Content uploaded by Abdel Rahman Mohammad Al Tawaha
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Abdel Rahman Mohammad Al Tawaha on Apr 18, 2017
Content may be subject to copyright.
AMERICAN-EURASIAN JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE
ISSN: 1995-0748, EISSN:
1998-1074
2017, volume(11),issue(2):pages(19-30) Published Online 15 April 2017in http://www.aensiweb.com/AEJSA/
AMERICAN-EURASIAN JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. 11(2) March 2017, Pages: 19-30
Prabhakar R. Pawar et al, 2017
Biodiversity of marine gastropods along the
Uran coast, Navi Mumbai, west coast of India
1Prabhakar R. Pawar and 2Abdel Rahman Mohammad Said Al-Tawaha
1Veer Wajekar Arts, Science and Commerce College,Department of Zoology,Phunde (Uran),Raigad,Navi Mumbai - 400 702, India.
2Department of Biological Sciences, Al Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma’an, P.O. Box 20, Jordan.
Received 12 January 2016; Accepted 31 March 2017; Available online 15 April 2017
Address For Correspondence:
Veer Wajekar Arts, Science and Commerce College, Department of Zoology, Phunde (Uran), Raigad, Navi Mumbai - 400 702, India
E-mail: prpawar1962@gmail.com
Copyright © 2017 by authors and American-Eurasian Network for Scientific Information.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
ABSTRACT
In the present study, survey of marine gastropods for biodiversity was done along three substations; Sheva creek, Peerwadi
coast and Dharamtar creek of Uran (Raigad), Navi Mumbai, west coast of India. Marine gastropods were collected during spring
low tides from intertidal regions and shallow coastal waters monthly from June 2013 to May 2015. A total of 60 species of
gastropods representing 38 genera, 25 families and 8 orders were identified. Of these, 10 species belongs to family Muricidae, 9
species to Neritidae, 6 species to Trochidae and 4 species to Bursidae. Families Cypraeidae and Lottiidae were represented by 3
species each. 2 species each were reportedfrom families Turbinidae, Cerithidae, Potamididae, Naticidae, Conidae and Volemidae
whereas 1 species each belongs to remaining 13 families. Maximum species diversity of gastropods is recorded during post-
monsoon and pre-monsoon from rocky substratum of Peerwadi coast and Dharamtar creek than open mud flats of Sheva creek.
This could be attributed to the habitat preference by gastropods to the rocky substratum with abundance of sea grass beds than
open mud flats. The variation in abundance of gastropods at Uran coast could result from anthropogenic activities of Jawaharlal
Nehru Port (JNPT), port related establishments, sedimentation, disposal of domestic sewage, industrial wastes, overharvesting,
habitat loss, overfishing and tourism. This study reveals that gastropods from Uran coast are facing threat due to industrial
pollution and anthropogenic activities.
KEY WORDS
Gastropods, biodiversity, mollusca, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Uran,
INTRODUCTION
Benthos represents a major component of the marine environment and plays a vital role in the overall food
chain in the sea [17].The benthic organisms contribute to a greater extent of total macrofaunal population
forming an important role in nutrient cycles. The demersalfishery production potential of an aquatic ecosystem
is virtually determined by the benthic animals living in close association with the bottom of estuaries
[5].Macrobenthos consume all kinds of organic matter and in turn act as a food for many fishes, birds and other
marine invertebrates.They act as a connecting link between the biotopes of substratum and water column in the
aquatic systems. Benthos takes part in breakdown of particulate organic material and export energy to higher
trophic level and can potentially support off-shore and pelagic communities[1].
The molluscs are soft - bodied, heterogeneous group of animals with great antiquity and diversity.They
represent one of the most diverse and species-rich phyla of the animal kingdom and are only second to the
arthropods. Due to their ubiquitous distribution and enormous species number, molluscs play important
ecological roles in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of the world.They provide key species for ecosystem
functioning,e.g. food for echinoderms, fish, birds and mammals.Molluscs are also used for biomonitoring and
bioindication purposes like biological effects of environmental stress in general and of contaminant exposure in
particular are measurable at various levels of biological organization [32].
20
About 80,000 to 100,000 species of molluscs have been recorded from various parts of the world. In India,
till today, 5070 species of mollusca have been recorded of which 3370 species are from marine habitats
[49].Molluscs frommarine habitat of India, belonging to 220 families and 591 genera, of which 1900 are
gastropods, 1100 are bivalves, 210 are cephalopods, 41 are polyplacophores and 20 are scaphopods [2, 51].
Of the seven molluscan classes, gastropods make up more than 80% of the species and majority of
gastropod species exhibit an extremely limited mobility or are completely sessile as adults. These molluscs
represent the contamination of their habitat ideally [32].The gastropods seem to be the abundant animals in the
intertidal pool and have worldwide distribution considering their wide adaptations[16, 28].
Some sea grass associated herbivore gastropods form an important links between the primary detritus and
consumers and the energy assimilated by them plays a significant role in nutrient recycling at the sea grass area
[27].Marine gastropods become a natural resource of economic importance and are exploited on the large scale
for purposes like human consumption, medicinal uses, ornamental and other uses [39].
