**3. Importance of gastropod biodiversity in the study area**

Due to the lack of biological information from the Gulf of California islands, specifically from the ones found in Ohuira lagoon and their ecological and economic importance, it is necessary to perform research to increase the knowledge about them and to contribute on the elaboration of management methods and alternatives for the sustainable use the marine resources found on the islands. While it is true that in the past years the number of investigations have increased, the marine studies that have been performed on the islands of the Ohuira lagoon do not provide enough information about the species that inhabit the area, such as their biology, ecology, reproduction, physiology and taxonomy. This is why this current research pretends to set a baseline for future studies of the gastropod mollusk community from these islands throughout time, in order to evaluate possible environmental changes whether they are natural or anthropogenic.

#### **3.1. Importance in ecology, biology and taxonomy**

the most abundant species on Tunosa Island with 712 (ID = 24.53%, Af, H´ = 0.2662) and 620 (ID = 21.67%, Af, H´ = 0.2478) collected organisms, respectively, in the intertidal zone. *Neritina* sp. was the dominant species and presented the highest abundance on Patos Island with 479 collected organisms (ID = 13.07%, aF, H´ = 0.2142), the sum of the dominance of these species was of 91.47%, where 8.53% corresponds to the rest of the remaining gastropod species. The biometrics of the dominant species on the islands of the Ohuira lagoon, Ahome, Sinaloa, México were as follows: *Cerithium stercusmuscarum* with 26.65 ± 0.146 mm in length*, Nerita funiculata* with 16.03 ± 0.118 mm in length*, Nerita scabricosta* with 39.03 ± 1.46 mm in length*,* 

The gastropods *Cerithium stercusmuscarum* (J´<sup>1</sup> = 0.5413, J´<sup>2</sup> = 0.8390) was recorded on five islands with 1037 collected organisms, being Patos Island the one with the highest abundance and Mazocahui Island the one with the lowest (35 organisms), finding a higher tendency of the proportion of the observed diversity in those nonexposed areas. *Nerita funiculata* and *Nerita scabricosta* were the most abundant species on Tunosa Island with 712 (J´<sup>1</sup> = 0.4677, J´<sup>2</sup> = 0.8298) and 620 (J´<sup>1</sup> = 0.6469, J´<sup>2</sup> = 0.6739) respectively, recording the highest equity index in the areas exposed to the tides. *Neritina* sp. dominated with the highest abundance on Patos Island with 479 collected organisms (J´<sup>1</sup> = 0.5831, J´<sup>2</sup> = 0.6993) showing the same tendency of

On Patos Island we found Dmg = 1.80, on Bledos Island Dmg = 1.68, Bleditos Island Dmg = 1.53, Tunosa Island Dmg = 1.95, and on Mazocahui Island, Dmg = 1.81, which suggests that on Patos and Mazocahui Islands, the diversity or richness is similar, being higher on Tunosa Island and lower on Bleditos.

Due to the lack of biological information from the Gulf of California islands, specifically from the ones found in Ohuira lagoon and their ecological and economic importance, it is necessary to perform research to increase the knowledge about them and to contribute on the elaboration of management methods and alternatives for the sustainable use the marine resources found on the islands. While it is true that in the past years the number of investigations have increased, the marine studies that have been performed on the islands of the Ohuira lagoon do not provide enough information about the species that inhabit the area, such as their biology, ecology, reproduction, physiology and taxonomy. This is why this current research pretends to set a baseline for future studies of the gastropod mollusk community from these islands throughout time, in order to evaluate possible environmental changes whether they are natural or anthropogenic.

**3. Importance of gastropod biodiversity in the study area**

*) and non-exposed* 

*Neritina* sp. with 8.9 ± 0.205 mm in length (**Figure 2**).

*2.2.2.1. Comparison between dominant species in tide exposed areas (J´1*

*2.2.2. Pielou's equity*

128 Biological Resources of Water

high equity in the nonexposed areas.

