Cryptic bivalves with descriptions of new species from the Rodrigues lagoon

Abstract

This paper describes a number of new taxa in the Arcidae, Philobryidae, Mytilidae, Galeommatidae, Kelliidae, Cyamiidae, Carditidae, Thraciidae and Clavagellidae. A further 17 species are included as new to the malacofauna of Rodrigues. Most of the species included came from cryptic habitats, of which the most interesting are apparently cavernicolous and similar to those described from southern Japan. Other species were described from crevice or algal turf communities. The most understudied group is the Galeommatoidea with four species described as new and a further five with as yet unresolved taxonomy.