Marine edible gastropods of the Indian coasts include limpets, trochids, whelks, the sacred chank, olives,
the green snail etc.Some species of Trochus and Turbo are exploited on a subsistence basis, for edible purposes
by many fishermen families at Ramanathapuram, Rameswaram and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu [39].Flores-
Garza et al [15] reported 18 species of edible gastropods along Acapulco’s Bahía de Santa Lucia bay,
Mexico.Tabugo et al [44] noted that in the Island of Hadji Panglima Tahil, in the province of Sulu, Philippines,
natives fed edible gastropods to their young ones to strengthen the teeth as they are a good source of iodine and
calcium.Similar results on edible gastropods were also reported by Koutsoubas [23],Lakshmi [26] and Hamli et
al [19].
Marine gastropods are also very good source of bioactive compounds used as pharmacological products
with antitumor, antileukemic, antibacterial and antiviral properties[12].Bioactive compounds from marine
gastropods are also used in the treatment of Alzhimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, depression and epilepsy
[40],asthma, rickets and certain skin ailments [39] and victims of strokes and heart disease[26].
Marine gastropods are most commercially attractive and important worldwide for ornamental
purposes.Shells of gastropods are large, colourful, relatively cheap and available plentiful. Whole shells have
been used for souvenir items, interior decorations, jewellery, currency, ornamental tools, horns, games, religious
symbols and for shell crafts e. g. Tiger cowry, Cypraea tigris, Lambis lambis,Strombus spp. Conus spp. etc [26,
44, 50]. In India, ornamental molluscs were popular among common man as ornaments and currency. The
ornaments and handicrafts made out of molluscan shells are becoming highly priced objects in Indian and
foreign markets [52].
Molluscan shells have been found important for various commercial purposes like poultry feed, shell lime,
cement, lime industries, calcium resources, industrial raw material, fisheries, handicrafts and interior decoration
[15, 34, 38, 46].
Various species of gastropods have been recognized as a useful tool for monitoring of heavy metals
pollution. These organisms accumulate comparatively higher concentrations of metals because of their sedentary
nature, both from water and sediment. The extent of bioaccumulation thus can play key role in determining
water and sediment quality criteria[9, 18].
The marine gastropod resources in India are exploited regularly for various purposes. This exploitation goes
unnoticed in several places because it constitutes a very minor fishing when compared to other fishery
resources[52]. Many studies have shown how unregulated harvesting and habitat degradation can threaten the
molluscan population[13].The recent increase in human activities such as tourism and fishing along the
shoreline of Maharashtra has intensified the exploitation of natural resources without any control [25].
Coastal environment of Uran has been under considerablestress since the onset of Jawaharlal Nehru Port
(JNPT, an International Port), Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC),LPGDistillation Plant, Grindwell
NortonLtd., Gas Turbine Power Station (GTPS),Bharat Petroleum CorporationLimited (BPCL) Gas Bottling
Plant, DP World,Container Freight Stations (CFS), sedimentation, tourism etc. These activities affect the
ecology of gastropods from Uran coast,Navi Mumbai[36].
Although many studies have been undertaken to evaluate the species diversity of marine gastropods in
India, no scientific studies have been carried out on the species composition of marine gastropods of Uran, Navi
Mumbai; hence, the present study is undertaken. Objective of the study is to evaluate the impact of
anthropogenic inputs on species composition of marine gastropods with respect to tidal and seasonal variability.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area:
Geographically, Uran (Lat.18º50'5'' to 18º50'20'' N and Long. 72º57'5'' to 72º57'15'' E)with the population
of 23,254 is locatedalong the eastern shore of Mumbai harbor opposite to Coloba. Uranis bounded by Mumbai
harbor to the northwest, Thane creek to thenorth, Dharamtar creek and Karanja creek to the south, and
21
theArabian Sea to the west. Uran is included in the planned metropolisof Navi Mumbai and its port, the
Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) (Fig. 1).
The coast of Uran is a tide-dominated and thetides are semidiuranal. The average tide amplitude is 2.28 m.
Theflood period lasts for about 6–7 h and the ebb period lasts for about5 h. The average annual precipitation is
about 3884 mm of whichabout 80% is received during July to September. The temperaturerange is 12–36ºC,
whereas the relative humidity remains between61% and 86% and is highest in the month of August.
Fig.1:Map showing the study area along Uran coast
Sampling strategy:
The present study was carried out for a period of two years, i.e.,from June 2013 to May 2015. Three study
sites namely Sheva creek, site I (Lat.18º50'20''N and Long. 72º57'5''E), Peerwadi coast, site II (Lat.18º50'10''N
and Long. 72º57'1''E) and Dharamtar creek, site III (Lat.18º48'3''N and Long. 72º58'31''E) separated
approximately by 10 km were selected along the coast.
The study siteswere surveyed monthly during springlow tides and gastropods were collected by hand
picking method from intertidal regions and shallow coastal waters. Collected specimens were washed with
seawater to remove the debris, and were transferred to the clean polythene bags; one sample per bagand were
brought to the laboratory.
