Sedimentary environs of the intertidal areas of Massawa coast: Distribution patterns of ornamental Molluscs (Gastropods) Red Sea, Eritrea

Abstract

The distribution patterns of the four orders of Gastropods with respect of the three sites i.e Tiwalet area, Gurgussum I and Gurgussum II of the intertidal areas of Massawa coast, Red Sea have been investigated to appreciate the heterogeneity in the distribution patterns. This is determined by the sediment texture. The habitat of the Molluscs in relation to the substratum in the three sites off Massawa Coast show the nature of the substrate was hard as a result of deposition of the sediments in a shallow and rapidly drying environment. In this study, 30 different species of Gastropoda were identified. All of them are members of the sub class Prosobranchia, and distributed among four orders Neogastropoda, Mesogastropoda, Archaeogastropoda, and Pyramidellomorpha. Based on the statistical Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) carried at 5% level of significance, there was a considerable variation among the three sites in the distribution patterns of the four orders of gastropods. This difference is largely due to the differences in the shell shape and structure, and the sediment textural differences in the three sites. © 2012 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY.