Opistobrânquios (mollusca: heterobranchia) do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, incluindo 34 novas ocorrências

Abstract

The taxonomy is the foundation of any science involving biodiversity, such as ecology and biogeography. Among marine invertebrates, mollusks gastropods are among the most diverse groups. The subgroup “Opisthobranchia” have a reduction, or absence internalization of calcareous shell and also has the highest diversity of forms of gastropods. It is estimated that there are between 5000 and 6000 species around the globe, among these, are reported to approximately 235 Brazil, with only 12 recorded for the state of Rio Grande do Norte. This project aims to taxonomic survey of opistobrânquios the coast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. For this were carried out expeditions to the coastal beaches of this state. Some opistobrânquios were collected directly in the field, while others were separated in laboratory collected substrates (ie, macroalgae, gravel and small loose rocks). The collections are given manually on the reefs in the region intertidal, or through free and scuba diving (sublitoral). The species found were measured and photographed in vivo in laboratory Didactic II of the Department of Botany, Ecology and Zoology at UFRN. The identification of specimens was made by comparing the diagnostic characters of each group, based on the literature. 34 new records for the coast of the infants were found, among them, four new records as well to the northeast, as well as three new records for Brazil and the Southern Atlantic. This survey contributed thus to a better estimate of opistobrânquios fauna of North coast Rio Grande. It is believed that more studies are needed involving different ecological, biological and biogeographical aspects of opistobrânquios in Brazil and especially in the Northeast.