22
In the laboratory, morphological featuresof each specimen including shape, spiral length and shape, mouth
opening, operculum shape, umbilicus shape and size and colourwere recorded [38]. The specimens were washed
under tap water and then fixed in 10% formaldehyde-seawater solution and transferred into 90% ethanol.Empty
shells were washed in water containing mild detergent and were rinsed in diluted hydrochloric acid to remove
the hard outer coatand to reveal the natural colours.
Identification of gastropods:
All collected gastropods were photographed with Cannon EOS1100D digital camera and were identified up
to species level using standardtaxonomic keys of Subrahmanyam et al. [41, 42, 43], Apte [3], Crothers [10],
Paterson et al [33], Krieg [24], Bowling [8] and Marine Species Identification Portal website(http://species-
identification.org).Scientific names and classification of gastropods was adopted from World Register of Marine
Species (WRoMS) website (http://www.marinespecies.org).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Total 60 species of gastropods belonging to 38 genera, 25 familiesand 8 orders were recorded from Uran
coast (Table1,Fig.3).In present study, gastropods belonging toorder Archaeogastropoda, Caenogastropoda,
Chitonida,Cycloneritimorpha, Littorinimorpha, Neogastropoda, Nudibranchia and Patellogastropodawere
recorded.
Number of species of gastropods distributed in each family reveals that 10 species belongs to family
Muricidae, 9 species to Neritidae, 6 species to Trochidae and 4 species to Bursidae. Families Cypraeidae and
Lottiidae were represented by 3 species each. 2 species each were reported from families Turbinidae, Cerithidae,
Potamididae, Naticidae, Conidae and Volemidae whereas 1 species each is contributed by remaining 13 families
(Table 2, Fig. 2).
Table 1:Checklist of gastropods faunal diversity during study period from Sheva creek, Peerwadi coast & Dharamtar Creek of Uran
Order
Family
Scientific Name
Archaeogastropoda
Fissurellidae
Diodora gibberula (Lamarck, 1822)
Archaeogastropoda
Nacellidae
Cellana radiata (Born, 1778)
Archaeogastropoda
Trochidae
Trochus radiates (Gmelin, 1791)
Archaeogastropoda
Trochidae
Trochus tentorium (Gmelin,1791)
Archaeogastropoda
Trochidae
Umbonium vestiarium (Linnaeus, 1758)
Archaeogastropoda
Trochidae
Trochus stellatus (Gmelin, 1791)
Archaeogastropoda
Trochidae
Trochus maculates (Linnaeus, 1758)
Archaeogastropoda
Trochidae
Clanculus guineensis (Gmelin, 1791)
Archaeogastropoda
Turbinidae
Astraea stellata (Gmlin, 1791)
Archaeogastropoda
Turbinidae
Astraea semicostata (Kiener, 1850)
Caenogastropoda
Cerithiidae
Clypeomorus bifasciatus (Sowerby II, 1855)
Caenogastropoda
Cerithiidae
Clypeomorus moniliferus (Kiener, 1841)
Caenogastropoda
Potamididae
Telescopium telescopium (Linnaeus, 1758)
Caenogastropoda
Potamididae
Potamides cingulatus (Gmelin, 1791)
Chitonida
Ischnochitonidae
Ischnochiton australis (G.B. Sowerby II, 1833)
Cycloneritimorpha
Neritidae
Nerita undata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Cycloneritimorpha
Neritidae
Nerita albicilla (Linnaeus, 1758)
Cycloneritimorpha
Neritidae
Nerita crepidularia (Lamarck, 1816)
Cycloneritimorpha
Neritidae
Nerita oryzarum (Recluz, 1841)
Cycloneritimorpha
Neritidae
Nerita costata (Gmelin, 1791)
Cycloneritimorpha
Neritidae
Nerita chamaeleon (Linnaeus, 1758)
Cycloneritimorpha
Neritidae
Nerita aterrima (Gmelin, 1791)
Cycloneritimorpha
Neritidae
Neritina pulligera (Linnaeus, 1758)
Cycloneritimorpha
Neritidae
Neritina punctulata (Lamarck, 1816)
Littorinimorpha
Bursidae
Bursa tuberculata (Broderip,1833)
Littorinimorpha
Bursidae
Bursa granularis (Roding, 1798)
Littorinimorpha
Bursidae
Bursa spinosa (Schumacher, 1817)
Littorinimorpha
Bursidae
Bursa lissostoma (E. A. Smith, 1914)
Littorinimorpha
Cypraeidae
Erosaria lamarckii (J.E. Gray, 1825)
Littorinimorpha
Cypraeidae
Luria lurida (Linnaeus, 1758)
Littorinimorpha
Cypraeidae
Cypraea tigris (Linnaeus, 1758)
Littorinimorpha
Ficidae
Ficus gracilis (G. B. Sowerby I,1825)
Littorinimorpha
Naticidae
Natica didyma (Röding, 1798)
Table 1: Continued
Order
Family
Scientific Name
Littorinimorpha
Naticidae
Natica rufa (Born, 1778)
Littorinimorpha
Rostellariidae
Tibia curta (G. B. Sowerby II, 1842)
Littorinimorpha
Tonnidae
Tonna dolium (Linnaeus, 1758)
Neogastropoda
Buccinidae
Cantharus spiralis (Gray, 1839)