*2.2.2.2. Diversity index or Margalef's richness (Dmg)*

*areas (J´2 )* In Ohuira lagoon, Ahome, Sinaloa, the ecological importance in particular of the species of gastropod Mollusks is related to trophic levels, since there are organisms that are of carnivorous feeding habits such as the black murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus*, the prince murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) prínceps*, the cabbage murex *Phyllonotus brassica*, the pinkmouthed murex *Phyllonotus erythrostoma*, Regal murex *Phyllonotus regius*, the Pacific melongena *Melongena patula*, the giant Eastern Pacific conch *Strombus galeatus*, and the Pacific cask shell *Malea ringens,* which can feed on other smaller gastropods such as *Cerithium stercusmuscarum*, the onyx slipper shell *Crepidula onyx*, *Terebra armillata, Hormospira maculosa*, and *Fusinus (Barbarofusus) colpoicus,* to mention some species. It is important to emphasize that both gastropods, the black murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus* and the ambiguous murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) ambiguus*, are sometimes considered as northern subspecies of the species radish murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) radix* [52]. Considering the gastropod species with the greatest economic-commercial importance in the study area, the biology is described for each case [41, 52].

#### *3.1.1. Gastropods black murex Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus (Philippi, 1845)*

The distinctive features of the gastropod *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus*, are that it belongs to the family Muricidae, it has a relation of synonymy with *Murex nigritus* and *Muricanthus nigritus*; it has a very large, robust, bulbous shell with a moderately prominent conical spiral and a wide body turn. It presents six to nine strong spinal mandibular varices in the back of the body, crossed by spiral ribs intermixed with smaller ribs. It has relative scarce thorny acute varices, and those located on the shoulder and on the basis of the longer shell. It has a wide oval opening with a small rear channel and a wide siphoned channel, fairly well developed and slightly curved. It presents a strongly crenulated outer lip and an internal lip with a columellar adherent callus and a spiral crest on its back, and the nucleus of the operculum presents an anterior position. The color of the outer surface is white opaque, with a blackish-brownish dye on the ribs, spirals and thorns, and the opening is porcelain white. The maximum size reported was 150 mm, although the most common size is 120 mm. The reported habitats of the species were reefs or sandy bottoms in the intertidal zone and subcoastal shallow waters [52].

#### *3.1.2. Pink-mouthed murex gastropod Phyllonotus Erythrostoma (Swainson, 1831)*

It belongs to the Muricidae family, the synonyms used are *Murex erythrostoma*, *Chicoreus erythrostoma,* and *Hexaplex erythrostoma*. The distinctive features are a large, robust, globose-oval shell, with a short conical spiral and a wide body turn; four or five thick axial varices around the body, alternating with tubercular axial ridges; six to seven spiral crests that form nodules in the intervarical ridges and become open and sharp spines on the varices, being stronger in the shoulder; oval opening with a small posterior canal and a wide siphonel canal, relatively short and curved; an external erect and crenulated lip; an internal lip with a thin, expanded columellar callus and the nucleus of the operculum with an anterior position. The outer surface is opaque white and it has a bright pink opening. The maximum size reported was 150 mm, while the most common size is up to 100 mm. The habitat of the species was reported in sandy and muddy bottoms, both at low levels of the intertidal zone and offshore, up to 50 m deep [52].

#### *3.1.3. Pacific melongena gastropods Melongena Patula (Broderip and Sowerby, 1829)*

With only a single species in the study area, it belongs to the Melongenidae family. It presents a large and heavy, piriformed shell, the most recent rounds gradually enveloping the oldest, forming an irregular and deeply grooved suture and a very small spiral coil. Young organisms (less than 60 mm in length) are therefore more fusiform. The sculpture consists of a single-spaced row of short spines (although this feature might be absent) on the rounded shoulder, as well as numerous fine spiral grooves, mainly in the lower part of the shell. It has a rather smooth and thick periostraco, a very large opening, with a short and wide channel, an internal smooth and satin lip and a simple outer lip. The corneum operculum has a claw-like shape, with a terminal nucleus. The color is dark brown with cream spiral bands, just below the widest part of the last lap. The opening's color is yellowish to pinkish. The families of gastropods with similar appearance present in the area are: Fasciolariidae, with more fusiform shells, longer and narrow siphon canals, with few folds sometimes present in the columella. The maximum reported size was 260 mm; nevertheless, the most common size was up to 160 mm. Its habitat is in sandbars and mud from the high levels of the intertidal zone. It is a carnivorous species that especially feeds on other gastropod Mollusks [52].

