DIVERSITY OF MOLLUSCS AT SELECTED SITES OF DISTRICT DEVBHUMI DWARKA, GUJARAT, INDIAGadhvi, M.K., Dudhagara, D.M., Shiyani J.V., Makda Zahra, Shabanam Saiyad and Kardani H.K.Abstract The intertidal zone is home to various invertebrate animals and the most dynamic marine environment. Among the entire invertebrate phylum, the mollusc is the second largest phylum in the coastal tropical climate. Molluscs are under pressure due to pollution & habitat change. Molluscs are also under pressure as exploitation is high due to their high demand for souvenirs and ornaments. This paper documents the diversity of phylum molluscs at the selected study sites of Devbhumi Dwarka. Two sites were selected in the mouth of the Gulf of Kachchh while the other two sites were selected in the coastal region of the Arabian Sea. The study was carried out during the monsoon and winter season from October 2021 to January 2022 for the collection of molluscs. Molluscs were identified using standard identification keys. Individual checklists for each site as well as a combined checklist of individual sites were prepared. The available literature on molluscs of Devbhumi Dwarka was reviewed and a comprehensive checklist of molluscs in Devbhumi Dwarka district was prepared. Total 56 molluscs of molluscs were recorded from four sites in the Devbhumi Dwarka district. A total of 150 species of molluscs were recorded from the available literature while 22 species were first time recorded in the current study. A total of 172 molluscs were listed in the paper. |