Effects of ocean exposure, substrate type, and depth on bryozoan species richness in the north Pacific of Costa Rica

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Abstract

Bryozoa is a phylum of sessile, colonial filter-feeding organisms that are often understudied in tropical regions. Research on this group in Costa Rica is scarce, both in ecology and in diversity. Moreover, in the study area on the north Pacific coast, no studies on bryozoans have been published in more than 90 years. Considering this, the objective of this study was to investigate bryozoan diversity in the Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) and to assess whether habitat factors, such as exposure to the open ocean, depth, and substrate type, influence bryozoan species distribution. Samples of bryozoans inhabiting shallow waters (0-16 m) from various localities in the ACG were obtained. Multivariate analyses were performed, and diversity indices were calculated to characterize the sampling sites. The results of the study demonstrated that the inner and medium exposed zones of the study area and hard substrates (such as under rocks and shell litter) had the highest species richness and the highest number of rare species. However, no preference for depth was noticed.

Antillón-Obando, B., Cortés, J., & Sibaja-Cordero, J. (2026). Effects of ocean exposure, substrate type, and depth on bryozoan species richness in the north Pacific of Costa Rica. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research, 54(4), 635-659. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3856/vol54-issue4-fulltext-3612

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