RESEARCH ARTICLE
Mangrove-associated molluscs worldwide: A systematic review of composition, distribution and ecological information
Thyago H. F. Lourenço, Rafaela C. Maia
Laboratório de Ecologia de Manguezais, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Ceará, campus Acaraú, Ceará, Brazil.
Mangroves occur in tropical coastal regions, serving as transitional zones between terrestrial and marine environments, characterised by waterlogged soils under tidal influence and comprising halophytic plant species associated with diverse biotic components. They serve as nurseries for various organisms that either complete their entire life cycle within mangroves or use them seasonally for feeding and reproduction. Molluscs are commonly found in these environments, with gastropods and bivalves being most prevalent, occupying all levels of the food chain. They have economic value, used in cooking and, for some riverside communities, are a source of income. This study aims to synthesise information from the literature on mangrove molluscs, including distribution, feeding and reproductive habits, the influence of abiotic factors, and environmental impacts. For this, we used the PRISMA Eco-Evo methodology, which enables a bibliographic survey through a systematic review of published articles. Using 101 articles, we recorded 827 species from five of the eight classes of living molluscs, distributed into 150 families. The species recorded inhabit mangroves of 58 marine ecoregions in 20 countries. The data on feeding showed a variety in the diet of these organisms, feeding on organic matter from the mangroves, algae and zooplankton. Regarding reproduction, the articles reported that reproductive periods and strategies (from copulation to larval release) are synchronised with seasonal patterns and/or tidal regimes. Accordingly, the data indicate that salinity and temperature influence both distribution and reproduction. The data also revealed that environmental impacts on mangroves lead to faunal loss and/or changes in shell size. Faunal surveys are particularly important for developing public policies, decision-making, and effective conservation and management plans, especially for ecosystems such as mangroves, which have historically been undervalued in conservation priorities.
Supplementary files: (List of Mangrove Mollusc species), (List of Articles Analyzed).
Cite as: Lourenço THF & Maia RC (2026) Mangrove-associated molluscs worldwide: A systematic review of composition, distribution and ecological information. Strombus 30(1–2): 10–25. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21495411
Publication date: 22 July 2026.