Rec. zool. Surv. India: Vol. 120(4)/509–511, 2021 ISSN (Online) : 2581-8686 DOI: 10.26515/rzsi/v120/i4/2020/131389 ISSN (Print) : 0375-1511 Short Communication Range extension and first record ofMeretrix lusoria (Röding, 1798) (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Veneridae) from Indian coastal waters

Rajendar Kumar Rupavath*, Rajkumar Rajan and Vanishree Jegadeesan Marine Biology Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Chennai - 600028, Tamil Nadu, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract Meretrix lusoria (Röding, 1798), one of the commercially important marine bivalves found in waters of west Taiwan,

Meretrix southeast China, Thailand and Japan, is reported for the first time from the coastal waters of India (Andhra Pradesh coast, Bay of Bengal), thus extending its range from Central Indo-Pacific to Bay of Bengal. This report raises the tally of spp. so far known from India to four. Keywords: Bay of Bengal, First Record, Meretrix lusoria, Veneridae

Introduction systematic classification were followed as per Hornell (1917), Huber (2010) and Rao (2017). The genusMeretrix is restricted to the Indian and Chinese seas, from Aden and the Gulf of Oman to Timorand the Results Philippines, and as far north as Japan (Jukes-Browney, with 13 species known so far (Huber, 2010). There Taxonomy ,(1913 are only three species known to occur so far in Indian waters, namely Meretrix attenuata Dunker, 1863, Meretrix Phylum MOLLUSCA casta (Gmelin, 1791), and Meretrix meretrix (Linnaeus, Class BIVALVIA Hornell, 1917). The specimen reported here, Subterclass EUHETERODONTA) (1758 collected off Andhra Pradesh coast (East coast of India, Order VENERIDA Bay of Bengal), is identified asMeretrix lusoria (Röding, 1798), which is a new addition to this genus from Indian Superfamily VENEROIDEA waters, since Hornell (1917). Family VENERIDAE Genus Meretrix Lamarck, 1799 Material and Methods Species M. lusoria (Röding, 1798) Right valve: Length-29.46 mm, height-26.14 mm; left Diagnosis: Shell medium in size, sub-trigonal and valve: length-28.11 mm, height-26.36 mm; Locality: equilateral. Umbo is very small, inflated on the top of Tummala Penta (Kavali), Andhra Pradesh, Latitude and the anterior margin. Posterior region is slightly convex. Longitude 14°54’9.44»N; 80° 5’6.40”E (by-catch from Posterior dorsal margin is slightly sloping downwards bottom trawls operating in this region); Coll. Kumar at the posterior end. Hinge plate consists of two cardinal R.; Coll. Date: 03.IV.2016; Reg. No. ZSI/MBRC/M-1876 teeth, single lateral tooth and socket. Lunule is weakly (Deposited at the National Zoological Collections defined. Eustcheon is large, very distinct and extends to (NZC) in Marine Biological Research Centre (MBRC), one third of the shell. Shell exterior is smooth and provided Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). The identification and with fine concentric growth lines. Pallial sinus scar shape

* Author for correspondence Article Received on: 05.09.2018 Accepted on: 17.06.2020 Range extension and first record ofMeretrix lusoria...

located near to the posterior adductor muscle scar is unique for because of a “L” pattern. The “L” pattern is due to the protruding of pallial line scar from the pallial sinus scar. ,The three species of the genus Meretrix Lamarck 1799, M. lusoria, M. casta and M. meretrix, have trigonal shaped shell and prominent hinge teeth. These species also have larger anterior and smaller posterior adductor muscle scars, and shallow pallial sinus. Meretrix lusoria (Röding, 1798) is variable from the other two in the shell marking, and the postero-dorsal margin much longer than antero-dorsal margin.

Colour: The inner side of the shell is pale white with the internal border shaded in dark violet coloration. The exterior is brownish with thick ‘W’ shaped wavy patterns.

Distribution: Meretrix lusoria is native to estuaries and coastal waters of Asia, from China (Hainan to the Bohai Sea), Korea, and Japan, as far north as Mutsu Bay on the tip of Honshu (Chung 2007; Chen et al., 2009). ,This species is also reported from Sri Lanka, Malaysia ;Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan (Yamakawa et al., 2008 Tan & Woo, 2010; Hamli et al., 2016). It is reported for the Figure 1. Meretrix lusoria (Röding, 1798), (A) exte- first time from Indian Waters. rior, (B) interior, (C) hinge region; scale bar: 10 mm. Discussion learnt from, Hawaii, the West Coast of the US and Puerto Meretrix clams are commercially important shellfish Rico (Carlton & Eldredge, 2009; Fofonoffet al., 2020). species in Asian waters, which also are fished heavily It is not clear from the present reporting, however, that Yamakawa et al., 2008; Zhang et al., 2012). The species the specimen obtained is of an established population, to) M. lusoria has become rare in Japanese coastal waters, substantiate the views presented above. due to pollution, overfishing, and other unknown factors (Yamakawa et al. 2008; Zhang et al. 2012). Meretrix Acknowledgements petechialis, a closely related species, was introduced from China into Japan, to supplement declining stocks of M. The authors thank Director, Zoological Survey of India lusoria. However, it is now feared that the introduction (ZSI) for the support and extension of facilities, and Dr. G. of M. petechialis could adversely affect M. lusoria through Sivaleela, Marine Biology Regional Centre, ZSI, Chennai, predation and competition (Yamakawa & Imai, 2012). for sharing the specimen collected of her survey tour. The Given this status, from a fishery standpoint, the finding of help rendered by Dr. Paul Valentich-Scott, Santa Barbara this species in Indian waters is significant. Museum of Natural History, United States of America and The range extension reported here is also significant Mr. Gianluigi Bini, Museo Malacologico Malakos Città from the stand point that this species has failed to di Castello (Pg), Italy, in confirming the identity of the establish populations in regions when attempted with specimen and by way valuable suggestions are also duly .introduction. The cases of failed introduction could be acknowledged

510 Vol 120(3) | 2020 | www.recordsofzsi.com Zoological Survey of India Rajendar Kumar Rupavath*, Rajkumar Rajan and Vanishree Jegadeesan

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