23
Neogastropoda
Clavatulidae
Makiyamaia arthopleura (Kilburn, 1983)
Neogastropoda
Columbellidae
Parvanachis obesa (C. B. Adams, 1845)
Neogastropoda
Conidae
Conus ambiguus (Reeve, 1844)
Neogastropoda
Conidae
Conus circumactus (Iredale, 1929)
Neogastropoda
Mangeliidae
Propebela harpularia (Couthouy, 1838)
Neogastropoda
Muricidae
Drupa konkanensis (Melvill, 1893)
Neogastropoda
Muricidae
Indothais blanfordi (Melvill, 1893)
Neogastropoda
Muricidae
Murex brunneus (Link, 1807)
Neogastropoda
Muricidae
Murex bundharmai (Houart, 1992)
Neogastropoda
Muricidae
Purpura bufo (Lamarck, 1822)
Neogastropoda
Muricidae
Stramonita floridana (Conrad, 1837)
Neogastropoda
Muricidae
Thais carinifera (Lamarck, 1822)
Neogastropoda
Muricidae
Thais sacellum (Gmelin, 1791)
Neogastropoda
Muricidae
Thais gradate (Jonas, 1846)
Neogastropoda
Muricidae
Vasula deltoidea (Lamarck, 1822)
Neogastropoda
Nassariidae
Nassarius vibex (Say, 1822)
Neogastropoda
Onchidiidae
Onchidium damelii (Semper, 1882)
Neogastropoda
Volemidae
Hemifusus pugilinus (Born, 1778)
Neogastropoda
Volemidae
Hemifusus cochlidium (Linnaeus, 1758)
Nudibranchia
Chromodorididae
Mexichromis mariei (Crosse, 1872)
Patellogastropoda
Lottiidae
Lottia septiformis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1834)
Patellogastropoda
Lottiidae
Lottia tenuisculpta (Sasaki & Okutani,1994)
Patellogastropoda
Lottiidae
Acmaea subrugosa (d'Orbigny, 1846)
Table 2: Number of species of gastropods distributed in each family at Sheva creek, Peerwadi coast & Dharamtar Creek of Uran
Order
Family
Genera
Species
% composition of species
Archaeogastropoda
Fissurellidae
1
1
1.67
Nacellidae
1
1
1.67
Trochidae
3
6
10.00
Turbinidae
1
2
3.33
Caenogastropoda
Cerithiidae
1
2
3.33
Potamididae
2
2
3.33
Chitonida
Ischnochitonidae
1
1
1.67
Cycloneritimorpha
Neritidae
2
9
15.00
Littorinimorpha
Bursidae
1
4
6.67
Cypraeidae
3
3
5.00
Ficidae
1
1
1.67
Naticidae
1
2
3.33
Rostellariidae
1
1
1.67
Tonnidae
1
1
1.67
Neogastropoda
Buccinidae
1
1
1.67
Clavatulidae
1
1
1.67
Columbellidae
1
1
1.67
Conidae
1
2
3.33
Mangeliidae
1
1
1.67
Muricidae
7
10
16.67
Nassariidae
1
1
1.67
Onchidiidae
1
1
1.67
Volemidae
1
2
3.33
Nudibranchia
Chromodorididae
1
1
1.67
Patellogastropoda
Lottiidae
2
3
5.00
8
25
38
60
100
24
Fig. 2: Percentage composition of species of gastropods distributed in each family along Uran coast
Sheva creek is characterized by extensive mud flats with sparse mangrove vegetation and less rocky
stretches. Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) and other port related establishments are located in the stretch of the
creek. Gharapuri Island (Elephanta caves), a famous tourist spot is present on the north side of the creek.
Intertidal region of Peerwadi coast has major portion of rocky substratum. Dharamtar creek is with rocky and
coral substratum towards the Dronagiri Mountain whereas remaining part of the creek is dominated by the
marshy areas and mud flats. Towards the Revas and Karanja side, the Dharamtar creek has mangrove associated
habitats due to presence of dense and natural mangrove habitat.
Diversespecies composition of gastropods reported from Uran coast is attributed to the depth, availability
ofsuitable substratum, appropriate habitat and sediment nature. Ganesh and Raman [17] reported that several
factors e.g. locality, depth, distance from the shore, river proximity and local oceanographic features such as
bottom currents, etc., appeared important for determining benthos distribution patterns.
Diodora gibberula Cellana radiata Clanculus guineensis Trochus radiatusT.tentorium
Fig. 3: Species of gastropods recorded from Uran, Navi Mumbai.
T. stellatus T. maculatus Umbonium vestiarium Astraea stellataC. bifasciatus
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Fissurellidae
Nacellidae
Trochidae
Turbinidae
Cerithiidae
Potamididae
Ischnochi-…
Neritidae
Bursidae
Cypraeidae
Ficidae
Naticidae
Rostellariidae
Tonnidae
Buccinidae
Clavatulidae
Columbellidae
Conidae
Mangeliidae
Muricidae
Nassariidae
Onchidiidae
Volemidae
Chromo-…
Lottiidae
% composition of gastropod species distributed in each family
along Uran coast
% composition of species
25
Clypeomorus moniliferus T. telescopium Potamides cingulatusIschnochiton australisNerita undata
Nerita albicilla Nerita crepidulariaNerita oryzarumNerita costataNerita chamaeleon
Fig. 3: Continued.
