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Corresponding author: Valiallah Khalaji-Pirbalouty ( khalajiv@yahoo.com ) Academic editor: Rachael Peart
© 2022 Manal Abdulrahman Al-Kandari, Valiallah Khalaji-Pirbalouty, Hadeel Abdulkhaliq, Weizhong Chen.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Al-Kandari MA, Khalaji-Pirbalouty V, Abdulkhaliq H, Chen W (2022) Diversity and distribution of the Isopoda (Crustacea, Peracarida) of Kuwait, with an updated checklist. ZooKeys 1080: 107-133. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1080.71370
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Thirty-eight species of Isopoda, belonging to 13 families and 29 genera, are listed from Kuwait based on previous literature records (of 17 species) and collections carried out along Kuwait’s coastal and subtidal zones during the present study. The majority of species belongs to the suborder Cymothoida (23), followed by Sphaeromatidea (9), Oniscidea (3), Valvifera (2), and Asellota (1). In total, 25 species were collected and identified from 12 families and 22 genera from Kuwaiti coastal and subtidal areas. These include eight families, 15 genera, and 21 species recorded for the first time from Kuwait. Isopod diversity was highest in the sandy rock areas, including southern Kuwait, particularly in Al-Khiran and Al-Nuwaiseeb, and in mixed habitat (muddy, rocky, and sandy) intertidal transects such as in Failaka Island. The species number increased from the subtidal and lowest zones into the high tidal zone. Isopods were found in sandy substrata, among shells, cobbles, rocks, dead corals, and algae.
Biodiversity, checklist, first records, geographical distribution, Isopoda, Kuwait
The isopod fauna in Kuwait’s intertidal and subtidal habitats have received little attention. The few significant accounts of Kuwait’s marine isopods are those of
Arcturinoides angulata Kensley, Schotte & Poore, 2007 and Astacilla mccaini Kensley, Schotte & Poore, 2007 have been reported by
In 2013, a large-scale survey covering Kuwait’s entire coastline and offshore islands was initiated to document biodiversity, species distribution, and species abundance of the intertidal fauna. This survey was completed in 2017 (
Thirty-eight intertidal transects and two subtidal sites were sampled quantitatively and qualitatively for macrofauna (Fig.
Sampling sites studied in the intertidal and subtidal zones of Kuwait with habitat details (*KPC = Kuwait Petroleum Corporation).
Site No. | Site Name (north to south) | Position | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sampling Dates | Coordinates | Area | Substrate | ||
Khor Al-Subiya: north and west of Boubyan Island (BI) | |||||
1 | Umm Al-Shajar (north Khor Al-Subiya), (BI1) | 29.12.2015 | 29°54.263'N, 48°01.475'E | BI | Mud |
2 | Khor Al-Subiya (Al-Magasel) | 23.11.2014 | 29°44.476'N, 48°05.740'E | North | Mud-rock |
3 | Khor Al-Subiya (Al-Shumaima) | 24.11.2014 | 29°39.403'N, 48°07.850'E | North | Mud-rock |
4 | Khor Subiyah (south) | 25.11.2014 | 29°34.849'N, 48°10.248'E | North | Mud |
Kuwait Bay | |||||
5 | Mudairah | 30.12.2014 | 29°32.672'N, 47°55.394'E | Bay-mud | Mud |
6 | Al-Kuwaisat | 17.11.2014 | 29°22.677'N, 47°42.480'E | Bay-mud | Mud |
7 | Al-Judailiat | 02.02.2014 | 29°22.497'N, 47°45.183'E | Bay | Sand-rock |
8 | Aushairij | 03.02.2014 | 29°23.047'N, 47°50.192'E | Bay | Sand-rock |
9 | Sulaibikhat Bay | 06.11.2014 | 29°19.702'N, 47°49.670'E | Bay | Mud |
10 | Shuwaikh (KPC*), subtidal | 22.02.2016 | 29°21.401'N, 47°56.390'E | Bay | Sand-rock |
11 | Kuwait Bay (Al-Salam Beach) | 09.12.2013 | 29°21.631'N, 47°57.204'E | Bay | Sand-rock |
12 | Kuwait Bay (Ras Ajuza) | 08.12.2013 | 29°23.481'N, 47°59.800'E | Bay | Sand-rock |
East Kuwait Bay | |||||
13 | Al-Sha'Eab | 19.01.2014 | 29°21.979'N, 48°01.344'E | Middle 1 | Sand-rock |
14 | Al-Salmiya | 19.12.2013 | 29°20.313'N, 48°05.775'E | Middle 1 | Sand-rock |
South Kuwait Bay | |||||
15 | Al-Messilah | 18.12.2013 | 29°16.496'N, 48°05.407'E | Middle 1 | Sand-rock |
16 | Al-Funaitees | 19.12.2013 | 29°11.519'N, 48°06.938'E | Middle 1 | Sand-rock |
17 | Abu Halifa | 04.01.2014 | 29°08.154'N, 48°07.985'E | Middle 2 | Sand-rock |
18 | Al-Mangaf | 01.02.2014 | 29°06.041'N, 48°08.323'E | Middle 2 | Sand-rock |
19 | Masfat Al-Ahmadi | 10.12.2014 | 29°04.431'N, 48°08.676'E | Middle 2 | Sand-rock |
