Citation: Nunn, J.D. 1993 Recording Mollusca in Ireland: The molluscan fauna associated with maerl. Conchologists' Newsletter 127: 161-167
Number of Pages: 7
Volume Part: 2
Keywords: Checklist, Donegal, Fauna, Galway, Maerl, Marine, Marine Inlet, Mollusca, Open Coast, Scotland, Sublittoral, Survey
Abstract: Nine mainly sublittoral sites in Ireland and north-west Scotland were investigated for their molluscan fauna at various dates between 1986 and 1992. A total of 123 live species plus 24 dead shells were recorded; numbers of species, and the (live) species present at each site are tabulated. Although a number of species occurred widely, only four occurred at most of the sites investigated, and only one of these, Tectura virginea, and one rarer species, Turbonilla rufescens, appeared to be associated with maerl (the others were common in other habitats not associated with maerl). It is concluded that there is no particular large assemblage of molluscan species which is specifically associated with maerl, and the diversity of species present is a result of other environmental conditions, with individual molluscs taking advantage of the food and shelter which maerl provides.