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1st DRAFT, 9 January 2004

Proposal

Inclusion of European date mussel (Lithophaga lithophaga) in Appendix II in accordance with Article II, paragraph 2 (a)

Proponent

Republic of Slovenia

C. Supporting statement

Taxonomy

Class: Bivalvia

Order: Mytiloida

Family: Mytilidae

Genus and species: Lithophaga lithophaga (Linné, 1758)

1.5 Scientific synonyms Lithodomus dactylus Cuvier, 1817 Lithodomus lithophaga (Linné, 1758) Lithophaga mytiloides Röding, 1798 Mytilus lithophagus Linné, 1758

1.6 Common names al.: Shpues i shkembit cat.: Dàtil de mar cro.: Prstac, datulj, datula, kamotoč, morska datulja, prstić, prstavac de.: Steindattel, Seedattel engl.: European date mussel, Date shell esp.: Dátil de mar fr.: Datte de mer, Datte lithophage gr.: Daktyli, Solina, Lithophagos hebr.: Tamar-yam ital.: Dattero di mare, Dattero marino, Dattolo di pietra, Forapietre slo.: Morski datelj

2. Biological parameters

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General appearance (adult): L. lithophaga has an elongate cylindrical shape with rounded ends. Posterior end is wider than anterior end. Umbo is placed somewhat anterior. Dorsal side is arched almost in the middle of the shell. Valves are thin. Concentric growth lines are clearly distinguished. Impression of the musculus aductor posterior is round and big, while anterior is small. (GONZALEZ et al, 2000; MILIŠIĆ, 1991; RIEDL, 1991) Measurements: Shell grows up to 12 cm in length, 34 mm in width and 70 g in weight (MILIŠIĆ, 1991; ŠIMUNOVIĆ & GRUBELIĆ, 1992). Colour: Valves are auburn to chestnut coloured, mantle white-yellow to pale grey (GONZALEZ et al, 2000; GRUBIŠIĆ, 1990; MILIŠIĆ, 1991; RIEDL, 1991). The colour and shape of L. lithophaga is very significant with great similarity with palm date which reflects in its common names.

According to OZRETIĆ (2001), L. lithophaga is a very slow growing mussel. It needs 15 to 20 years to reach the size of 5-6 cm, when it is suitable for human consumption. In 50 to 60 years it grows to 7-8 cm.

2.1 Distribution

L. lithophaga is distributed throughout the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. In the Atlantic Ocean L. lithophaga can be found upon the Portugal coast and on the North African coast down to Senegal. L. lithophaga also inhabits the northern coast of Angola.

The species lives in the limestone rocks and is completely absent from volcanic originated rocks (ŠIMUNOVIĆ & GRUBELIĆ, 1992). On the rocky limestone shores L. lithophaga is a common and widely distributed species (MILIŠIĆ, 2000; LEGAC & HRS-BRENKO, 1982). According to ŠIMUNOVIĆ & GRUBELIĆ (1992) L. lithophaga populations are densest from the sea level to 8 m depth and according to GONZALEZ et al (2000) the densest populations live at 2-5 m depth. Deeper they occur in smaller numbers but small denser aggregations are possible (ŠIMUNOVIĆ & GRUBELIĆ, 1992). L. lithophaga can be found at the depth of 20 m and more (GONZALEZ et al, 2000; MILIŠIĆ, 1991). L. lithophaga doesn’t live in waters that are too brackish. It prefers peaceful habitats with strong currents (ŠIMUNOVIĆ & GRUBELIĆ, 1992). L. lithophaga chooses vertical rocks on which sedimentation is low. L. lithophaga bores 10-20 cm long holes perpendicular to the rock surface avoiding other individuals of the species.

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Picture 2: European date mussel (Lithophaga lithophaga) distribution (Source: Musée national d'Histoire naturelle, laboratoire de Biologie des invertébrés Marins et Malacologie, Paris, France - http://www.mnhn.fr/mnhn/bimm/protection/fr/Especes/Fiches/Lithophagalithophaga.html)

2.2 Habitat availability

L. lithophaga habitats are mostly endangered due to its exploitation and to anchoring (LIPEJ, 2001a). Rocks are broken into small pieces, which are moved by water currents and are thus unsuitable for colonisation by marine organisms (LIPEJ, 2001a & 2001b). When the rocky limestone habitats are destroyed, they cannot be restored. In Croatia, along the west Istrian coast, rocks hammered for L. lithophaga extraction retained a devastated appearance even five to ten years after the destruction, which shows that reinstallation of an autochthonous seaweed biocenosis is very slow. ŠIMUNOVIĆ and GRUBELIĆ (1992) observed that open coastal areas are colonised by different algae (photophilous and scyaphilous) much quicker than small bays and coves. Furthermore, according to OZRETIĆ (2001) the restoration of communities of living organisms once destroyed by L. lithophaga extraction is very slow and often impossible.

L. lithophaga habitats are mostly fragmented where the species is exploited.

2.3 Population status

GONZALEZ et al (2000) estimate the population at 336 to 1600 individuals per m2; of that majority are juveniles smaller than 4 mm. Individuals larger than 5 cm represent only 4 % of the population. Density varies between size classes and between different locations. Density

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2.4 Population trends

The data on population trends of L. lithophaga are very scarce.

2.5 Geographic trends

The overexploitation of L. lithophaga has caused important local ecological damage, mainly in some areas of the Italian and former-Yugoslavian coast (BIOLOGY, CONSERVATION AND…, 2000). Populations at some places in Croatia are seriously thinned out due to overexploitation by both, native people and tourists (LEGAC & HRS-BRENKO, 1982).

2.6 Role of the species in its ecosystem

L. lithophaga is a pioneer species, it is one of the first species that inhabit new habitat. The L. lithophaga starts to inhabit a stone after about 5 to 10 years the stone has been in the sea (PIEROTTI et al., 1965). The first changes in the substrate facilitating L. lithophaga settlement are caused by the activity of a sponge Cliona celata (Grant) (ŠIMUNOVIĆ & GRUBELIĆ, 1992). Cliona celata starts penetrating the rock and after 5 to 10 years the surface of the rock is burrowed to such an extent that juvenile L. lithophaga can inhabit it (ŠIMUNOVIĆ & GRUBELIĆ, 1992). L. lithophaga inhabits the tunnels and penetrates deeper in the rock by dissolving it with acid (up to 20 cm). Numerous tunnels and holes burrowed by L. lithophaga are a basis for the settlement of endolithic, benthic and other sessile species (GONZALEZ et al, 2000). Without L. lithophaga burrows it would be much harder or even impossible for some species to inhabit new rocks. Habitat destruction caused by the L. lithophaga fisheries reduces epibiota, macroalgal cover and topographic heterogeneity thus affecting fish assemblages (FRASCHETTI et al, 2001; GUIDETTI et al, 2002). GUIDETTI et al (2002) observed decrease in species richness and total abundance, as well as in the population size of a number of species in destroyed habitats.