20 | North Oil loading terminal, subtidal | 28.09.2014 | 29°8.043'N, 48°09.139'E | Middle 2 | Sand-rock |
21 | Mina Abdullah | 16.02.2014 | 29°00.071'N, 48°09.853'E | Middle 2 | Sand-rock |
22 | Al-Julaia'Ea | 17.02.2014 | 28°49.480'N, 48°16.812'E | South | Sand-rock |
23 | Dohat Al-Zour | 02.03.2014 | 28°46.100'N, 48°18.210'E | South | Sand-rock |
24 | Ras Al-Zour | 08.01.2015 | 28°44.502'N, 48°22.950'E | South | Sand-rock |
25 | Al-Khiran | 03.03.2014 | 28°38.813'N, 48°23.429'E | South | Sand-rock |
26 | Al-Nuwaiseeb | 04.03.2014 | 28°34.794'N, 48°24.078'E | South | Sand-rock |
Islands | |||||
27 | Umm Al-Maradim Island, east (UI1) | 11.11.2014 | 28°40.778'N, 48°39.207'E | UI1 | Sand-rock |
28 | Umm Al-Maradim Island, northeast (UI2) | 11.11.2014 | 28°40.939'N, 48°39.196'E | UI2 | Sand-rock |
29 | Umm Al-Maradim Island, northwest | 11.11.2014 | 28°40.960'N, 48°39.173'E | UI3 | Sand-rock |
30 | Qaruh Island (north), (QI1) | 10.11.2014 | 28°49.105'N, 48°46.553'E | QI | Sand-rock |
31 | Qaruh Island (south), (Q2) | 10.11.2014 | 28°49.022'N, 48°46.607'E | QI | Sand-rock |
32 | Kubbar Island (east), (Q3) | 09.11.2014 | 29°04.278'N, 48°29.655'E | KI | Sand-rock |
33 | Kubbar Island (west) | 09.11.2014 | 29°04.377'N, 48°29.472'E | KI | Sand-rock |
34 | Auha Island (northwest), (AI) | 10.02.2016 | 29°22.726'N, 48°26.269'E | AI | Sand-rock |
35 | Failaka Island (east 2), (FI1) | 25.12.2014 | 29°23.710'N, 48°24.136'E | FI | Sand-rock |
36 | Failaka Island (east 1), (F2) | 24.12.2014 | 29°23.629'N, 48°23.958'E | FI | Sand-rock |
37 | Failaka Island (south), (FI3) | 23.12.2014 | 29°25.625'N, 48°20.307'E | FI | Mud-rock |
38 | Failaka Island (northwest), (FI4) | 22.12.2014 | 29°28.049'N, 48°17.838'E | FI | Mud-rock |
39 | Boubyan Island (south), (BI2) | 24.01.2015 | 29°38.993'N, 48°18.830'E | BI | Mud |
40 | Boubyan Island (Ras Al-Gayed), (BI3) | 25.01.2015 | 29°48.093'N, 48°21.975'E | BI | Mud |
For identification, morphological studies were conducted using a Leica DFC450 camera mounted on a Leica M125 Stereomicroscope equipped with an imaging system that was employed to obtain colour images of the specimens. For greater depth of field, we merged 10–20 source images of a single specimen taken at different focus distances into one final image with the software LAS V4.5. The final image was edited using Adobe Photoshop. Isopods were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level.
In total, 25 species representing 12 families and 22 genera were identified from specimens collected in the present study. These species were collected from 31 intertidal transects, including 17 mainland and 14 island transects, and two subtidal sites (Table
List of isopod species recorded in Kuwait in the present survey (* indicates a new record to Kuwait) and from literature records.
Suborder | Family | Species | Reference |
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CYMOTHOIDA | Anthuridae | Amakusanthura sp. * | This study |
CYMOTHOIDA | Expanathuridae | Eisothistos sp. * | This study |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cirolanidae | Atarbolana exoconta* | This study |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cirolanidae | Baharilana kiabii* | This study |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cirolanidae | Cirolana tarahomii* | This study |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cirolanidae | Eurydice arabica |
|
CYMOTHOIDA | Cirolanidae | E. marzouqui | Jones & Nithyanandan, 2012 |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cirolanidae | E. peraticis |
|
CYMOTHOIDA | Cirolanidae | Metacirolana sp. * | This study |
CYMOTHOIDA | Corallanidae | Lanocira gardineri* | This study |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cymothoidea | Anilocra monoma | Bowman & Tareen, 1983 |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cymothoidea | Catoessa gruneri | Bowman & Tareen, 1983 |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cymothoidea | Cymothoa eremita | Bowman & Tareen, 1983 |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cymothoidea | Joryma sawayah | Bowman & Tareen, 1983 |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cymothoidea | Mothocya sp. | Bowman & Tareen, 1983 |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cymothoidea | Nerocila arres | Bowman & Tareen, 1983 |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cymothoidea | N. kisra | Bowman & Tareen, 1983 |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cymothoidea | N. sigani | Bowman & Tareen, 1983 |
