Marine Molluscs in Nearshore Habitats of the United Arab Emirates: Decadal Changes and Species of Public Health Significance

Abstract

ABSTRACT Grizzle, R.E.; Bricelj, V.M.; AlShihi, R.M.; Ward, K.M., and Anderson, D.M., 2018. Marine molluscs in nearshore habitats of the United Arab Emirates: Decadal changes and species of public health significance. This paper describes the results of three qualitative surveys of marine molluscs conducted in December 2010 and May 2011 and 2012 in nearshore benthic habitats along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman coasts of the United Arab Emirates. Findings are compared with historical studies, focusing on extensive surveys from the 1960s and 1970s. Molluscan species of public health significance are identified on the basis of their potential as vectors of algal toxins in light of the recent occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the region. Habitats sampled included intertidal sand or gravel beaches, rocks and jetties, sheltered soft-sediment flats and mangroves, and shallow subtidal coral reefs. The present study showed differences in taxonomic composition and decreased species richness of gastro...