#### **3.2. Elaboration of crafts (tourism)**

Several gastropods are used to create crafts (Port of Mazatlán, Sinaloa) such as jewelry boxes, picture frames, key holders, reliquaries, candles, lithographs, among others, by using shells of the gastropods belonging to the genus *Hexaplex*, *Melongena*, *Phyllonotus*, *Strombus*, *Turritella*, *Crucibulum*, *Crepidula*, and *Cerathium*. Mentioned artisan products are acquired by domestic and foreign tourists in local sales outlets established in municipal markets and in touristic areas. The elaboration of handcrafts has been carried out for decades mainly in the port of Mazatlán, where in many cases it becomes the livelihood-sustaining asset for a large number of families that take advantage of a waste product (shells) once the organism has been extracted for consumption and commercial importance. The same situation takes place with the smaller gastropods whose shells are collected on beach areas for these same purposes [10] (**Figure 3a**–**d**).

#### **3.3. Fisheries**

#### *3.3.1. Current status*

Some organisms of the gastropod are a very important fishery resource worldwide and have a significant economic impact through the generation of resources at the level of artisanal fishermen, local trade and the export of fishery products of international value. The gastropod fishery destined for human consumption in the study area is based on the black murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus,* prince murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) prínceps,* cabbage murex *Phyllonotus brassica,* pink-mouthed murex *Phyllonotus erythrostoma,* Regal murex *Phyllonotus regius,* Pacific melongena *Melongena patula,* giant Eastern Pacific conch *Strombus galeatus,* and the Pacific cask shell *Malea ringens* [52].

**Figure 3.** (a–c) Decorative articles made with shells of gastropods, simulating flowers; (d) jewelry boxes made with different species of gastropods; (e) capture of black murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus* by snorkeling on a working day in the lagoon Ohuira, Ahome, Sinaloa, and also the adhesion of masses of embryos (Me) on the shells of the organisms captured; (f) capture of gastropods *Melongena patula* (Mp), *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus* (HMn); and *Phyllonotus erythrostoma* in the study area; (g) "Chipped" processing of the capture of the gastropod *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus*

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in the study area.

Biodiversity of Gastropod in the Southeastern Gulf of California, Mexico http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.72201 131

while the most common size is up to 100 mm. The habitat of the species was reported in sandy and muddy bottoms, both at low levels of the intertidal zone and offshore, up to 50 m deep [52].

With only a single species in the study area, it belongs to the Melongenidae family. It presents a large and heavy, piriformed shell, the most recent rounds gradually enveloping the oldest, forming an irregular and deeply grooved suture and a very small spiral coil. Young organisms (less than 60 mm in length) are therefore more fusiform. The sculpture consists of a single-spaced row of short spines (although this feature might be absent) on the rounded shoulder, as well as numerous fine spiral grooves, mainly in the lower part of the shell. It has a rather smooth and thick periostraco, a very large opening, with a short and wide channel, an internal smooth and satin lip and a simple outer lip. The corneum operculum has a claw-like shape, with a terminal nucleus. The color is dark brown with cream spiral bands, just below the widest part of the last lap. The opening's color is yellowish to pinkish. The families of gastropods with similar appearance present in the area are: Fasciolariidae, with more fusiform shells, longer and narrow siphon canals, with few folds sometimes present in the columella. The maximum reported size was 260 mm; nevertheless, the most common size was up to 160 mm. Its habitat is in sandbars and mud from the high levels of the intertidal zone. It is a carnivorous species that especially feeds on other

Several gastropods are used to create crafts (Port of Mazatlán, Sinaloa) such as jewelry boxes, picture frames, key holders, reliquaries, candles, lithographs, among others, by using shells of the gastropods belonging to the genus *Hexaplex*, *Melongena*, *Phyllonotus*, *Strombus*, *Turritella*, *Crucibulum*, *Crepidula*, and *Cerathium*. Mentioned artisan products are acquired by domestic and foreign tourists in local sales outlets established in municipal markets and in touristic areas. The elaboration of handcrafts has been carried out for decades mainly in the port of Mazatlán, where in many cases it becomes the livelihood-sustaining asset for a large number of families that take advantage of a waste product (shells) once the organism has been extracted for consumption and commercial importance. The same situation takes place with the smaller gastropods whose shells are collected on beach areas for these same purposes [10] (**Figure 3a**–**d**).

Some organisms of the gastropod are a very important fishery resource worldwide and have a significant economic impact through the generation of resources at the level of artisanal fishermen, local trade and the export of fishery products of international value. The gastropod fishery destined for human consumption in the study area is based on the black murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus,* prince murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) prínceps,* cabbage murex *Phyllonotus brassica,* pink-mouthed murex *Phyllonotus erythrostoma,* Regal murex *Phyllonotus regius,* Pacific melongena *Melongena patula,* giant Eastern Pacific conch *Strombus galeatus,* and

*3.1.3. Pacific melongena gastropods Melongena Patula (Broderip and Sowerby, 1829)*

gastropod Mollusks [52].

