Additions to the bivalve fauna of the Red Sea with descriptions of new species of Limopsidae, Tellinidae and Semelidae

An intensive survey of molluscan associations with coral reef and sedimentary facies in Safaga Bay, Northern Red Sea, revealed a number of taxa either new to the Red Sea or new to science. Species new to science belong to the genera: Limopsis (Limopsidae); Semelangulus (Tellinidae) and Abra (Semelidae). Species recorded for the first time from the Red Sea are: Ctenoides concentrica (Limidae); Codakia paytenorum (Lucinidae); Leptomyaria etesiaca (Semelidae) and Costellipitar chordatum (Veneridae). The genus Offadesma (Periplomatidae) is recorded but from a single valve only, which is of uncertain species status. Ventricolaria toreuma (Veneridae) is confirmed to be of frequent occurrence following its first recorded presence in 1995.