Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences

Vol. 43(10), October 2014, pp. 1942-1944

Occurrence of a rare lamellarid, Coriocella hibyae (Wellens, 1991) from

Andaman Islands
*
CH. Ramesh, R. Mohanraj, K. N. Murthy, P. Karthick & S. Narayana
Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry Central University,
Port Blair-744102, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India.
[E-mail address: chrameshpu@gmail.com]

Received 14 October 2013 ; revised 9 December 2013

In the present study the occurrence of a rare lamellibranch Coriocella hibyae from Andaman Islands is
being reported. Three samples of C. hibyae were found in an undisturbed shallow water coral reef region
in Burmanallah and the biology of this species is described and identified based on their internal shell
and radula structures as C. hibyae which has been first described by Wellens (1991) from the Republic of
Maldives.

[Key words: Coriocella hibyae, Andaman]

Introduction by of Wellens (1991). X-ray photographs

The Genus Coriocella is classified under the were taken for observing the structure of the
Phylum Mollusca, family Velutinidae shell. Specimen was dissected, shell, radula
consisting of 6 species that have been and sex organs were removed and observed
registered in WoRMS. Among these under light microscope (Olympus BX41).
Coriocella hibyae was first reported from the Specimen was registered with National
Republic of Maldives2 and also found to be Zoological Collection of ZSI, Port Blair and
distributed in Indonesia, Philippines and the registration number assigned was 8493.
Myanmar3. This species is a carnivore found
in coral reef and rocky environments. Their
body surface is smooth, colour varies from
shiny bluish green to pale pink colour with
smooth sponge like tissue that covers the
internal shell. In the present study we report
the biology of this species, whereas earlier
reports by Venkataraman et al (2012) showed
their presence in these waters.

Materials and Methods

Sampling was done during low tide at
Burmanallah coast, Port Blair Lat’
11⁰35’35.94” N; Long’ 92⁰44’28.22” E from Figure 1. Map showing study region, Burmanallah( ).
an undisturbed shallow water coral reef area
enclosed by mangroves (Fig. 1). Three Results
specimens were found in undisturbed shallow Coriocella hibyae (Wellens, 1991)
water at a depth of 1 m with the presence of Taxonomic position:
few corals of Porites sp. Two specimens Phylum : Mollusca Cuvier, 1795
were collected and the other was left as such Class : Gastropoda Cuvier, 1795
because of their uncommon presence. Order : Littorinimorpha Golikov &
Samples were transferred into sterile zip lock Starobogatov, 1975
bags and were brought to the laboratory and Family : Velutinidae (Lamellariidae)
preserved in Ethyl alcohol for further studies. Gray, 1840
These specimens were identified as described Genus : Coriocella Blainville, 1824
 RAMESH et al.: OCCURRENCE OF A RARE LAMELLARID, CORIOCELLA HIBYAE 1943

Species : hibyae (Wellens, 1991)
Common Name: Maldives Sponge Snail
Description: The specimens were identified
as Coriocella hibyae based on external and
internal morphological characteristics. The
size of the specimen is about 4.5 cm long, 2.5
cm broad and body possesses a central
bulbous boss surrounded with four other
bosses. Surface colour of the body is shiny
bluish green with numerous small dark brown
spots and ventral body surface is dark pink in
colour (Fig. 2- 4). X-ray photographs revealed
the presence of a shell in this animal (Figures.
8 & 9). The shell is white in colour, very thin
and has growth curves on it (Fig. 7). Shell has
3 whorls with the incompletion of the third
whorl (Fig. 5 & 6). Light microscopic studies
of radula showed that it is taenioglossate
radula about 2 cm long with 67 small rows of
teeth (Fig. 10 - 12). The taenioglossate radula
formula is I.I.I. Canine tooth was observed on
both right and left teeth (Fig. 13). Lateral
view of radula structure was also observed
under the microscope (Fig. 14). The specimen
was identified as male by dissecting out the
penis (Fig. 15). .

Figures. 2,3 & 4. Dorsal, lateral and ventral view photographs of Coriocella hibyae. Fig. 5 & 6. Dorsal view of the internal
Shell. Fig. 7. Ventral view of the internal Shell. Fig. 8 & 9. X-ray photographs of dorsal and ventral views of the internal shell.
Fig. 10, 11 & 12. Taenioglossate radula (4X&10X). Fig. 13. Canine teeth on right rachidian. Fig. 14. Lateral view of radula. Fig.
15. Penis of C. hibyae.
Pondicherry University. The first author
Remarks: Coriocella hibyae was first thanks the Department of Science and
described by Wellens (1991) from the Technology for the INSPIRE fellowship.
Republic of the Maldives and it has been References
noted as an endemic species to Maldives5. But 1. WoRMS., World register of marine
this species was found to extend its species (WoRMS).
distribution in Indonesia, Philippines, http://www.marinespecies.eu, (2013)
Myanmar (www.nudipixel.com) and Accessed on 18-04-2013.
Andamans4, which shows that this species is 2. Wellens, W., Coriocella hibyae sp. nov: a
not an endemic species. The present study new Lamellaria species (Gastropoda:
pertains to the biology of this species which Prosobranchia) from the Republic of
has not been reported from these waters. Maldives, J. Conchol., 34(1991) 73-80.
3. NUDI PIXEL., www.nudipixel.com,
Acknowledgement (2013) Accessed on 09-04-2013.
Authors thank Caren Topley of the
Conchological Society of Great Britain and
Ireland, Mr. Sreeraj of Zoological Survey of
India, Port Blair, and the authorities of
1944 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 43, NO. 10 OCTOBER 2014

4. Venkataraman K, Raghunathan C,
Raghuraman R, & Sreeraj C R, Marine
biodiversity, (Published by the Director,
Zool. Surv. India., Kolkata) 2012, pp.
164.
5. Apte D., Field guide to the marine life of
India, (Published by Deepak Apte, Poorva
Society., Thane) 2012, pp. 502.