Biodiv Sci ›› 2011, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (6): 723-728.  DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1003.2011.06129

Special Issue: 红树林及红树植物 中国的海洋生物多样性

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Ellobiid molluscs of Chinese mangrove habitats

Yi Liu1, Mao Wang2,*(), Wenqing Wang1,2, Changyi Lu1   

  1. 1 State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005
    2 Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005
  • Received:2011-07-29 Accepted:2011-11-04 Online:2011-11-20 Published:2011-12-19
  • Contact: Mao Wang

Abstract:

The family Ellobiidae is a special group of primitive pulmonate molluscs that live in tropical and subtropical areas, mainly in high tidal and supratidal zones of coastal areas. Ellobiids occur widely and abundantly in mangrove areas. Of the 240 species known globally, over half of them have been recorded in mangrove habitats. In this paper, we summarize species of halophilic ellobiids in China and the relationship between ellobiids and mangroves. We discuss the achievements of mangrove ellobiids studies in the fields of species composition, distribution, ecological function and behavior. We also report a complete list of the ellobiid species from mangroves and their distribution within mainland China, including 21 newly recorded species. It is implied that this group is very sensitive to environmental changes and human disturbances, therefore it can be used as a bio-indicator for sea dike construction, which is an important proposed research topic in future.

Key words: halophilic ellobiid, Pulmonata, new record species, bio-indicator, sea dike