A Checklist of Marine Ornamental Molluscs of India: A Case Study from Dwarka and Bet-Dwarka, Gujarat

Mayurdan Gadhavi

Article Details

A Checklist of Marine Ornamental Molluscs of India: A Case Study from Dwarka and Bet-Dwarka, Gujarat

Authors:

Mayurdan Gadhavi

Publisher:

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Main Topics:

Balıkçılık Yönetimi

Journal:

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries Vol.6 Issue 1, pp.56-69

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001293019

pISSN:

2651-5326

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Marine molluscs are economically very important and they are exploited by men for various purposes since the prehistoric times. Manufacture of ornaments is an age-old industry in the south and south-east India and molluscs as an ornament or souvenir are still in high demand. Although there is plenty of literature on the trade and economy of ornamental shells, exploitation of ornamental molluscs is less studied and limited to regions in the south and south-east India. The ornamental molluscs is widely traded in pilgrims places like Dwarka, Somnath and all along the coast of Gujarat, and with the exception of Turbinella pyrum the chank shell, there is no literature available on ornamental mollusc taxonomy, utilization and trade in Gujarat. This is the first study on ornamental molluscs from Gujarat. We have reviewed the available literature on ornamental molluscs of India and established a comprehensive checklist as there is no checklist available for ornamental molluscs of India. A total 136 species were recorded as ornamental molluscs in India. Of these shells, 118 species were listed by reviewing the literature and 33 ornamental molluscs were added from on-site observations in which 18 species were recorded for the first time from the study area. A total of 11 species among the 136 species were protected under wildlife protection act 1972. Different use of ornamental species was studied and classified accordingly. With respect to families, the majority of contributions were from Cypraeidae 7 species followed by Muricidae 3 species, Turbinellidae 2 species, Strombidae 2 species and Cardiidae 2 species. The major source of ornamental imports was from south India with some souvenirs collected from nearby intertidal areas and sold by local vendors as whole shells. Due to the extensive trade of ornamental shells, there is a need to study the degree of exploitation of ornamental molluscs in India, particularly in Gujarat.

 Marine molluscs are economically very important and they are exploited by men for various purposes since the prehistoric times. Manufacture of ornaments is an age-old industry in the south and south-east India and molluscs as an ornament or souvenir are still in high demand. Although there is plenty of literature on the trade and economy of ornamental shells, exploitation of ornamental molluscs is less studied and limited to regions in the south and south-east India. The ornamental molluscs is widely traded in pilgrims places like Dwarka, Somnath and all along the coast of Gujarat, and with the exception of Turbinella pyrum the chank shell, there is no literature available on ornamental mollusc taxonomy, utilization and trade in Gujarat. This is the first study on ornamental molluscs from Gujarat. We have reviewed the available literature on ornamental molluscs of India and established a comprehensive checklist as there is no checklist available for ornamental molluscs of India. A total 136 species were recorded as ornamental molluscs in India. Of these shells, 118 species were listed by reviewing the literature and 33 ornamental molluscs were added from on-site observations in which 18 species were recorded for the first time from the study area. A total of 11 species among the 136 species were protected under wildlife protection act 1972. Different use of ornamental species was studied and classified accordingly. With respect to families, the majority of contributions were from Cypraeidae 7 species followed by Muricidae 3 species, Turbinellidae 2 species, Strombidae 2 species and Cardiidae 2 species. The major source of ornamental imports was from south India with some souvenirs collected from nearby intertidal areas and sold by local vendors as whole shells. Due to the extensive trade of ornamental shells, there is a need to study the degree of exploitation of ornamental molluscs in India, particularly in Gujarat.

