The Saemangeum Reclamation Project in South Korea threatens to Extinguish an unique mollusk, ectosymbiotic bivalve species attached to the shell of Lingula anatina

Abstract

A huge reclamation project is rapidly progressing in the Saemangeum area, on the western coast of South Korea. The total length of the reclamation dikes is 33km, with a reclamation area of 401km². All dikes were finally completed in April 2006, and the tidal flats in this area have gradually dried out. In our present study, a crisis facing the unique molluscan fauna in this area, especially an unique bivalve species attached to the shell of Lingula anatina, is reported, and we claim that this constitutes an emergency for the conservation of the Saemangeum tidal flat.