UDC 594.3(567:210.5) SOME NEW RECORDS OF MARINE GASTROPOD FROM THE IRAQI COAST A. Gh. Yasser1,2, M. D. Naser1,2*, I. M. Abdul-sahib1 1Marine Science Centre, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq 2School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia *Corresponding author E-mail: murtada.naser@uobasrah.edu.iq A. Gh. Yasser https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2318-5779 M. D. Naser https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5047-7657 I. Abdul-Sahib https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4588-1265 Some New Records of Marine Gastropod from the Iraqi Coast. Yasser, A. Gh., Naser, M. D., Abdul-sahib, I. M. — Eight marine gastropod records were recorded from the north west of the Arabian Gulf, Iraqi coast during March 2020. The species are Turritella cochlea Reeve, 1849 (family Turritellidae), Rhinoclavis fasciata  (Bruguière, 1792) (family Cerithiidae), Semiricinula tissoti  (Petit de la Saussaye, 1852) (family Muricidae), Ancilla castanea (G. B. Sowerby I, 1830) (family Ancillariidae), Bulla ampulla Linnaeus, 1758 (family Bullidae), Oliva bulbosa (Röding, 1798) (family Olividae), Naria turdus (Lamarck, 1810) and Erronea caurica quinquefasciata (Röding, 1798) (family Cypraeidae). These records raise the number of marine gastropods from the Iraqi coast to 40 species. K e y w o r d s : marine molluscs, fauna, distribution, Gastropoda, Arabian Gulf, Iraq. Introduction Marine Mollusca are poorly investigated in Iraq, with only a few species reported from the country’s waters (Ahmed, 1975; Al-Hassan and Al-Hasani, 1985). Ahmed recorded 43 mollusk species (25 gastropods) in the sea, whereas Al-Hassan & Al-Hasani listed 24 (10 gastropods). Glayzer et al. (1984), for example, classified 62 families and 230 species of marine mollusks from the Kuwaiti coasts. Al-Kandari et al., 2020 provide a more recent list of Kuwaiti mollusk species. Kuwait’s shoreline is much longer, and the habitat variation is much greater, which could explain the discrepancy (Yasser & Naser, 2021). Bosch et al. (1995) provide an exhaustive treatment of the molluscan species in the Persian Gulf, however they do not provide particular records for Iraqi species. Eames and Wilkins (1957) and Dance and Eames (1978) describe fossil molluscs (Holocene) from Iraq’s Hammar Formation (1966). Some, if not all, of those species are likely to persist in Iraqi coastal waters. Plaziat and Younis provide additional information on these young Quaternary deposits (2005). Yasser and Naser, 2021; Yasser et al., 2022 conducted significant diversity research on the Mollusca of the Iraqi coast. The article presents eight marine gastropods collected from Iraq’s northwestern coast of the Arabian Gulf. Zoodiversity, 56(4):285–290, 2022 DOI 10.15407/zoo2022.04.285 286 A. Gh. Yasser, M. D. Naser, I. M. Abdul-sahib Material and methods During March 2020, the third author collected eight species namely: Turritella cochlea Reeve, 1849, Rhinoclavis fasciata  (Bruguière, 1792), Semiricinula tissoti  (Petit de la Saussaye, 1852), Ancilla castanea (G. B. Sowerby I, 1830), Bulla ampulla Linnaeus, 1758, Oliva bulbosa (Röding, 1798), Naria turdus (Lamarck, 1810) and Erronea caurica quinquefasciata  (Röding, 1798) from the Fao region and Khor Al-Zubair of Iraq, north of the Arabian Gulf, at 29.924643°, 48.620315° and 30.148060°, 47.902262°, respectively, on intertidal zones. The specimens are stored in the Marine Science Centre (MSC) at the University of Basrah, Iraq, under the collection voucher numbers (300–308, respectively). Bosch et al. were used to identify the species (1995). The shells were measured using an electronic calliper and the results are provided to the closest millimeter. Results Family Turritellidae Genus Turritella Lamarck, 1799 Turritella cochlea Reeve, 1849 (fig. 1, A; 40 mm) Fig. 1. A — Turritella cochlea Reeve, 1849; B — Rhinoclavis fasciata (Bruguière, 1792); C — Semiricinula tissoti (Petit de la Saussaye, 1852); D — Ancilla castanea (G. B. Sowerby I, 1830); E — Bulla ampulla Linnaeus, 1758, F. Oliva bulbosa (Röding, 1798); G — Naria turdus (Lamarck, 1810); H — Erronea caurica quinquefasciata (Röding, 1798). 