CYMOTHOIDA | Cymothoidea | N. phaiopleura | Bowman & Tareen, 1983 |
CYMOTHOIDA | Gnathiidae | Gnathia sp.* | This study |
CYMOTHOIDA | Gnathiidae | Elaphognathia sp.* | This study |
CYMOTHOIDA | Bopyridae | Epipenaeon elegans | Abu-Hakima, 1984 |
CYMOTHOIDA | Bopyridae | Parabopyrella sp.* | This study |
ONISCIDE | Ligiidae | Ligia persica* | This study |
ONISCIDE | Olibrinidae | Olibrinus antennatus* | This study |
ONISCIDE | Tylidae | Tylos maindroni |
|
SPHAEROMATIDEA | Sphaeromatidae | Cymodoce delvarii* | This study |
SPHAEROMATIDEA | Sphaeromatidae | C. fuscina* | This study |
SPHAEROMATIDEA | Sphaeromatidae | C. waegelei* | This study |
SPHAEROMATIDEA | Sphaeromatidae | Dynamenella granulata* | This study |
SPHAEROMATIDEA | Sphaeromatidae | Heterodina mccaini* | This study |
SPHAEROMATIDEA | Sphaeromatidae | Sphaeroma khalijfarsi* | This study |
SPHAEROMATIDEA | Sphaeromatidae | S. walkeri* | This study |
SPHAEROMATIDEA | Sphaeromatidae | S. annandalaei | This study |
SPHAEROMATIDEA | Sphaeromatidae | Sphaeromopsis sarii* | This study |
VALVIFERA | Arcturidae | Arcturinoides angulata |
|
VALVIFERA | Arcturidae | Astacilla mccaini |
|
ASELLOTA | Paramunnidae | Heterosignum sp.* | This study |
Sphaeromatidae Latreille, 1825 was the best-represented family with five genera and eight species, followed by the family Cirolanidae comprising five genera and five species. Two species were recorded in each of the families Gnathiidae and Arcturidae. The remaining seven families were represented by single species (Table
Thirty-eight isopod species under five sub-orders, 13 families, and 29 genera are listed in taxonomic order, including Kuwait’s previous records (17 species), type localities, and geographical distributions.
Order Isopoda Latreille, 1817
Superfamily Anthuroidea Leach, 1814
Apanthura sandalensis — Jones, 1986: 148, pl. 40 [not Apanthura sandalensis Stebbing, 1900; misidentification].
Kuwait. 3 specimens; St. 2; 29°44.476'N, 48°05.740'E; 23 Nov. 2014; ♀♀, 2 juveniles; St. 3; 29°39.403'N, 48°07.850'E; 24 Nov. 2014; (5 ♀♀); St. 4; 29°34.849’ N, 48°10.248'E; 25 Nov. 2014, 2 ♂♂; St. 8; 29°23.047'N, 47°50.192'E; 3 Feb. 2014; 1 ♀; St. 11; 29°21.631'N, 47°57.204'E; 9 Dec. 2013; 2 ♀♀; St. 12; 29°23.481'N, 47°59.800'E; 8 Dec. 21013; (1 ♀), 1 juvenile; St. 18; 29°06.041'N, 48°08.323'E; 1 Feb. 2014; 3 ♀♀; St. 19; 29°04.431'N, 48°08.676'E; 10 Dec. 2014; 2 ♀♀; St. 22; 28°49.480'N, 48°16.812'E; 17 Feb 2014, 1 juvenile, 6 ♀♀; St. 24; 28°44.502'N, 48°22.950'E; 08 Jan. 2015; 1 ♀; St. 25; 28°38.813'N, 48°23.429'E; 3 Mar. 2014; 5 ♀♀, 2 juveniles; St. 26; 28°34.794'N, 48°24.078'E; 4 Mar. 2014; 5 ♀♀, 3 juveniles; St. 27; 28°40.778'N, 48°39.207'E;; 11 Nov. 2014; 3 ♀♀; St. 28; 28°40.939'N, 48°39.196'E; 11 Nov. 2014; 1 ♀; St. 29; 28°40.960'N, 48°39.173'E; 11 Nov. 2014; 2 ♀♀; St. 30; 28°49.105'N, 48°46.553'E; 10 Nov. 2014; 7 ♀♀; St. 32; 29°04.278'N, 48°29.655'E; 9 Nov. 2014; 12 ♀♀; St. 34; 29°22.726'N, 48°26.269'E; 10 Feb. 2014; 3 ♀♀; St. 36; 29°23.629'N, 48°23.958'E; 24 Dec. 2014; 2 ♀♀; St. 38; 29°28.049'N, 48°17.838'E; 22 Dec. 2014.
Amakusanthura motasi (Negoescu, 1980) is the only species of this genus recorded from the nearest locality (Gulf of Aden). The specimens examined here differ from A. motasi in the shape of the pleon with different lengths of pleonites 1–5 (vs. pleonites 1–5 similar to each other in A. motasi), the setation of pereopods, uropods and pleotelson; antenna and antennular articles are narrower than in A. motasi.
A Amakusanthura sp. from Kubbar Island B Eisothistos sp. from Failaka Island C Atarbolana exoconta Bruce & Javed, 1987 from Masfat Al-Ahmadi D Baharilana kiabii Khalaji- Pirbalouty & Wägele, 2011from Al-Nuwaiseeb E Cirolana tarahomii Khalaji-Pirbalouty & Wägele, 2011 from Quaruh Island F Eurydice peraticis Jones, 1974 from Alkhiran G Metacirolana sp. from Um-Almaradim H Lanocira gardineri Stebbing, 1904 from Al-Shamaimah.
New record for Kuwait.
1 ♂; St. 38; 29°28.049'N, 48°17.838'E; 22 Dec. 2014.
New record for Kuwait
Atarbolana exoconta Bruce & Javed, 1987: 145, figs 1, 2, Manora Island, Pakistan (type locality); Khalaji-Pirbalouty & Raupach, 2016: 155–162, figs 2–6.