Nerita aterrima Neritina pulligeraNeritina punctulataBursa tuberculata Bursa granularis
Bursa spinosa Bursa lissostomaErosaria lamarckiLuria luridaCypraea tigris
26
Ficus gracilis Natica didymaNatica rufaTibia curtaTonna dolium
Cantharus spiralis Makiyamaia orthopleuraParvanachis obesaConus ambiguousC. circumactus
Fig. 3: Continued.
Propebela harpularia Drupa konkanensisIndothais blanfordiMurex brunneusMurex bundharmai
Purpura bufo Stramonita floridanaThais cariniferaThais sacellumThais gradata
27
Vasula deltoidea Nassarius vibexOnchidium dameliiHemifusus pugilinusH. cochlidium
Mexichromis mariei Lottia septiformisLottia tenuisculpta Acmaea subrugosaAstraea semicostata
Maximum species of gastropods was recorded from rocky stretches of the Peerwadi coast and Dharamtar
creek as compared to the open mudflats of Sheva creek. This is correlated to habitat preference of gastropods to
the rocky substratum with abundance of sea grass beds than the open mudflats.Similar results were reported by
Varadharajan et al [48] from Arukkattuthurai to Aiyyampattinam, south east coast of India and Long et al [27]
in Sampadi Island, Lundu, Sarawak, South China Sea.Results of the study are in agreement with the work of
Boehs et al [7] from Paranaguá Bay, Parana, Brazil, Picardal and Dolorosa [37] from bays in Puerto Princesa
City, Palawan, Philippines and Mohanraj et al [31] from Gulf of Mannar Island coral reef associated gastropods.
Low species diversity of gastropods recorded from open mudflats of Sheva creek could be attributed to the
environmental variables like depth, sand, sediment organic matter and mean particle size. Similar results were
reported by Kurhe et al [25] from Ratnagiri coast Maharashtra, India, Trivedi and Vachhrajani [46] along the
coastal Saurashtra, Gujarat, India and Lumeran [28] from Asry Beach, Kingdom of Bahrain.
Maximum species diversity of gastropods was recorded during post-monsoon (October to January) and pre-
monsoon (February to May). This could be correlated to the stable environment factors such as dissolved
oxygen and salinity and decomposition of organic sediments [38]. Ganesh and Raman [17] noted that increased
upwelling during March–May leads to annual phytoplankton production marked by impoverishment of
dissolved oxygen, and an increase in nutrients and salinity at this time of the year. Results of the study are in
agreement with the work of Elaiyaraja et al [14] from Southeast coast of India, Khade and Mane [22] from
Raigad district, Maharashtra, west coast of India, Mohan et al [30] from Pulicat Lake, southeast coast of India,
David [11] along the Goa coastline, India, Paul et al [34] in North-East Coast of India, Vanmali and Jadhav [47]
from Dativare coast of Vaitarna estuary, Dist.-Palghar, Maharashtra and Banerjee et al [4] from maritime states
of India.
Minimum diversity of gastropods recorded during monsoon (June to September) could be due to the heavy
downpour, which caused drastic fluctuations in the temperature and salinity. Anbuchezhian et al [1] reported
that temperature and salinity are important ecological factors which influence distribution of benthic organisms.
Ganesh and Raman [17] noted that large scale discharges of silt by the rivers reduces the water transparency
over large areas with a consequent fall in the rate and amount of photosynthesis affecting the diversity of
benthos.
The biodiversity of marine organisms have been regularly monitored to study the climatic changes and
pollution impacts [45].The marine gastropod are exploited for food, at the same time the beautiful shape and
colour of the shells have attracted and aroused the imagination of man to use them for ornamental purpose
also[52].Mehrnaz et al [29] reported that trawling is believed to affect the stock abundances directly by
removing or killing individuals. Dolorosa and Dangan-Galon [13] documented that unregulated harvesting,
habitat degradation, improper waste disposal, plastic materials and broken bottles (of liquor) and oil pollution
28
from boat discharge have threatened the marine gastropods from Iwahig River-Estuary, Palawan, the
Philippines.
Sustainable use of marine and coastal living resources cannot be properly established without an adequate
knowledge of biodiversity. Monitoring the biodiversity of a large ecosystem will allow a proper evaluation of
the effects of natural and anthropogenic factors on species numbers, kinds and distribution [30].High market
demand, coupled with a lack of awareness and inadequate enforcement were found to be the major driving
forces behind the illegal marine curio trade [6, 20].Venkatraman and Venkataraman [51] stated that threats of
problems to gastropods of Chennai coast include sedimentation, disposal of domestic sewage, industrial waste,
over fishing and tourism. Similar results were reported by Kantor et al [21] in Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam.