2.7 Threats

Main threat to L. lithophaga is gathering by SCUBA divers who break rocks with hammers and chisels, pneumatic hammers and explosives to collect the specimens (GUIDETTI et al, 2002). In the shallow waters big rocks are often carried to the shore and then broken with hammers and chisels. Most threatened is littoral part, down to 2 m of depth (ŠIMUNOVIĆ & GRUBELIĆ, 1992). The collection of L. lithophaga causes direct and irreversible destruction of the species habitat. Rocks are broken into small pieces that can be moved by water. These small rocks are not suitable for settlement by L. lithophaga or any other animal or plant species that dwells in burrows and holes made by L. lithophaga. So with the loss of L. lithophaga many other epibiotic species are lost too.

The level of exploitation of L. lithophaga and consequently destruction of solid rock bottom is a cause of concern in many Mediterranean areas. According to GONZALEZ et al (2000), the overexploitation of L. lithophaga has caused important local ecological damages, mainly in some areas of the Italian and Croatian and Serbia – Montenegro coasts. Pneumatic hammers are usually used to break rocks with L. lithophaga. In other countries like Greece,

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Albania or Spain, the extraction of this marine resource is still carried out, with a few exceptions, with traditional methods (pickaxes, hammers, chisels and pincers). In recent years the exploitation of this species has begun in Morocco by means of destructive methods (pneumatic hammers and explosives). In many countries the collection of and trade in L. lithophaga is forbidden by law, but illegal extraction and trade still exist. Nowadays, this represents the greatest threat to the L. lithophaga together with the import from countries where the species isn’t protected. HRS-BRENKO et al (1991) pointed out the importance of the prohibition of any L. lithophaga collection, believing it to be the only way to protect both, the species and autochthonous benthic biocenoses. RUSSO and CICOGNA (1991) believe that the L. lithophaga needs to be protected mainly because of the damage to the environment and less for the protection of the species itself.

According to FANELLI et al. (1994), the devastating fishery of L. lithophaga causes dismantling and desertification of large bottom areas on Mediterranean rocky shores. The information received from Albanian Ministry of the Environment based on the Albanian Museum of Natural Sciences Monitoring Report for 2003, cites that the coast of Ksamili (near Saranda town in the South of Albania) is the place where the gathering of L.lithophaga is happening causing a great damage to the sea shore. FRASAHETTI et al. (2001) used a hierarchical sampling design to quantify the spatial variability of subtidal epibenthic assemblages and the extent of rock damage due to Lithophaga lithophaga harvesting along 360 km of rocky coast of Apulia (Southern Italy). They concluded that the extent of damage due to L. lithophaga collection is a strong source of disturbance. Damage shown by L. lithophaga extraction was shown to be extremely widespread. A humped relationship between patchiness and disturbances by L. lithophaga extraction was obtained. The Activity report of the STAZIONE ZOOLOGICA ANTON DOHRN (1992/1993) mentions the serious danger brought to the coastal marine environment by the illegal and destructive harvesting of L. lithophaga in the gulf of Naples.

The EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY (2002), states in its report on the Mediterranean sea that overexploitation of L. lithophaga has led to a serious concern. The EUROPEAN COMMISSION – EC (2002) reports that high impact techniques for extraction or the exploitation of European date mussel (L. lithophaga) and common piddock (Phallas dactylus) by destroying the rocks inhabited by this bivalves have long been forbidden, but there are indications that the prohibition is not well enforced. EC furthermore states that there are warning signals that the illegal use of explosive is still taking place.

Among other things that threaten L. lithophaga are also polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to which the species is sensitive (DUJMOV & SUČEVIĆ, 1990).

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3. Utilization and trade

3.1 National utilisation

The main purpose for L. lithophaga exploitation is human consumption. The species has been appreciated as a delicacy since the Roman era. According to BIANCHI (2002), L. lithophaga is highly appreciated as a seafood and is still much sought in the finest kitchens. As an example of gastronomic value of this species CALZOARI (1994) states that Emperor Frederik the Red-bearded, as passed with his army through Lunigiana to reach Rome, exacted a shield full of L. lithophaga. According to GONZALEZ et al (2000) this species is very appreciated for human consumption in some areas of the Mediterranean coast.

According to the information received from the Albanian Ministry of the Environment, in south of the country the gathering of L. lithophaga is particularly intensive in the summer time.

In Croatia this species is long known and appreciated as delicacy. EKOLOGIJA (2002) states that with the development of turist industry along the Adriatic coast, the populations of L. lithophaga have decreased considerably. Due to its strict protection L. lithophaga can not be legally obtained. SPUDIĆ & JELENIĆ (2001) state that beside the hammer more drastic methods are used such as pneumatic hammers and explosive. Devastating methods cause the irreversible destruction of littoral biotope.

In Slovenia L. lithophaga could not be marketed or exported legally. However it is known that some restaurants particularly ones close to Italy periodically offer this delicacy illegally. Due to the very short coastline and limited littoral limestone areas the species is not abundant in Slovenia. The smuggling of L. lithophaga through Slovenia is normally discovered at the border ports with Croatia that are closest to Italy. Illegal shipments mostly originate from Croatia and Serbia and Monte Negro.

GONZALEZ et al (2000) state that the situation of the exploitation and consumption of L. lithophaga in Spain doesn’t seem to have changed with the strict protection of the species since 29/12/1995 (adaptation of Spanish legislation to the Habitats Directive). The harvesting, trade and consumption of L. lithophaga are widely extended in the Spanish Mediterranean coast, although in an unequal way. While this activity has a great importance and tradition in the Balearic Archipelago (mainly in Mallorca and Menorca) and in the coasts of south Catalunya and the whole province of Castellón, in the rest of the coastal areas it is carried out to smaller scale. In many cases, the L. lithophaga that are extracted in the coast of Andalucia and Murcia are sold in Catalunya or Castellón.

It can be assumed that trends of exploitation and commerce of L. lithophaga will continue to increase. According to EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENT AGENCY - EEA (2002), the shellfishing in Mediterranean sea has increased by about 12 % in the past decade with high exploitation of bottom (demersal) stocks. Separate evaluation for L. lithophaga in the Mediterranean is not available, but it can be foreseen that the exploitation and trade trends for this species are even much higher than for the rest of the bottom stocks.

