Chitons

Abstract

The chiton fauna of Costa Rica, with exception of some sporadic reports, was never revised. The present review is based on literature data as well as on material examined from the collections of the Museo de Zoología, Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR), and the Zoological State Collection Munich (ZSM). The total number of verified chiton species of Costa Rica is 31, of which 23 occur only in the Pacific and 7 only in the Caribbean Sea. One species is reported from both sides of Costa Rica. Disjunctive distributions may indicate that there may be several (up to 12) other chiton species in Costa Rica. The only species endemic to Costa Rica refers to Ischnochiton victoriae, so far only reported from Isla del Coco.