species Ophiothrix synoecina and its host Echinometra lucunter and other
accompanying fauna of this association. They found a broad distribution of
E. lucunter throughout the Caribbean coast (DAR, ARCO, TAY, GUA), different
from the restricted distribution of O. synoecina, which is found only on northern
Colombian rocky shores (TAY and GUA ecorregions). The results of this research
showed a significant reduction in the density of the sea urchin and its associated
fauna, including O. synoecina. Specifically, the frequency of occurrence of
O. synoecina has declined about 50 % in recent years in the Santa Marta area
(TAY), in contrast to population studies made by Schoppe (1993) in the same area.
Recently, Romero (2009) developed a study in Bahía Concha (PNNT) in the
ecoregion TAY, where was established the population dynamics of E. lucunter in
the rocky shore ecosystem and was measured the spatial–temporal variation with
respect to size and density. The results indicated that environmental conditions
could be affecting population density rocky shores.
Coral Reefs
Coral reefs have been intensively studied in Colombia, focusing on mapping,
zonation, health status, and the associated fauna and flora. Twenty-one coral areas
of the Caribbean are broadly distributed. 80 % of them are in the SAN ecoregion,
where they are also more developed and complex. The other areas are scattered
along the continental coast, mostly within ARCO and TAY (Díaz et al. 2000). As
mentioned above, the populations of seven species of sea urchins have been
monitored in the Colombian Caribbean Sea through the National System of
Monitoring of Coral Reefs (SIMAC). It was found that changes in the populations
of sea urchins could be determined by the genus Echinometra, especially E. viridis.
Although is not possible to define the causes of the annual variation of the density
of sea urchins recorded, the patterns could be the result of factors such as predation,
recruitment, inter-specific interactions, and environmental and weather changes.
Although there is no specific information about Colombian Diadema antillarum
populations before their massive mortality (Lessios et al. 1984; Murillo and Cortés
1984; Liddell and Ohlhorst 1986; Hunte et al. 1986; Carpenter 1988; Carpenter
1990; Hendler et al. 1995), González-Gaviria (2010) showed that in the PNNT and
Playa Blanca-Rodadero (Santa Marta) there has been a slow and irregular recovery
in comparison with other Caribbean populations.
Among echinoderms studies associated with Colombian Caribbean coral reefs
it’s important to mention Bejarano et al. (2004), who characterized the ophiuroid
community in the microhabitats provided by sponges and other reef components at
San Bernardo Archipelago (ARCO). The community was composed of 22 morphotypes, including: Ophiothrix angulata, O. oerstedii and O. suensoni. On the
other hand, Gómez and Rodriguez (2009) studied the ophiuroid community
associated with sponge populations in Cispata Bay (MOR). They described the
different kinds of associations between ophiuroids and sponges and identified 13
and 12 species of echinoderms and poriferans respectively.
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M. Benavides-Serrato et al.
accompanying fauna of this association. They found a broad distribution of
E. lucunter throughout the Caribbean coast (DAR, ARCO, TAY, GUA), different
from the restricted distribution of O. synoecina, which is found only on northern
Colombian rocky shores (TAY and GUA ecorregions). The results of this research
showed a significant reduction in the density of the sea urchin and its associated
fauna, including O. synoecina. Specifically, the frequency of occurrence of
O. synoecina has declined about 50 % in recent years in the Santa Marta area
(TAY), in contrast to population studies made by Schoppe (1993) in the same area.
Recently, Romero (2009) developed a study in Bahía Concha (PNNT) in the
ecoregion TAY, where was established the population dynamics of E. lucunter in
the rocky shore ecosystem and was measured the spatial–temporal variation with
respect to size and density. The results indicated that environmental conditions
could be affecting population density rocky shores.
Coral Reefs
Coral reefs have been intensively studied in Colombia, focusing on mapping,
zonation, health status, and the associated fauna and flora. Twenty-one coral areas
of the Caribbean are broadly distributed. 80 % of them are in the SAN ecoregion,
where they are also more developed and complex. The other areas are scattered
along the continental coast, mostly within ARCO and TAY (Díaz et al. 2000). As
mentioned above, the populations of seven species of sea urchins have been
monitored in the Colombian Caribbean Sea through the National System of
Monitoring of Coral Reefs (SIMAC). It was found that changes in the populations
of sea urchins could be determined by the genus Echinometra, especially E. viridis.
Although is not possible to define the causes of the annual variation of the density
of sea urchins recorded, the patterns could be the result of factors such as predation,
recruitment, inter-specific interactions, and environmental and weather changes.
Although there is no specific information about Colombian Diadema antillarum
populations before their massive mortality (Lessios et al. 1984; Murillo and Cortés
1984; Liddell and Ohlhorst 1986; Hunte et al. 1986; Carpenter 1988; Carpenter
1990; Hendler et al. 1995), González-Gaviria (2010) showed that in the PNNT and
Playa Blanca-Rodadero (Santa Marta) there has been a slow and irregular recovery
in comparison with other Caribbean populations.
Among echinoderms studies associated with Colombian Caribbean coral reefs
it’s important to mention Bejarano et al. (2004), who characterized the ophiuroid
community in the microhabitats provided by sponges and other reef components at
San Bernardo Archipelago (ARCO). The community was composed of 22 morphotypes, including: Ophiothrix angulata, O. oerstedii and O. suensoni. On the
other hand, Gómez and Rodriguez (2009) studied the ophiuroid community
associated with sponge populations in Cispata Bay (MOR). They described the
different kinds of associations between ophiuroids and sponges and identified 13
and 12 species of echinoderms and poriferans respectively.
162
M. Benavides-Serrato et al.