New contributions to the knowledge of freshwater macro­invertebrates of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, with particular focus on sponges

Se estudia la caracterización limnológica de 30 lagunas del bosque tropical seco de Costa Rica y Nicaragua durante 2010-11. Se aislaron gémulas de esponjas de agua dulce en cuatro de las localidades. Se registraron dos nuevas citas de esponjas para Nicaragua, Radiospongilla cerebellata (Bowerbank, 1863) y Corvoheteromeyenia heterosclera (Ezcurra de Drago, 1974). En Costa Rica también se registró esta última y se recolectaron ejemplares de Radiospongilla crateriformis (Potts, 1882). En otra laguna de Costa Rica, se recolectó una larva neuróptero (Insecta) de la familia Sisyridae asociada a las esponjas: Sisyra apicalis Banks, 1908. Por otro lado, hemos podido recolectar gémulas incrustadas en el tubo de alojamiento del oligoqueto Aulophorus vagus Leidy, 1880 (Annelida: Oligochaeta: Naididae), que también supone la primera cita para Costa Rica y Nicaragua. The characterization of 30 temporary ponds was done in the tropical dry forest of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, in 2010-2011. Gemmules of sponges were isolated in four of the studied sites. Two new records were set for Nicaragua, Radiospongilla cerebellata (Bowerbank, 1863) and Corvoheteromeyenia heterosclera (Ezcurra de Drago, 1974). In Costa Rica, the last ones was also recorded as well as specimens of Radiospongilla crateriformis (Potts, 1882) were collected. In another pond of Costa Rica, larva of Neuroptera (Insecta) belonging to family Sisyridae, commonly associated to sponges, was collected: Sisyra apicalis Banks, 1908. In addition, we have been able to collect embedded gemmules in the housing tube of the annelid Aulophorus vagus Leidy, 1880 (Annelida: Oligochaeta: Naididae). This species is also here reported for the first time in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.