Short-Term Assessment on the Species Composition of Marine Molluscan Fauna in Dharmadam Island, Kannur District, Kerala

Abstract

A survey on the species composition of molluscan fauna occurring in Dharmadam Island, Kannur District of Kerala, Southwest coast of India was attempted. A total of 50 species belonging to 13 orders and 28 families were recorded. Among these, Class Gastropoda represents 7 orders and 17 families whereas the Bivalvia represents with 6 orders and 11 families. Among the Gastropoda, order Neogastropoda recorded to be the largest order that holds 10 species belongs to 5 families such as Muricidae, Nassariidae, Olividae, Babyloniidae and Clavutulidae. The least number of gastropod species were recorded with order Lepetellida and Cycloneritida. In case of class Bivalvia the order Venerida holds 11 species and it is the largest order that contributes more bivalves from the study area. It belongs to 3 families such as Veneridae, Mactridae and Cyrenidae. The least number of bivalve species were recorded in family Mytilida and Ostreida.