Deep-sea gastropods (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in soft sediments of the Colombian Pacific Ocean: Biodiversity and ecology
Gracia, A.C.; Suárez-Mozo, N.Y. (2026). Deep-sea gastropods (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in soft sediments of the Colombian Pacific Ocean: Biodiversity and ecology. Zootaxa 5807(1): 1-44. https://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5807.1.1
In: Zootaxa. Magnolia Press: Auckland. ISSN 1175-5326; e-ISSN 1175-5334, more
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| Keywords |
Continental shelf
Mollusca [WoRMS]
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| Author keywords |
Mollusks; Upper slope; Panamic Province; Tropical Eastern Pacific |
| Authors | | Top |
- Gracia, A.C.
- Suárez-Mozo, N.Y.
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| Abstract |
Deep sea gastropod fauna in the offshore Colombian Pacific is poorly known. This paper presents results from the first quantitative inventory of gastropods inhabiting soft bottoms in the region, based on samples collected during two scientific expeditions. In 2002, 39 trawl samples were collected at water depths 70–500 m offshore the Colombian Department of Chocó, using the R/V ARC Malpelo. In 2012, 15 trawl samples were collected from 200–1,000 m water depth, with the shrimp boat M/N Perla Verde, offshore of the Department of Nariño. We identified a total of 3,432 mollusks, both live specimens and empty shells. Studied specimens were distributed among four subclasses, eight orders, 36 families, 59 genera, and 85 morphospecies. Information on their abundance, distribution, feeding strategies, and ecology is provided in the present study. The Order Neogastropoda accounted for the greatest number of species (46). Most individuals (95.4%) were collected offshore of Chocó, with the remaining 4.6% from the area offshore of Nariño. The most abundant species in the samples was the scavenger Nassarius miser (Dall, 1908), which comprised 59.2% of the total individuals. The family with the greatest number of species (9) was Pseudomelatomidae. This study identified 39 previously not reported species range extensions in the offshore Colombian Pacific, greatly increasing the known species diversity from the region. We encountered three distinct species assemblages that differed across water depth: i) continental shelf; ii) shelf–slope transition, and iii) upper slope. Water depth was determined to be the primary factor that influenced the distribution of the recorded species, with the greatest species richness observed on the continental shelf. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of the gastropod species that inhabit the Colombian Pacific Ocean, the Panamic Province, and the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Such information is crucial for conservation initiatives in biologically diverse areas offshore of developing countries, particularly in the face of rapid habitat change. |
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