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Studies on the vertical distribution pattern in mangrove associated molluscs

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Indian Journal of Geo Marine Sciences
Vol. 47 (01), January 2018, pp. 127-134

Studies on the vertical distribution pattern in mangrove associated

molluscs along the Karachi coast, Pakistan
Ziaullah1, Itrat Zehra2 & Muhammad Asif Gondal*3
1
Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan.
2
Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
3
*Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Park Road, Islamabad, Pakistan
[Email: gondalmasif@gmail.com ; zia_swat@yahoo.com]

Received 13 October 2015 ; revised 17 November 2016

Present study consists the vertical distribution pattern in mangrove associated molluscs (gastropods and bivalves) in
two mangal areas: Sandspit and Korangi along the Karachi coast, Pakistan. The vertical distribution pattern delineated that the
number of species decreased from high to low tide zone at two sites, however, marked differences were encountered with
reference to the density distribution. At Sandspit, highest annual mean density was observed in the high tide zone followed by
low and mid tide zones respectively, while, at Korangi the highest annual mean density was observed in the mid tide zone
followed by high and low tide zones respectively. An important correlation was observed between the vertical distribution pattern
of species and the sediments.

[Key Words: mangroves, molluscs, distribution, Karachi, Pakistan]

Introduction tolerance and desiccation rate are the primary

Mangrove or Mangal forests cover about
617, 470 hectare in the Indus delta1. These
wetlands provide both hatching as well as
nursery grounds for large number of
commercially important fish and shell fish
species. Molluscs, especially the bivalves and
gastropods, form an important component of
mangrove fauna2,3. However, the key ecological
factors that actually determine the fate of
molluscs and govern their distribution pattern in
mangrove habitat, is still a debatable question
among the ecologist. The controversy exists
about the totality of factors affecting the
distribution of these intertidal individuals.
Most studies on intertidal gastropods
suggest that the level of desiccation tolerated by
a particular species generally increases with
increasing height of the zone of occupation
within the intertidal region4-10. Both desiccation
factors which limits the upper extent of zonation
of intertidal species within the supralittoral zone,
while the behavioral adoptions like restrictions
to specific food resources or lack of upper shore
migratory behavior limited the distribution of
species occurring in the lower intertidal. Several
workers have their own observations regarding
the distribution of molluscs in mangrove areas,
e.g. the factors that governs the vertical
distribution of gastropods and ranged out the
distribution zones for each species mainly based
upon the desiccation tolerance11. The intertidal
zonation seems maintained by the different
responses of organisms to change in physical
and biotic factors which vary from low to high
tide zones12. The studies13-15 considered that
behavioral pattern, such as phototaxis, geotaxis,
hydrotaxis and rheotaxis may be the main
determinants of vertical zonation in gastropods.
128 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 47, NO. 01, JANUARY 2018
Physiological characteristics of an animal may
govern its vertical distribution but movement
behavior is also important in leading a dislocated
animal back to its preferred habitat13,14,16. It was
observed while studying the ecology of molluscs
in mangroves the species abundance and
distribution increase with salinity17. They also
pointed out that vertical distribution of biomass
remains highest in high tide zone and lowest in
low tide zone, however, density was calculated
highest in the mid tide zones. Various studies18
recommend the importance of local habitat
differences in species distribution and
mangrove associated gastropod fauna variation
considerably between sites, both in terms of
number of species and species composition.
Local habitat differences have major influences
over species distribution both within and
between mangals.
At regional level the mangrove flora
received due attention and is therefore well
documented. On the contrary the mangrove
fauna, particularly the molluscan fauna, is not
paid due attention and is therefore poorly
known. The occurrence of some molluscs in the
Indus mangroves is some decades old study
along the coast of Pakistan19. Occurrence of
molluscs in the mangrove area of Karachi coast
is also a significant study20-22. The
investigations23 on the benthic fauna of Sindh
mangroves reported of five species of molluscs
e.g. Cerithidea cingulatus, Natica lamarckii, N.
didyma, Nodilittorina leucostica and N. picta
were regularly found in abundance. However, no
detail work has been carried out on the
distribution pattern and the various ecological
factors that influence the occurrence and
distribution of molluscan fauna of the region.
Materials and Methods
Ecology and distribution of mangrove
associated molluscs were investigated in two
mangal areas: Sandspit (24 48'N, 66 59'E) and
Korangi (24 48'N, 67 13'E) along the Karachi
coast, Pakistan. The study site at Sandspit was
located within the mangrove habitat,
representing backwaters of Karachi harbor. It
forms the western most part of the Indus delta
mangroves ecosystem, while, the study site at
Korangi was bounded on either side by channels
of Korangi creek situated opposite to the
Korangi fish harbor. Geographically the site is
located in the northern creek mangroves of the
Indus delta.
For sampling each site was regularly
visited, during low tide, at monthly intervals
from March 2001 to February 2002. The two
sites were thoroughly investigated for molluscan
diversity and their distribution pattern. At each
mangal area, a long transect of approximately
180 meters of length was laid from the seaward
edge to landward. At each transect three
sampling stations were established with the first
in the Low Tide Zone (LTZ) at the seaward edge
while the second (Mid Tide Zone: MTZ) and
third (High Tide Zone: HTZ) stations were
located at equal intervals within the mangroves
facing landward edge. At each station fifteen
quadrates (each 1 m2) were randomly laid on
either side of the transect.
For sampling a fixed pattern was
followed throughout the study period. The
samples were collected and observations were
made from high (HTZ) to low (LTZ). The
collected samples were labeled and habitat notes
were made in the field. The epifaunal samples
were simply picked up by hand and collected in
plastic bags while for the infaunal samples,
sediment samples were obtained by sand corer.
The core samples were taken from a depth of 12
cms. Three replicates were made for each
station. In laboratory, the sediment was passed
through a brass sieve (0.8 mm mesh size).
Individuals collected were preserved in 70 %
alcohol. Molluscan friction was studied in detail
and only live taken samples were used in
subsequent analysis.
The preliminary investigations indicated
the predominance of epifaunal macromolluscs at
the two sites. Telescopium telescopium,
Cerithidium cingulatus and Onchidium species
were observed as the permanent dwellers of the
area and form an important component of the
selected mangroves ecosystem. These species
were selected for comprehensive studies, only
because of their abundance, to work with
quantitatively.
The various physiochemical parameters
like salinity, pH, and temperature were recorded
at each station. Impact of tidal effect was also
investigated with reference to species
distribution. Observations on behavioral
responses of the individuals have also been
 ZIAULLAH et al.: VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION PATTERN IN MANGROVE ASSOCIATED MOLLUSCS 129

