Species composition, diversity and distribution of Gelatinous Zooplankton (Cnidaria, Cetenophora and Thaliacea) from coastal/estuarine waters, North of Bushehr- Persian Gulf

Background and Objectives:  ??? Methods:  ??? Findings: ??? Conclusion:  ??? In this survey, gelatinous zooplankton fauna from the coastal/estuarine waters, northern of Bushehr were analyzed during summer of 2017 to spring 2018. 5 species were identified for the first time from Persian Gulf, including 3 species from Hydromedusa, Eutima gegenbaueri, Eirene viridula and Clytia discoid, one species of Salpa, Diphyes chamissonis, and one species of Ctenophora, Pleurobrachia pileus. Pleurobrachia pileus as the dominant species, showed a blooming at August, its density reached to 3411 ind/m3. Based on results of the Multivariate MDS and PCO analysis on physical parameters comprising water temperature, dissolved Oxygen,  salinity, Secchi depth, depth of sampling station and Chla, a twice-yearly passage/seasons  was detected and based on both analysis, Frake creek-estuary was differentiated. Based on the results of CAP, Gelatinous Zooplankton assemblages of stations 3, 4 (Shif Creek- estuary)  and 5 (Sea station), showed a different and discriminated dispersion pattern, Eutima gegenbaueri, Elrene viridula and Diphyes chamissonis  were determined as indicator species of Sea waters/station, and Pleurobrachia pileus  were identified as indicator/ discriminating species of Shif Creek- estuary.  Finally, the results of SIMPER from BEST/BIOENV analysis proved that the dispersion of all identified species were affected by the depth of sampling station, salinity and temperature as the most important factors.