Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a rich molluscan diversity, which Include more than 1000 species from the marine region. Gulf of Mannar and Lakshadweep have 428 and 424 species respectively. 3,370 species of marine molluscs have been reported from India that includes those occurring in coral reef ecosystem as well as other areas. The molluscan diversity studies of Andaman and Nicobar Islands were started in the late 19th century. The literature available shows that the earliest molluscan (Shells) study was on a collection of marine shells made by Smith in 1878.

Subba Rao and Dey (2000) catalogued 1282 species of marine molluscs from these Islands. They occur in different habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs, rocky coasts, sandy beaches, sea grass beds and also at greater depths in the sea.


Class

 

 

Families

 

 

Genera

 

 

Species

 

 

Polyplacophora

 

4

 

 

7

 

 

12

 

 

Gastropoda

 

 

76

 

 

196

 

 

880

 

 

Cephalopoda

 

 

11

 

 

18

 

 

33

 

 

Bivalivia

 

 

53

 

 

150

 

 

350

 

 

Scaphopoda

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

7

 

 

Total

 

 

145

 

 

372

 

 

1282