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3.2 Legal international trade

Due to the fact that marketing and export of L. lithophaga are banned in many range states, the data on legal international trade is scarce. Since the species could not be traded legally it is not covered by Customs or trade statistics. In cases where the species enters (legal) international trade it is traded primarily for commercial purposes. Whole live or dead specimens (shells) enter the marketing. The legality of such operations is always questionable.

Regarding to legal provisions in Slovenia and Croatia, the specimens of L. lithophaga can only be legally exported in exceptional cases for scientific purposes pursuant to a permit issued by the competent authorities. According to the Slovenian Environmental Agency’s files, in 2002 an application for import of 8000 kg of L. lithophaga from Serbia and Montenegro was received. The purpose of this import was continuous large scale commercial supply of the Italian market.

Due to the fact that legal trade is scarce it is expected that listing of L. lithophaga in the Appendix II of CITES will not effect the nature of the legal trade where it exists but will most probably have an impact on the control of illegal marketing in this species. CITES listing would undoubtfully rise the attention of general public towards this species.

3.3 Illegal trade

Since in many range states the exploitation and marketing of L. lithophaga is banned, it can not be harvested or traded legally. However, it can be concluded that illegal trade in L. lithophaga both national and international is taking place at a considerable level. The marketing of L. lithophaga takes place without the sanitary or veterinary control thus posing potential danger for humans.

In Croatia according to SPUDIĆ & JELENIĆ (2001), the problem of illegal exploitation, domestic trade and export is evident every year. EKOLOGIJA (2002) states that in 2002 the Croatian State Inspectorate performed 153 controls. VLAH (2003) cites that for the Croatian province of “Šibensko – Kninska Županija” 11 offences have been reported regarding the harvesting or trade in L. lithophaga during the 2003 season and 15 cases in 2002. According to the Croatian Ministry of Environmental protection and Physical planning, trade in L. lithophaga is strictly prohibited and the only existing “trade figures” are related to illegal trade. According to the reports from the Croatian Police Directorate of the Ministry of Interior about 700 kg of L. lithophaga per year have been confiscated during the period from 2000 to 2002.

In Slovenia, according to the report from the Veterinary inspection (2004), the veterinary, fisheries and market inspections made a number of controls in the period from 1999 to 2001. The controls were made in restaurants, on the fish markets and transport. The Slovene fisheries inspection reported 3 offences in 1999 and 13 offences in 2000. In 2000 100 kg and in 2001 400 kg of L. lithophaga were confiscated by Veterinary inspectors, while in 2003 the same inspection reported 8 confiscations (app. 300 kg in total). At only one border port (Sečovlje) between Croatia and Slovenia 5 cases of smuggling of L. lithophaga were reported

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In Spain GONZALEZ et al. (2000) report that an smuggling of important amounts of L. lithophaga from Morocco toward the Catalunya or Castellón were detected. Authors further report that due to the fact that L. lithophaga once extracted from its habitat is very perishable and time for its delivery for consumption is app. 14- 16 hours. GONZALEZ et al (2000) also state that in Spain specially prepared vehicles with build-in refrigerators are used for smuggling. Such vehicles are capable of transporting from 300 to 500 kg of L. lithophaga.

It can be assumed that due to long term exploitation of L. lithophaga, desertification of large areas of rocky bottom in some Mediterranean areas has taken place which consequently increases demand for this species on the illegal market. This is particularly evident in the areas with growing tourism which lead to increase of international trade in this species. It can also be assumed that the exploitation and trade in L. lithophaga will continue to grow particularly due to its high market value and the fact that the collection of specimens suitable for human consumption became harder due to overexploitation on one hand and considerable sanctions for offences in some Mediterranean countries on the other.

It can be estimated that the confiscated illegal shipments represent neglictible part of the actual illegal marketing of this species. Slovenian Customs Administration reported 5 confiscations in 2003 at Sečovlje border port which is relatively low according to the number of passengers at this border crossing (1.270.000/month during the high season and 300.000/month during the low season).

3.4 Actual or potential trade impacts

Trade is by no mean beneficial to the status of the species in question. The species is exploited due to national and international trade. The increasing level of illegal marketing poses threat to L. lithophaga and its habitat which provides nutrition, shelter and breeding grounds for numerous marine species. For range states where export of L. lithophaga is not regulated, CITES listing would at least require the scientific evaluation before the export is taking place. Listing in CITES may also contribute to increase international co-operation and research related to species in question and its habitat. Due to the fact that Customs control is focused mainly on CITES species, listing would undobtfully lead to more effective control and records on international trade therein.

3.5 Captive breeding or artificial propagation for commercial purposes

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There is no evidence of possible captive breeding of L. lithophaga. Due to the fact that the species needs adequate substrate for its growth and owing to its particular biology (slow growing), the species is not suitable for commercial breeding.

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4. Conservation and management

4.1 Legal status 4.1.1 National

According to the responds from the range states and other sources available to the proponent by 31. December 2003, the national legal status in the range states of L. lithophaga is as follows:

Albania: L. lithophaga is included in the Albanian Red list. The species is included in the list of the threatened Mediterranean species with the current status »Threatened with extinction«. Proposed measures to be taken: The distribution area to be designed as a SPA.

Croatia: The species in question enjoys strict protection. It is protected under the “ Nature Protection Act”, related “Rool – book on the protection of L. lithophaga” and the “Marine Fisheries Act”. According to the provisions of the “Rool book” the fishing, possesion, buying, selling of L. lithophaga are strictly prohibited, as well as its export and import and the destruction of its habitat. These activities may only be carried out exceptionally for scientific purposes, with the permit issued by the competent authority. Under the “Marine Fisheries Act” the gathering of L. lithophaga as well as its marketing and export are banned with the primary purpose of protecting the rocky coast.

Cyprus: The species is protected under the international conventions ratified by the Cyprus Government (SPA Protocol and Bern Convention).

Italy: L. lithophaga is protected by a ministerial decree. The harvesting, commerce and importation of this species is prohibited.

Monaco: No special protection of L. lithophaga.

Israel: The law in Israel protects the whole Phyllum Mollusca. The whole Phyllum is declared as a “protected natural resources”, which means that the collection, and rearing of or trade in specimens of species concerned is not allowed without a special permit from the Nature and Parks Authority. According to the files of the competent authorities no request for importation of this species has been submitted so far in Israel.

Greece: The exploitation of L. lithophaga is forbidden.

