Structure of molluscan communities in shallow subtidal rocky bottoms of Acapulco, Mexico

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the structure of molluscan communities in shallow subtidal rocky bottoms of Acapulco, Mexico. Thirteen samplings were performed at 8 stations in 2012 (seven samplings), 2014 (four), and 2015 (two). The collection of the mollusks in each station was done at a maximum depth of 5 m for 1 h by 3 divers. A total of 2086 specimens belonging to 89 species, 36 families, and 3 classes of mollusks were identified. Gastropoda was the most diverse and abundant group. Calyptreaidae, Columbellidae, and Muricidae had >5 species, but Pisaniidae, Conidae, Fasciolariidae, and Muricidae had ≥15% of relative abundance. Most species found in this study were recorded in the rocky intertidal zone, and 10 species were restricted to the rocky subtidal zone. The affinity in the composition of the species during 2012-2015 had a low similarity (25%), but we could differentiate natural and anthropogenic effects according to malacological composition. In addition, 46% of the species recorded in this study are commercial fishing resources. We concluded that the rocky subtidal malacological fauna of Acapulco is highly diverse (89 species), and it has remained similar in space and time during this study.