Seasonal variations of molluscs of Mirya sandy shore, Ratnagiri

Abstract

A total of 24 molluscan macro-faunal species comprising 21 bivalves and three gastropods, were recorded from the sandy shore Mirya, Ratnagiri. Among the bivalves the genus Donax and Sunetta were most abundantly recorded while the other species such as S. menstrualis, S. meroe, S. truncate, S. effosa and eight unidentified species of genus Sunetta showed patchy distribution. Other genus of bivalves such as Cardium falvum, Mactra corallina, Dosinia prostrata were also recorded which has not shown consistent occurrence throughout the study period. Gastropod Olivia olivia was the most abundant during all the months except in February while the species O. caricularia was recorded only in the month of February. Gastropod, Tibia curta was recorded only once in the month of December. Seasonal variations in molluscs were maximum during the post-monsoon and minimum during the monsoon season.