Diversity of gastropods and bivalves in the mangrove ecosystem of Paradeep, east coast of India: a comparative study with other Indian mangrove ecosystems

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe diversity of gastropods and bivalves from the mangrove ecosystem of Paradeep, east coast of India, was studied for the first time. The collected primary data and secondary data were compiled to prepare an updated checklist of mangrove-associated gastropods and bivalves of India. In total, 22 species were recorded during the field surveys of Paradeep mangroves of which 19 are gastropod and three are bivalves. The compilation of secondary data with the present primary data revealed the occurrence of 274 species of mangrove-associated gastropods and bivalves in India. The gastropods were represented by 182 species belonging to 50 families and bivalves were represented by 92 species belonging to 27 families. Neritidae, Muricidae, Nassariidae and Ellobiidae are observed to be the dominant gastropod families in the mangrove ecosystem of India and Teredinidae and Veneridae are the dominant families of Bivalvia. Maximum species diversity has been recorded from mangroves of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (91 species) and Maharashtra (83 species). Twenty-eight species of gastropods and bivalves inhabit the mangrove ecosystem of Odisha. The present study also reports the range extension of Monetaria moneta, Neritina smithii and Pila globosa in the mangrove ecosystem of Paradeep.