4 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; St. 19; 29°04.431'N, 48°08.676'E; 10 Dec. 2014; 1 ♂, 8 ♀♀; St. 21; 29°00.071'N, 48°09.853'E; 16 Feb. 2014; 2 ♀♀: St. 27; 28°40.778'N, 48°39.207'E; 11 Nov. 2014.
Pakistan, Oman Sea (
Baharilana kiabii Khalaji-Pirbalouty & Wägele, 2011: 34–39, figs 1–4; Qeshm Island, Iran (type locality).
1 ♀, 1 juvenile; St. 19; 29°04.431'N, 48°08.676'E; 10 Dec. 2014; 2 ♀♀; St. 25; 28°38.813'N, 48°23.429'E; 3 Mar. 2014; 3 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; St. 26; 28°34.794'N, 48°24.078'E; 4 Mar. 2014; 1 ♂, 1 juvenile; St. 27; 28°40.778'N, 48°39.207'E; 11 Nov. 2014; 1 ♀, 1 juvenile; St. 32; 29°04.278'N, 48°29.655'E; 9 Nov. 2014; 1 ♀; St. 35; 29°23.710'N, 48°24.136'E; 25 Dec. 2014.
Qeshm Island, Hengam Island, Iran (
Cirolana tarahomii Khalaji-Pirbalouty & Wägele, 2011: 39–45, figs 5–8; Qeshm Island, Iran (type locality).
7 ♀♀, 3 juveniles; St. 30; 28°49.105'N, 48°46.553'E; 10 Nov. 2014; 1 ♀, St. 32; 29°04.278'N, 48°29.655'E; 9 Nov. 2014.
Qeshm Island, Iran (
Eurydice arabica Jones, 1974: 202, fig. 2, Red Sea (type locality); Bruce, 1986: 221.
Kuwait, Al-Ahmad Sea City waterways, Bahrain, Mashtan Island (
Eurydice marzouqui Jones & Nithyanandan, 2012: 47–48, figs 1–4; Tarut Bay, Saudi Arabia (type locality).
Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City Waterways, Kuwait; Manifa, Saudi Arabia (
Eurydice peraticis
Jones, 1974: 204, fig. 3, Dammam, Saudi Arabia (type locality); Eleftheriou & Jones, 1976: 387; Bruce, 1986: 221;
1 ♂; St. 8; 29°23.047'N, 47°50.192'E; 3. Feb. 2014; 2 ♀♀; St. 19; 29°04.431'N, 48°08.676'E; 10 Dec. 2014; 2 ♀♀; St. 21; 29°00.071'N, 48°09.853'E; 16 Feb. 2014; 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; St. 25; 28°38.813'N, 48°23.429'E; 3 Mar. 2014; 1 ♀; St. 34; 29°22.726'N, 48°26.269'E; 10 Feb. 2016; 3 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀; St. 39; 29°38.993'N, 48°18.830'E; 24 Jan. 2015; 6 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, 2 juveniles; St. 40; 25 Jan. 2015.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, India, Pakistan, Kuwait (
1 ♂; St.2; 29°44.476'N, 48°05.740'E; 23 Nov. 2014; 4 ♀♀; St. 3; 29°39.403'N, 48°07.850'E; 24 Nov. 2014; 1 ♂; St.27; 28°40.778'N, 48°39.207'E; 11Nov. 2014; 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; St.30; 28°49.105'N, 48°46.553'E; 10 Nov. 2014; 1 ♀; St. 34; 29°22.726'N, 48°26.269'E; 10 Feb. 2016; 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; St. 36; 29°23.629'N, 48°23.958'E; 24 Dec. 2014.
New record for Kuwait.
Lanocira gardineri Stebbing, 1904: 706, pl. LI, A, Mahlosmadulu Atoll, Maldive Islands (type locality).
A comprehensive synonymy to the species can be found in
1 ♂, 4 ♀♀, 3 juveniles; St. 3; 29°39.403'N, 48°07.850'E; 24 Nov. 2014; 2 ♀♀; St. 12; 29°23.481'N, 47°59.800'E; 8 Dec. 2104; 1 ♀; St. 22; 28°49.480'N, 48°16.812'E; 17 Feb. 2014; 1 Juvenile; St. 30; 28°49.105'N, 48°46.553'E; 10 Nov. 2014; 2 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; St. 3; 29°39.403'N, 48°07.850'E; 24 Nov. 2014; 3 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; St. 35; 29°23.710'N, 48°24.136'E; 25 Dec. 2014; 2 ♂♂, 5♀♀, 2 ovigerous ♀♀, 5 juveniles; St. 36; 29°23.629'N, 48°23.958'E; 24 Dec. 2014; 1 ♀; St. 37; 29°25.625'N, 48°20.307'E; 23 Dec. 2014; 1 ♂; St. 38; 29°28.049'N, 48°17.838'E; 22 Dec. 2014; 2 ♂♂; St. 40; 29°48.093'N, 48°21.975'E; 20 Jan. 2015.
Maldives, Kenya, Madagascar (
Of the cymothoid isopods (parasites of fishes), the following species have been reported by
Anilocra monoma Bowman & Tareen, 1983: 1, figs 3, 4, Kuwait (type locality).
Kuwait (
Catoessa gruneri Bowman & Tareen, 1983: 18, figs 14, 15, Kuwait (type locality).
