Marine Mollusca of the Libyan Waters, the Southern Mediterranean Sea

Marine Mollusca of the Libyan Coast: Diversity and Distribution

This study presents a comprehensive inventory of marine Mollusca species along the Libyan coast, aiming to assess species diversity and distribution. Data were collected from scientific surveys, technical reports, and samples gathered from 2005 to 2017.

Key findings include:

344 recorded Mollusca species, covering 114 families.
Gastropoda species (54.39%) dominate, followed by Bivalvia (30.70%).
94.9% of species are native, with non-indigenous species (5.1%) mainly in the Gulf of Sirte.
Urgent monitoring programs are required to track non-indigenous species and their impact.

Key Findings :

High Mollusca Diversity: Libya hosts a wide range of species, contributing to regional marine biodiversity.
Threats & Challenges: The presence of non-indigenous species raises concerns about ecosystem shifts.
Significance for Conservation: This research fills a critical knowledge gap and provides baseline data for future monitoring.

Research Type :

Field Study & Species Inventory

Keywords :

Mollusca, Libyan coast, biodiversity, species inventory, marine ecosystem

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Publication Details

Received Date: July 9, 2020
Accepted Date: November 15, 2020
Published Date: December 1, 2020
Publisher: Black Sea/Mediterranean Environment Journal
DOI: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347537801

Authors

Nairuz Bek Benghazi

(University of Tripoli)
Abdalha Al-Mgoushi

(Marine Biology Research Centre, Tajoura, Libya)
Daw Haddoud

(Marine Biology Research Centre, Tajoura, Libya)
Esmaile Shakman

(University of Tripoli)