<p></p><p>The recent foraminiferal fauna and associated
microbiota of Clipperton Island (10.2833°N, 109.2167°W) were investigated at 20
sites collected in the intertidal zone around the perimeter of the island and
from the edge of the inner brackish-water lagoon. Due to the island’s
geographic location in a low productivity zone, a lack of variable habitats on
and surrounding the island, and heavy surf that pounds the exposed land, a
depauperate fauna was recovered although mixed biogeographic affinities are
represented. The shallow-water foraminiferal assemblage has no endemics but primarily
tropical Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific (Panamic) affinities, as well as one
species of Caribbean affinity. The most abundant taxa are <i>Sorites</i> spp. and <i>Quinqueloculina</i>
spp. Noticeably absent are any species of <i>Amphistegina,
</i>despite the fact that they are considered ubiquitous in the tropical
Pacific. The molluscan fauna has Clipperton Island endemics, a tropical
Pacific/Inter-Island endemic, and tropical eastern Pacific oceanic islands/Panamic Molluscan affinities. The ostracods included endemics found
restricted to Clipperton Island lagoon, as well as Indo-Pacific and Panamic
Province species. The foraminifera, mollusks, and ostracods are thought to
disperse to Clipperton Island by way of the North Equatorial Countercurrent and
North Equatorial Current, suggesting that the island is indeed a stepping stone
for migration both east and west across the Eastern Pacific Barrier.</p><br><p></p>
Five new species of aeolid nudibranchs (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia) from the tropical eastern Pacific
