Abstract:
En la zona intermareal rocosa de Ballenita (Santa Elena) se identificaron morfológicamente y por primera vez
moluscos bivalvos litófagos de las familias Arcidae, Petricolidae, Mytilidae, Pholadidae. Se establecieron dos
zonas de muestreo (A y B), donde Petricola (Rupellaria) denticulata y Lithophaga (Myoforceps) aristata
predominaron en ambas. Por primera vez se han descrito las características taxonómicas de las especies
identificadas. Se caracterizó su hábitat. Entre las especies observadas, se destacó Lithophaga (Myoforceps)
aristata por presentar dos condiciones del extremo distal de la concha en forma de tijera, principal característica
reportada en Florida para la especie donde se observa el depósito calcáreo sobre la valva derecha, mientras que
en la especie reportada para Ecuador el depósito calcáreo se presentó sobre la valva izquierda. Se destaca la
variedad de madrigueras observadas para las distintas familias de bivalvos litófagos.
Palabra claves: Litófagos, perforación mecánica, perforación química, bivalvos, madrigueras, zona
intermareal, Ballenita.
Description:
In the intertidal zone of Ballenita (Santa Elena) were identified morphologically and for the first time
lithophagous bivalve molluscs of the families Arcidae, Petricolidae, Mytilidae, Pholadidae. Two sampling zones
(A and B) were established, where Petricola (Rupellaria) denticulate and Lithophaga (Myoforceps) aristata
predominated in both. For the first time the taxonomic characteristics of the identified species have been
described. Their habitat was characterized. Among the species observed, Lithophaga (Myoforceps) aristata was
noted for presenting two conditions of the distal end of the scissor-shaped shell, the main characteristic reported
in Florida for the species where the calcareous deposit is observed on the right valve, while in the species
reported for Ecuador the calcareous deposit was presented on the left valve. The variety of burrows observed for
the different families of lithophagous bivalves is highlighted.
Keywords: Lithophagous, mechanics drilling, chemical drilling, bivalves, burrows, intertidal zone, Ballenita.
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