Malacofaune spiaggiate della costa occidentale della Sardegna. Fisiografia e batimetria dei fondali marini di provenienza

Herein are presented the results of research of an autoecological nature concerning beached malacological fauna gathered along the west coast of Sardinia. The resulting data contribute to defining the composition and structure of thanatocoenosis gathered at 35 biosites and allow estimation of the «bathymetric maximum» (30-40 metres) equivalent to the greatest depth at which sediments and the remains of molluscs within them are mobilized. Homogeneous «timed» sampling led to useful statistical comparisons between the different malacological associations gathered and made it possible to recognize the stocks of benthic populations most involved in the transportation of material: AP, SFBC, HP. By means of the autoecological analysis of recognized species, especially using data on texture, way of life and biocoenotic significance, the paper discusses the physiography of the sea bottoms mobilized in front of the biosites sampled. A database on the systematic taxonomy and autoecology of the 223 species identified, which represents a point of reference also in palaeoecological research into Neogenic and Quaternary fossiliferous deposits of Sardinia, is presented.