Low richness of hermit crabs community (Crustacea: Decapoda: Paguroidea) and high dominance of Clibanarius signatus in the intertidal zones of Larak Island, Persian Gulf, Iran

Abstract Hermit crabs community in the intertidal zones of Larak Island were investigated through a seasonal sampling at five stations using random quadrate sampling method. Overall, seven species were identified and Clibanarius signatus was the dominant species, which showed high dominance over other species. Using Bray-Curtis cluster analysis for comparing seasonal abundance showed that except spring, other seasons form one cluster. A significant correlation was observed (P<0.05) between Simpson dominance index with temperature, dissolved oxygen and total organic matter. This study showed that the Simpson dominance index was high, primarily because of high dominance of C.signatus in intertidal zones of Larak Island. The high species dominance and low species richness in hermit crabs community in Larak Island could be because of unsuitable living conditions and lack of habitat diversity, such as muddy shores and mangrove forests.