Molluscan hard-substrate associations in the northern Red Sea

Author(s)
M. Zuschin, W. E. Piller
Abstract

The mollusc associations of 29 hard-substrate localities in the Northern Bay of Safaga (Red Sea, Egypt) were studied. The hard substrates were clarified into 7 types: reef flats, intertidal rock bottom, very shallow subtidal conglomerate, Porites carpet, faviid carpet, platy scleractinian association, Sarcophyton carpet. Based on a cluster analysis the molluscs of these hard substrates can be classified into 5 groups: Group A is dominated by Dendropoma maxima, Chamoidea and Tridacna maxima, group B by Pedum spondyloideum, T. maxima and Coralliophila neritoidea, group C by Chamoidea and Cerithium rüppelli, group D by Modiolus auriculatus, Chamoidea, Morula granulata and Nerita albicilla and group E by Chamoidea and Pitar hebraea. The latter group contains only samples which are generally poor in molluscs. Group A molluscs are diagnostic for reef flats, group B for Porites and faviid carpets, group C for Sarcophyton carpets and group D for tidal/shallow subtidal rock substrates. The different hard substrates are therefore characterized by diagnostic mollusc associations and some of them could also be identified in the fossil record.

Organisation(s)
Department of Palaeontology
Journal
Marine Ecology
Volume
18
Pages
361-378
No. of pages
18
ISSN
0173-9565
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0485.1997.tb00447.x
Publication date
01-1997
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105118 Palaeontology, 106021 Marine biology
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Aquatic Science, Ecology
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 14 - Life Below Water
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/1c525d93-bac7-43a7-a7b2-21e7edcacf50