Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

New record for the deep-sea genus Tripoplax (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) in the eastern Pacific
Suárez-Mozo, N.Y.; Hendrickx, M.E. (2016). New record for the deep-sea genus Tripoplax (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) in the eastern Pacific. Marine Biodiversity Records 9(1): [1-6]. https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s41200-016-0011-z
In: Marine Biodiversity Records. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge. e-ISSN 1755-2672, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
Author keywords
    Tripoplax cf. balaenophila; Eastern Pacific

Authors  Top 
  • Suárez-Mozo, N.Y.
  • Hendrickx, M.E., more

Abstract
    Background: Most species of Polyplacophora are found in shallow, coastal water, and their distribution and ecology is generally well known. On the contrary, information related with distribution, biology and ecology of deep-sea chitons is scarce. Methods: Specimens of the deep-sea mollusks fauna were obtained during sampling operations of western Mexico (TALUD project) aimed at the study of invertebrate fauna occurring under the Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ). The material reported herein is part of the Polyplacophora fauna collected with a benthic sledge off the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula, in the eastern Pacific, Mexico. Results: The deep-sea chiton Tripoplax cf. balaenophila Schwabe & Sellanes 2004 was collected in 530–625 m depth, in the following environmental conditions: dissolved oxygen, <0.25 ml/l; temperature, 6.44 °C; salinity, 34.47. It represents a range extension of 63° of latitude (ca 8280 km) to the north for this species previously known only from the type locality, off Concepción, Chile.Conclusions:Tripoplax cf. balaenophila is associated with the lower boundary of the Minimum Oxygen Zone occurring off western Mexico, an habitat characterized by severe hypoxic conditions and colonized by well-adapted species that are generally abundant. Assignment of species to Tripoplax or Lepidozonabalaenophila” to Tripopla cannot be solved without a more thorough review of both genera. The disjunct distribution of the genera Tripoplax in the eastern Pacific is also an interesting biogeographical issue.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors