Preliminary estimation of fouling organisms associated with the pearl oyster Pinctada radiata in the natural habitat of the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea

In the summer of 2021, marine fouling organisms associated with pearl oyster Pinctada radiata in natural habitat Miyami area, Alexandria city, were surveyed, where samples collected by scuba diving. Eighteen shells variable sizes to investigate community’s biodiversity that settled on each shell. A total 1674 representing 106 taxa identified, weighing a cumulative wet weight 147.98 g. The community composition consists 52 Polychaeta, 19 species Arthropods, 18 Mollusks, 5 Bryozoans, 4 Chordata, 2 Rhodophytes, Anthozoans, and Echinoderms, one for Sponge, Platyhelminth. Species diversity, abundance, among eighteen studied shells, higher recorded values larger shells. two barnacles (Balanus trigonus Perforatus perforatus) most dominant species, followed Syllidae polychaete Haplosyllis spongicola, then alien mytilid bivalve Brachidontes pharaonis, Dorvilleidae (Dorvillea similis). comparison other similar studies Mediterranean Sea was conducted. Before performing manipulative how biofouling communities might affect aquaculture productivity, it is first necessary ascertain these within desired locations.