The Sheva creek receives wastes and effluents from Asia’s largest industrialized zone namely Thane
Belapur industrialized area and Navi Mumbai Urban area [35].Waste water from petrochemical complex and
other industries are disposed into Dharamtar creek [36].Peerwadi coast is in close proximity to human
population and receives domestic waste and sewage from Nagaon, Kegaon and Uran.Maritime activities of
Jawaharlal Nehru Port(JNP)affect the coastal ecosystem of Uran due to anthropogenic threat; still Uran coast
harbours varied species diversity of gastropods.
Since no earlier reports are available on species diversity of gastropods from Uran coast, data presented
here can be taken as a baseline data in knowing the status of gastropods and effect of industrial development on
it and for a better management of gastropods.
Conclusion:
In the present study, the results showed that the Uran coast harbors a diverse group of gastropods.
Gastropodspecies belonging to family Muricidae and Neritidae were dominant followed by families Trochidae
and Bursidae over all the families recorded in the study.The study also reveals that gastropods in close
proximity to human populations consist of fewer species whereas the community at a site distant from human
development shows more diverse assemblage of species.The variation in abundance of species could result from
anthropogenic activities of Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNP). Activities like overharvesting, habitat loss, disposal of
sewage, wastes and effluents, sedimentation and tourism will affect the coastal ecosystem.Present information
on species diversity of gastropodswould be helpful as a baseline data for further monitoring of anthropogenic
inputs on gastropods from Uran coast.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Financial support provided by University Grants Commission, New Delhi [File No: 42–546/2013 (SR)
dated 22nd Mar 2013] is gratefully acknowledged.The corresponding author is thankfulto The Principal, Veer
Wajekar Arts, Science and Commerce College Mahalan Vibhag, Phunde (Uran), Navi Mumbai 400702for
providing necessary facilities for the present study. Special thanks to Dr. Rahul B. Patil for providing healthy
cooperation during field visits for photography of the study sites and gastropods.Thanks are due to Mr. Sanket
S. Shirgaonkar, who worked as a Project Fellow for the present study. Thanks to Dr. Atul G. Babar for the help
rendered during preparation of location map of study area.
REFERENCES
[1] Anbuchezhian, R.M., G. Rameshkumar and S. Ravichandran, 2009. Macrobenthic Composition and
Diversity in the Coastal Belt of Thondi, Southeast Coast of India. Global J. Environ. Res., 3(2): 68-75.
[2] Appukuttan, K.K.,2008. Molluscan resources and management strategies. Proc. Natl. Sem. Envtl. Mgt.
Sust. Livelihood., pp: 6-12.
[3] Apte, D.A.,1988. The book of Indian Shells, Bombay Natural History Society; Oxford University Press,
India, pp: 115.
[4] Banerjee, K., S. Chakraborty, R. Paul, G. Bal, S. Zaman, P. Pramanick, G. Amin, P. Fazli and A.
Mitra,2015.Macrobenthic molluscan diversity in the major intertidal zones of the maritime states of India, J.
Env. Sci. Pollut. Res., 1(1):8-11.
[5] Behera, Durga Prasad and Lakshman Nayak, 2013. A check list on macro faunal diversity of Bahuda
estuary, Odisha, east coast of India. International Journal of Ecosystem, 3(6): 172-176. DOI:
10.5923/j.ije.20130306.02
[6] Bijukumar, A., R. Ravinesh, A.R. Arathi and K.K. Idreesbabu,2015.On the molluscan fauna of
Lakshadweep included in various schedules of Wildlife (Protection) Act of India. Journal of Threatened
Taxa, 7(6):7253-7268; http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o4140.7253-68.
[7] Boehs, Guisla., Theresinha Monteiro Absher and Andrea Da Cruz-Kaled, 2004. Composition and
distribution of benthic molluscs on intertidal flats of Paranaguá Bay (Paraná, Brazil). SCI. MAR., 68(4):
537-543.
29
[8] Bowling, Brenda, 2014. Identification Guide to Marine Invertebrates of Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department, 11/24/2014 2: 358.
[9] Chiarelli, R. and M.C. Roccheri, 2014. Marine Invertebrates as Bioindicators of Heavy MetalPollution.
Open Journal of Metal, 4:93-106.http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojmetal.2014.44011.
[10] Crothers, J.H., 2003. Rocky Shore Snails as Material for Projects (With a key for their identification). Field
Studies, 10: 601-634.
[11] David, Anuradha, 2013. Biodiversity and distribution of marine gastropods (Mollusca) during pre- and
post-monsoon seasons along the Goa coastline, India. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. India, 55(1): 17-24. doi:
10.6024/jmbai.2013.55.1.01720-03.
[12] Dhinakaran, A., V. Sekar, G.V. Sethubathi and J. Suriya, 2011. Antipathogenic activity of marine
Gastropoda (Hemifusus pugilinus) from Pazhayar, South East Coast of India. Int. J. Environmental Sci.,
2(2): 536-542. doi:10.6088/ijes.00202020014
[13] Dolorosa, Roger G. and Floredel Dangan-Galon, 2014. Species richness of bivalves and gastropods in
Iwahig River-Estuary, Palawan, the Philippines. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies,
2(1): 207-215.
