Molluscs of the Peel-Harvey estuarine system, with a comparison with other south-western Australian estuaries

Abstract

Thirty-four mollusc species are recorded from the Peel-Harvey estuarine system; 13 are marine, 9 of marine affinity, 9 estuarine, and 1 freshwater (2 were undetermined). The number of marine and marine affinity species in the system is low compared to some of the other areas of southwestern Australia. Factors limiting the numbers of these species were considered to be the lack of varied habitat types, geographical location and the rigorous temperature and salinity regime. Eleven estuarine mollusc species are widespread in southwestern Australia; nine were recorded in Peel-Harvey. Two of these, Hydrococcus brazieri and Arthritica semen are numerically dominant in the system.