Page 174 - Aquauclature Research and Studies (01)

AQUAUCLATURE
Research and Studies 1 (1): 15-01, 2026 page 164 of 193

عارزتسلاا تايجيتارتسا ريوطتو رمتسملا يئيبلا دصرلا جمارب زيزعت ةرورضب
ةددهملا عاونلأا ةيامحو ي ويحل ا عونتلا ىلع ظافحلا نمضي امب ،مادتسملا يئاملا

. ةيبيللا لحاوسلا يف ارقنلااب
ةددهملا عاونلأا ،ةيداصتقلاا عاونلأا ،يويحلا عونتلا ،ةورف ةريحب ،تايوخرلا :ةي حاتفملا تاملكلا
. يئاملا عارزتسلاا ، ارقنلااب
Study of the Distribution and diversity of economically
important and cultured mollusks in Farwa Lagoon,
Libya

Abstract: This study was conducted in Farwa Lagoon, located
on the western coast of Libya, following its declaration as a ma-
rine protected area in 2010. The main objective was to assess
the biodiversity and spatial distribution of marine mollusks,

Received: with a focus on economically important and aquaculture-rele-
8/4/2025 vant species, as well as endangered and exotic species recorded
Accepted: in the Mediterranean Sea.
12/8/2025 Samples were collected from 22 stations using a 25 × 25 cm
Publish online: quadrat for surface mollusks, along with three sediment samples
15/1/2025
obtained using a core sampler at the same sites. This procedure
was repeated across all stations, and species were identified us-
ing taxonomic keys and specialized references.
A total of more than 150 molluscan species were recorded, be-
longing to 45 families of gastropods and bivalves. Among these,
six species were identified as endangered, most notably the fan
mussel (Pinna nobilis). Economically important species suita-
ble for aquaculture were also documented, including Ruditapes
decussatus, Venerupis sp., and Mytilus galloprovincialis. Fur-
thermore, exotic species such as Fulvia fragilis and Pirenella
conica were observed.
The findings highlight that Farwa Lagoon hosts a rich mollus-
can fauna, though its diversity is influenced by various environ-
mental and physicochemical factors. The study emphasizes the
need for continuous ecological monitoring and the development
of sustainable aquaculture strategies to conserve biodiversity
and protect endangered species along the Libyan coast.