Published Paper Details:

Mangrove ecosystems are highly productive and serve as vital habitats for a wide range of faunal communities, including gastropods, which play important ecological roles. This study investigates the diversity, distribution and ecological significance of gastropods in the Ayiramthengu Mangrove Ecosystem, located in Kollam District, Kerala, India. Field surveys were conducted from October 2024 to March 2025 to document gastropod species across various microhabitats, including pneumatophores, muddy substrates, and mangrove trunks. Specimens were identified based on their morphological characteristics. Preliminary findings reveal a diverse assemblage of gastropod taxa, predominantly from the families Muricidae, Bursidae, Cerithioidea, and Babyloniidae. Notable species such as Telescopium telescopium, Babylonia spirata, Babylonia zeylanica, Bufonaria echinata, Tibia curta, and Neritina pulligera exhibit unique adaptations to the dynamic conditions of the mangrove environment. This study contributes valuable baseline data on the gastropod diversity of the Ayiramthengu Mangrove Ecosystem and underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this ecologically important and unique biodiverse ecosystem.