Subtidal crabs of the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf: New collections and biogeographic considerations

Benthic sampling was performed along all Iranian subtidal waters of the Persian Gulf during the years 2003 and 2004. A total of 56 species of crabs were caught from 174 stations using a trawler fishing net and Peterson grab. These species belong to 12 families, 15 subfamilies and 37 genera. The results of the present study revealed that families Portunidae, Leucosiidae and Pilumnidae have the highest species richness with 14, 13 and 13 species respectively. Zoogeographical analysis shows that a high proportion (27%) of the Iranian subtidal crabs have world distribution in the Northern part of Indo-West Pacific region and only two endemic species were found.