ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Mar. Sci.
Sec. Marine Evolutionary Biology, Biogeography and Species Diversity
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fmars.2025.1657130
Distribution and Diversity of Commercial Mollusc Species at Shallow Depths in the Saloum Delta, Senegal
Provisionally accepted
- 1Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal
- 2Universite Amadou Mahtar Mbow, Dakar, Senegal
- 3Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
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This study aimed to characterize and assess the distribution, diversity and abundance of mollusc species of commercial interest in the Saloum delta. The species collected were identified using determination keys available in the literature. Their spatial distribution was also studied using principal component analysis (PCA) and their abundance and diversity were assessed using conventional ecological indices. Sampling at 17 stations across five villages (Dionewar, Niodior, Palmarin, Falia, and Sangomar) during both harvesting and biological rest periods in 2019-2020 revealed 21 species from 19 families. Notable findings indicated higher species richness in Falia, Sangomar, and Niodior than in Dionewar and Palmarin. Diversity metrics, including Hill's N1 (1.61), Shannon's H' (1.77), and Shannon-Weaver (0.47), indicated a high overall diversity with a few dominant species (Simpson's index: 0.564; equitability index: 0.16), emphasizing the critical role of biological rest in sustaining shellfish populations. Senilia senilis, the most commercialized species, emerged as the dominant species across all localities, followed by the less exploited Diplodonta rotundata. Spatial and temporal variations correlated with environmental factors, including bathymetric distribution and delta hydrology, suggesting the need for effective management strategies alongside existing conservation measures. These results, combined with conservation measures already in place such as biological rest, could lead to better management of shellfish stocks in the Saloum Islands.
Keywords: Biological rest, diversity, estuary, Harvesting, mollusc, Saloum of Delta
Received: 01 Jul 2025; Accepted: 18 Aug 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 TINE, THIAW, NGOM, FAYE and SEMBENE. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: MBAYE TINE, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal
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