Identification of the gastropod snails and shells collected from Ain El-Sokhna region, Red Sea, Egypt.

The Red Sea is known by its unique coral reef topography that harbors many marine species making the Red Sea a biodiversity hot spot. The molluscan fauna of the Red Sea has been extensively studied for its ecology, biology and economic importance. In the present study, numerous live specimens and gastropod shells were collected from Ain El-Sokhna area on the western shore of the Red Sea's Gulf of Suez. Samplings were done during June-October, 2020. The collected species were identified based on published keys for the identification of Red Sea molluscs. A total of 24 gastropod species belonging to 12 families were identified. Among these, the highest abundant species was Thais savignyi (Muricidae) followed by Cellana rota (Nacellidea). Some other species were rarely abundant such as Conomurex fasciatus (Strombidae), the reef eating snail, Drupella cornus (Muricidae), Nassarius fenistratus, N. castus (Nassariidae), and Polinices pecelephanti (Naticidae). The present findings demonstrate a high molluscan biodiversity at Ain El-Sokhna region of the Red Sea and set the platform for further studies and assessments of biological and biomedical importance of identified molluscs species either as intermediate hosts for parasites or sources for bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]