Distribution of molluscan fauna in the Karangad estuarine mangroves, South East Coast of India

A survey has been made during February 2010 to know the pattern of molluscan fauna inthe mangroves located along the Karangad estuary. During the present investigation in the researcharea, 25 species of molluscs were recorded. They belong to 14 genera, 10 families and 5 orders. Inthe study area, 13 species of gastropods namely, Cerithidea fluviatilis, Terebralia palustris, Cerithiumcitrinum, C. scabridum, C. obeliscus, Littorina scabra, L. undulata, Planaxis sulcatus, Drupamargariticola, D. heptagonalis, Thais rudolphi, T. bufo, and T. tissoti and 12 species of bivalves –Gafrarium tumidum, G. pectinatum, Crassostrea madrasensis, Mactra cuneata, Tellina ala, T. bruguieri,Saccostrea cucculata, Modiolus metcalfei, M. tulipa, M. traillii, Meretrix meretrix and M. casta - wererecorded.