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Gastropods are ecologically significant and can be found in a wide range of habitats. Their taxonomy is complicated by their perplexing morphological characteristics. Therefore, a molecular based identification approach was used to confirm the variety of gastropod species commonly found on the coast during low tide at rocky shores. In the present investigation, nine species of gastropods were identified using the foresaid modern technique such as (Thalessa savignyi, Purpura persica, Turbo sparverius, Lunella coronata, Cellana karachiensis, Nerita albicilla, Nerita tristis, Ischnochiton australis, Astralium tentorriformis). T our knowledge among them three are news records (A. tentoriiformes, Ischnochiton australis and, Nerita tristis). The highest evolutionary divergence within the family of Nacellidae (0.917) followed by Turbinidae (0.169) and Neritidae (0.100) was noted. The results of this study will be helpful to taxonomists because meager attention was given to molecular- based identification from this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Phylum Mollusca's class Gastropoda contains a diverse range of organisms that live in several environments. Neverita didyma is a commercially important snail that is also known as the moon shell or bladder moon snail. Its molecular identification as N. didyma was confirmed in this investigation. The current study's sequence has been submitted to NCBI under the accession number ON358159. It showed 91.36% similarity with the sequence under accession number NC046594. Neighbour-joining tree revealed that N.didyma from Pakistani coastal waters is distinctly clustered with other species of N. didyma. The present molecular-based confirmation of this species will be helpful for taxonomists, and biodiversity monitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]