incorporated in the study. Whenever possible,
comparison was also made on population
dynamics of molluscan assemblages both before
and after low tide.
Results
Vertical distribution of molluscan
component varies significantly with reference to
tidal heights as the low, mid and high tide zones
represent distinguished differences in the species
diversity as well as in abundance and
distribution. Of the total 14 molluscan species
recorded (Table-1), the number of species in
general decreases from high to low tide zone.

Table 1- List of Molluscs found in the Mangrove areas of Sandspit and Korangi along the Karachi Coast Pakistan
CLASSIFICATION IDENTIFIED FROM
CLASS GASTROPODA
SUB CLASS: PROSOBRANCIA
ORDER: ARCHAEOGASTROPODA
Family: Turbinidae
Turbo (Lunella) coronatus Zehra (1984)40
ORDER: MESOGASTROPODA
Family: Potamididae
Telescopium telescopium Zehra (1981)39
Cerithidea cingulatus Kira (1962)41
Family: Cerithidae
Clypeomorus bifasciatum Dance (1974)38
Family: Littorinidae
Littorina undulate Gray
ORDER: NEOGASTROPODA
Family: Thaididae
Cymia carinifera Zehra (1981)39
SUBCLASS OPISTHOBRANCHIA
Family: Haminoeidae
*
Haminoe exarata Gosliner (personal communication)44
SUBCLASS: PULMONATA
ORDER: BASOMMATOPHORA
Family: Ellobiidae
Melampus taeniolatus (Hombron & Jacquinot) Habe (1964)42
Ellobium opportunatum (Gould) Habe (1964) 42
Melampus castaneus (Muhlfeld) Bosh et al. (1995)43
Family: Amphibolidae
Salinator fragilis (Lamarck) Bosh et al. (1995) 43
ORDER: SYSTELLOMMATOPHORA
Family: Onchididae
Onhidium sp. Gosliner (personal communication)44
CLASS: BIVALVIA
Family: Ostreidae
Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston) Siddiqui (1998)45
Crassostrea gryphoides (Schlotheim) Siddiqui (1998) 43
*Dr Terrace M. Gosliner, Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Geology, California Academy of Science, San Fancisco, California, USA
130 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 47, NO. 01, JANUARY 2018
At both sites, highest number of species (9)
observed in the mid and high tide zones and only
5 species were recorded in the low tide zone at
Sandspit. However, the low tide zone at Korangi
site appears comparatively richer where 8
species were recorded.
At Sandspit highest annual mean density
(264/m2) was observed in the high tide zone
followed by the low tide zone (259/m2), while,
the lowest density of 199/m2was found in the
mid tide zone. At Korangi the highest annual
mean density (197/m2) was observed in the mid
tide zone followed by high tide zone (179/m2),
while, the lowest density of 65
individuals/m2was observed in the low tide zone.
The vertical distribution pattern of three
dominant species: Cerithidea cingulatus,
Telescopium telescopium and Onhidium sp.
showed significant variations both within and
between the sites. Mean annual density of
Cerithidea cingulatus at Sandspitwas highest
(219/m2) in the low tide zone followed by
115/m2 in the high tide zone, whereas the lower
number of individuals (46/m2) were observed in
the mid tide zone. At Korangi it was (116/m2) in
the mid tide zone followed by 103 in the high
tide zone, however, lowest number of
individuals (32 m2) were observed in the low
tide zone.
Mean annual density of Telescopium
telescopium at Korangi was 2.10 individuals/m2
in the high tide zone followed by 2.08/m2 in the
mid tide zone, not a single representative was
found in the low tide zone. At Sandspit 1.77
individuals/m2were recorded in the mid tide
zone followed by 1.59/m2 in the high and only
0.416/m2 in the low tide zone.
Significant differences were seen in the
vertical distribution of Onhidium sp. at both
sites. At Sandspit the mean annual density was
high (1.79/m2) in the mid tide zone followed by
1.19/m2 in the high and only 0.26/m2 in the low
tide zone. At Korangi, although the species
followed the similar distribution pattern as
shown at Sandspit, however, comparatively
much higher density was found (16
individuals/m2)in the mid tide zone followed by
13/m2 in the high and 8 individuals in the low
tide zone.
Data on the vertical distribution pattern
in micro-habitats, however, delineated that
Telescopium telescopium and, Salinator fragilis
inhabits only sheltered muddy habitats in the
upper intertidal limits at both sites. Turbo
coronatus, Cymia carinifera, Crassostrea
gryphoides, and Crassostrea madrasensis were
confined only to the seaward edge of the
Korangi mangals. Melampus taeniolatus,
Ellobium opportunatumand Melampus
castaneus were only collected at both sites from
the back mangal areas. Littorina undulata,
