Marine Gastropods (Gastropoda Mollusca) Diversity and Distribution On Intertidal Rocky Shores of Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia
Marine Gastropods (Gastropoda Mollusca) Diversity and Distribution On Intertidal Rocky Shores of Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia
Marine Gastropods (Gastropoda Mollusca) Diversity and Distribution On Intertidal Rocky Shores of Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia
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Abstract. Rocky shores are considered heterogenous environments due to their composition and
structure. Therefore, they support numerous habitats of flora and fauna. Organisms found on rocky
shores are facing intense physicochemical conditions during tidal changes from upper to lower intertidal
zones. Gastropoda, or snails, belonging to the phylum Mollusca, have colonized highly contrasting
habitats with single taxonomic orders represented in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial domains. To
date, there is no documented evidence on the diversity of molluscan fauna found by intertidal rocky
shores along the South China Sea in Peninsular Malaysia. This study determines the diversity and
distribution of gastropods present along two intertidal rocky shores, Tanjung Jara and Teluk Bidara, in
Dungun District, Terengganu, between November 2016 and February 2017. A total of five subclasses of
gastropods (Caenogastropoda, Heterobranchia, Neritimorpha, Patellogastropoda and Vetigastropoda)
belonging to nine families and 28 species were found from upper to lower intertidal zones. On Tanjung
Jara, the upper zone was recorded to have the highest diversity and evenness indices (Shannon-Wiener
diversity index: H’ = 0.702±0.213, and Pielou’s evenness index: J’ = 0.303±0.075) compared to the
lower and middle zones. Planaxidae and Muricidae were the most predominant species found in all
intertidal zones. In contrast, the lower zone in Teluk Bidara was recorded to have the highest diversity
and evenness indices (Shannon-Wiener diversity index: H’ = 0.414±0.082, and Pielou’s evenness index:
J’ = 0.269±0.028) compared to the upper and middle zones. Littorinidae and Neritidae species were
predominant here. Although the diversity and evenness indices (H’ and J’) of marine gastropods in both
study sites were categorised as low, several selected species were found to be high in abundance. This
study contributes to a complete checklist on macroinvertebrates of the South China Sea.
Key Words: intertidal zones, South China Sea, snails, evenness, abundance.
Introduction. A rocky shore is an intertidal area located at the shoreline between low
and high tides and is made up of mainly solid rocks (Miller 2004; Coughlan & Crowe
2009). Depending on the slope and elevation, coasts that have steep gradients are
known as cliffs or exposed rocky shores that are pounded by waves (Miller 2004; Cruz et
al 2014). Rocky shores can be divided into tidal ranges with three zones: supratidal,
intertidal, and subtidal. Supratidal, or the splash zone, can be identified from the upper
region that is covered during extremely high tides or spring tides (0.7 m, chart datum,
CD) and is shaped by breaking waves (Knox 2001). The intertidal zone is a transition
zone, known as vertical zonation, and can be divided into three subzones set by different
biological and physical factors: upper, middle, and lower (Ellis 2003). Finally, the subtidal
zone is partially submerged and never exposed to the atmosphere (Knox 2001). During
the highest tides, all three intertidal subzones are submerged, and the low tide zone is
only exposed during the lowest tides (Molles 2016). Rocky shores are considered
heterogenous environments (Araújo et al 2005) due to their composition (substrate such
as cobbles, boulders, pebbles, blocks, and rock platforms) and structure (slope and
gradient). Therefore, they support numerous habitats for flora and fauna (Cruz et al
2014). This in turn influences the distribution and abundance of rocky shore communities
along the gradient (Archambault & Bourget 1996; Pandey & Thiruchitrambalam 2018).
Study sites. This study was conducted at Teluk Bidara and Tanjung Jara, which are
situated in the middle coastline of Terengganu located to the north of the Dungun district
(Figure 1). It is about 90–115 km from Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, along the East Coast of
Malaysia. The two study sites are Tanjung Jara (04°48.886΄N, 103°25.487΄E) and Teluk
Bidara (04°46.848΄N, 103°26.136΄E). Tanjung Jara is well-known as a favorite tourist
spot due to sandy beaches facing the South China Sea (Figure 2A). It is full of solid
rocks, boulders, and fine sands and is exposed to an open area that is subjected to
monsoonal effects annually. Tanjong Jara Resort, a five-star hotel located nearby this
area, has made some areas restricted and not accessible by the public. In contrast, Teluk
Bidara is close to fisherman villages. Activities such as making fish crisps and fishing can
be seen there. This site is covered due to the presence of Pulau Tenggol, compared to the
open area in Tanjung Jara (Figure 2A, B). In addition, most fishermen park their boats
around the area. Teluk Bidara has a vertical elevation that shapes a small cave and the
substrate is composed of solid rocks and coarse sand (Figure 2B).
