Abstract
The Bahamas is a region with high diversity of marine molluscs and a high rate of endemism. In certain groups of heterobranchs it is common to observe a distribution pattern consisting of an endemic species from the Bahamas, sister to a widespread western Atlantic species living in the same kind of habitat. This would suggest an allopatric speciation process and lack of gene flow between the Bahamian and the Caribbean subprovinces. However, the Bahamian aeolidacean mollusc Spurilla dupontae is sister to an eastern Atlantic congener. In this paper, S. dupontae, to date considered endemic to the Bahamas, is recorded for the first time in the Caribbean subprovince (Martinique).
Highlights
Results and ConclusionsS. dupontae, to date considered endemic to the Bahamas, is recorded for the first time in the Caribbean subprovince (Martinique)
The Bahamas is a region with high diversity of marine molluscs and a high rate of endemism
Carmona et al (2014) studied the genus Spurilla Bergh, 1864 in depth, and concluded “that coloration is one of the main diagnostic traits for the five species” of the genus, “ some display substantial colour pattern variation”. These authors established the distribution of the western Atlantic species: S. dupontae and Spurilla sargassicola Bergh, 1871 inhabit the Bahamas, and Spurilla braziliana MacFarland, 1909, the only representative of Spurilla in the Caribbean
Summary
S. dupontae, to date considered endemic to the Bahamas, is recorded for the first time in the Caribbean subprovince (Martinique).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
