POPULATION DISTRIBUTION OF MOLLUSKS IN MANGROVE FORESTS, PAKISTAN.

Abstract

The present study was aimed to assess the population distribution of molluscs in mangroves forests of Pakistan using multivariate analysis. Five different locations of Pakistan coast were selected and 28 stands were sampled by using 1x1 m2 quadrats. During study, 31 species of mollusks were recorded (18 gastropods and 13 bivalves). The highest number of Gastropod and bivalve species were found at Sandspit mangrove forests. On the basis of composition of Molluscan habitats the results disclosed four main groups of mollusks by cluster techniques which readily be superimposed on the ordination plane. Telescopium telescopium and Cerithedia cingulatus, members of family Potamididae, were the dominant molluscs in the mangroves.