Population genetic dynamics of the Ivory Snail (Babylonia areolata): Insights from coastal waters of Vietnam for conservation and aquaculture

The ivory snail Babylonia areolata has experienced a significant population decline in marine ecosystem due to the overharvesting, habitat loss, and climate change. Despite its ecological significance and commercial value, the population genetic studies on this gastropod remain limited. This study provides the first genetic insight into B. areolata based on 105 newly generated mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( COI ) gene sequences collected from Vietnam. The analysis revealed the lowest interspecific genetic distance (11.2%) between B. areolata and Babylonia borneensis , and the highest (18.5%) with Babylonia zeylanica . The Bayesian and Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analyses showed B. areolata as a distinct monophyletic lineage, while species delimitation methods recovered multiple operational taxonomic units, suggesting the potential presence of cryptic diversity. The low inter-population divergence (0.2–0.3%) further indicated a high level of genetic connectivity among B. areolata populations across coastal waters of Thailand, Vietnam, and China. The haplotype network analysis revealed 26 haplotypes, including a dominant central haplotype, supporting the hypothesis that larval dispersal and regional ocean currents have shaped gene flow of B. areolata . Additionally, the presence of several unique haplotypes in the study regions may reflect historical geological events and demographic isolation, which likely shaped the distinct populations of B. areolata , especially in enclosed coastal areas like Cam Ranh Bay in central Vietnam. These findings underscore the importance of molecular tools in elucidating population structure and offer critical insights for the conservation and sustainable aquaculture of B. areolata in Southeast and East Asia.