BENTHIC MOLLUSKS OF LA GUAJIRA (10 AND 50 M DEPTHS), COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN

Abstract

We studied the composition and abundance of benthic mollusks found in La Guajira along the northern Caribbean coast of Colombia. A research cruise was carried out on board the R/V Ancón INVEMAR, from which bottom trawlings were conducted at 10 and 50 m depths. A total of 4840 individuals were collected, and 215 species identified belonging to the classes Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Scaphopoda, Cephalopoda and Polyplacophora. Nineteen species were recorded for the first time in La Guajira. The class Gastropoda had the highest number of species (52 %) and Bivalvia showed the greatest abundance (71 % of individuals). The bivalve Laevicardium sybariticum was the most abundant species in the study area. Multivariate analysis showed no defined patterns in relation to depth and bottom type.