Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from the Central Mexican Pacific: an updated checklist including new distribution records

The Central Mexican Pacific is an oceanographic transitional region with complex habitats and important conservation areas, but knowledge of its Ophiuroidea fauna is limited. A total of 61 localities on a variety of substrata were sampled between 2008 and 2014 using different methodology techniques....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine biodiversity 2017-03, Vol.47 (1), p.167-177
Main Authors: Granja-Fernández, R., Rodríguez-Troncoso, A. P., Herrero-Pérezrul, M. D., Sotelo-Casas, R. C., Flores-Ortega, J. R., Godínez-Domínguez, E., Salazar-Silva, P., Alarcón-Ortega, L. C., Cazares-Salazar, A., Cupul-Magaña, A. L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography
Biodiversity
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biosphere
Check lists
Coasts
Conservation areas
Distribution records
Freshwater & Marine Ecology
Geographical distribution
Life Sciences
Marine invertebrates
National parks
New records
Ophiuroidea
Original Paper
Parks & recreation areas
Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography
Rarefaction
Species
Substrata
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Summary:The Central Mexican Pacific is an oceanographic transitional region with complex habitats and important conservation areas, but knowledge of its Ophiuroidea fauna is limited. A total of 61 localities on a variety of substrata were sampled between 2008 and 2014 using different methodology techniques. Twenty-four species were collected and members of the families Ophiocomidae, Ophiotrichidae and Ophiactidae were the most widespread. The new records of 28 species have relevance in terms of filling distribution gaps along the Mexican Pacific or extending their geographical distribution ranges. This considerable number can be attributed to a higher number of prospected localities and the diversification of collecting methods. An updated checklist from the study area is provided, including previous literature records and those found during this work, summarising 57 species. Islas Marías was the area with the highest number of species and with the highest value of taxonomic distinctness, which can be explained since these islands are considered as stepping stones for the dispersal of species in the Mexican Pacific. Despite the important diversity and composition of ophiuroids in our study area, a sample-based rarefaction curve suggests that at least 104 species can inhabit the area, so we recommend conducting more research in the region.
ISSN:1867-1616
1867-1624
DOI:10.1007/s12526-016-0459-4