Slovenia:

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The Species has been strictly protected since 1993. Live or dead specimens of L. lithophaga as well as their parts are protected in all stages of development. Any kind of interference with the natural development of the species is prohibited. In addition, any taking from the wild, keeping, selling, mediating at sale, purchasing, donating and exporting of specimens is prohibited. The import of L. lithophaga is not explicitly banned.

Spain: In the regions where shellfishing or fishing regulations provide any kind of protection for the species, these regulations apply and not those governing biodiversity protection and conservation. Main proposals for effective legal protection of L. lithophaga in Spain are: 1) To include L. lithophaga in the National Catalogue of Threatened Species, under the category “special interest”. 2) To urge Regional Governments to explicitly prohibit by their fishing and shellfishing regulations the gathering, trade and consumption of this species in their respective territories and corresponding Regional Departments for Environment to take the responsibility of its protection and conservation. 3) To develop a conservation and sustainable development strategy for this species and its habitat. 4) To enforce the regulations on the conservation and protection of the species (monitoring and inspection).

Syria: The species is protected by the Syrian General Strategy for the Protection of Marine Biodiversity Components, by Protected Marine Areas and through the implementation of other national legal instruments.

According to the responses from the range states up to this stage it is relatively hard to asses the effectiveness of national legislation in controlling illegal trade in this species. It is also evident from above information with the exception of Monaco that range states provide some kind of protection for the species, from the total ban on the harvesting and marketing (Greece, Italy, Croatia and Slovenia) to the more general protection (Israel and Cyprus). In Spain different protection regimes are applied in different regions. In countries where strict protection of the species is in force such measures have greatly increased public awareness on this species.

4.1.2 International

L. lithophaga is listed as a strictly protected species in several multilateral nature conservation agreements:

S Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) – Annex II S Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution (Barcelona Convention) /Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (Geneva Protocol) – Annex II

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S Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (Habitat Directive) – Annex IV

Bern Convention

The aims of this Convention are to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats, especially those species and habitats whose conservation requires the co-operation of several States, and to promote such co-operation. Particular emphasis is given to endangered and vulnerable species. Under general provisions of this Convention, each Contracting Party shall take steps to promote national policies for the conservation of wild flora, wild fauna and natural habitats. Each Contracting Party shall take appropriate and necessary legislative and administrative measures to ensure the conservation of the habitats of the wild flora and fauna species, especially those specified in Appendices I and II, and the conservation of endangered natural habitats. Contracting Parties shall also take appropriate and necessary legislative and administrative measures to ensure the special protection of the wild fauna species specified in Appendix II. Furthermore, all forms of deliberate capture and keeping and deliberate killing, the possession of and internal trade in the animals of the listed species, alive or dead, and any readily recognisable part or derivative thereof should be in particular prohibited for these species:

Barcelona Convention/Geneva Protocol

This Protocol applies to the area of the Mediterranean Sea. The general protection regime also includes the seabed and its subsoil. Under its provisions, each Party shall take the necessary measures to protect, preserve and manage in a sustainable and environmentally sound way areas of particular natural value, notably by the establishment of specially protected areas, and to protect, preserve and manage threatened or endangered species of flora and fauna. Parties shall identify and compile inventories of the components of biological diversity important for conservation and sustainable use. Parties shall also adopt strategies, plans and programmes for the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of marine and coastal biological resources and shall integrate them into their relevant sectoral and intersectoral policies. Furthermore, Parties shall monitor the components of biological diversity and shall identify processes and categories of activities which have or are likely to have a significant adverse impact on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and monitor their effects. Parties should regulate or prohibit fishing and taking of animals and harvesting them or their destruction, as well as trade in animals, parts of animals, which originate in specially protected areas. In its Article 11, the Protocol provides for national measures for the protection and conservation of species. The Parties shall regulate and, where appropriate, prohibit activities having adverse effects on such species or their habitats, and carry out management, planning and other measures to ensure a favourable state of conservation of such species. Parties shall control and, where appropriate, prohibit: the taking, possession or killing (including, to the extent possible, the incidental taking, possession or killing) , the commercial trade, the transport and the exhibition for commercial

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Habitat Directive

With regard to the protection of species, the Directive requires Member States to take the requisite measures to establish a system of strict protection for the animal species listed in Annex IV (a) in their natural range. Member States should prohibit all forms of deliberate capture or killing of specimens of these species in the wild, as well as deliberate disturbance of listed species. For these species, Member States shall also prohibit the keeping, transport and sale or exchange, and offering for sale or exchange, of specimens taken from the wild, except for those taken legally before the Directive entered into force. These prohibitions apply to all stages of life of animals. Member States shall establish a system to monitor the incidental capture and killing of the animal species listed in Annex IV (a). In the light of the information gathered, Member States shall take further research or conservation measures as required to ensure that incidental capture and killing does not have a significant negative impact on the species concerned. Member States shall prohibit the use of all indiscriminate means capable of causing local disappearance of, or serious disturbance to, populations of such species.

Table 1: Contracting Parties of international agreements in which L. lithophaga is listed

Country Bern Convention Barcelona Convention Habitat Directive App II App II App IV 1 Albania S S

2 Algeria S

3 Angola 4 Bosnia and S Herzegovina 5 Croatia S S 6 Cyprus S S ?

7 Egypt S

8 France S S S 9 Gambia 10 Greece S S S 11 Israel S 12 Italy S S S 13 Lebanon S 14 Libya S

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Country Bern Convention Barcelona Convention Habitat Directive App II App II App IV 15 Malta S S ? 16 Mauritania

17 Monaco S S 18 Morocco S S 19 Portugal S S 20 Senegal S 21 Slovenia S S S

22 Serbia and Montenegro 23 Spain S S S 24 Syria S 25 Tunisia S S 26 Turkey S S ? 27 Western Sahara

Bullet (●) indicates the contracting party (or European Union Member State). States non parties to CITES are provided in underlined Italics. (?) indicates uncertainty that the provisions are provided in the Accession Countries to the European Union

In 2000, the file on the Exploitation and Commerce of L. lithophaga in Spain was presented at the 20th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). The Convention Bureau noted that the problem subsisted owing to the importing of specimens from Marocco. It considered that special attention should be devoted to this species in all the States parties to the Convention in order to avoid trade. The Secretariat has drawn up a draft recommendation stating that the listing of L. lithophaga in Appendix I of the Washington Convention would help put an end to trade in this species. The EUROPEAN COMMISSION – EC (2002) reports that the usage of high impact techniques in the extraction or the exploitation of L. lithophaga have long been forbidden, but there are indications that the prohibition is not well enforced. According to BIOLOGY, CONSERVATION AND…, (2000), the legal protection of L. lithophaga that Habitat Directive contemplates has hardly had application to denounce and to sanction the illicit exploitation of this species. Usually, where some legal protection exists by means of shellfishing or fishing legal rules, rules of fishing sector are applied and not those of biodiversity protection and conservation. The same trends can be found in all countries. Despite listing of L. lithophaga in several international multilateral agreements it can be concluded that such measures are not effectively applied.