130 Biological Resources of Water

**3.3. Fisheries**

*3.3.1. Current status*

the Pacific cask shell *Malea ringens* [52].

**3.2. Elaboration of crafts (tourism)**

**Figure 3.** (a–c) Decorative articles made with shells of gastropods, simulating flowers; (d) jewelry boxes made with different species of gastropods; (e) capture of black murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus* by snorkeling on a working day in the lagoon Ohuira, Ahome, Sinaloa, and also the adhesion of masses of embryos (Me) on the shells of the organisms captured; (f) capture of gastropods *Melongena patula* (Mp), *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus* (HMn); and *Phyllonotus erythrostoma* in the study area; (g) "Chipped" processing of the capture of the gastropod *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus* in the study area.

#### *3.3.1.1. Gastropods black murex Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus (Philippi, 1845)*

The fishery of the gastropods black murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus* (*H. M. nigritus*) is the one of greatest effort considering the abundance of the species, incidentally including another gastropod (prince murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) prínceps*) of the family Muricidae which has similar morphometric characteristics that go unnoticed to fishermen. Current official data from the port of Topolobampo, Sinaloa, on *H. M. nigritus* catches in the study area, with reference to the year 2008 with a catch of 8000 kg, and by 2014 of 4063 kg in live weight, which represented an income of \$21,196.35 Mexican pesos [57, 58]. The exploitation and effort applicable to this gastropod in each season requires previous evaluations for each season according to the availability of the resource for each catch zone, due to their eating habits, the evaluation method can be by marking and recapture of marked organisms. The fishing effort is very variable, since not every year the catches are recorded. A fisherman by snorkeling can capture approximately 700 organisms in 4 h of work (**Figure 3e**). A minimum size for catching 90 mm of the shell [52] is contemplated in the Mexican legislation (**Figure 3f**–**g**). The average shell length recorded during the period 2016–2017 was 100 ± 2.53 mm, with a total weight of 104.45 ± 19.34 g. With regard to fisheries, growth with respect to the length ratio of the shell (mm)-total weight (g) was evaluated in black murex *H. M. nigritus* in the Ohuira lagoon and was represented by the potential model TW = 4E-06SL 3.7956, with R<sup>2</sup> = 0.8317 (**Figure 4a**).

*H. M. nigritus* has a lower abundance than *M. patula* but it is compensated with the longer shell length and total weight that also has its commercial value (**Figure 3f**). FAO in 1995 [52] reported a maximum shell length of 260 mm, with a common length of 160 mm. There are gastropods that have a shell length and total weight similar or superior to *H. M. nigritus*, *P. erythrostoma*, and *M. patula* like the giant eastern Pacific conch *Strombus galeatus* (Swainson, 1823) and the Pacific cask shell *Malea ringens* (Swainson, 1822). However, their catch is incidental because of their low abundance. For these species of gastropods, there are no official regulatory standards for their fisheries, it is only mentioned those non-updated catch volumes, as well as the recommended catch sizes in the national fisheries charter issued by the National Fisheries Institute,

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**Figure 4.** Growth in length of the total weight (g)-shell of the (a) black murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus* and (b)

pink-mouthed murex gastropod *Phyllonotus erythrostoma* in Ohuira lagoon, Ahome, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Mexico.

#### *3.3.1.2. Pink-mouthed murex gastropod Phyllonotus erythrostoma (Swainson, 1831)*

The pink-mouthed murex gastropod fisheries *Phyllonotus erythrostoma* (*P. erythrostoma*) in the study area is complemented by the gastropod cabbage murex *Phyllonotus brassica* and regal murex *Phyllonotus regius* which have similar morphometric characteristics that go unnoticed by fishermen [52]. There are currently no official data in the office of the Port of Topolobampo, Sinaloa on the catches of *P. erythrostoma* in the study area, the closest reference is to the year 2008, with a catch of 8000 kg, which represented an income of \$ 11,096.21 Mexican pesos [57–59]. The exploitation and effort applicable to this gastropod in each season of capture, as in black murex *H. M. nigritus*, requires previous evaluations for each season according to the availability of the resource for each catch zone. Due to their eating habits the evaluation method can be made by labeling, and the recapture of marked organisms. The fishing effort is very variable, since not every year has a recorded catch. A fisherman by snorkeling can capture approximately 150 organisms during 4 h of work (**Figure 3f**). Growth with respect to the length ratio of the shell (mm)-total weight (g) was evaluated in pink-mouthed murex *Phyllonotus erythrostoma* in the Ohuira lagoon and was represented by the potential model TW = 0.5596SL 1.2287, with R<sup>2</sup> = 0.4442 (**Figure 4b**).

