THE CLASS CAUDOFOVEATA (MOLLUSCA) IN THE COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN SEA

Abstract

Five classes of marine mollusks, including Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Cephalopoda, Scaphopoda, and Polyplacophora, have been recorded inhabiting the Colombian Caribbean Sea. Other classes with a basal position within the phylum such as Caudofoveata and Solenogastres have remained overlooked, as a result of their body shape (worm-like with no shell), small sizes (Caudofoveata 1.5 to 140 mm length), and limited taxonomic information for identifiations. The presence of Caudofoveata species on the continental margin of the Colombian Caribbean Sea was evidenced through several studies conducted by Invemar between 2007 and 2012. Samples were collected from localities between Gulf of Morrosquillo and La Guajira, in a bathymetrical range from 3 to 1010 m depth. These novel outcomes suggest that Caudofoveata specimens are more common in the marine fauna inhabiting soft bottoms than previously thought.