[14] Elaiyaraja, Chinnaiyan., Veeramuth Sekar, Ramadoss Rajasekaran and Olivia. J. Fernando, 2012. Diversity
and Seasonal distribution of the turrids (Gastropoda: Turridae) among the four landing centers of Southeast
coast of India. Annals of Biological Research, 3(12): 5718-5723.
[15] Flores-Garza Rafael, Sergio García-Ibáñez, Pedro Flores-Rodríguez, Carmina Torreblanca-Ramírez, Lizeth
Galeana-Rebolledo, Arcadio Valdés-González, Arquímedes Suástegui-Zárate and Juan Violante-
González,2012.Commercially Important Marine Mollusks for Human Consumption in Acapulco, Mexico.
Natural Resources, 3: 11-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/nr.2012.31003.
[16] Ganesh Temkar, Azeez Abdul P., S.Y. Metar, V.T. Brahmane, K.M. Sikotaria and K.L. Mathew, 2014.The
studies on distribution and community structure of five selected species of marine gastropods along the
rocky intertidal area of Veraval, Gujarat, India. J. Advan. Agric. Sci. Technol., 2(5): 84-91.
[17] Ganesh, T., and A.V. Raman, 2007. Macrobenthic community structure of the northeast Indian shelf, Bay
of Bengal. Mar Ecol Prog Ser, 341: 59-73.
[18] Gupta, Sanjay Kumar and Jaswant Singh, 2011. Evaluation of mollusc as sensitive indicator of heavy metal
pollution in aquatic system: A Review. The IIOAB Journal Special issue on Environmental Management
for Sustainable Development, 2(1): 49-57.
[19] Hamli Hadi, Mohd Hanafi Idris, Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal and Wong Sing King, 2012. Diversity of edible
mollusc (Gastropoda and Bivalvia) at selected Divison of Sarawak, Malaysia. Int. J. Adv. Sci. Eng.
Information Tech., 2(4): 5-7.
[20] John, S., M.P.K. Batu, S. Kuppusamy and B.C. Choudhury,2012. An assessment of legally protected
marine fauna in Curio trade - a market study from Tamil Nadu, India. International Journal of Conservation
Science, 3: 217-230.
[21] Kantor, Yuri I., Alexander E. Fedosov and Ivan N. Marin, 2012. An Unusually High Abundance and
Diversity of the Terebridae (Gastropoda: Conoidea) in Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam. Zoological Studies, 51(5):
663-670.
[22] Khade, S.N. and U.H. Mane, 2012. Diversity of Bivalve and Gastropod, Molluscs of some localities from
Raigad district, Maharashtra, west coast of India. Recent Research in Science and Technology, 4(10): 43-
48.
[23] Koutsoubas, D.,2005. Biogeography of the Gastropod molluscs in Hellenic Seas. Proceedings of the 7th
Pan-Hellenic Symposium of the Hellenic Geographic Society, Mytilini, pp: 444-449.
[24] Krieg, Kate, 2005. Field Guide to Oregon’s Rocky Intertidal. PISCO’s Online Taxonomic Database, pp:
126.
[25] Kurhe, Anil R., Miguel A. Rodríguez and Ganesh D. Suryawanshi, 2014. Vertical distribution and diversity
of gastropods molluscs from intertidal habitats of the Ratnagiri coast Maharashtra, India. International
Research Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 1(6): 1-13.
[26] Lakshmi S. Asta,2011. Wonder molluscs and their utilities. International Journal of Pharmaceutical
Sciences Review and Research, Article-0086, (2): 30-33.
[27] Long Shabdin Mohd, Abg Azizil Fansuri Abg Abdullah & Syahidatul Atiqah Ab Rahim, 2014. Marine
Gastropod and Bivalves of Sampadi Island, Lundu, Sarawak. Monograph Aquatic Science Colloquium, pp:
75-87.
[28] Lumeran, Belen T., 2015. Gastropods in the Intertidal Zone of Asry Beach, Kingdom of Bahrain. Int.
Advanced Research J. in Sci. Eng. and Tech., 2(7):93-97. doi: 10.17148/IARJSET.2015.2720 93.
[29] Mehrnaz, Shirmohammadi., Doustshenas, Babak., Dehghan, Mediseh Simin., Savari, Ahmad and Sakhaei,
Nasrin, 2012. Impacts of Trawling on Distribution and Diversity of Gastropods in the Persian Gulf: the
Bahrakan Fishing Area. Journal of the Persian Gulf (Marine Science), 3(10): 37-46.
30
[30] Mohan, D., V. Elumalai, G. Subbulakshmi, S. Jayalakshmi and M. Srinivasan, 2013. Biodiversity of
cultivable molluscan resources from Pulicat Lake, southeast coast of India. Arthropods, 2(2): 53-65.
[31] Mohanraj, Jayaraj., Gurusamy Chelladurai, Srinivasan Balakrishnan and Iruthayam Vijaya Kuamr, 2015.
Gulf of Mannar Island coral reef associated gastropods assemblages: Distribution and diversity pattern.
Journal of Coastal Life Medicine, 3(9): 691-695. doi: 10.12980/jclm.3.2015jclm-2015-0023.