Onhidium sp., Cerithidea cingulatus and
Haminoe exarata exhibited a wide distribution
from low to high tide zone.
An important correlation is also
observed between the vertical distribution of the
species and the sediments. Cerithidea cingulatus
and Clypeomorus bifasciatum were in
abundance in all the regions dominated by sand
particles. Telescopium telescopium and Salinator
fragiliswere associated with silt particles.
Onhidium sp. was associated with clay. Elevated
substrates, equally dominated by sand and clay,
are the favorite habitats for Haminoe exarata.
However, Turbo coronatus, Cymia carinifera,
Crassostrea gryphoides and Crassostrea
madrasensis were found on hard stony
substrates.
Discussion
The vertical distribution of molluscs
defines their desiccation resistance and is closely
related to the ebb and flood of the tide, which
submerges and exposes these animals regularly.
Various studies 24, 25 have already reported the
intertidal zonation in various mangroves
associated molluscs. Inhabitants of high tide
zone are comparatively more resistant to
desiccation as compared to those of middle and
low tide zones. Present study delineate that low,
mid, and high tide zones represent distinguished
differences in the species diversity and
abundance distribution. Range of vertical
distribution varies with different species, which
is the result of long time adaptation by
evolution, showing adoptive capability to the
environment as well as the rigidity in
distribution18 however, the totality of factors
affecting the distribution of intertidal gastropods
is still undermined. The results of the
investigation presented herein agree with the
above generalization.
 ZIAULLAH et al.: VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION PATTERN IN MANGROVE ASSOCIATED MOLLUSCS
Intertidal zonation is quite tangible in all
the species at both sites. It is observed that
Cerithidea cingulatus is widely distributed
within the mangrove and also cover the fore
shore sand. At Sandspit, exposed low tide zone
harbors dense population of Cerithidea
cingulatus than the mid tide and high tide zone,
while at Korangi, the situation is reversed ,
being thickly populated in the mid and high tide
zones. At this site the species is also observed on
the mudflats without mangroves. Same
distribution pattern for this species has also been
reported 26, 27. Observed pattern of distribution
of this species indicates that desiccation
resistance and temperature tolerance did not
correlate well with their distribution. High
temperature tolerance of this species as observed
at the exposed low tide station at Sandspit and
mudflats at Korangi might be considered as
safety factor evolved as an adaptation to the
extreme temperature fluctuation associated with
the intertidal environment. The same
observation has also been reported for several
other mangrove associated gastropods28-32,3,8.
Restricted distribution of Telescopium
telescopium and Salinator fragilis in upper
intertidal limits in the sheltered muddy habitats
within mangals could be attributed either to their
lowered desiccation tolerance or preference to
muddy habitat which is more rich in food as
compared to low tide open shore11. However,
further studies with reference to desiccation
tolerance, and food preference are needed to
explain the distribution of these species along
mangroves.
Several workers described the
importance of movement behavior in the vertical
distribution of intertidal molluscs11,13,
14,16,33
.These studies also suggest that the
intertidal gastropods are able to determine their
relative position on the shore below or above the
preferred habitat and display orientation
mechanism towards and in the direction of
“home”. Fluctuation in hydrostatic pressure,
wave direction and relative light values appear
to be instrumental in awakening these
orientation mechanisms. The wider distribution
of Littorina undulate, Onchidium sp. and
Haminoe exarata as delineated in the present
study seems to agree with the observations put
forth by these researchers.
131
Turbo coronatus, Cymia carinifera,
Crassostrea gryphoides and Crassostrea
madrasensis are widely distributed in the
intertidal area of rocky shores but are also
reported herein to occur at the seaward edge of
the Korangi creek mangals. The occurrence of
these species at Korangi site can only be
explained by the presence of a small stony
habitat at the low tide zone and open contact to
the seawater having comparatively low salinity.
An attribution of this type of distribution to the
estuarine influence of the coast is evident18. As
