Marine molluscs of the Cayman Islands

Abstract

Before settlement of the Cayman Islands, Indian visitors undoubtedly collected molluscs such as Strombus gigas and Cittarium pica for food and, in the case of the former, for implements. Such use is documented, for example, in the Yucatan and in the Lesser Antilles. More recently a number of malacological studies have been undertaken covering five main periods. From about 1969 to the late 1970s considerable dredging was done in the North Sound for navigation and development purposes which afforded special opportunities for collecting molluscs. Extensive collecting here and by SCUBA on nearby reefs has been undertaken by the Davins, Stevens, Duckworths (see list below) and many others including Gale Anspach, John Doll, Harold Ebanks, Solomon Ebanks and Handel Whittaker. Some of these have collected in other areas of Grand Cayman.