Kuwait (
Joryma sawayah Bowman & Tareen, 1983: 21, figs 16–18, Doha, Kuwait (type locality).
Livoneca sp., Mathews & Samuel, 1987: 144.
Kuwait (
Nerocila arres Bowman & Tareen, 1983: 12, figs 10–12; Kuwait (type locality).
Nerocila kisra Bowman & Tareen, 1983: 8, figs 6–8.
Kuwait (
Nerocila sigani Bowman & Tareen, 1983: 12, fig. 9; Kuwait (type locality).
Kuwait (
Nerocila phaiopleura Bleeker, 1857: 25–26, fig. 3, Java (type locality); Bowman & Tareen, 1983: 5, fig. 5.
A widespread species, recorded in the Indian Ocean from Hong Kong to South Africa (
Mothocya sp., Bowman & Tareen, 1983: 25, fig. 19.
Cymothoa eremita ? (Brunnich, 1783), Bowman & Tareen, 1983: 25, fig. 20, India (type locality).
India (
1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; St. 7; 29°22.497'N, 47°45.183'E; 02 Feb. 2014; 1 ♀, 6 praniza larvae; St. 8; 29°23.047'N, 47°50.192'E; 3 Feb. 2014; 1 ♀, 6 praniza larvae; St. 10; 29°21.401'N, 47°56.390'E; 22 Feb. 2014; 1 ♂; St. 11; 29°21.631'N, 47°57.204'E; 9 Dec. 2013; 1 ♀; St. 12; 29°23.481'N, 47°59.800'E; 08 Dec. 2013; 3 ♀♀, 8 praniza larvae; St. 19; 29°04.431'N, 48°08.676'E; 10 Dec. 2014; 2 ♀♀, 1 praniza larva; St. 21; 29°00.071'N, 48°09.853'E; 16 Feb 2014; 1 ♀, 3 praniza larvae; St. 25; 28°38.813'N, 48°23.429'E; 3 Mar. 2014; 3 ♀♀, 1 ♂, 50 praniza larvae; St. 26; 28°34.794'N, 48°24.078'E; 4 Mar. 2014; 5 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, 6 praniza larvae; St. 27; 28°40.778'N, 48°39.207'E; 11 Nov. 2014; 1 ♂, 3 praniza larvae; St. 28; 28°40.939'N, 48°39.196'E; 11Nov.2014; 8 ♂♂, 16 juveniles, 50 ♀♀, 3 praniza larvae; St. 30; 28°49.105'N, 48°46.553'E; 10 Nov. 2014; 3 ♀♀, 6 juveniles; St. 31; 28°49.022'N, 48°46.607'E; 10 Nov. 2014; 50 ♀♀ and praniza larvae; St. 32; 29°04.278'N, 48°29.655'E; 9 Nov. 2014; 3 ♀♀; St. 35; 29°23.710'N, 48°24.136'E; 25 Dec. 2014; 4 ♂♂, 2 sub adults ♂♂, 3 praniza larvae; St. 36; 29°23.629'N, 48°23.958'E; 24 Dec. 2014; 4 praniza larvae; St. 38; 29°28.049'N, 48°17.838'E; 22 Dec. 2014.
The specimen is closely related to Gnathia luxata Kensley, Schotte & Poore, 2009 from Khawr Musharraba, Saudi Arabia, Persian Gulf. However, it differs from G. luxata by having a larger and conical mediofrontal process and bifid superior frontolateral process instead of a conical process. Also, the supraocular lobe is blunt and oblique rather than simply rounded.
A Gnathia sp. from Al-Nuwaiseeb B Elaphognathia sp., from Al-Shamaimah C Ligia persica from Al-Nuwaiseeb D Tylos maindroni Giordani Soika, 1954 from Kubbar Island E Cymodoce delvarii Khalaji-Pirbalouty, Bruce & Wägele, 2013 from Al-Nuwaiseeb F C. fuscina Schotte & Kensley, 2005 from USNM G C. waegelei Khalaji-Pirbalouty & Raupach,, 2014 from Al-Nuwaseeb H Dynamenella granulata Javed & Ahmed, 1988 from Um-Almaradim.
New record for Kuwait.
1 ♂; St. 3; 24°11.2014'N, 48°07.850'E; 24 Nov. 2014.
The specimen is similar to E. gladia Kensley, Schotte & Poore, 2009 in having the long, thin saber-like mandible from Somalia. However, it differs from E. gladia in having a mandible with only one conical lobe at its base rather than two and having an acute mediofrontal process (vs. absent in E. gladia).
New record for Kuwait.
Epipenaeon elegans
Chopra, 1923: 454–456, figs 6–11, Ganges Delta, India (type locality); Dawson, 1958: 240; Tareen, 1982: 159–160;
India; Kuwait; Abu Ali and Tarut (Saudi Arabia); Boushehr port (Iran).
1 ♂, 1 ♀; St.8; 29°23.047'N, 47°50.192'E; 3 Feb. 2014.
Parasite, found on the gill of the common alpheid shrimp in Kuwait the Alpheus lobidens De Haan, 1849.
New record for Kuwait.
Family Ligiidae Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1831
Ligia persica Khalaji-Pirbalouty & Wägele, 2010b: 136–149, figs 2–7; Kish Island, Iran (type locality).
Ligia exotica Roux, 1828. – Jones, 1986: 148, pl. 40.
