DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TERRESTRIAL MOLLUSCS (MOLLUSCA: GASTROPODA) IN LAO CAI PROVINCE

Abstract

This paper presents the update terrestrial molluscs checklist for Lao Cai Province, where is recognised as one of the most important limestone regions for its diverse terrestrial molluscs fauna in Vietnam. The research provides an overview of the diversity and distribution of the terrestrial molluscs fauna occurring in three habitats (forests over limestone, forests, arable land and residential areas). A total of 125 species in 64 genera representing 23 families are documented. Families Camaenidae (26 species, 10 genera), Clausiliidae (17 species, 8 genere), Streptaxidae (9 species, 4 genera), Ariophantidae (8 species, 5 genera), Achatinidae (8 species, 5 genera), Cyclophoridae (7 species, 5 genera), Pupinidae (7 species, 4 genera), Helicarionidae (7 species, 4 genera), Alycaeidae (5 species, 3 genera), Diplommatinidae (6 species, 2 genera), Enidae (5 species, 1 genus) had the highest number of species, while twelve families were represented by only one or two species. Eighteen (or 14.4%) of these species are endemic to Lao Cai Province. Four new genera (Deroceras, Meghimatium, Succinea, Valiguna) and fifteen species recorded for Lao Cai.