Differential identification of three species of Neritidae family (gastropods) in inter-tidal zone of Kharg Island by scanning electron microscopic evaluation of radula

Aim of the present study was differential identification of the Neritidae family of gastropods from the inter-tidal areas of Kharg Island by light and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Sampling was done from five stations in inter-tidal areas of Kharg Island in winter 2015 and spring 2016 (once in each season). The samples were freeze and transferred to laboratory. After morphometric study, the organic matter of the samples was digested and their radula were isolated and prepared for microscopic studies. Three species were identified in this research including Nerita albicilla, Nerita adenensis and Nerita longii. The types of radula were ripidoglossan in all studied species. The biggest radula was found in N. albicilla, while the smallest one was found in N. adenensis. There is no difference between their shape of tooth, but ratio of length of shell to length of radula were biggest in N. longii and smallest in N. albicilla which is indicated that N. albicilla has big radula and N. longii has small radula. Evaluation of radula by Scanning Electron Microscope could be an appropriate method for more exact identification of gastropods.