Sea star (Echinodermata) species diversity and distribution in the south-east of Iran (Gulf of Oman)

Echinoderms are one of the oldest and most important groups of marine organisms which play an important role in the marine ecology especially in the coral reefs. During November 2012 to August 2013, six stations were selected in intertidal zone at the north of Gulf of Oman according to sea bottom. At each station, the Sea star species of the selected area were counted in 10 m2 with 10 replications. This study was made in three seasons namely autumn, winter and summer. According to the result, cluster analyses showed the site similarity in species abundance and diversity with the same substrata. Maximum and minimum sea star diversity was shown in winter and summer, respectively.