable, biological monitoring has proved to be useful due to its integrating nature (Atazadeh et al 2007;Miserendino 2009;Varnosfaderany et al 2010;Smucker and Vis 2011;Namin et al 2013a, b;Vidal-Abarca et al 2013;Shokri et al 2014;Nazarhaghighi et al 2014;Tan et al 2014b). Such methodological tools for bioassessment have improved significantly in recent years (Marzin et al 2012;Pace et al 2012;Chang et al 2014;Karaouzas et al 2015).…”

Evidence-Based Management of the Anzali Wetland System (Northern Iran) Based on Innovative Monitoring and Modeling Methods

“…The expanse of the area is about 33 km from east to west and about 11 km from north to south at most. The area of the watershed is 3410 km 2 . It is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the north, the Sefidroud River to the east and the Alborz Mountain to the south and west.…”

“…About one-third of these 24 wetlands are under pressure or in a critical condition [1]. For example, as an "international aquatic ecosystem", the Anzali wetland provides a nursery for fish, and a reproduction and wintering habitat for waterbirds from different parts of the world [2]. Of 145 species of migratory birds in Iran, 77 are found in the Anzali wetland [3].…”

Demographic variables and stock status of pike,Esox lucius, in the commercial fishery in the Anzali Wetland (SW Caspian Sea) near the southern limits of its distribution range

“…6-28.4°C and 5.3-11.4°C in summer and winter, respectively (Saemi Komsari et al, 2013). The wetland is shallow with a maximum water depth of 3 m. During the past 50 years, the average water depth has reduced significantly from 10 to 2 m and decreased to half a meter in some parts (Nazarhaghighi et al, 2014;Mousazadeh et al, 2015). The Anzali Wetland (freshwater with salinity below 0.5) is separated from the Caspian Sea by a dune system; the passage to the sea has a width of 426 m (Nazarhaghighi et al, 2014).…”

“…The wetland is shallow with a maximum water depth of 3 m. During the past 50 years, the average water depth has reduced significantly from 10 to 2 m and decreased to half a meter in some parts (Nazarhaghighi et al, 2014;Mousazadeh et al, 2015). The Anzali Wetland (freshwater with salinity below 0.5) is separated from the Caspian Sea by a dune system; the passage to the sea has a width of 426 m (Nazarhaghighi et al, 2014). The wetland includes seasonally flooded meadows and is very important both as a spawning ground and nursery area for several fish species (Sakizadeh et al, 2012;Hargalani et al, 2014) especially cyprinids (the most diverse family in the area; Abdoli and Naderi, 1999).…”