| Abstract: Aplacophorans are well known as exclusively marine benthic molluscs with a vermiform body covered by aragonitic sclerites (also called spicules), whose species are widely distributed from the sublittoral down to the abyss. Currently, only nine species are known from Brazil (one Solenogastres and eight Caudofoveata), but these very few records are no longer a reflection of an existing low diversity. Sampling in deep waters has been conducted recently in oil-rich areas of the Brazilian coast, and the museum collections have now many aplacophoran lots. There is a need to learn about and/or install some microscopical facilities in Brazilian institutions, to form expertise for the investigations on these generally small animals. With studies on... |
