LAUSR

ABSTRACT The diversity of bivalves was studied in four mangrove stands in the vicinity of Nha Trang city: planted mangroves in Dâm Bay (Tre Island) and three natural associations, in Dâm Bay, Nha Phu Bay and Cam Ranh Bay. Forty-five species from 18 families of bivalve molluscs were recorded in total. The richest families were Veneridae (eight species), Tellinidae (six species) and Lucinidae (five species). Five of the species are considered to be true mangrove associates, while others are eurybiotic species normally inhabiting mudflats and hard intertidal substrata, although some of them are commonly found in mangroves. An illustrated guide is provided, with short synonymies and data on ecology and distribution. The recorded molluscan diversity is compared with published data on mangrove Bivalvia in different regions of the Indo-Pacific. Since all characteristic groups and mangrove associates were present in our samples (except wood-borers that were not sampled), species composition of studied mangrove stands in Vietnam fits the general pattern of Indo-Pacific mangrove bivalve fauna.