Sinum haliotoideum (Linnaeus, 1758), a gastropod mollusc new to the marine waters of Pakistan (northern Arabian Sea) Item Type article Authors Tirmizi, N.M.; Kazmi, Q.B. Download date 28/09/2021 07:51:08 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/32181 Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences, Vol.4(1), 67-69, 1995. NOTES AND NEWS SINUM HALIOTOIDEUM (LINNAEUS, 1758), A GASTROPOD MOLLUSC NEW TO THE MARINE WATERS OF PAKISTAN (NORTHERN ARABIAN SEA) Nasima M. Tirmizi and Quddusi B. Kazmi Marine Reference Collection and Resource Centre, University of Karachi, Karachi-7 5270, Pakistan. Sinum haliotoideum (Linnaeus, 1758) though not uncommon, was collected on only two occasions. However, it was given attention when the recently collected specimen netted on 24 August, 1993 was brought live to the laboratory where its movement towards the source of light was noticed, leading to a careful examination and illustration. The specimen survived for 4 days. Illustrations and shell from the earlier collected specimen (August, 1991) were sent to Dr. Alan R. Kabat, Division ofMollusck, National Museum ofNatural History, Smithsonian Institution, USA, who very kindly confirmed that the specimen was Sinum haliotoideum (Linnaeus, 1758). He further informed that this is "a moderately common Indo-Pacific species" (personal communication, Q.B.K.). The material will be deposited in the collections of the Marine Reference Collection and Resource Centre. (MRC) The species being new to the region is briefly described. Sinum haliotoideum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Fig.1) Helix haliotoidea Linnaeus, 1758: 775, No.621, pl.12, fig.4. Sinum haliotoideum Kabat, 1990: 6 (synonymy), fig.1C-E. MATERIAL Collected 2 specimens: August 1991, Karachi Fish Harbour, MRC Cat No.GAST.191, shell breadth 12.5 mm; shell height 9 mm; 24 August, 1993, Phitti Creek (24.40°E, 67.15°N), MRC Cat.No.GAST.192. Live animal size 80 mm; shell breadth 22 mm; shell height 16 mm, REMARKS Kabat (1990) has given a complete synonymy, and detailed remarks. The live specimen (Fig.1A) was almost white. The parapodial folds almost completely cover the shell, with only a small region exposed, revealing the tentacles and a small portion of the shell. The shell (Fig. 1B) agre~s with the description given by Kabat (1990:6); it is thin, auriform and low spired. Fine concentoric striae can be seen extending over the last whorl. The shell is glossy white. 68 NOTES AND NEWS B l Fig. 1. Sinum haliotoideum (Linnaeus, 1758). A, entire animal; B,shell of the same. NOTES AND NEWS 69 DISTRIBUTION Okinawa, Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Australia, South Africa (Kabat, 1990) and now for the first time from Pakistan (northern Arabian Sea). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Kind assistance given by Dr.A.R.Kabat, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., USA is gratefully acknowledged. The work on coastal biodiversity is being funded through the US research project N o.OOO 14-86-G-0229. REFERENCES Kabat, A.R. 1990. Species of Naticidae.(Mollusca: Gastropoda) described by Linnaeus in the Systema Naturae (1758). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 100: 1-25. Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I, Editio decima, Reformata. Holmiae. (Received:13 October 1993) .