Molluscs from the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, Quintana Roo, Mexico; new records for the Mexican Caribbean

Abstract

A study of the coral reef associated fauna was conducted in the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park (PNAPM) in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Coral rubble was sampled at 3 sites representing different conservation conditions. A total of 653 organisms representing 120 species of molluscs were collected, of which 14 (11%) are new records for the Mexican Caribbean. The new records presented herein correspond to: 11 gastropods belonging to 11 different families, 2 bivalves from 2 different orders, and 1 polyplacophoran. A rarefaction curve adjusted using Chao 1 estimator results in a theoretical maximum of 220 species. With further studieson the mollusc fauna of the Mexican Caribbean, the recorded species richness should increase considerably in the future.