The distribution of the family Littorinidae in mangroves and on rocky shores in Thailand was studied, Fourteen species of Lilloraria, Eehino!lltorina and Peaslella were recorded from 50 survey sites, bringing the total known for the country to 16 species. Two species were recorded for the first time in Thailand Ul10rarza eO/liea was found in only two places in southern Thailand, both on the Andaman Sea, Eehinolitlorina feejeensis occurred on scattered granite rocks on sandy beaches in the splash zone of offshore islands where the water is clear both in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. It is dominant at Ko Kumpun, Trat Province, Habitats occupied by the three genera are distinct. Eehinolil1orina and Peasiella occur primarily on intertidal rocks though occasional individuals are found in the seaward fringe of mangroves; Uttorana Illldulata occupies a similar rock habitat. The other species of Lllloraria occur on many species of mangroves, with some occasionally being found on rocks. Four species (L bengalensis, L coniea, L seabra, and L. undlllata) occurred only on the Andaman Sea side of Thailand.
This study is mainly based on the collection of marine gastropods along the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand which had been carried out along the coastline in 55 sites from the province of Chonburi to Trad during April 2005-December 2009. As many habitats as possible were examined at each sites from sandy beaches, muddy sand, rocky shore, and coral reefs. A total of 306 species of gastropods were collected and had been classifi ed in53families 116genera.The most widespread species were Planaxis sulcatus (Planaxidae) and Polinices mammilla (Naticidae) found in 37 sites, followed by Echinolittorina malaccana (Littorinidae) in 35 sites. The highest diversity was 187 species in Trat whereas Koh Mark had the most abundance in this area. The lowest diversity was in Chanthaburi, 88 species, whereas Koh Nomsoa was the most abundant site.The diversity of gastropods in Chonburi was 152 species, whereas Koh Samaesarn and Koh Juang were the most abundant site. 137 species had been found in Rayong and Koh Munnai was the most abundant site. The data from this study had been compared with the resent studies in the late decade from the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea.The total gastropods in the late decade were 454 species 205 genera 69 families.
The presence of small black mussels in the upper intertidal zone of estuarine seashores in Southeast Asia is often overlooked, despite their numerical dominance. Here, we clarify their species identities, taxonomy, geographical distributions and genetic relationships. Our molecular results suggest that three closely related species in East and Southeast Asia form a sister clade to Australian and New Zealand Xenostrobus. Given their distinctness, we resurrect the genus Vignadula to distinguish these two clades. Vignadula atrata, first described from Japan and type species of the genus, is confined to north-east Asia, whilst two other Vignadula species occur natively in Southeast Asia. Of these two species, one is found throughout Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Java. We show that this species corresponds to Xenostrobus balani and Xenostrobus mangle described from the Malacca Strait, which are genetically indistinguishable and here considered as one and the same species, Vignadula mangle comb. nov. The other species, Vignadula kuraburiensis sp. nov., described in this study, has so far been found only in south-west Thailand. Members of Vignadula are, in turn, all clearly different from their closest morphological equivalent in Australia, Xenostrobus pulex. A new subfamily Xenostrobinae is proposed to accommodate the two genera Xenostrobus and Vignadula.
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