Sea slugs (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) associated with Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) in southern Gulf of Mexico and Mexican Caribbean Sea

Abstract Cryptic species in coral reefs, such as sea slugs, represent an important portion of their biodiversity, which is usually underestimated. Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) have been implemented to estimate cryptic diversity reefs. Therefore, this research aimed contribute the southern Gulf Mexico (GM) and Caribbean Sea (CAR) reefs’ slugs’ distribution using ARMS a collection method. Fifty-eight were placed at three reefs GM CAR, recovered after 1–2 years then, disassembled laboratory. Plates individually trays with seawater, where we searched for slugs. A total 242 organisms found belonging 31 species; 20 them identified level, while 11 determined up genus or family. More than half (19) Bajo de 10 (GM), 15 CAR localities. Unlike previous studies, assessed exclusively by indirect sampling In work, 9.4% slug recorded Caribbean, report four first time country. New records species, even one family stress gap information that still need fulfil area. We recognize useful tool find juvenile, rare well standardize quantification record diversity.