Abstract
The discovery of Plumatella repens floatoblasts in wetlands of the La Niña Bonita Reservoir and the Ciénaga de Zapata Swamp, Cuba, constitutes the first record of a freshwater bryozoan species on the island and extends the distribution range of the species in the insular Caribbean. Unlike the inland waters of the Lesser Antilles the greater availability of water and lower salinity are likely the main factors that determine the distribution of P. repens in the Greater Antilles.
Highlights
The freshwater bryozoan fauna of the insular Caribbean has been mainly studied in the Leeward Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Klein Bonaire and Curaçao), with three known species from the study of colonies and floatoblasts: Plumatella agilis (Marcus, 1942), Plumatella casmiana Oka, 1907 and Plumatella longigemmis Annandale, 1915 (Lacourt 1955, 1968); the latter was reported in Jamaica (Lacourt 1968)
New records of P. repens from floatoblasts on the island of Cuba contribute to the understanding of the ecology and distribution of freshwater bryozoan species in the Caribbean Islands
The morphometry of the examined floatoblasts showed that they belong to the species Plumatella repens
Summary
The freshwater bryozoan fauna of the insular Caribbean has been mainly studied in the Leeward Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Klein Bonaire and Curaçao), with three known species from the study of colonies and floatoblasts (statoblast buoyant with the annulus composed of gas chambers): Plumatella agilis (Marcus, 1942), Plumatella casmiana Oka, 1907 and Plumatella longigemmis Annandale, 1915 (Lacourt 1955, 1968); the latter was reported in Jamaica (Lacourt 1968). Unidentified Plumatella colonies and floatoblasts were reported on the islands of Cuba and Trinidad (Osburn 1940; Rogick and Brown 1942; Lacourt 1968; Collado et al 1984). Knowledge of the distribution of freshwater bryozoans in the Caribbean is scarce despite the great biogeographical interest of this area. It constitutes a complex island system located between two large continental biogeographic regions: Nearctic and Neotropical (Wood 2002; Massard and Geimer 2008a, 2008b). New records of P. repens from floatoblasts on the island of Cuba contribute to the understanding of the ecology and distribution of freshwater bryozoan species in the Caribbean Islands
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
