Florida (Reed and Mikkelsen 1987). Species found in the bank formation off Santa
Marta, at a depth of 200 m, included Ophiothrix suensoni, commonly found on
gorgonias (Hendler et al. 1995) and the sea cucumber Holothuria lentiginosa
enodis, previously recorded off Florida from Oculina varicosa banks (Pawson
et al. 1982). Another 14 species were found exclusively in this area. Three of them,
Stephanasterias albula, Trigonocidaris albida, and Palaeobrissus hilgardi, were
the first records for the southern Caribbean. The bank formation off San Bernardo,
at a depth between 155 and 160 m, was the most diverse sector for echinoderms,
with 38 species. Brittle stars such as Ophioderma appressa, Astrocnida isidis,
Asteroporpa (Asteroporpa) annulata, and Asteroschema oligactes were found
attached to stony corals and gorgonians. Also, some rare species, such as Ophiosyzygus disacanthus, previously recorded as dwelling in hard bottoms (Turner
and Heyman 1995; Borrero-Pérez and Benavides-Serrato 2004b), the stalked crinoid Democrinus conifer, and the reef dwelling comatulid crinoid Davidaster
rubiginosus were present. These three unique azooxanthellate coral communities
sustain one of the highest species diversities found along the Colombian continental shelf (Reyes et al. 2005).
5.3.2 Geographical Distribution of Species of Echinoderms
in the Colombian Pacific Ocean
One hundred and twenty-four species of echinoderms have been reported from the
Pacific coast of Colombia. These species have been reported from the coast of
Chocó (Punta Ardita, Cabo Marzo and Gulf of Cupica, Utria Bight), Valle del
Cauca (Malaga bay, Buenaventura bay, Gulf of Tortugas), Cauca (mouth of the
Guapi River), Nariño (Mulatos Beach, Tumaco Bight), Gorgona, and Malpelo
Island. The species reported are Asteroidea (34 species), Ophiuoroidea (30),
Echinoidea (28), and Holothuroidea (32). There are no reports of Crinoidea.
Echinoids and asteroids are the classes with highest species richness. Ophiuroids
have the highest number of individuals.
Number of Species Per Class Versus Ecoregion in the Colombian Pacific
Ocean
The localities with most species are the deeper parts of the oceanic Pacific (52),
Malpelo (44), and Gorgona (41 species), and deeper parts of the oceanic Pacific
(52) (Neira and Cantera 2005; Cohen-Rengifo 2007). The other area with a high
number of species is Buenaventura (31) (Fig. 5.6, Table 5.4). As in the Caribbean,
areas with a high number of studies have more species reported. Some studies have
shown that deep species can be very abundant.
5 Echinoderms of Colombia
167
Marta, at a depth of 200 m, included Ophiothrix suensoni, commonly found on
gorgonias (Hendler et al. 1995) and the sea cucumber Holothuria lentiginosa
enodis, previously recorded off Florida from Oculina varicosa banks (Pawson
et al. 1982). Another 14 species were found exclusively in this area. Three of them,
Stephanasterias albula, Trigonocidaris albida, and Palaeobrissus hilgardi, were
the first records for the southern Caribbean. The bank formation off San Bernardo,
at a depth between 155 and 160 m, was the most diverse sector for echinoderms,
with 38 species. Brittle stars such as Ophioderma appressa, Astrocnida isidis,
Asteroporpa (Asteroporpa) annulata, and Asteroschema oligactes were found
attached to stony corals and gorgonians. Also, some rare species, such as Ophiosyzygus disacanthus, previously recorded as dwelling in hard bottoms (Turner
and Heyman 1995; Borrero-Pérez and Benavides-Serrato 2004b), the stalked crinoid Democrinus conifer, and the reef dwelling comatulid crinoid Davidaster
rubiginosus were present. These three unique azooxanthellate coral communities
sustain one of the highest species diversities found along the Colombian continental shelf (Reyes et al. 2005).
5.3.2 Geographical Distribution of Species of Echinoderms
in the Colombian Pacific Ocean
One hundred and twenty-four species of echinoderms have been reported from the
Pacific coast of Colombia. These species have been reported from the coast of
Chocó (Punta Ardita, Cabo Marzo and Gulf of Cupica, Utria Bight), Valle del
Cauca (Malaga bay, Buenaventura bay, Gulf of Tortugas), Cauca (mouth of the
Guapi River), Nariño (Mulatos Beach, Tumaco Bight), Gorgona, and Malpelo
Island. The species reported are Asteroidea (34 species), Ophiuoroidea (30),
Echinoidea (28), and Holothuroidea (32). There are no reports of Crinoidea.
Echinoids and asteroids are the classes with highest species richness. Ophiuroids
have the highest number of individuals.
Number of Species Per Class Versus Ecoregion in the Colombian Pacific
Ocean
The localities with most species are the deeper parts of the oceanic Pacific (52),
Malpelo (44), and Gorgona (41 species), and deeper parts of the oceanic Pacific
(52) (Neira and Cantera 2005; Cohen-Rengifo 2007). The other area with a high
number of species is Buenaventura (31) (Fig. 5.6, Table 5.4). As in the Caribbean,
areas with a high number of studies have more species reported. Some studies have
shown that deep species can be very abundant.
5 Echinoderms of Colombia
167