MOLLUSCAN SPECIES IN AL-DALMAJ MARSH, IRAQ: A FIELD SURVEY

Abstract

Al-Dalmaj marsh is one of the most important marshes in Iraq; it extends from Al-Qadisiyah Province in the west to Wasit Province in the east, south of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. In order to study the malacological diversity of this site, a survey of the marsh molluscs species was made during this study. About 177 specimens were collected, seven species of gastropods belonging to six families and two species of Bivalves belonging to one family were identified, remarks on the nomenclature, taxonomy and distribution of these species. According to this study Al-Dalmaj Marsh includes diverse molluscs species and the presented results will provide important information for future studies concerned with the molluscs or Invertebrates biodiversity state of this important ecosystem in Iraq.