4.2 Species management

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4.2.1 Population monitoring

The population monitoring of L. lithophaga is based on the observation of the presence of its habitat (suitable rocky substratum). According to FRASCHETTI et al. (2001), quantitative information about spatial patterns in subtidal hard substrate assemblages is scant.

FRASCHETTI et al. (2001) surveyed 380 km of the coast along Apulia (Italy). The surveyed coast was divided into 8 adjectant sectors and replicate samples were taken by visual inspection at each of the 3 sites nested in each sector. Multivariate analyses indicated that assemblages differed consistently with spatial scale, variability being higher at the largest scale. Damage caused by L. lithophaga extraction was shown to be extremely widespread. A humped relationship between patchiness and disturbance by L. lithophaga gathering was obtained. In particular, patchiness at a small scale was highest at “intermediate” levels of damage, because disturbance produces patches of different size and/or age, leading to “mosaic” landscapes of epibenthic assemblages.

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4.2.2 Habitat conservation

Range states that are parties to Bern Convention and particularly those that have ratified the Barcelona Convention’s Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (see table 1) are obliged to provide for the conservation of the habitats of the concerned species. The European Union Member States are additionally obliged to ensure habitat protection according to Habitat Directive by designating protected areas. Such measures are usually provided in most range states.

4.2.3 Management measures

The information on management measures is very scarce. Up to date the proponent did not receive information on existing harvest rates, quota systems etc.

4.3 Control measures

4.3.1 International trade

The control of international trade of L. lithophaga is relatively weak. Despite the fact that the species is protected in many Mediterranean countries, in general the control of international trade in species concerned is not effective and sufficient. The effectiveness of control is dependant on the adequate training of customs and other enforcement officials. The main reason for this disadvantage is that border controls (including customs and veterinary inspection) in the L. lithophaga range (and other) states is mainly focused on CITES species.

4.3.2 Domestic measures

In countries where the extraction of and trade in L. lithophaga are banned, the controls are carried out. The fines for offences are considerable in some range states. It is worth mentioning that in Croatia beside the fine provided in the “Marine Fisheries Act” which amounts to 6,000 – 30,000 kn (app. EUR 800 - 4000), the fine of 50,00 kn (app. EUR 7) for each specimen is imposed for non-compliance with the provisions on the protection of L. lithophaga.

5. Information on similar species

L. lithophaga has a very distinctive and well known date-like appearance. It is generally unlikely to be confused with other species. It is reasonable to expect that an informed non- expert would be able to make a firm identification.

Due to similarity in their ecological demands, several species of L. lithophaga within genus Lithophaga are morphologically relatively similar to the L. lithophaga. They all inhabit the rocky substrate and actually, gen. Lithophaga can be found in all seas throughout the world but the populations of particular species are geographically separated from the populations of Mediterranean L. lithophaga. The specimens of Lithophaga aristata (Dillwyn, 1817) look like

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At this moment, there is no reliable information on whether any other species from this genus other than L. lithophaga is traded on national or international level or used for human consumption.

The information on other species from the genus Lithophaga is provided in Annex II (table 4).

6. Other comments

In order to gather more information, the Slovenian Management Authority sent a letter in English and French languages to all 27 L. lithophaga range states on 20 November 2003. The letter was addressed to Management and Scientific Authorities according to the contacts available at the CITES Secretariat’s web-site and lists of participants from various CITES and other meetings. Representatives of the Slovenian Management and Scientific Authorities also used personal contacts to obtain necessary information. The responses received by 31 December 2003 are included in the supporting statement of this proposal. The authorities and persons that have provided their responses are presented in annex 1 to this proposal (table 3).

7. Additional remarks

The problem of the destruction of L. lithophaga habitat, which represents an indispensable biotope for numerous marine species, could be compared with the destruction of stony coral reefs.

8. References

Biology, Conservation and protection problems of date-shell (Lithophaga lithophaga) in Spain – Summary. 2000. Madrid, Ministerio di medio ambiente, Direccion general de conservation de la naturaleza, 2 p. DUJMOV J., SUČEVIĆ P., 1990. The contamination of dateshell (Lithophaga lithophaga) from the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Acta Adriat., 31(1/2): 153-161 CALZOARI E., 1994. Hystorical and pre-hystorical home made gastronomy, Exchange, No. 331 EUROPEAN COMMISSION., 2002. Communicartion from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament lying down a Community Action Plan for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources in the Mediterranean Sea under the Common Fisheries Policy, Brussels (COM) 535 final: 8 - 9 Exploitation and commerce of Lithophaga lithophaga in Spain, 2000. Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, 20th meeting of the Standing Committe file, Strasbourg: 1-4 FANELLI G., PIRAINO S., BELMONTE G., BOERO F., 1994. Human predation along the rocky coast (SE Italy): desertification caused by Lithophaga lithophaga (Mollusca) fisheries. Marine Ecology Prog ress Series 110:1-8