1 ♀; St. 7; 29°22.497'N, 47°45.183'E; 2 Feb. 2014; 4 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; St. 8; 29°23.047'N, 47°50.192'E; 3 Feb. 2014; 3 ♂♂, 17 ♀♀; St. 12; 29°23.481'N, 47°59.800'E; 8 Dec. 2013 20 ♂♂ and ♀♀; St. 13; 29°21.979'N, 48°01.344'E; 19 Jan. 2014; 4 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; St. 26; 28°34.794'N, 48°24.078'E; 4 Marc. 2014; 4 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀; St. 28; 28°40.939'N, 48°39.196'E; 11 Nov. 2014.
Iran, Oman, and United Arab Emirates (
Olibrinus antennatus Budde-Lund, 1902: 379, Malaysia (type locality); Schmalfuss, 2003: 182; Taiti & Ferrara, 2004: 223, pl. 4.
1 ♀; St. 3; 29°39.403'N, 48°07.450'E; 24 Nov. 2014.
Indian Ocean (
Tylos maindroni
Giordani Soika, 1954: 76, figs 8, 9, pl. 10, Oman Sea, Muscat (type locality); Ferrara & Taiti, 1986: 94; Taiti & Ferrara, 1991: 213, fig. 3;
Tylos sp. Jones, 1986: 149, pl. 40.
2 juveniles; St. 4; (1 ♀); St. 28; 11 Nov. 2014; 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; St. 33; 29°04.377'N, 48°29.472'E; (1 ♀, 3 juveniles); St. 35; 29°23.710'N, 48°24.136'E; 25 Dec. 2014; 1 ♀, 4 juveniles; St. 38; 29°22.726'N, 48°26.269'E; 22 Dec. 2014.
Oman, Kuwait (
Family Sphaeromatidae Latreille, 1825
Cymodoce delvarii
Cymodoce richardsoniae Jones, 1986: 149, pl. 40 [not C. richardsoniae Nobili, 1906; misidentification].
1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1 subadult ♂, 1 juvenile; St. 3; 29°39.403'N, 48°07.850'E; 24 Nov. 2014; 6 ♂♂ 25 ♀♀, 6 sub adult ♂♂; St. 12; 29°23.481'N, 47°59.800'E; 8 Dec. 2013; 1 juvenile St.15; 29°16.496'N, 48°05.407'E; 18 Dec. 2013; 1 ♀, 1 sub-adult ♂, 1 juvenile; St.18; 29°06.041'N, 48°08.323'E; 1 Feb. 2014; 1 ♀; St.19; 29°04.431'N, 48°08.676'E; 10 Dec. 2014; 2 juveniles; St. 25; 28°38.813'N, 48°23.429'E; 3 Mar. 2014; 4 ♀♀, many juveniles; St. 26; 28°34.794'N, 48°24.078'E; 4 Mar. 2014; 1 ♀; St. 28; 28°40.939'N, 48°39.196'E; 11 Nov. 2014; 1 ♀; St. 32; 29°04.278'N, 48°29.655'E; 9 Nov. 2014; 1 ♂, 15 ♀♀; St. 34; 29°22.726'N, 48°26.269'E; 10 Feb. 2016; 1 ♀; St. 35; 29°23.710'N, 48°24.136'E; 25 Dec. 2014; 2 ♂♂, 26 ♀♀, many juveniles; St. 36; 29°23.629'N, 48°23.958'E; 24 Dec. 2014.
Bousher Province, Iran (Khalaji-Pirbalouty, Bruce and Wägele 2013), new record for Kuwait.
Cymodoce fuscina
Schotte & Kensley, 2005: 1245–1248, figs 19–20, Safaniya and Manifa, Saudi Arabia (type locality);
Cymodoce sp. Jones, 1986: 149, pl. 40.
2 ♂♂ and 3 ♀♀; Kuwait Fishery Station (from Smithsonian Natural History Museum collection, USNM 1145230).
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the Mediterranean basin, Greece (
Cymodoce waegelei
Khalaji-Pirbalouty & Raupach, 2014: 242–249, figs 7–12, Boushehr Province, Iran (type locality);
2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; St. 25; 28°38.813'N, 48°23.429'E; 3 Mar. 2014; 4 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀; St. 26; 28°34.794'N, 48°24.078'E; 4 Mar. 2014; 1 ♂, 1 ♀ St. 27; 28°40.778'N, 48°39.207'E; 11 Nov. 2014.
Bousher Province and Hengam Island, Iran (
Dynamenella granulata Javed & Ahmed, 1988: 234–236, figs 1–3, Karachi coast, Pakistan (type locality).
1 juvenile; St. 25; 28°38.813'N, 48°23.429'E; 3 Mar. 2014; 1 sub-adult ♂, 2 ♀♀, 1 juvenile; St. 28; 28°40.939'N, 48°39.196'E; 11 Nov. 2014; 4 sub-adults ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, 5 juveniles; St. 33; 29°04.377'N, 48°29.472'E; 9 Nov. 2014.
Pakistan and Iran coasts (Javed & Ahmed, 1988; Khalaji-Pirbalouty unpublished data), new record for Kuwait.
Heterodina mccaini Schotte & Kensley, 2005: 1259–1261, figs 27, 28, Manifa, Saudi Arabia (type locality).