A B
Figure 2. Landscape differences of intertidal rocky shore of Tanjung Jara (A) and Teluk
Bidara (B). Vertical elevation of hill that shape a small cave in surrounding of Teluk
Bidara has made this area covered compared to an exposed and open sea at Tanjung
Jara.
Sampling procedures. Sampling was carried out from November 2016 and February
2017 during spring low tide (0.5 m chart datum, CD: 9 AM to 12 PM). The geographical
locations of the study sites were recorded using a hand-held GPS (60CSx Garmin). The
intertidal area was divided into three traditional zones: upper, middle, and lower
intertidal shores. At each study site, a transect of 40 m length and 10 m width was laid
perpendicular to the shore and samples were collected from high tide to low tide marks
(Long et al 2014). For quantitative data, six quadrats of 1 m2 were placed randomly
(English et al 1997) following random number generator. Rocks, crevices, and holes were
searched for gastropods. Rocks that were hand lifted or overturned during the search
procedure were returned to reduce disturbance towards the ecosystem (Chapman &
Underwood 1996). From each quadrat, the number of individuals was counted and
recorded. Photos from each quadrat were captured. In the field, collection of organisms
in large quantities was avoided to not put stress on the biodiversity. Therefore, maximum
effort for species identification was carried out at the site. Only representatives of
gastropods (10-15 individuals) per species and unidentified species were handpicked, put
into labeled plastic bags, and brought back to the laboratory.
Species identification. Gastropods were cleaned using a brush and washed with tap
water to remove algal film, other encrustations, and debris. Identification of gastropods
was based on morphological characteristics such as shape, color, and shell
6 7 8
9 11
10 12
13 14
15 16
17
19
18
20 21
22 23 24
25 26 27 28
Figure 3. Apertural and abapertural of marine gastropods of Tanjung Jara and Teluk
Bidara. (1) Batillaria sp., 17 mm; (2) Batillaria sordida, 9 mm; (3) Batillaria zonalis, 12
mm; (4) Echinolittorina malaccana, 5 mm; (5) Echinolittorina vidua, 6 mm; (6) Littoraria
strigata, 6 mm; (7) Littoraria undulata, 10 mm; (8) Thais sp., 16 mm; (9) Indothais
rufotincta, 9 mm; (10) Reishia bitubercularis, 16 mm; (11) Semiricinula fusca, 15 mm;
(12) Tenguella musiva, 13 mm; (13) Planaxis sulcatus, 14 mm; (14) Pirenella cingulata,
14 mm; (15) Siphonaria atra, 5 mm; (16) Siphonaria guamensis, 3 mm; (17) Monodonta
labio, 23 mm; (18) Siphonaria hispida, 3 mm; (19) Siphonaria sp., 12 mm; (20) Nerita
albicilla, 20 mm; (21) Nerita chamaeleon, 19 mm; (22) Clithon oualaniense, 4 mm; (23)
Clithon faba, 5 mm; (24) Clithon pulchellum, 8 mm; (25) Cellana enneagona, 5 mm;
(26) Cellana radiata, 4 mm; (27) Patelloida saccharina, 4 mm, and (28) Patelloida sp., 4
mm. Measurements indicates shell length (mm).
Indices
Shannon-Wiener (H') Species evenness (J’)
Zonation
Study sites
TB TJ TB TJ
Upper 0.245±0.218 0.702±0.213 0.149±0.093 0.303±0.075
Middle 0.226±0.236 0.327±0.288 0.116±0.098 0.165±0.130
Lower 0.414±0.082 0.271±0.266 0.269±0.028 0.174±0.125
TB: Teluk Bidara; TJ: Tanjung Jara.
Conclusions. This study was the first attempt made in surveying marine gastropods at
intertidal rocky shores along the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Although it is
preliminary, it could provide a baseline study on the mollusc class gastropoda. There is a
need for further surveying and monitoring of key benthic taxa, such as algae,
crustaceans, molluscs, and polychaetes in this underappreciated ecosystem to derive a
better understanding of its importance. This study contributes to a complete checklist on
macroinvertebrates of the South China Sea.
Acknowledgements. This study was funded and supported by School of Marine and
Environmental Sciences, UMT to NBB and NHS.
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Received: 08 May 2018. Accepted: 20 July 2018. Published online: 27 July 2018.
Authors:
Nursalwa Baharuddin, Malaysia Terengganu University, School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Malaysia,
Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, e-mail: nursalwa@gmail.com
Nurul Balqis Basri, Malaysia Terengganu University, School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Malaysia,
Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, e-mail: nurulbalqisbasri@gmail.com
Nurul Hasnah Syawal, Malaysia Terengganu University, School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Malaysia,
Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, e-mail: nurulhasnahsyawal@gmail.com
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
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How to cite this article:
Baharuddin N., Basri N. B., Syawal N. H., 2018 Marine gastropods (Gastropoda; Mollusca) diversity and
distribution on intertidal rocky shores of Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. AACL Bioflux 11(4):1144-1154.