#### *3.3.1.3. Pacific melongena gastropod Melongena patula (Broderip and Sowerby, 1829) and incidentals gastropods*

Captures in the study area of the Pacific melongena gastropod *Melongena patula* (*M. patula*), considering the official records in the Port of Topolobampo, Sinaloa, amounted 21,695 kg for the year 2014 with a value of \$ 130,432 Mexican pesos. In contrast, the black murex gastropod *H. M. nigritus* has a lower abundance than *M. patula* but it is compensated with the longer shell length and total weight that also has its commercial value (**Figure 3f**). FAO in 1995 [52] reported a maximum shell length of 260 mm, with a common length of 160 mm. There are gastropods that have a shell length and total weight similar or superior to *H. M. nigritus*, *P. erythrostoma*, and *M. patula* like the giant eastern Pacific conch *Strombus galeatus* (Swainson, 1823) and the Pacific cask shell *Malea ringens* (Swainson, 1822). However, their catch is incidental because of their low abundance. For these species of gastropods, there are no official regulatory standards for their fisheries, it is only mentioned those non-updated catch volumes, as well as the recommended catch sizes in the national fisheries charter issued by the National Fisheries Institute, Mexico.

*3.3.1.1. Gastropods black murex Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus (Philippi, 1845)*

*3.3.1.2. Pink-mouthed murex gastropod Phyllonotus erythrostoma (Swainson, 1831)*

*3.3.1.3. Pacific melongena gastropod Melongena patula (Broderip and Sowerby, 1829) and* 

Captures in the study area of the Pacific melongena gastropod *Melongena patula* (*M. patula*), considering the official records in the Port of Topolobampo, Sinaloa, amounted 21,695 kg for the year 2014 with a value of \$ 130,432 Mexican pesos. In contrast, the black murex gastropod

TW = 0.5596SL 1.2287, with R<sup>2</sup> = 0.4442 (**Figure 4b**).

*incidentals gastropods*

132 Biological Resources of Water

The pink-mouthed murex gastropod fisheries *Phyllonotus erythrostoma* (*P. erythrostoma*) in the study area is complemented by the gastropod cabbage murex *Phyllonotus brassica* and regal murex *Phyllonotus regius* which have similar morphometric characteristics that go unnoticed by fishermen [52]. There are currently no official data in the office of the Port of Topolobampo, Sinaloa on the catches of *P. erythrostoma* in the study area, the closest reference is to the year 2008, with a catch of 8000 kg, which represented an income of \$ 11,096.21 Mexican pesos [57–59]. The exploitation and effort applicable to this gastropod in each season of capture, as in black murex *H. M. nigritus*, requires previous evaluations for each season according to the availability of the resource for each catch zone. Due to their eating habits the evaluation method can be made by labeling, and the recapture of marked organisms. The fishing effort is very variable, since not every year has a recorded catch. A fisherman by snorkeling can capture approximately 150 organisms during 4 h of work (**Figure 3f**). Growth with respect to the length ratio of the shell (mm)-total weight (g) was evaluated in pink-mouthed murex *Phyllonotus erythrostoma* in the Ohuira lagoon and was represented by the potential model

The fishery of the gastropods black murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus* (*H. M. nigritus*) is the one of greatest effort considering the abundance of the species, incidentally including another gastropod (prince murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) prínceps*) of the family Muricidae which has similar morphometric characteristics that go unnoticed to fishermen. Current official data from the port of Topolobampo, Sinaloa, on *H. M. nigritus* catches in the study area, with reference to the year 2008 with a catch of 8000 kg, and by 2014 of 4063 kg in live weight, which represented an income of \$21,196.35 Mexican pesos [57, 58]. The exploitation and effort applicable to this gastropod in each season requires previous evaluations for each season according to the availability of the resource for each catch zone, due to their eating habits, the evaluation method can be by marking and recapture of marked organisms. The fishing effort is very variable, since not every year the catches are recorded. A fisherman by snorkeling can capture approximately 700 organisms in 4 h of work (**Figure 3e**). A minimum size for catching 90 mm of the shell [52] is contemplated in the Mexican legislation (**Figure 3f**–**g**). The average shell length recorded during the period 2016–2017 was 100 ± 2.53 mm, with a total weight of 104.45 ± 19.34 g. With regard to fisheries, growth with respect to the length ratio of the shell (mm)-total weight (g) was evaluated in black murex *H. M. nigritus* in the Ohuira lagoon and was represented by the potential model TW = 4E-06SL 3.7956, with R<sup>2</sup> = 0.8317 (**Figure 4a**).