> 100 ♂♂ and ♀♀; St. 7; 29°22.497'N, 47°45.183'E; 2 Feb. 2014; 1 ♀; St. 8; 29°23.047'N, 47°50.192'E; 7 ♀♀; St. 12; 29°23.481'N, 47°59.800'E; 8 Dec. 2013; 8 ♂♂, > 100 ♀♀ and Juveniles; St. 19; 47°59.800'N, 48°08.676'E; 10 Dec. 2014; 1 ♀; St. 21; 29°00.071'N, 48°09.853'E; 16 Feb. 2014; 5 ♂♂, 23 ♀♀; St. 25; 28°38.813'N, 48°23.429'E; 3 Mar. 2014; > 100 ♂♂ and ♀♀; St. 26; 28°34.794'N, 48°24.078'E; 4 Mar. 2014; 2 ♀♀, 1 juvenile; St. 32; 29°04.278'N, 48°29.655'E; 9 Nov. 2014; 2 ♀♀; St. 34; 29°22.726'N, 48°26.269'E; 10 Feb. 2016; 1 ♂, 1 ♀; St. 37; 29°25.625'N, 48°20.307'E; 23 Dec. 2014; 3 ♀♀; St. 38; 29°28.049'N, 48°17.838'E; 22 Dec. 2014.
Manifa and Ras Tanajib, Saudi Arabia (
A Heterodina mccaini Schotte & Kensley, 2005 from Al-Nuwaiseeb B Sphaeroma walker Stebbing, 1905 from Al-Zhor C S. khalijfarsi Khalaji-Pirbalouty & Wägele, 2010 from Boubyan Island D Sphaeromopsis sarii Khalaji-Pirbalouty & Wägele, 2009 from Kubbar Island E Arcturinoides angulata Kensley, Schotte & Poore, 2007 ♂, from Al-Doha F A. angulata ♀ from Al-Doha G Astacilla mccaini Kensley, Schotte & Poore, 2007 ♂, from Failaka Island H A. mccaini ♀, from Failaka Island.
Sphaeroma walkeri
Stebbing, 1905: 31–33, pl. VII, Jokkenpiddi Paar, Sri Lanka (type locality). Latest synonymies to the species can be found in
8 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, 10 juveniles; St. 24; 28°44.502'N, 48°22.950'E; 8 Jan. 2015; 9 ♀♀; St. 25; 28°38.813'N, 48°23.429'E; 3 Mar. 2014.
Sphaeroma walkeri is one the most widespread species of the marine isopods, reported along the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans coastal zones (
Sphaeroma khalijfarsi Khalaji-Pirbalouty & Wägele, 2010c: 3–9, figs 1–5, Qeshm Island, Iran (type locality).
3 ♀♀, 25 juveniles; St. 4; 29°34.849'N, 48°10.248'E; 25 Nov. 2014; 1 juvenile; St. 17; 29°08.154'N, 48°07.985'E; 4 Jan. 2014; 2 ♀♀; St. 26; 28°34.794'N, 48°24.078'E; 4 Mar. 2014; 2 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, 6 juveniles; St. 39; 29°38.993'N, 48°18.830'E; 24 Jan. 2015; 4 ♂♂, 25 ♀♀, 21 juveniles; St. 40; 29°48.093'N, 48°21.975'E; 25 Jan. 2015.
Qeshm Island, Bandare Abbas, Bandare Kolahi, Iran (
Sphaeroma annandalei Stebbing, 1911: 181, pl. X, West Bengal, India (type locality); Barnard, 1936: 174; Barnard, 1940: 405; Pillai, 1955: 134, figs 23–35, pl. VII; Joshi & Bal, 1959: 62; Kensley, 1978: 113; Jones, 1986: 149, pl. 40; Khalaji-Pirbalouty & Wägele, 2010: 31–37, figs 1–5.
Sphaeroma irakiensis irakiensis Ahmed, 1971: 77–79, fig. 1.
India, Habbanyyah Lake, and Shat Al- Arab River (Iraq); Arvand Kenar (Iran); Kuwait.
Sphaeromopsis sarii Khalaji-Pirbalouty & Wägele, 2009: 34–42, figs 1–5, Kish Island, Iran (type locality).
1 ♀; St. 4; 29°34.849'N, 48°10.248'E l; 25 Nov. 2014; 3 ♀♀l; St. 12; 29°23.481'N, 47°59.800'E; 8 Dec. 2013; 100 ♂♂ and ♀♀; St. 15; 29°16.496'N, 48°05.407'E; 2 ♂♂, 15 ♀♀; St. 18; 29°06.041'N, 48°08.323'E; 1 Feb. 2014; 1 ♂, 10 ♀♀; St. 21; 29°00.071'N, 48°09.853'E; 16 Feb. 2014; 2 ♂♂, 12 ♀♀, 2 Juveniles; St. 24; 28°44.502'N, 48°22.950'E; 8 Jan. 2015; 3 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀; St. 25; 28°38.813'N, 48°23.429'E; 3 Mar. 2014; 1 ♀; St. 26; 28°34.794'N, 48°24.078'E; 4 Mar. 2014; 22 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, 2 juveniles; St. 27; 28°40.778'N, 48°39.207'E; 11 Nov. 2014; 28 ♂♂, 31 ♀; St. 28; 28°40.939'N, 48°39.196'E; 11 Nov, 2014; 35 ♂♂ and ♀♀; St. 29; 28°40.960'N, 48°39.173'E; 11 Nov. 2014; > 100 ♂♂ and ♀♀; St. 30; 28°49.105'N, 48°46.553'E; 10 Nov. 2014; 3 ♂♂, 43 ♀♀; St. 31; 28°49.022'N, 48°46.607'E; 10 Nov. 2014; > 100 ♂♂ and ♀♀; St. 32; 29°04.278'N, 48°29.655'E; 9 Nov. 2014; 9 ♂♂, 12 ♀♀, 3 juveniles; St. 33; 29°04.377'N, 48°29.472'E; 9 Nov. 2014 13 ♂♂, 14 ♀♀; St. 34; 29°22.726'N, 48°26.269'E; 10 Feb. 2016; > 100 ♂♂ and ♀♀, St. 36; 29°23.629'N, 48°23.958'E; 10 Feb. 2016; > 100 ♂♂ and ♀♀; St. 37; 29°25.625'N, 48°20.307'E; 23 Dec. 2014.
