A faunal inventory of methane seeps on the Pacific margin of Costa Rica

By

Seid, Charlotte
Hiley, Avery
McCowin, Marina
Carvajal, José Ignacio
Cha, Harim
Ahyong, Shane T.
Ashford, Oliver S.
Breedy, Odalisca
Eernisse, Douglas J
Goffredi, Shana K.
Hendrickx, Michel E.
Kocot, Kevin M
Mah, Christopher L
Miller, Allison K.
Mongiardino Koch, Nicolás
Mooi, Rich.
O'Hara, Tim
Pleijel, Fredrik
Stiller, Josefin
Tilic, Ekin
Valentich-Scott, Paul
Warén, Anders
Wicksten, Mary K.
Wilson, Nerida G.
Cordes, Erik
Levin, Lisa A 1955-
Cortés, Jorge
Rouse, Greg W

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1222

Pages

1--250

Subjects

Biodiversity , Biogeography , Central America , chemosynthetic ecosystem , COI , deep sea , DNA ‘barcodes’ , molecular taxonomy , review

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1222.134385

 

Abstract

The methane seeps on the Pacific margin of Costa Rica support extensive animal diversity and offer insights into deep-sea biogeography. During five expeditions between 2009 and 2019, we conducted intensive faunal sampling via 63 submersible dives to 11 localities at depths of 300–3600 m. Based on these expeditions and published literature, we compiled voucher specimens, images, and 274 newly published DNA sequences to present a taxonomic inventory of macrofaunal and megafaunal diversity with a focus on invertebrates. In total 488 morphospecies were identified, representing the highest number of distinct morphospecies published from a single seep or vent region to date. Of these, 131 are described species, at least 58 are undescribed species, and the remainder include some degree of taxonomic uncertainty, likely representing additional undescribed species. Of the described species, 38 are known only from the Costa Rica seeps and their vicinity. Fifteen range extensions are also reported for species known from Mexico, the Galápagos seamounts, Chile, and the western Pacific; as well as 16 new depth records and three new seep records for species known to occur at vents or organic falls. No single evolutionary narrative explains the patterns of biodiversity at these seeps, as even morphologically indistinguishable species can show different biogeographic affinities, biogeographic ranges, or depth ranges. The value of careful molecular taxonomy and comprehensive specimen-based regional inventories is emphasized for biodiversity research and monitoring.