287Some New Records of Marine Gastropod from the Iraqi Coast A thin, semitranslucent spire with a spire angle of around 13°. Each whorl is spherical (but seems to be straight-sided) with a strong, sharp median keel and an equally strong keel just above the next suture; the remainder of each whorl is covered by irregularly spaced spiral ridges. Aperture with a thin edge that is almost round in shape. Brown mottlings and stripes on a yellowish white background. The strength of keels varies significantly. H a b i t a t : intertidal and sand. D i s t r i b u t i o n : in all Arabian Gulf (fig. 3). Family Cerithiidae Genus Rhinoclavis Swainson, 1840 Rhinoclavis fasciata (Bruguière, 1792) (fig. 1, B; 60 mm) Thick, glossy, straight-sided, flatter ventrally, approximately 4.5 times the length of the width, early spire whorls with varices Axial ribs are close-set, flat, and stronger toward the sutures, and are crossed by two or more incised spiral lines per whorl. The posterior canal of the aperture is weak, while the siphonal canal is strongly reflexed. Columella has a prominent center fold. White to brown hues, blotched, bordered, and dotted with pale and deeper brown; white aperture. H a b i t a t : subtidal in sand. D i s t r i b u t i o n : NWG, SEG, GO (fig. 3). Family Muricidae Genus Semiricinula E. von Martens, 1879 Semiricinula tissoti (Petit de la Saussaye, 1852) (fig. 1, C; 29 mm) Fig. 2. Percentage of species gastropods represented by their families from the Iraqi coast. 288 A. Gh. Yasser, M. D. Naser, I. M. Abdul-sahib High spired, with keeled whorls at the margin. The aperture, approximately twice the length of the spire, is lined with low spiral ridges. At the extremities of apertural ridges, the outer lip features low, blunt teeth. The umbilicus is merely a chink. Strong, nodulous spiral cords, approximately five on the final whorl; up to three fin-like spiral ridges between the cords. The surface is heavily packed with axial scales. Greyish reddish brown striped axially across nodules; brown-edged nodules may be brown. H a b i t a t : under intertidal rocks. D i s t r i b u t i o n : NWG, SEG (fig. 3) Family Ancillariidae Genus Ancilla Lamarck, 1799 Ancilla castanea (G. B. Sowerby I, 1830) (fig. 1, D; 30 mm) Solid, oblong-ovate, with an aperture more than twice the length of the spire and nearly straight sided at the center. By way of a very broad siphonal canal, the upper fasciolar groove (visible as ridge enternally) terminates in noticeable denticle. Columella can have up to six plications, either strong or weak. Dark brown to yellowish protoconch, paler upper fasciolar groove, white or yellowish columella. H a b i t a t : intertidal in sand. D i s t r i b u t i o n : NWG, SEG, GO (fig. 3). Family Bullidae Bulla Linnaeus, 1758 Bulla ampulla Linnaeus, 1758 (fig. 1, E; 37 mm) Spire intorted and resembling a tiny umbilicus, outer lip evenly curled. Lower portion of outer lip thickened and connected with columella; callused partial wall. Lines of fine growth. Creamy or white with purple, violet, and brown blotches, spots, and mottling. H a b i t a t : intertidal in sand and beached. D i s t r i b u t i o n : in all Arabian Gulf (fig. 3) Family Olividae Genus Oliva Bruguière, 1789 Oliva bulbosa (Röding, 1798) (fig. 1, F; 38 mm) Thick, heavy, oval, bulging in the center, short spire with deeply grooved sutures and a smooth corrugated callus in between. Columella is densely callused and features two noticeable ridges; the outer lip is significantly thickened. White, cream, greenish brown, brown, or black with dots, blotches, zigzags, spiral bands, or streaks; columella white with a brown tinge on ridges. H a b i t a t : intertidal and offshore in sand. D i s t r i b u t i o n : SEG, GO (fig. 3). Family Cypraeidae Genus Naria Gray, 1837 Naria turdus (Lamarck, 1810) (fig. 1, G; 40 mm) Heavy, rounded-ovate, with highly calloused, typically lipped borders and produced, smooth extremities; virtually flat base. Short, gritty, and set deeply in a large aperture, the teeth have a coarse texture and are of a coarse consistency. Dorsum white, cream or 289Some New Records of Marine Gastropod from the Iraqi Coast greenish typically spotted with irregular brown specks that are wider towards the margin; sulcus infrequently apparent; base and teeth white. H a b i t a t : under rocks and stones. Distribution: in all Arabian Gulf (fig. 3) Genus Erronea Troschel, 1863 Erronea caurica (Linnaeus, 1758) Erronea caurica quinquefasciata (Röding, 1798) (fig. 1, H; 40 mm) Thick, elongate to ovate, with a dorsum that is well-rounded, produced ends, and lumpy borders. The anterior aperture is significantly larger; big teeth are dispersed around the base. Dorsum bluish-white with three darker transverse bands on top of brown spots and blotches; margins purplish brown to beige with big, dark brown spots; base and interdental spaces of teeth purplish brown to beige, teeth lighter. Size, shape, and color pattern vary significantly. H a b i t