Kish, Qeshm, Hengam Islands, Iran (
Arcturinoides angulata
1 ♀; St. 7; 29°22.497'N, 47°45.183'E; 2 Feb. 2014; 1 ♀; St. 8; 29°23.047'N, 47°50.192'E; 3 Feb. 2014; 2 ♂♂; St. 34; 29°22.726'N; 48°26.269'E; 10 Feb. 2016; 1 ♂; St. 35; 29°23.710'N, 48°24.136'E; 25 Dec. 2014.
United Arab Emirates, Kuwait Bay, Kuwait (
Astacilla mccaini
10 ♂♂; St. 20; 29°8.043'N, 48°9.139'E; 28 Sep. 2014; 1 ♀; St. 21; 29°00.071'N, 48°09.853'E; 16 Feb. 2014; 1 ♂; St. 34; 29°22.726'N, 48°26.269"E; 10 Feb. 2016; 1 ♂; St. 35; 29°23.710'N, 48°24.136'E; 25 Dec. 2014; 6 ♂♂, 2 ovigerous ♀♀, 2 juveniles; St. 36; 29°23.629'N, 48°23.958'E; 25 Dec. 2014.
Manifa Bay, Saudi Arabia; Kuwait Bay, Kuwait (
Family Paramunnidae Vanhöffen, 1914
Type species.
Heterosignum mutsuensis Gamô, 1976
3 ♀; St. 28; 28°40.939'N, 48°39.196'E; 11 Nov, 2014; 1 ♀; St. 25; 28°38.813'N, 48°23.429'E; 3 Mar. 2014.
New record for Kuwait.
Bowmen and Tareen (1983) were the first to study Kuwait’s isopod fauna, recording nine species of Cymothoidae, all ectoparasitic on marine fishes (Table 6).
Two additional species, Arcturinoides angulata and Astacilla mccaini, were collected from Kuwait Bay by
The geographical distribution of isopod species in Kuwait waters show very different patterns. The burrowing isopod Sphaeroma walkeri was found living in soft rocks in the high intertidal area of the Al-Zour coast. The type locality of this species is Sri Lanka, and it has been considered restricted to the northern Indian Ocean. This thermophilic species is also tolerant to a range of salinities, and its distribution is worldwide in the tropics (
The new results reveal a low species richness of Isopoda in Kuwait waters compared to the adjacent regions of the Indian Ocean. Based on
The harsh environmental conditions in Kuwait coastal zone arise from high temperatures and high salinity. Salinities exceed 40 PSU, and summer temperatures often exceed 35 °C. For instance, from 2000 to 2013, the mean seawater temperature in Kuwait Bay was 23.6 °C with a range of 9.7–36.0 °C, and salinity ranged from 30–46 PSU (Al-Yamani et al. 2004). Furthermore, extreme air temperatures with highs up to 55°C in the summer months and winter lows around freezing are known from Kuwait (
However, a comparison between this study and restricted localities of similar size suggested no lower diversity in Kuwait.
Some isopod species appear to be introduced into Kuwait Bay from outside of the Gulf. For example, Cymodoce fuscina and C. waegelei were found in the subtidal zone of the Iranian and Arabian coasts of the Gulf, but were also recently reported from the Mediterranean basin, Greece (
The present study provides a baseline account of Kuwait’s coastal zone isopod fauna. The next step will be evaluating their ecology and conservation status. As Kuwait is one of the major oil exporters, invasive species are a significant issue, mainly due to the discharge of ballast water from oil tankers and cargo ships. Therefore, prevention is crucial for decision-making and implementation of invasion control and detection of new exotics. The results of this study highlight the need for further morphological as well as molecular studies to clarify the taxonomic status of some specimens, and a larger sampling effort in deeper waters of this area.
Gratitude to the Kuwait Petroleum Company (KPC) and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) for providing financial support for this project. Special thanks to Miss Zainab Sattari for her support during the project with fieldwork and data entry, and Miss Muneera Aljeri for preparing the GIS map. We thank especially Dr. James Bishop for his helpful suggestions on the first draft of the manuscript. Dr. Wolfgang Wägele (Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn), Dr. Gary Poore (Museums Victoria), Dr. Niel Bruce (Queensland Museum), Dr. Lena Hartebrodt (University of Auckland), Dr. Brenda Doti (Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina), and Dr. Rachael Peart (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, New Zealand) are thanked for their constructive suggestions and comments that improved the manuscript. Extended thanks to all KISR staff in project FM075C for helping in macrofauna sampling in the field and sample processing in the laboratory.