The marine Molluscan assemblages of port Sudan, Red Sea

This study summarizes field observations and collections of the molluscan fauna of the coastal and offshore reefs in the area of Port Sudan, Central Red Sea. In spite of the fact that some families of this group were described from several areas of the Red Sea, there exists only little information on the entire faunal composition of this region. 282 species of Amphineura, Gastropoda, and Bivalvia, collected and studied in nine localities are listed according to their habitats. Moreover, descriptions of the prominent members of typical molluscan assemblages are given for 13 habitats and microhabitats which differ in their morphological structures and in their hydrographic and physiographic conditions. Emphasis is placed on further studies on the trophic interactions within certain habitats.