Study of the molluscan benthic fauna on the western continental shelf of Ceará State, Brazil

Abstract

In arder to obtain a better knowledge about the distribution and composition of the benthic fauna of the continental shelf off Ceará, samples were taken on board the R. V. Prof. Martins Filho, along its western coast between Fortaleza and Camocim, counties, comprising 3,000 sq. mi., in February 1994. The samplings were made using a biological towing drag on 47 stations in depths ranging from 10 to 25 meters. The mollusc species were studied and related with the depth and
type of the substrates. A total of 37 gastropod and 50 bivalve species were identified. The bivalve Anadara notabilis was reported in most of the stations in which the calcareous algae substrate was predominant, and Pinctada imbricata appeared with a greater number of specimens than other bivalves and gastropods species, being found on sand bottoms. Gastropods were more abundant on the calcareous algae bottoms. The present paper reports an enlarged occurrence
registration area in Ceará State's shelf for Lioberus cataneus, Musculus lateralis and Atys riiseana.