**Figure 4.** Growth in length of the total weight (g)-shell of the (a) black murex *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus* and (b) pink-mouthed murex gastropod *Phyllonotus erythrostoma* in Ohuira lagoon, Ahome, Sinaloa, Mexico.

#### **3.4. Aquaculture**

#### *3.4.1. Current status*

The reproductive cycle of the snail *Hexaplex (Muricanthus) nigritus*, was studied in 2011, under lab conditions. A total of three females and two males were collected in Macapule lagoon, Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico. After being held at water exchange regimes a total of 24 eggs masses were collected. The average number of capsules found within an eggs mass was of 150.75 ± 37.23. The estimated height and width for the capsules averaged 15.05 ± 1.21 and 4.93 ± 0.58 cm, respectively; the average number of embryos found per capsule was of 1583 ± 149, obtaining a total of 238,626 ± 3457 embryos in the egg mass. The obtained results were considered as useful tools to estimate the reproductive potential of *H. M. nigritus* for commercial and repopulation purposes [60].

**Author details**

Ruth Escamilla-Montes<sup>1</sup>

Paúl de J. Pacheco-Heredia<sup>3</sup>

Wenceslao Valenzuela-Quiñonez<sup>1</sup>

\*Address all correspondence to: gdiarte@ipn.mx

Integral Regional Unidad Sinaloa, Guasave, Sinaloa, México

Golfo de California. México: UNAM; 1991. p. 292

by sea urchins. Science. 1979;**203**:47-49

Jesús A. Fierro-Coronado<sup>1</sup>

Ahome, Sinaloa, México

Ahome, Sinaloa, México

México; 2006. p. 30

1994;**22**:101-119

**21**(4):373-386

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3 Universidad Autónoma Intercultural de Sinaloa, Programa de Maestría en Ciencias en Desarrollo Sustentable de Recursos Naturales, Unidad Los Mochis, Ahome, Sinaloa, México 4 Instituto Nacional de México, Unidad Los Mochis. Departamento de Biología, Los Mochis,

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#### **4. Discussion**

A difference was found among the ecological indexes (H′, J′, Dmg) from the intertidal Mollusks community between the present study from the Ohuira lagoon, Ahome, Sinaloa (2016–2017 period) and previous studies undertaken at the Guasave municipality in Sinaloa (Navachiste lagoon) [15] and in the Topolobampo and Ohuira lagoons (mangrove zone) [16]. The abundance distribution of organisms and species on the collecting sites was heterogeneous. In the gastropod mollusk community in Ohuira lagoon, Ahome, there was a certain type of association with the type of substrate, which is composed of rocky and sandy zones (beach), zones with small rocks and in less proportion mangroves. The sampling methods showed that the gastropod *Littorina modesta* associates with the mangrove. In a previous study about epibenthic invertebrate communities associated with hard substrates in the intertidal zone in the Ohuira and Topolobampo lagoons, Sinaloa, the authors mentioned that the rocky intertidal zone and its organisms represent a very important trophic phase, and they recognize the importance of getting to know more about the biodiversity and distribution of the epibenthic invertebrate community of that study area. In their study, they performed 4 samplings with 50 × 50 cm quadrants at 5 stations from August 2011 to February 2012. The results showed that the community presented a specific richness (S) of 168 species, where 74 of them corresponded to Mollusks. The gastropod *Cerithium stercusmuscarum* was found within the dominant species, which matches with the results reported in the present study on the Ohuira islands [52]. The species *Cerithium stercusmuscarum, Neritina* sp.*, Nerita funiculata, Nerita scabricosta, Crucibulum spinosum, Nassarius luteostoma* and *Crepidula onix* could be considered as representatives of the malacological fauna of the Ohuira lagoon, Ahome, Sinaloa, Mexico.

### **Acknowledgements**

The authors thank Dra. Mercedes Eugenia Guerrero Ruiz for translating the manuscript into English.
