Biodiversity of Macroinvertebrates in the Intertidal Zones of the Garmmat Ali, Basrah, Southern Iraq

et al., Mohsein

Authors

Sajjad K. Mohsein Department of Natural Marine Science, Marine Science College, University of Basrah

Keywords:

Biodiversity, macroinvertebrates, intertidal zones, Garmmat Ali.

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the biodiversity of invertebrates in the study area by identifying species, determining their abundance and spatial and temporal distribution, and analyzing the effects of environmental factors on community structure in two site of Garmmat Ali. The Environmental parameters recorded in the two study areas were expressed as mean + SD, minimum and maximum values, in the Al-Masahab area, the temperature avarge اwas 24.5 ± 7.50°C, 17.0 ºC and 32. 0 ºC respectively, salinity was 7.36 ± 3.77 g/L, 3,59 and 11.13 g/L respectively, pH was 7.51 ± 0.41, 7.10 and 7.92 respectively, while dissolved oxygen was 8.90 ± 1.10 mg/L, 7.80 and 10.00 mg/ L. respectively. While, in the Garammat Ali area, the avarge of temperature was 22.81 ± 8.22°C , and minimum and maximum values between 14.59 – 31.03 ºC respectively, salinity avarge was 8.50 ± 4.20 g/L, minimum 4.30 g/L. and maximum 12.70 g /L. , pH avarge was 7.30 ± 0.81, with minimum and maximum values 6.49 and 8.11 respectively, and dissolved oxygen avarge was 8.61 ± 1.40 mg/L, with minimum value 7.21 mg/L and maximum 10.01 mg/L. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected from the intertidal zone at Al-Masahab and Garmmat Ali between November, 2025 and August, 2026, with 3–5 replicates collected during low tide. At Al-Masahab, 16 species were recorded, representing Phylum Arthropod, subphylum crustacean, Mollusca, Annelida, Brachiopoda, and the Insects, with a total of 5,694 individuals. Subphylum Crustaceans were the most abundant group, comprising 5,160 individuals, followed by Annelida (316), Mollusca (138), Insect (30) and Brachiopoda (50). At Garmmat Ali, 14 species were recorded across three major phyla, with a total of 6,603 individuals. Subphylum Crustaceans were also the dominant group, accounting for 5,960 individuals, followed by Annelida (408) and Mollusca (235). The Shannon-Wiener index (H) was 1.80 at Al-Masahab and 1.66 at Garmmat Ali, while the Dominance index (D) was 0.21 and 0.23, respectively. Pielou’s Evenness index (J) was 0.38 at Al-Masahab and 0.37 at Garmmat Ali.

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