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FRASCHETTI S., BIANCHI C. N., TERLIZZI A., FANELLI G., MORRI C., BOERO F., 2001. Spatial variability and human disturbance in shallow subtidal hard substrate assemblages: a regional approach. Marine Ecology Progress Series 212: 1-12 GONZALEZ J. T., HALCON R. M. A., BARRAJON A., CALVO M., FRIAS A., MORRENO D., SAAVEDRA L., 2000. Estudio sobre la biologia, conservación y problemática del dátil de mar (Lithophaga lithophaga) en Espana. Madrid, Ministerio di medio ambiente, Direccion general de conservation de la naturaleza, 66 p. GRUBIŠIĆ F., 1990. Ribe, rakovi i školjke Jadrana. Zagreb, Naprijed, 239 pp GUIDETTI P., FANELLI G., FRASCHETTI S., TERLIZZI A., BOERO F., 2002. Costal fish indicate human-induced changes in the Mediterranean littoral. Marine Environmental Research, 53: 77-94. HORVATH A., 1963. Adriatic molluscs of the Split area. Acta Adriatica, 10(4): 3-10 HRS-BRENKO M., ZAVODNIK D., ZAHTILA E., 1991. The date shell Lithophaga lithophaga Linnaeus, and its habitat calls for protection in the Adriatic Sea. In Bouderesque et al. (Eds.). Les espèces marines à protéger en Méditerranée. GIS Posidonie: 151-158 LEGAC M., HRS-BRENKO M., 1982. A contribution to the knowledge of bivalve species distribution in the insular zones of the northern and part of the middle Adriatic Sea. Acta Adriatica, 23(1/2): 197-225 LIPEJ L., 2001a. Analiza stanja biotske raznovrstnosti za področje morskih živali. In: Analiza stanja biotske raznovrstnosti živalskih skupin v Sloveniji. Ljubljana, Ministrstvo za okolje in prostor, Uprava RS za varstvo narave, 267-277 LIPEJ L., 2001b. Morski organizmi. In: Raziskava razširjenosti evropsko pomembnih vrst v Sloveniji – poročilo. Ljubljana, Prirodoslovni muzej Slovenije, 163-200. MILIŠIĆ N., 1991. Školjke i puževi Jadrana. Split. Logos, 302 p. MILIŠIĆ N., 2000. Život Jadrana. Split, Knjigotisak, 285 p. OZRETIĆ B., 2001, Prstacima je potrebno 50 – 60 godina da bi narasli 7 – 8 cm, Glas Istre 20.4.01: 23 PIEROTTI P., LO RUSSO R., BUGGIANI S. S. 1965. Il dattero di mare, Lithodomus lithophagus, nel golfo della Spezia. Annali Fac Med Vet Universita Pisa, 18: 157-174 RIEDL R., 1991. Fauna e Flora del Mediterraneo. Padova. Franco muzzio & c. editore, 777 p. RUSSO G. F., CICOGNA F., 1991. The date mussel (Lithophaga lithophaga), a "case" in the Gulf of Naples. In: Boudouresque et al. (Eds.). Les espèces marines à protéger en Méditerranée. GIS Posidonie, Marseille: 141-150 SIVEC I., 2002. Živali. Tržič. Učila International, 377 p. SPUDIĆ D., JELENIĆ I., 2001. Okoliš 104: 2 p. STAZIONE ZOOLOGICA ANTON DOHRN, 1992/1993, Biological oceanography, Activity Report 1992/1993: 2 ŠIMUNOVIĆ A., GRUBELIĆ I., 1992. Biological and ecological studies of the date shell (Lithophaga lithophaga L.) from the eastern Adriatic Sea. Period biol, 94(3): 187-192. VLAH D., 2003. Komisija uništava prstace, Slobodna Dalmacija. 14.9.2003

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Annex 1

Table 3: Range states of the European date mussel (Lithophaga lithophaga) contacted by the proponent and their respond up to 8th january 2004.

Country Authority Type of respond Person / Institution Management Authority (MA) Scientific Authority (SA) 1 Albania Ministry of Environment None designated yet By e-mail Directorate of Nature Protection Elvana Ramaj (MA) 7th Jan. 2004 Rruga e Durrësit, No. 27 TIRANA Tel: +355 (4) 27 06 24 Fax: +355 (4) 27 06 27 Ministère de l'agriculture 2 Algeria Institut national de la recherche forestière Direction générale des forêts (INRF) Direction de la protection de la flore et de la B.P. 37 faune Chéraga Chemin Doudou Mokhtar ALGER B.P. 232 Ben Aknoun Fax: +213 (21) 53 10 97 ALGER [email protected] 3 Angola Instituto de Desenvolvimento Florestal ( Universidade Agostinho Neto Ministério da Agricultura e do (non party to Faculdade de Ciencias/Depto de Biologia Desenvolvimento Rural CITES) Rua Comandante Gika C.P. 815 C.P. 74 (1257) LUANDA LUANDA Fax: +244 (2) 32 39 34 Email: [email protected]

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Country Authority Type of respond Person / Institution Management Authority (MA) Scientific Authority (SA) 4 Bosnia and None communicated to the Secretariat None communicated to the Secretariat Herzegovina (non party to CITES) 5 Croatia Ministry of Environmental Protection Ornithological Institute of the Croatian by post and Physical Planning) Academy of Sciences and Arts) 19th Dec. 2003 Dr. Ivan Martinić (Assistant Minister) Ulica grada Vukovara 78/III Ilirski trg 9/2 HR-10000 ZAGREB HR-10000 ZAGREB by e-mail [email protected] [email protected] 9th Dec. 2003 Margita Mastrović (Focal point for SPAs Barcelona Convention; [email protected]) 6 Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources By e- mail and Environment and Environment 22 th Dec. 2003 Marina Argyrou (Focal point for SPAs NICOSIA NICOSIA Barcelona Convention; Environmental Tel: +357 (2) 30 38 88 [email protected] Division; Department of Fisheries and Fax: +357 (2) 77 49 45 Marine Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, 13 Aeolou Str., 1416 Nicosia; [email protected])

7 Egypt Ministry of Agriculture and Land General Directorate of Egyptian Wild Life Reclamation Service Attn: Prof. Dr Samy El-Fellaly Giza Zoo Minister's Office, ESCC GIZA P.O. Box 12619 Dokki Fax: +20 (2) 572 76 12; 571 06 92 GIZA

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Country Authority Type of respond Person / Institution Management Authority (MA) Scientific Authority (SA) [email protected] 8 France Ministère de l'aménagement du territoire et Muséum national d'histoire naturelle de l'environnement 57, rue Cuvier Direction de la nature et des paysages F-75231 PARIS CEDEX 05 Bureau des échanges internationaux [email protected] d'espèces menacées [email protected] 20, avenue de Ségur F-75302 PARIS 07 SP [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 9 Gambia The Director Research Division Department of Parks and Wildlife Department of Parks and Wildlife Management (DPWM) Management (DPWM) Office of the Secretary of State Office of the Secretary of State The Presidency, State House The Presidency, State House BANJUL BANJUL Fax: +220 22 39 87 Fax: +220 22 39 87 10 Greece Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture by e –mail General Directorate of Forest and Natural General Directorate of Forest and Natural 8th Dec. 2003 Dr. Sofia Galinou Mitsoudi Environment Environment (Technological Educatinal Institute of Dir. of Aesthetic Forests, National Parks and Dir. of Aesthetic Forests, National Parks Thessaloniki, Department of Fisheries & Game Management and Game Management Aquaculture, 63200 Nea Moudania Section B Section B Chalkidiki; 3-5 Ippokratous Street 3-5 Ippokratous Street GR-101 64 ATHENS GR-101 64 ATHENS [email protected]) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

