Identification of Nine Gastropod Species with Three New Records using Cytochrome Oxidase Sub-Unit 1 Marker.

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]