Korangi site is also subjected to the estuarine
influence, hence the distribution of these two
species i.e. Turbo coronatus and Cymia
carinifera are well justified. Crassostrea
gryphoides and Crassostrea madrasensis are
also found attached to pneumetophores in the
low tide zones at Korangi site only. The
presence of oyster species only at Korangi
mangroves suggests that the site offers suitable
habitat for spat settlement, probably because of
its more direct contact with seawater. Melampus
taeniolatus, Ellobium opportunatum, Melampus
castaneus collected only from back mangal
areas at both sites and are therefore termed as
back mangal species. These species are
restricted to back mangals because of the
possession of free swimming suppressed
veligers. A similar justification for the restricted
occurrence of Ellobids in back mangal areas has
been reported34.
Intertidal zonation in the population
density is found to vary widely both within and
between the two investigated sites. At Sandspit,
highest mean annual density (264/m2) is
observed in the high tide zone followed by low
tide zone (259/m2) while the lowest density of
199 m2 is observed in the mid tide zone. At
Korangi the highest density (197.9/m2) is
observed in the mid tide zone followed by high
tide zone (179/m2) while the lowest density of
65/m2 is observed in the low tide zone. These
differences in the population density might be
the result of hydrogeographical variations that
exists between the two sites.
The size distribution and types of settled
particles in the mudflats of intertidal zone play
an important role in the composition, feeding
behavior, numerical development, and
distribution of the molluscs in these habitats 17.
132 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 47, NO. 01, JANUARY 2018
Intertidal sediment at Sandspit comprises of fine
particles, mainly clay and silt in the mid tide
zone while both the upper and lower tide zones
are characterized by fine sand particles.
Intertidal sediments at Korangi are
comparatively more complicated. It is composed
of fine sand- clay silt in high tide zone and fine
sand silt in the upper middle tide zone while the
low tide zone is characterized by clay-silt-coarse
sand with some stony portion. An interesting
correlation was observed between the species
distribution and sediment type. Cerithidea
cingulatus is found to inhabit a variety of
habitats from well sheltered soft muddy to
deforested hard substrate and open mudflats
without mangrove vegetation. They also occur in
great abundance in the regions dominated by
sand particles. Telescopium telescopium dwells
only in the sheltered semi fluid muddy habitat
dominated by silt particles. Onchidium sp. is
found in close relation with soft substrate
dominated by clay particles, a habitat can
reduces the chances of predation due to close
resemblance to the background. Haminoea
exarata are mostly observed on hard elevated
substrate dominated by sand and clay particles.
Turbo coronatus, Cymia carinifera, Crassostrea
gryphoides and Crassostrea madrasensis are
inhabitants of hard stony substrates collected
only from the low tide zone of Korangi.
The arboreal nature for some mangrove
associated molluscs that climb the trunk and
branches of the mangrove trees are there25,35 no
such observations were recorded during the
course of the study, however, Melampus
taeniolatus, Ellobium opportunatum, Melampus
castaneus, Haminoea exarata and Onchidium
sp. are often seen high on the pneumetophores.
It is also observed that these species make
periodic excursion down the pneumetophores for
feeding when water level recedes and exposes
the substratum and climb again before the
approach of high tide. An opinion that this
behavior is followed to avoid predation36. This
behavior also seems to safeguard these species
from dislocation due to high tide (personal
observation). Such behavior suggests that these
species are more nearly terrestrial in habits as
compared to their prosobranch allies37.
Conclusion
It is concluded from the study that
mangroves associated molluscs are variably
distributed from low to high tide zone with
respect to their own specific requirements.
However, the desiccation tolerance, adoptive
capabilities to the environment, competition,
food preference, movement behavior, salinity
variations, habitat preference and finally, the
size and types of settled particles are identified
as major factors which govern the distribution of
molluscs in these habitats.
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