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Country Authority Type of respond Person / Institution Management Authority (MA) Scientific Authority (SA) 11 Israel Israel Nature and National Parks Protection [email protected] by e-mail Authority 8th Dec. 2003 Dr. Simon C. Nemtzov (SA) Attn: Mr Roni Malka Director, Law Enforcement Division Henk Mienis (local expert) 3 Am Ve'Olamo Street 8th Dec. 2003 Reuven Ortal (Focal point for SPAs Givat Shaul Barcelona Convention; Nature and Parks

JERUSALEM 95463 Authority) Fax: +972 (2) 500 54 59

12 Italy Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Tutela del Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Tutela del by post Territorio Territorio 22th Dec. 2003 Aldo Cosentino (General Director) Direzione Conservazione della Natura Direzione Conservazione della Natura Via Capitan Bavastro, 174 Via Capitan Bavastro, 174 by e-mail I-00154 ROMA I-00154 ROMA 9th Dec. 2003 Prof. Giulio Relini (Focal point for [email protected] [email protected] SPAs Barcelona Convention; President

of Societa Italiana di Biologia Marina, [email protected] c/o DIP.TE.RIS University of Genoa, viale Benedetto XV, 3-16132 Genoa; [email protected]) 13 Lebanon Dr Mansour Kassab Dr Michel Khouzami Coordinator Chief UNEP/MOA Biodiversity Project (GF (non party to Animal Resources Directorate 6105-92-72) CITES) Ministry of Agriculture BEIRUT Ashrafieh Beydoun Street BEIRUT

Fax: +961 (1) 20 02 81 14 Libya General Environment Authority None designated yet Dr Mohamed Soudani

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Country Authority Type of respond Person / Institution Management Authority (MA) Scientific Authority (SA) Secretary of the People's Committee TRIPOLI ALGHIRAN [email protected] 15 Malta Environment Protection Directorate Prof. P.J. Schembri Malta Environment and Planning Authority Department of Biology P.O. Box 200 University of Malta VALLETTA CMR 01 MSIDA MSD 06 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

16 Mauritania Direction de l'environnement et de Direction de l'environnement et de l'aménagement rural l'aménagement rural Ministère du développement rural et de Ministère du développement rural et de l'environnement l'environnement B.P. 170 B.P. 170 NOUAKCHOTT NOUAKCHOTT

Fax: +222 525 07 41; 529 23 70 Fax: +222 525 07 41; 529 23 70

17 Monaco Le Délégué à l'Environnement international Direction de l'environnement, de by e-mail et méditerranéen l'urbanisme et de la construction Marie-Christine van Klaveren (Focal 16, boulevard de Suisse 15 th Dec. 2003 Division du patrimoine naturel point for SPAs Barcelona Convention; MC-98000 MONACO 23, avenue du Prince héréditaire ACCOBAMS Executive Secretary, 16, [email protected] B.P. 609 Boulevard de Suisse, MC-98000 MC-98013 MONACO CEDEX Monaco ; [email protected] Tel: +377 93 15 89 63; 93 15 80 10 [email protected]) Fax: +377 93 15 88 02

18 Morocco [email protected] Institut national de recherche halieutique Ministère des pêches maritimes

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Country Authority Type of respond Person / Institution Management Authority (MA) Scientific Authority (SA) Ministère chargé des eaux et forêts Agdal Division de la cynégétique, de la pisciculture RABAT et de la biodiversité RABAT/CHELLAH

Tel: +212 (37) 76 26 94; 67 00 87 Fax: +212 (37) 76 44 46; 76 68 55 19 Portugal Instituto da Conservação da Natureza Instituto da Conservação da Natureza Divisão de Aplicação das Convenções Divisão de Espécies Protegidas Rua Ferreira Lapa, 38, 6° andar Rua Ferreira Lapa, 38, 5° D P-1150-159 LISBOA P-1150-159 LISBOA [email protected] [email protected]

20 Senegal Direction des eaux, forêts, chasses et de la Monsieur Alain Seck conservation des sols Président de l'Autorité scientifique CITES Parc forestier de Hann Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire B.P. 1831 (IFAN) DAKAR B.P. 206 DAKAR

21 Serbia and Mrs Branka Andric [email protected] Montenegro Head of Department for International [email protected] Cooperation Programmes Ministry for Protection of Natural Resources [email protected] and Environment of the Republic of Serbia [email protected] Ivana Ribara 91 11070 BEOGRAD Natural History Museum (Prirodnjacki muzej) [email protected] Njegoševa ulica 43 11000 BEOGRAD

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Country Authority Type of respond Person / Institution Management Authority (MA) Scientific Authority (SA) [email protected] Tel: +381 (11) 444 22 39/63 Fax: +381 (11) 444 22 63

Institute for Nature Conservation of Republic of Monte Negro (Zavod za zaštitu prirode Republike Crne Gore) Trg Nikole Kovacevica 7 P.O. Box 2 81000 PODGORICA

Tel: +381 (81) 62 29 92; 63 29 68 Fax: +381 (81) 62 08 48

22 Spain Ministerio de Economía Ministerio de Medio Ambiente by e-mail Secretaría General de Comercio Exterior Dirección General de Conservación de la

Subdirección General de Inspección, Naturaleza Certificación y Subdirección General de Conservación de 28th Nov. 2003 Carlos Ibero (SA) Asistencia Técnica del Comercio Exterior la Biodiversidad Paseo de la Castellana, 162 - 6ª planta Gran Vía de San Francisco, 4 16th Dec. 2003 Calderon Moreno Manuel Maria (SA) E-28071 MADRID E-28071 MADRID [email protected] [email protected]

23 Syria Ministry of Local Administration and None designated yet by e- mail Environment Directorate of Biodiversity and Natural 3th Jan. 2004 Dr. Akram Issa Darwish (MA and Reserves Focal point for SPAs Barcelona Tolyani Street Convention) P.O. Box 3773 DAMASCUS

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Country Authority Type of respond Person / Institution Management Authority (MA) Scientific Authority (SA) [email protected] 24 Tunisia [email protected] Institut national de recherches forestières B.P. No. 2 Direction générale des forêts ARIANA Ministère de l'agriculture 30, rue Alain Savary TUNIS Fax: +216 (71) 80 19 22

25 Turkey [email protected] [email protected] The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey - TÜBÝTAK Ministry of Environment Atatürk Bulvarý No: 221 General Directorate of Environment 06445 KAVAKLIDERE-ANKARA Protection Eskisehir Yolu 8. Km. Bilkent Kavsagi 06530 ANKARA

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Annex II

Table 4: List of some genus Lithophaga species, their synonyms, occurence and data source.

