Marine invertebrate fauna of the Chausey archipelago: an annotated checklist of historical data from 1828 to 2008

The first updated list of the marine invertebrate fauna of the Chausey archipelago (Normand-Breton Gulf, France) is presented. All publications regarding the natural history of the area, as well as existing collections of marine invertebrates from 1828 to 2008 were examined. A total of 769 species (including 245 Arthropoda, 197 Mollusca, 146 Polychaeta), avec been recorded in this area covering 5000 ha. This species richness is largely the result of the complexity of benthic habitats of the archipelago and its long history of field work, dating back to the 19th Century. The historical data set of this region presents an opportunity to asess long-term changes in nearshore communities and to design conservation sites based on their scientific value.