New record of the mollusc Corbula gibba (Olivi, 1792) in the muddy sands of Dunkirk harbour (North Sea)

In order to estimate physical and chemical characteristics and macrozoobent hic communities of the east harbour of Dunkirk, bottom sediment and benthic macrofauna were sampled in subtidal areas. The mollusc Corbula gibba (Oliv i, 1792) was recorded from the muddy sands of this harbour. This is the fir st record of this species in the damaged sediment of the Nord/Pas-de-Calais harbours, out of its typical localitie. This species would seem to take th e place of the mollusc Abra alba which used to be typical of the muddy sand s community.