on depths between 200 and 1,000 m. Among them are the explorations made by
the R/V Pillsbury in 1966–1968, whose results were presented by Bayer et al.
(1970). These authors listed more than 100 species of echinoderms collected
between Cartagena and the gulf of Urabá along the ecoregions DAR, MOR,
ARCO and MAG from 70 to 3,000 m depth. The results of other explorations,
carried out by the INVEMAR-CIOH-SMITHSONIAN in 1995, were published by
González et al. (2002), who listed 22 echinoderm species collected in shallow and
mid waters (30–380 m), between Cartagena and the gulf of Urabá in the same
ecoregions, but including some localities in the PNNCRSB (ARCO). However, the
most complete information about echinoderm communities of soft bottoms is from
explorations carried out between 1998 and 2009, such as Macrofauna I-II, Macrofauna-CORPOGUAJIRA, Macrofauna-MARCORAL, and ANH I-II. In these
explorations, 188 species of echinoderms were collected, of which 81 were
recorded for the first time in Colombian Caribbean waters; Ophiuroidea was the
most abundant and richest class. In addition, an ecological analysis using multivariate and univariate statistics was undertaken, including all echinoderm records
collected during those biological expeditions. The results of this analysis showed
four assemblages defined by depth: the first, in shallow waters (depth of 20–70 m),
was characterized by Astropecten antillensis and Ophiura acervata. Intermediate
waters (depth of 150 m) were characterized by the clypeasteroid Clypeaster euclastus. The third, to a depth of 300 m, had Caryometra atlantidis and Amphiura
rathbuni as characteristic species. The last conglomerate, between depths of 500
and 940 m, with the brittle star Ophiernus adspersus adspersus and the sea star
Cheiraster (Chiraster) planus as the characteristic species. According to the
results, the first change in faunal composition of the Colombian Caribbean Sea
occurs between depths of 150 and 300 m. An interesting result is that in the
conglomerates from depths of 300 and 500 m, a different faunal composition was
observed between the samples located in the northeastern Colombian Caribbean
Sea and those to the southwest with respect to the Magdalena River (Borrero-Pérez
et al. 2004; Benavides-Serrato and Borrero-Pérez 2010).
Deep Azooxanthellate Coral Community Banks
Based on results of the Macrofauna I and II explorations (1998–2002) carried out
by INVEMAR, there are deep azooxanthellate coral banks in three localities of the
Colombian Caribbean Sea: off La Guajira Peninsula (PAL ecoregion), off Santa
Marta (TAY ecoregion), and off San Bernardo Islands (ARCO ecoregion)
(Fig. 5.5, Table 5.3). Cladocora debilis (thin tube coral) was the main coral matrix
builder in the bank formation off La Guajira, at a depth of 70 m. Echinoderms
were the most abundant taxon collected in these beds, with 1,367 specimens. The
crinoid Analcidometra armata was the dominant echinoderm, which has been
reported as a common species attached to gorgonians in the Caribbean Sea (Meyer
1973; Hendler et al. 1995). Ophiothrix angulata was found in several stations
along the sampling area. It has also been reported on Oculina varicosa banks off
5 Echinoderms of Colombia
165
the R/V Pillsbury in 1966–1968, whose results were presented by Bayer et al.
(1970). These authors listed more than 100 species of echinoderms collected
between Cartagena and the gulf of Urabá along the ecoregions DAR, MOR,
ARCO and MAG from 70 to 3,000 m depth. The results of other explorations,
carried out by the INVEMAR-CIOH-SMITHSONIAN in 1995, were published by
González et al. (2002), who listed 22 echinoderm species collected in shallow and
mid waters (30–380 m), between Cartagena and the gulf of Urabá in the same
ecoregions, but including some localities in the PNNCRSB (ARCO). However, the
most complete information about echinoderm communities of soft bottoms is from
explorations carried out between 1998 and 2009, such as Macrofauna I-II, Macrofauna-CORPOGUAJIRA, Macrofauna-MARCORAL, and ANH I-II. In these
explorations, 188 species of echinoderms were collected, of which 81 were
recorded for the first time in Colombian Caribbean waters; Ophiuroidea was the
most abundant and richest class. In addition, an ecological analysis using multivariate and univariate statistics was undertaken, including all echinoderm records
collected during those biological expeditions. The results of this analysis showed
four assemblages defined by depth: the first, in shallow waters (depth of 20–70 m),
was characterized by Astropecten antillensis and Ophiura acervata. Intermediate
waters (depth of 150 m) were characterized by the clypeasteroid Clypeaster euclastus. The third, to a depth of 300 m, had Caryometra atlantidis and Amphiura
rathbuni as characteristic species. The last conglomerate, between depths of 500
and 940 m, with the brittle star Ophiernus adspersus adspersus and the sea star
Cheiraster (Chiraster) planus as the characteristic species. According to the
results, the first change in faunal composition of the Colombian Caribbean Sea
occurs between depths of 150 and 300 m. An interesting result is that in the
conglomerates from depths of 300 and 500 m, a different faunal composition was
observed between the samples located in the northeastern Colombian Caribbean
Sea and those to the southwest with respect to the Magdalena River (Borrero-Pérez
et al. 2004; Benavides-Serrato and Borrero-Pérez 2010).
Deep Azooxanthellate Coral Community Banks
Based on results of the Macrofauna I and II explorations (1998–2002) carried out
by INVEMAR, there are deep azooxanthellate coral banks in three localities of the
Colombian Caribbean Sea: off La Guajira Peninsula (PAL ecoregion), off Santa
Marta (TAY ecoregion), and off San Bernardo Islands (ARCO ecoregion)
(Fig. 5.5, Table 5.3). Cladocora debilis (thin tube coral) was the main coral matrix
builder in the bank formation off La Guajira, at a depth of 70 m. Echinoderms
were the most abundant taxon collected in these beds, with 1,367 specimens. The
crinoid Analcidometra armata was the dominant echinoderm, which has been
reported as a common species attached to gorgonians in the Caribbean Sea (Meyer
1973; Hendler et al. 1995). Ophiothrix angulata was found in several stations
along the sampling area. It has also been reported on Oculina varicosa banks off
5 Echinoderms of Colombia
165