Scientific Name Synonym Common Name Habitat Distribution References Lithophaga antillarum (d'Orbigny in Sagra, Lithodomus antillarum giant date mussel Tropical Indo-West Pacific (East OBIS Indo-Pacific 1842) d'Orbigny in Sagra, 1842; Africa, New Caledonia, Fiji, Molluscan Database Modiola corrugata Philippi, Indo-China, India), Australia, http://data.acnatsci.org/ 1846 Brasil, Florida, North America, ITIS North America Western Atlantic Ocean http://www.cbif.gc.ca http://www.chez.com http://www.pc.maricopa.e du Lithophaga cinnamomimus (Schroter 1788) Polynesia http://www.pc.maricopa.e du Lithophaga curta Lischke Japan http://www.pc.maricopa.e du Lithophaga lima Lamy, 1919 http://www.pc.maricopa.e du Lithophaga spatiosa Carpenter date mussel Northern Gulf of California to ITIS North America Ecuador, Panama http://www.cbif.gc.ca http://www.pc.maricopa.e du Lithophaga aristata (Dillwyn, 1817) scissor date mussel, rocks, shells throughout in sub-tropical and ITIS North America boring mussel tropical waters; East Pacific, http://www.cbif.gc.ca North America, Western http://www.pc.maricopa.e Atlantic Ocean du Lithophaga attenuata (Deshayes, 1836) attenuated date mussel Panama, East Pacific, North ITIS North America America http://www.cbif.gc.ca http://www.pc.maricopa.e du Lithophaga bisulcata (d'Orbigny, 1842) mahogany date mussel Brasil, Florida ITIS North America

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Scientific Name Synonym Common Name Habitat Distribution References http://www.cbif.gc.ca http://www.pc.maricopa.e du Lithophaga plumula (Hanley, 1844) Lithophaga plumula kelseyi feather date mussel, California, Perou, East Pacific, ITIS North America Hertlein and Strong, 1946 kelsey date mussel North America http://www.cbif.gc.ca http://www.pc.maricopa.e du

Lithophaga plumula plumula Hanley, 1844 ITIS North America http://www.cbif.gc.ca Lithophaga rogersi S. S. Berry, 1957 rogers date mussel ITIS North America http://www.cbif.gc.ca Lithophaga nigra (Sagra, 1842) Mytilus lithophagus Linnaeus, black date mussel Tropical Indo-West Pacific OBIS Indo-Pacific 1758 (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Molluscan Database Lithodomus niger Sagra, 1842 Philippines, Fiji), Brasil, http://data.acnatsci.org/ Modiola caribaea Philippi, 1847 Florida, North America, Western ITIS North America Lithophaga crenulata Dunker, Atlantic Ocean http://www.cbif.gc.ca 1848 http://www.pc.maricopa.e Lithophaga ventrosa Dunker, du 1882 Lithophaga teres (Philippi, 1846) Lithodomus teres auct. coral reef, Tropical Indo-West Pacific OBIS Indo-Pacific Lithodomus gracilis auct. coral flats (Indo-China, Red Sea, Indo- Molluscan Database Modiola teres Philippi, 1846 Malaysia, Eastern Indian http://data.acnatsci.org/ Modiola malayana Philippi, Ocean), Australia http://www.pc.maricopa.e 1847 du Modiola gracilis Philippi, 1847 Dactylus erythraensis Jousseaume, 1888 Lithophaga lithoglypha Clessin, 1889 Lithophaga teres annectans Iredale, 1939 Lithophaga nasuta (Philippi, 1846) Modiola nasuta Philippi, 1846 coral reef Australia, Tropical Indo-West OBIS Indo-Pacific

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Scientific Name Synonym Common Name Habitat Distribution References Lithophaga dichroa Iredale, Pacific (Philippines, Indonesia, Molluscan Database 1939 Celebes, Eastern Indian Ocean, http://data.acnatsci.org/ East Africa, Indo-China) Lithophaga malaccana (Reeve, 1858) OBIS Indo-Pacific Molluscan Database http://data.acnatsci.org/ Lithophaga cumingianus (Reeve, 1858) Lithodomus cumingianus Reeve, Australia OBIS Indo-Pacific 1858 Molluscan Database http://data.acnatsci.org/ Lithophaga straminea (Reeve, 1858) Lithodomus stramineus Reeve, coral Australia, Tropical Indo-West OBIS Indo-Pacific 1858 Pacific (Eastern Indian Ocean) Molluscan Database http://data.acnatsci.org/ Lithophaga curta Lischke, 1874 Tropical Indo-West Pacific OBIS Indo-Pacific (Vietnam, Japan, China, South Molluscan Database Korea, North Korea) http://data.acnatsci.org/ Lithophaga zitteliana Dunker, 1882 Tropical Indo-West Pacific OBIS Indo-Pacific (Japan) Molluscan Database http://data.acnatsci.org/ Lithophaga cuneiformis (Tate, 1892) Lithodomus cuneiformis Tate, Australia OBIS Indo-Pacific 1892 Molluscan Database http://data.acnatsci.org/ Lithophaga townsendi (Melvill & Standen, Lithodomus townsendi Mevill & rock Tropical Indo-West Pacific OBIS Indo-Pacific 1906) Standen, 1906 (Central and East Indian Ocean: Molluscan Database Oman, Persian Gulf) http://data.acnatsci.org/ Lithophaga robusta (Lamy, 1919) Lithodomus lithophagus var. Tropical Indo-West Pacific OBIS Indo-Pacific auct. (Djibouti, Red Sea, East Africa) Molluscan Database http://data.acnatsci.org/ Lithophaga fascicola Dall, Bartsch & coral Tropical Indo-West Pacific OBIS Indo-Pacific Rehder, 1938 (Hawaiian Islands) Molluscan Database http://data.acnatsci.org/ Lithophaga divaricalx Iredale, 1939 coral reef Australia, Tropical Indo-West OBIS Indo-Pacific Pacific Molluscan Database

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Scientific Name Synonym Common Name Habitat Distribution References http://data.acnatsci.org/ Lithophaga simplex Iredale, 1939 coral Australia: Great Barrier Reef, OBIS Indo-Pacific Queensland Molluscan Database Tropical Indo-West Pacific: http://data.acnatsci.org/ Indo-Malaysia (Australia- Queensland), Red Sea (Gulf of Aqaba), East Africa (Kenya)