First baseline malacological inventory in the Serra d'Irta Natural Park (Castellón, Spain)

Abstract

The first comprehensive inventory study of molluscan diversity inhabiting Valencia’s Serra d’Irta Natural Park was conducted to fill a long-standing research gap. Two approaches were used: surveys of living molluscs on ten rocky-shore sampling sites and thanatocoenosis analysis of seven beaches. 25 living taxa, including Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Polyplacophora and Cephalopoda were recorded on rocky substrate and 76 taxa, including Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Cephalopoda and Scaphopoda, were identified on beaches. Findings show lower diversity than expected. Species of ecological interest include the exotic invasive bivalve Pinctada radiata and the widespread ecosystem engineer and pollution-sensitive Dendropoma lebeche. Results can be used to inform future conservation measures.