A revision of Queensland Lithophagine mussels (Bivalvia, Mytilidae, Lithophaginae)
Abstract
Among mytilid bivalves, boring in coral or calcareous rocks has evolved as one of the major life styles. Current nomenclature distributes the species of boring mytilids among the "genera" Lithophaga Roding, 1798, Adula Adams and Adams, 1857, and Botula March, 1853, but there is little agreement on the subdivisions and relationships of these major groups.
A preliminary survey shows that there are about a dozen species of Lithophaga in the Indo-West Pacific Region but their nomenclature is confused and their distribution uncertain. Data are presented in this paper on the nomenclature, morphology, ecology and distribution of the species of Lithophaga found on the Great Barrier Reef.