[32] Oehlmann, Jorg and Ulrike Schulte-Oehlmann, 2002. Chapter 17Molluscs as bioindicators. In B. A.
Markert, A. M. Breure, H. G. Zechmeister (eds) Bioindicators and biomonitors. Eselvier Science B.V. pp:
577-635.
[33] Paterson, Gordon, L.J., Chittima Aryuthaka and Michael A Kendall,2004. A Field guide to the Common
Marine Flora and Fauna of Ranong, pp: 352.
[34] Paul Poulami, A.K. Panigrahi and B. Tripathy, 2014. A Study of Marine Molluscs With Respect to Their
Diversity, Relative Abundance and Species Richness in North-East Coast of India. Ind. J. Appl. Research,
4(12): 538-541.
[35] Pawar, Prabhakar R., 2013. Monitoring of impact of anthropogenic inputs on water quality of mangrove
ecosystem of Uran, Navi Mumbai, west coast of India. Mar. Poll. Bull., 75:291-300.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.06.045.
[36] Pawar, Prabhakar R., 2015. Monitoring of Pollution Using Density, Biomass and Diversity Indices of
Macrobenthos from Mangrove Ecosystem of Uran, Navi Mumbai, west coast of India. J. Bioremed.
Biodeg., 6:299.doi:10.4172/2155-6199.1000299.
[37] Picardal, Rafael M. and Roger G. Dolorosa, 2014.The molluscan fauna (gastropods and bivalves) and notes
on environmental conditions of two adjoining protected bays in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines.
India Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 2(5): 72-90.
[38] Raju, C., S. Gowthami and G. Sridharan, 2015. Diversity of molluscs in Vellaiyar estuarine from
Vellankanni coast, Nagappattinam District. Int. J. Res. Zoology, 5(2): 29-32.
[39] Santhiya, N., S. Baskara Sanjeevi, M. Gayathri and M. Dhanalakshmi, 2013. Economic importance of
marine molluscs. Res. Environ. Life Sci., 6(4): 129-132.
[40] Sary, P.S., R.B.Pramod Kiran, N.K.Balasubramanian and A.Biju Kumar, 2014. Diversity of Cone Snails
(Mollusca: Conidae) along Kerala coast. J. Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 2: 607-610.
[41] Subrahmanyam, T.V., K.R.Karandikar andN.N.Murti, 1949. The marine Pelecypoda of Bombay. Journal of
University of Bombay, 17: 50-81.
[42] Subrahmanyam, T.V., K.R.Karandikar andN.N.Murti, 1951. Marine Gastropods of Bombay, Part I. Journal
of University of Bombay, 20(1): 21-34.
[43] Subrahmanyam, T.V., K.R.Karandikar and N.N.Murti, 1952. Marine Gastropods of Bombay, Part II.
Journal of University of Bombay, 21(3): 26-73.
[44] Tabugo Sharon Rose M., Jocelyn O. Pattuinan, Nathanie Joy J. Sespene and Aldren J. Jamasali,2013. Some
Economically Important Bivalves and Gastropods found in the Island of Hadji Panglima Tahil, in the
province of Sulu, Philippines. Int. Res. J. Biological Sci., 2(7): 30-36.
[45] Tripathi, Amit Kumar., N. Nagarani and A.K. Kumaraguru, 2012. Diversity of gastropods at Pudhumadam
coast region and unusual occurrence of Tetraclita rubescens on conus shell. Toxicological & Environmental
Chemistry, 94(10):2046-2051.
[46] Trivedi, Jigneshkumar N. and Kauresh D. Vachhrajani, 2013. Study of intertidal distribution of Cerithium
scabridum, Philippi, 1848 (Mollusca, Gastropoda) along the coastal Saurashtra, Gujarat, India. National
Conference on Biodiversity: Status and Challenges in Conservation - ‘FAVEO’ pp: 130-134.
[47] Vanmali, H.S. and R.N.Jadhav, 2015. Assessment of Molluscan Diversity of Dativare Coast of Vaitarna
Estuary, Dist.-Palghar, Maharashtra (India). Research Inventy: International Journal of Engineering and
Science, 5(9):1-6.
[48] Varadharajan, D., P. Soundarapandian, B. Gunalan and R. Babu, 2010. Seasonal Abundance of Macro
Benthic Composition and Diversity along the South East Coast of India. European Journal of Applied
Sciences, 2(1): 1-5.
[49] Venkataraman, K. and M. Wafer,2005. Coastal and marine biodiversity of India. Indian J. Mar. Sci.,
34(1):57-75.
[50] Venkatesan, V., 2010. Marine Ornamental Molluscs. Chapter 4. Procd. of National Training Programme on
Marine Ornamental Fish Culture, Mandapam, CMFRI, pp: 27-32.
[51] Venkatraman, C. and K.Venkataraman, 2012. Diversity of Molluscan Fauna along the Chennai Coast.
Marine Biodiversity: Uttar Pradesh State Biodiversity Board, pp: 29-35.
[52] WWF Report,2013. Commercially Important Gastropod Shell Resources and Trade in India: Distribution,
Status & Conservation strategies, pp: 41.
