A CHECKLIST OF MOLLUSCANS INHABITING BANDRI BEACH ALONG THE JIWANI COAST, BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Main object of the study was to record the composition and diversity of intertidal molluscan species of the Bandri Beach along the Jiwani coast, Balochistan to develop baseline data information which could be helpful in future conservation perspective. The study revealed the presence of ninety eight (98) species comprising of sixty eight (68) gastropods, twenty six (26) bivalves, two (2) scaphopods, one (1) Polyplacophora and one (1) Cephalopod species at two selected points of the Bandri Beach, Jiwani coast. Among these molluscan species, members of cerithids, trochid Umbonium vestairium, bivalve Branchidontes variabilis and oyster Crassostrea madrasensis were found in abundance. Study presents the first report on the occurrence of molluscan species in the area.