Diversity and taxonomy of the intertidal patellogastropod limpets of  the mainland Indian coastline

Abstract

We report the diversity, distribution and taxonomy of patellogastropod species from the entire mainland Indian coastline. A total of 77 coastal areas with rocky outcrops in the sandy shoreline, covering the entire mainland Indian coastline, were surveyed seasonally (four times a year) during December 2014 to December 2016. Coastal habitat characteristics and the diversity of all groups of limpets from the intertidal areas were recorded. Specimens were identified by external morphological shell and gill characteristics, by the colour of the foot, mantle fringe and radular characteristics. Ecological aspects like habitat preference were also used to distinguish species. Existing diagnostic characters were amended with newer characteristics emerged in our study. Seven species from two families, Nacellidae and Lottiidae, were found along the mainland Indian coastline. Each species is present with several polymorphic forms with different colour banding patterns. Our study revealed distinct variations in the radular teeth at the genus level, but less differences within genera. Patellogastropod diversity was greater along the west coast of India and only Cellana rota was available throughout the mainland Indian coastline.

Radular Morphology and Relationship Between Shell Size and Radula Size of Few Dominating Intertidal Gastropod Mollusks of Veraval Coast, Gujarat

“…As they are limited to a species or genus, it is useful to identify the feeding habitat of the animal (Vakani et al, 2020). Radula reveals the variances in intraspecific level better than the morphology of shell, foot, and other significant characteristics (Mutlu, 2004;Mutaf and Aksit, 2009;Vakani et al, 2020). Only through radular morphology, we could point out similarities in the family level as well as in the species level.…”

“…This feeding organ is very significant in molluscan, especially in the taxonomy of the gastropod. As they are limited to a species or genus, it is useful to identify the feeding habitat of the animal (Vakani et al, 2020). Radula reveals the variances in intraspecific level better than the morphology of shell, foot, and other significant characteristics (Mutlu, 2004;Mutaf and Aksit, 2009;Vakani et al, 2020).…”

“…Then, dissection was performed until the end of the snout, and the tongue-like odontophore was detached from the muscle fibers attached to it. The separated radula was washed or cleaned in dilute sodium hypochlorite, and a soft brush was used to remove the adhering tissue (Vakani et al, 2020). In this study, we have observed the pattern of teeth and the variation of shape, size, and formation of radular teeth in different species.…”

“…In the case of molluscan taxonomy, marine intertidal gastropods, in particular, were identified on the basis of diverse morphological characteristics such as shape, size, color, and band pattern, which were not sufficient for an individual to be identified up to species level. Shell pattern and its coloration pattern vary due to several reasons such as coastal environment (wave action, light, humidity, salinity, and temperature), geographical distribution, and age-related variations, which may inhibit proper identification up to species level (Vakani et al, 2020). Other than the shell pattern, characteristics are needed for species identification.…”

Marine Macrobenthos of NorthWest India-Reviewing the Known and Unknown

“…The highest species diversity was recorded at the rocky shore. Twenty-four species belonging to 18 families of bryozoans were identified from the rocky intertidal zones of Gujarat and Maharashtra by Venkatraman et al (2018) and 23 species of limpets were reported from the same coastal stretch by Vakani and Kundu (2018) and Vakani et al (2020). Vadher et al (2020) provided a checklist of 95 sea slug species from the intertidal region of Gujarat coast.…”