New record of Scapharca cornea (Bivalvia: Pteriomorpha: Arcidae) from Minicoy Lagoon, Lakshadweep, India

摘要

The members of the family Arcidae are the most abundantly occurring species in tropical and subtropical regions and have very high economic value in the IndoPacific Region 1? . Some species such as Scapharca subcrenata, S. broughtonii and Tegillarca granosa have been cultured in China, Japan and Vietnam and others will certainly be cultured in the future. Hence, species identification and knowledge about distribution of this family will become important for choosing suitable species 5 . They are also ecologically important in recycling of organic matter 6 . Most species of Arcidae are intertidal or marginally sub-tidal in their distribution and settle on muddy shores between mean high water of neap tides (MHWN) and mean low water of neap tides (MLWN). They do not generally extend into the area above mean high tide level, which is usually dominated by mangrove swamp forests. Peak densities are usually encountered around mid-tide level 1 . Mass occurrence of the genera of the family Arcidae, such as Scapharca, Anadara and Arca, was reported from the South East Asian countries 7?3 and their key role in the development of ecological processes has also been pointed out 14,15 . The results of the present study on the occurrence of Scapharca cornea are informative both for the Lakshadweep Islands and for other Indian coastal waters.