Species richness, community composition and similarity of benthic species of the Opisthobranchia Subclass (Mollusca: Gastropoda) at five sites on the coast of Acapulco, Mexico

Subclass Opisthobranchia in Acapulco was studied. The objectives were to know the species richness, community composition based on the abundances, local spatial arrangement and hierarchical location of the species, also compare the similarity between sites. Sampling was carried out from 2009 to 2012 at 5 sites during the day, at low tide, every two months. On the rocky intertidal zone samplings were carried out along the shoreline and in the subtidal zone, sampling was carried out using snorkel conducting divings to a maximum depth of 4 m. Fifty-nine species were identified, and 5 were identified to genus level. Twenty-eight new records were determined to Acapulco. Nudibranchia has the highest value in the number of families, species richness and abundance. The highest species richness was found in the Dorididae family and the greater abundance in the Facelinidae family. The most abundant species were Phidiana lascrucensis, Elysia diomedea, Pleurobranchus aerolatus, Glossodoris sedna and Polycera alabe. Twenty four percent of the species has wide local distribution, meanwhile 32.8% was semi restricted and 43.75% restricted. Were found 19 dominant species, representing 28.78% of the total species. The greatest similarity in abundance was estimated for Tlacopanocha and Parque de la Reina sites. These sites are characterized by similar features in the low wave intensity and a heterogeneous substrate. The species richness found is the highest reported for the American Pacific. Acapulco list of known species of Subclass Opistobranchia is considerably expands and it contributes to the knowledge of the composition of the community of this Subclass.