 Marine molluscs are economically very important and they are exploited by men for various purposes since the prehistoric times. Manufacture of ornaments is an age-old industry in the south and south-east India and molluscs as an ornament or souvenir are still in high demand. Although there is plenty of literature on the trade and economy of ornamental shells, exploitation of ornamental molluscs is less studied and limited to regions in the south and south-east India. The ornamental molluscs is widely traded in pilgrims places like Dwarka, Somnath and all along the coast of Gujarat, and with the exception of Turbinella pyrum the chank shell, there is no literature available on ornamental mollusc taxonomy, utilization and trade in Gujarat. This is the first study on ornamental molluscs from Gujarat. We have reviewed the available literature on ornamental molluscs of India and established a comprehensive checklist as there is no checklist available for ornamental molluscs of India. A total 136 species were recorded as ornamental molluscs in India. Of these shells, 118 species were listed by reviewing the literature and 33 ornamental molluscs were added from on-site observations in which 18 species were recorded for the first time from the study area. A total of 11 species among the 136 species were protected under wildlife protection act 1972. Different use of ornamental species was studied and classified accordingly. With respect to families, the majority of contributions were from Cypraeidae 7 species followed by Muricidae 3 species, Turbinellidae 2 species, Strombidae 2 species and Cardiidae 2 species. The major source of ornamental imports was from south India with some souvenirs collected from nearby intertidal areas and sold by local vendors as whole shells. Due to the extensive trade of ornamental shells, there is a need to study the degree of exploitation of ornamental molluscs in India, particularly in Gujarat.

 Deniz kabukları ekonomik açıdan oldukça önemlidir ve tarih öncesi çağlardan beri insanlar tarafından çeşitli amaçlarla kullanılmaktadır. Süs eşyası imalatı güney ve güneydoğu Hindistanda asırlık bir endüstridir ve süs eşyası veya hediyelik eşya olarak yumuşakçalar hala yüksek talep görmektedir. Süs kabuklarının ticareti ve ekonomisi üzerine çok sayıda literatür olmasına rağmen, süs kabuklarının kullanımı daha az çalışılmıştır ve güney ve güneydoğu Hindistandaki bölgelerle sınırlıdır. Süs kabukları, Dwarka, Somnath gibi kutsal yerlerde ve tüm Gujarat kıyılarında yaygın olarak ticareti yapılır ve Turbinella pyrum chank kabuğu dışında, Gujaratta süs kabukları taksonomisi, kullanımı ve ticareti hakkında hiçbir literatür yoktur. Bu, Gujarattan süs kabukları üzerine yapılan ilk çalışmadır. Hindistandaki süs kabukları ile ilgili mevcut literatürü inceledik ve Hindistandaki süs kabukları için herhangi bir kontrol listesi bulunmadığından kapsamlı bir kontrol listesi oluşturduk. Hindistanda süs kabukları olarak toplam 136 tür kaydedildi. Bu kabuklardan 118 tür literatür taranarak listelenmiş ve ilk kez kaydedilen 18 türün yer aldığı 33 süs kabuğu çalışma alanından yerinde gözlemlerden eklenmiştir. 136 türden toplam 11 tür, 1972 yaban hayatı koruma yasası kapsamında korunmuştur. Süs türlerinin farklı kullanımları incelenmiş ve buna göre sınıflandırılmıştır. Ailelere göre, katkıların çoğu Cypraeidaeden 7 tür, ardından Muricidae 3 tür, Turbinellidae 2 tür, Strombidae 2 tür ve Cardiidaeden 2 tür gelmektedir. Süs kabuğu ithalatının ana kaynağı, yakınlardaki gelgit bölgelerinden toplanan ve yerel satıcılar tarafından bütün deniz kabukları olarak satılan bazı hediyelik eşyalarla birlikte güney Hindistandan geliyordu. Süs kabuklarının yaygın ticareti nedeniyle, Hindistanda, özellikle Gujaratta süs kabuklarının kullanım derecesini incelemeye ihtiyaç vardır.

Article Details

A Checklist of Marine Ornamental Molluscs of India: A Case Study from Dwarka and Bet-Dwarka, Gujarat

Authors:

Mayurdan Gadhavi

Publisher:

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Main Topics:

Balıkçılık Yönetimi

Journal:

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries Vol.6 Issue 1, pp.56-69

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001293019

pISSN:

2651-5326

Conservation

Intertidal

Diversity

Shell Craft Industries

ExploitationKoruma

Gelgit

Çeşitlilik

Kabuk el işi endüstrisi

Yararlanma

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Mayurdan Gadhavi

Publisher: Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Main Topics: Balıkçılık Yönetimi

Journal: Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries Vol.6 Issue 1, pp.56-69

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 4/2023

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001293019

pISSN: 2651-5326

Issues

Authors:

Mayurdan Gadhavi

Publisher:

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Main Topics:

Balıkçılık Yönetimi

Journal:

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries Vol.6 Issue 1, pp.56-69

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001293019

pISSN:

2651-5326