Contribution to the Diversity of Zoanthids (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia) in the Northern Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

Zoanthids, an order of cnidarians, are the main components of coral reefs around the world. However, because of the wide variety of features in this order, the use of molecular methods, it is necessary to use molecular methods for precise identification of species. Although some previous studies have been conducted in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, the diversity of zoanthids in these seas remains unknown. Therefore, the zoanthids occurring in shallow coral reefs (three meters) in three Iranian islands (Farur, Bani Farur, Hormuz) across the northern Persian Gulf and in Chabahar Bay in the Gulf of Oman were identified using molecular tools. The collected specimens were transferred alive to the laboratory, and DNA extraction was undertaken by the Chelex method. Then mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI gene fragments were amplified using the PCR method and sequenced. The results revealed that Zoanthus sansibaricus was the dominant species in all three islands in the Persian Gulf. Z. sansibaricus and Palythoatuberculosa were reported on Farur and Bani Farur islands. P. aff. mutuki and P. tuberculosa were only recorded in Chabahar Bay. Unlike P. aff. mutuki, presence of other species identified in this study has been previously reported from the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The Palythoa genus was identified on Hormuz Island. In this study, the Zoantharia of Chabahar Bay in the Oman Sea as well as Zoantharia of Bani Farur and Farur islands were identified for the first time.