BOLANOS, M. D.*; QUIROGA, S. Y.*; ARDILA, N. E.; LITVAITIS, M. K.; University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH; University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH; INVEMAR, Santa Marta, Colombia; University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH: An Initial Survey of the Polyclad Fauna of the Caribbean Coast of Colombia

* both presenting, first authors
Although the Polycladida (Platyhelminthes) are prominent members of many reef communities, no comprehensive surveys exist for the Caribbean coast of Colombia. This study represents a first survey of the Colombian polyclad fauna. With a few exceptions, most polyclads are benthic, living on shells, algae, tunicates, sponges, or under rocks. A total of 25 species were collected from the rocky littoral of Santa Marta and the Tayrona National Park. Because color and color patterns represent major taxonomic characters in the classification of polyclads, photographic records were obtained from live specimens prior to fixation. Further taxonomic identification was based on major external features and serial longitudinal sections of the reproductive system. The cotylean families Pseudocerotidae and Boninidae were found to contain the most representatives. Numerically, Boninia divae and Styloplanocera fasciata were the most abundant species. Not only do all recorded species constitute first records for the Colombian coast of the Caribbean, but Cestoplana rubrocincta, Armatoplana divae, Phaenoplana longipenis, Eurylepta aurantiaca and Prosthiostomun gilvun, represent first records for the entire Caribbean region. In addition, C. rubrocincta was confirmed as a cosmopolitan species, and a potentially new species, Pleioplana sp., was found. This study showed that the polyclad composition of the Santa Marta region is characteristic of the Occidental Tropical Atlantic, and larval dispersal is influenced by the downstream Equatorial Current.