a t : between rocks and stones. D i s t r i b u t i o n : NWG, SEG, GO (fig. 3). Discussion The Muricidae and Trochidae are the most diverse families on the Iraqi shore, with 5, 3, and 2 species, respectively. By comparison, the Trochidae and Muricidae families are represented on the Kuwaiti coast by seven and six species, respectively (Al-Kandari et al., 2020). Percentage of species gastropods represented by their families from the Iraqi coast can be found in (fig. 2). The genus Turritella Lamarck, 1799 of the family Turritellidae is represented by seven species in the Arabian Gulf, namely: T. cingulifera Sowerby, 1825, T. cochlea Reeve, 1849, Fig. 3. Distribution of marine gastropods in the Arabian Gulf. 290 A. Gh. Yasser, M. D. Naser, I. M. Abdul-sahib T. columnaris Kiener, 1844, T. fultoni, Melvill 1898, T. maculata Reeve, 1849, T. spectrum Reeve, 1849 and T. vittulata Adams & Reeve, 1850 (Bosch et al., 1996). The only species is known from Iraq was T. fultoni (Ahmed, 1974) and T. cochlea in the present study. Rhinoclavis Swainson, 1840 is the most diverse genus of the family Cerithiidae in the Arabian Gulf, the genus is represented by six species in the Gulf: Rh. kochi Philippi, 1848, Rh. sordidula Gould, 1849, Rh. articulata Adams & Reeve, 1850, Rh. fasciata  (Bruguière, 1792), Rh. aspera Linnaeus, 1758 and Rh. sinensis Gmelin, 1791. The only species is recorded in the present study belongs to this genus from the Iraqi coast is Rh. fasciata. So far the family Muricidae in Iraq consists of Hexaplex Perry, 1810, Indothais Claremont, Vermeij, S. T. Williams and D. Reid, 2013, Murex Linnaeus, 1758, Rapana Schumacher, 1817 which contain single species for each genus (Ahmed, 1974; Al-Hassan and Al-Hasani, 1985). However, new record species belongs to the genus Semiricinula  E. von Martens, 1879 has been added in the present study. Ancilla castanea (G. B. Sowerby I, 1830) (present study) and Ancilla farsiana Kilburn, 1981 (Ahmed, 1974) are only two species recorded of the genus Ancilla Lamarck, 1799 from the Iraqi coast. However, the genus Ancilla is much diverse genus in the Arabian Gulf which is represented by 9 species (Bosch et al., 1996). The genus Bulla Linnaeus, 1758 of the family Bullidae is represented by only single species Bulla ampulla Linnaeus, 1758 (references) which is also recorded in the present study. While the genus Oliva  Bruguière, 1789 contains two species in the Arabian Gulf (Bosch et al., 1996), one of them Oliva bulbosa  is recorded in the present study as a first record from the north of the Arabian Gulf. We would like to thank Dr. Henk Dekker, Department of Medical Oncology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, for his confirm the identity of the species. Conflicts of interest The authors declare that there are no conflicting issues related to this research article. References Ahmed, M. M. 1975. Systematic study on Mollusca from Persian Gulf and Shatt Al-Arab. Center for Gulf Studies, Basrah University, Iraq, 1–75. Al-Hassan, L. A. J., Al-Hasani, Z. I. 1985. New records of marine Mollusca from Khor Abdullah, Iraq. The Nautilus, 99 (1), 20–21. Al-Kandari, M., Oliver, P. G., Chen, W., Skryabin, V., Raghu, M., Yousif, A., Al-Jazzaf, S., Taqi, A. and AlHamad, A. 2020. Diversity and distribution of the intertidal Mollusca of the State of Kuwait, Gulf. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 33 (100905): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2019.100905 Bosch, D. T., Dance, S. P., Moolenbeek, R. G., Oliver, P. G. 1995. Seashells of eastern Arabia. Motivate publishing, Dubai, UAE, 1–296. Dance, S. P., Eames, F. E. 1966. New molluscs from the recent Hammar formation of South-East Iraq. Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London, 37 (1), 35–43. Eames, F. E., Wilkins, G. D. 1957. Six new molluscan species from the alluvium of Lake Hammar near Basrah. Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London, 32, 198–203, 2 plates. Glayzer, B. A., Glayzer, D. T., Smythe, K. R. 1984. The marine molluscs of Kuwait, Gulf. Journal of Conchology, 31, 311–330. Yasser, A., Naser, M. 2021. Pupa affinis (A. Adams, 1855) (Gastropoda: Acteonidae) a newly recorded species from Iraq, with an updated checklist of the marine gastropods from the Iraqi coast.  Journal of Animal Diversity, 3 (2), 76–80. Yasser, A. G., Naser, M. D., Oliver, P. G., Darweesh, H., Al-Khafaji, K. 2022. Additional records of marine bivalves from Iraq, with a provisional checklist for the marine bivalves of Iraq. Ecologica Montenegrina, 53, 25–34. Received 23 May 2022 Accepted 3 August 2022