Distribution of soft-bottom benthic molluscs in the Gulf of Oran (Western Algeria)

Abstract

A total of 46 samples were taken in the softbottom of the Gulf of Oran, in order to study the nature of the sediments and the spatial distribution of the mollusc communities. As a result of sampling in the study area, at depth range (30 m -106 m), a total of 29 species were identified, included in two classes: Gastropoda and Bivalvia. The use of multi-variate statistical analyzes, as well as particle size analysis, made it possible to identify the main mollusc communities. Six mollusc communities were defined from faunistic and sedimentologic affinities. The malacological fauna of the Gulf of Oran is dominated by Saccella commutata (33.33%), Limatula subauriculata (20.83%) and Nucula sulcata (20.83%). The main ecological stocks are mixicole and coastal detritus species. The malacofauna of the Gulf of Oran is scarce and less diversified due to the nature of the soft bottoms (sand and gravel) and the absence of terrigenous inputs.