Primer registro de Branchiostoma californiense (Cephalochordata: Branchiostomatidae), en un sistema estuarino-lagunar de Chiapas, México

Abstract

Background. Amphioxi (Cephalochordata), are a group of marine organisms of great relevance and interest in evolutionary studies, due to their phylogenetic position; inhabit the sandy bottoms of coastal waters around the world. Two species Branchiostoma elongatum and B. californiense are widely distributed throughout the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Objectives. The objective of this work is to document the occurrence of Branchios- toma californiense, in a lagoon-estuarine system from Chiapas, Mexico. Methods. The specimens were collected from the sandy bottom between 50 and 90 cm deep, using a stainless-steel sieve in the estuarine channel of the estuarine-lagoon system La Joya-Buenavista. Results. A total of 19 specimens of B. cali- forniense were collected. The specimens collected were juvenile stages less than 10mm in length (3.1-5.9 mm). Conclusions. These records indicate the first record of this species in the inland waters of Chiapas and represent the southernmost records of this species in the Mexican Pacific.