Chitons (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) present in the territorial waters of Venezuela, Southeast Caribbean: a general review and update of their knowledge: Quítons (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) ocorrentes nas águas territoriais da Venezuela, Sudeste do Caribe: uma revisão geral e atualização do seu conhecimento

Abstract

Introduction: It is currently accepted that the marine malaco-faunistic biodiversity of Chitons (Polyplacophora) occurring in the general environment of the tropical watershed of the Caribbean is composed of a total of 53 native species of these singular benthic molluscs, taxonomically included in 2 Orders, 8 Families and 18 genera. Objective: Updated general review of the inventory of polyplacophorous molluscs occurring in the marine territory of Venezuela, tropical southeastern portion of the Caribbean. Methodology: Unprecedented systematic organization of a reference database comprising total regional knowledge chronologically produced around the theme over a period of 122 years (1900 - 2022). Results and Conclusions: Confirmed and recorded regional total of 23 chiton species (43% of the previously recognized for the Caribbean), including 22 forms of shallow coastal waters and one (1) deep water, recorded for 16 geographic localities (10 island, 5 continental and 1 deep water in continental shelf), all verified through the global platform "MolluscaBase", taxonomically included in 2 Orders, 7 Families and 13 Genus, including additional information about their known biogeographical distribution in the country's territorial space