Species Biodiversity and Geographical Distribution of Terrestrial Mollusca in Guizhou Province

Abstract

There are many species of terrestrial Mollusca with rapid reproduction rates, a wide distribution range, and a large population. They are not only an important wildlife resource but also an important component of biodiversity. Previously, basic research has been conducted on the species diversity and distribution of terrestrial Mollusca in some nature reserves in Guizhou and Yunnan. The existing sample data of terrestrial Mollusca in Guizhou and survey results from Guiyang, Libo, and Xishui from July 2019 to December 2020 listed 316 species and subspecies (including 13 undefined species) belonging to two subclasses, four orders, 20 families, and 76 genera in Guizhou Province. From the perspective of species composition, the dominant family is Cyclophoridae, with 16 genera and 71 species; the second most dominant family is Bradybaenidae, with 15 genera and 61 species, followed by Helicinidae and Cochlicopidae with one genera and one species. The dominant species are Kaliella cavicola, Bradybaena similaris, Diplommatina herziana, Diplommatina consularis, Chamalycaeus nanus, and Plectotropis pseudopatula. From the perspective of geographical distribution, terrestrial Mollusca are the most abundant in the central region of Guizhou, with 17 families, 54 genera, and 170 species. The areas with the second greatest abundance of terrestrial Mollusca are the sub-subtropical humid areas in southern Guizhou and the sub-subtropical areas in southwestern Guizhou, with 18 families, 56 genera, and 152 species and 17 families, 57 genera, and 150 species, respectively. There are only 10 families, 18 genera, and 27 species in the eastern area of Guizhou. Similarity analysis of species in different regions of Guizhou Province showed that the species composition of terrestrial Mollusca in the southern area, northern area, and southwestern area of Guizhou is similar, whereas the species composition of terrestrial Mollusca in the eastern area of Guizhou is markedly different from that of other regions. This paper discusses the species and distribution pattern of terrestrial Mollusca in Guizhou Province and their resource characteristics to provide a scientific basis for the protection and rational utilization of terrestrial Mollusca resources and to further enrich the research data of terrestrial Mollusca in China.

Keywords

• terrestrial mollusca
• species diversity
• geographical distribution
• guizhou