Gonzalez-Azcarraga (2009), Bribiesca-Contreras (2011), Estrada-Rodriguez
(2011), Hernandez-Diaz (2011), Pineda-Enriquez (2011) and Zarate-Montes
(2011).
2.2.2 Biodiversity and Distribution of the Mexican Echinoderms
Mexico’s extensive littoral zone and great diversity of habitats supports 643
species of echinoderms (see Appendix), approximately 10 % of the world total.
Class Crinoidea is less well represented with 29 species (4 % of the world total),
while the Class Ophiuroidea is the richest of all with 197 species (31 %); Class
Asteroidea is second with 185 species (29 %); Class Echinoidea is the third most
diverse group with 119 species (19 %); Class Holothuroidea is represented by 113
species (17 %) (Fig. 2.3). Diversity and distribution of echinoderms in Mexico is
described for the four coastal regions of this country: Gulf of California, Pacific
Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea (Fig. 2.4).
2.2.3 Gulf of California
Although the Gulf of California is a diverse zone for some classes of echinoderms,
there are no records of crinoids in this area. The asteroids in Mexico are well
represented in all the coasts. In the Gulf of California there is a vast variety and
abundance of specific generic types of asteroids higher than the Caribbean Sea.
There are 58 species. Twenty nine occur in deep waters ([200 m depth). The most
conspicuous genera are: Astropecten, Luidia, Nidorellia, Oreaster, Pharia,
Phataria and Heliaster (Solis-Marin et al. 1993) (Fig. 2.5).
Seventy one ophiuroid species occur in the Gulf of California in two orders,
14 families and 34 genera. Ophiactis savignyi has the widest distribution in shallow
Fig. 2.3 Echinoderm
composition (number of
species per class) in Mexican
waters
18
F. A. Solís-Marín et al.
(2011), Hernandez-Diaz (2011), Pineda-Enriquez (2011) and Zarate-Montes
(2011).
2.2.2 Biodiversity and Distribution of the Mexican Echinoderms
Mexico’s extensive littoral zone and great diversity of habitats supports 643
species of echinoderms (see Appendix), approximately 10 % of the world total.
Class Crinoidea is less well represented with 29 species (4 % of the world total),
while the Class Ophiuroidea is the richest of all with 197 species (31 %); Class
Asteroidea is second with 185 species (29 %); Class Echinoidea is the third most
diverse group with 119 species (19 %); Class Holothuroidea is represented by 113
species (17 %) (Fig. 2.3). Diversity and distribution of echinoderms in Mexico is
described for the four coastal regions of this country: Gulf of California, Pacific
Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea (Fig. 2.4).
2.2.3 Gulf of California
Although the Gulf of California is a diverse zone for some classes of echinoderms,
there are no records of crinoids in this area. The asteroids in Mexico are well
represented in all the coasts. In the Gulf of California there is a vast variety and
abundance of specific generic types of asteroids higher than the Caribbean Sea.
There are 58 species. Twenty nine occur in deep waters ([200 m depth). The most
conspicuous genera are: Astropecten, Luidia, Nidorellia, Oreaster, Pharia,
Phataria and Heliaster (Solis-Marin et al. 1993) (Fig. 2.5).
Seventy one ophiuroid species occur in the Gulf of California in two orders,
14 families and 34 genera. Ophiactis savignyi has the widest distribution in shallow
Fig. 2.3 Echinoderm
composition (number of
species per class) in Mexican
waters
18
F. A. Solís-Marín et al.