The Polyplacophora (Mollusca) collected during the First International Marine Biodiversity Workshop for Rodrigues (western Indian Ocean), with the description of a new species

Abstract

A total of seven species of Polyplacophora, namely Parachiton hylkiae mauricejayi Schwabe, 2002, Callochiton deshayesi Thiele, 1909, Callistochiton barnardi Leloup, 1981, Lucilina indica (Leloup, 1981), Onithochiton maillardi (Deshayes, 1863), Choneplax indica Odhner, 1919 and Cryptoconchus oliveri n. sp., were collected during a survey of marine biodiversity at Rodrigues. For all the species taxonomically relevant characters are described, and for the first time are illustrated in detail using SEM photography. The taxonomic status of Lucilina indica (Leloup, 1981) is clarified, and it is rejected from the synonymy of Lucilina carnosa (Kaas, 1979).

Keywords:

• Indian Ocean
• Mascarene Islands
• Mollusca
• Polyplacophora
• Rodrigues
• taxonomy

Acknowledgements

I thank Graham Oliver and Harriet Wood (NMGW) for the opportunity to study this interesting material and for providing literature. Virginie Heros (MNHN), Karin Sindemark (SMNH), Robert Moolenbeek (ZMA) and Richard Kilburn (NM) provided type material for examination, my special thanks to them. Wolfgang Wranik kindly allowed the study of his Yemen material. Roland Melzer (ZSM) is thanked for providing literature and information. I thank Dr A. Le Goff (MNHN) for providing a colour picture of Lucilina indica. Thanks are also due to Michael Schrödl (ZSM) and Herrman L. Strack (The Netherlands) for useful comments.

The work described in this paper was undertaken as part of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)–Royal Society Shoals of Capricorn Programme, western Indian Ocean, 1998–2001. This is Shoals Contribution No. P042.