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1. Al-Yamani, F.Y., V. Skryabin, N. Boltachova, N. Revkov, M. Makarov, V. Grinstov and E. Kolesnikova. 2012. Illustrated Atlas on the Zoobenthos of Kuwait. Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (Publisher). ISBN 99906-41-40-4.
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Illustrated Atlas on the Zoobenthos of Kuwait
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Brachyuran decapod crustaceans are characterized by a reduced abdomen, folded beneath the cephalothorax, and inserted between the pereiopods or in a special cavity, which prevents it from impeding movements. The acquisition of a retaining/locking mechanism may be regarded as a synapomorphy for the Brachyura. In primitive podotrematous forms (Dromiidae, Homolidae), the structures involve the coxae of thoracopods. In higher Brachyura, the structures located on limbs have moved onto the sternal plate. The most common holding system is the press-button, consisting of a prominence always on the fifth sternite and a socket always positioned on the sixth abdominal segment. The innovation with a sternal differentiation appears to have occurred independently several times: on sternite 4 (Homoloidea: homolid press-button), on sternite 5 (Dynomenidae, Lyreidinae), on sternite 6 (Phyllotymolinidae, Cyclodorippidae), and on sternite 5 (Eubrachyura: typical press-button). In the Heterotremata, only the Leucosiidae display a retaining system that differs from the typical press-button. A true socket evolved within the Podotremata (Homoloidea, Lyreidinae), and in almost all Eubrachyura. The abdominal socket is hypothesized to be homologous with the uropod. The absence of any locking structures in the most highly carcinized thoracotrematous crabs (for instance Ocypodinae pro parte) is considered to be the result of a secondary loss, occurring at about the time when terrestrial habitats replace the exclusively marine life. The microstructures, discovered on both homolid and typical press-buttons, might be regarded as an indicator of sex, puberty moult and age of individuals, and are probably reliable indicators of phylogenetic affinities at different levels.
The paper investigates the taxonomic composition, diversity and abundance of macrozoobenthos community in Kuwait Bay subtidal zone during different seasons of the year. Material for the study was collected in December 2009, and in March, June and September 2010 from five stations in Kuwait Bay. Seasonal and spatial variability was detected in the measured oceanographic parameters (salinity, temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, pH and turbidity) indicating their dynamic nature. A total of 200 species of macrozoobenthos and representatives of higher taxonomic groups belonging to 10 phyla have been identified from Kuwait’s Bay marine environment. The results indicated that species number was largest in polychaetes, gastropods, and bivalve mollusks. The abundance of macrozoobenthos varied from 1,010 to 9,140 individuals/m2 with an average of 2,697 ind/m2. The groups prevailing in Kuwait Bay's zone were polychaetes, gastropods, and crustaceans. Average values of abundance changed slightly by seasons, in the autumn-winter period (December 2009 and September 2010), the number of macrozoobenthos was higher than in the other seasons, and the lowest abundance was observed during summer (June 2010). Based on the outcome of the current project, macrozoobenthos in Kuwait Bay had high species diversity and low dominance level. Some differences in the values of diversity indices were evident between stations but these indices were not found for seasons. This paper revealed that the average number of macrozoobenthos in Kuwait Bay during winter 2009 had increased more than three times when compared to a previous study conducted in winter 2004 for the similar stations in Kuwait Bay.
Benthic organisms diversity were observed in the sequence of Annelida > Mollusca > Crustacea > "Diversa" group. Levels of trace metals in benthic organisms were in the range 0.12-96.86 µg/g during winter and 0.98-54.13 µg/g in summer. Species diversity index (H'), evenness index (J) and index of dominance (λ) were in the range 0.951-1.368 bits/unit, 0.475-0.684, and 0.19-0.33 respectively, for benthic organisms sampled in Kuwait Bay sites. Evenness index (-) was found to increase with increasing H'. Seasonally, an inverse correlation was observed between species richness (R1 and R2). Comparative studies revealed low diversity indices correspondingly to the increase in trace metal level in benthic species collected from four sites except Doha wherein high abundance of certain benthic species and high trace metal levels due to manmade perturbations were observed altering the diversity indices. Furthermore, these indices will validate benthic organisms as an indicator to trace metal pollution in Kuwait marine ecosystem. Keywords. benthic organisms; trace metals; species diversity
Because Onchidiidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Pulmonata) has been understudied since the last experts were active more than 70 years ago, systematics of this taxon is in a state of confusion: The nomenclatural status of most species names is unknown; the current supra-specific classification, largely based on Labbé’s work, has not been revised since the 1930s and needs to be re-evaluated through a modern, phylogenetic approach. A checklist of all 143 species names available in Onchidiidae is provided, as a first step towards a systematic revision. In addition, type material information (all existing types were examined by the author), type locality, and comments on the current taxonomic status and classification are provided for each species name. Present state of knowledge of the higher-level systematics of Onchidiidae is also briefly reviewed. Species diversity based on traditional generic taxa is presented. Finally, type localities are listed by region, worldwide, and interesting questions of biogeography are mentioned.
A collection of Polychaeta made by the author during 1969 from the coast of Kuwait has been studied. Nineteen species, belonging to 17 genera and 11 families, are described. Nine species are named as new to science (two new genera) and ten species are recorded as new to the fauna of the Arabian Gulf. Also, the available information on the geographical distribution has been given for each new record.
A total of 79 species of polychaetous annelids, belonging to 28 families, have been identified Among these, three are named as new to science and 29 are indicated as new to the Arabian Gulf.