Several studies in the southeastern and southern regions stated that Amphipholis
squamata, Ophiactis lymani, Ophiactis savignyi, and Ophiothrix angulata occurred associated with algae, on rocky shores, and in the unconsolidated sublittoral.
According to Chao and Tsai (1995), these species preferentially inhabit biological
substrates such as sponges, algae, and corals. Morgado and Tanaka (2001)
recorded them associated with colonies of the bryozoan Schizoporella errata, on
the Brazilian southeastern coast. Boffi (1972) analyzed the ophiuroids associated
with 23 species of macroalgae on the northern coast of São Paulo State, and found
a predominance of Ophiactis lymani and Amphipholis squamata, which occurred
on almost all the algae and were the most frequent and highest-density species.
According to Boffi (1972), Ophiactis savignyi and Ophiothrix angulata preferentially inhabit sponges, although not exclusively. Ophiothrix angulata is a frequent species in shallow depths on the Brazilian coast, and may extend to a depth
of about 540 m. Amphipholis squamata is a cosmopolitan and well-studied species
that inhabits several types of substrates, from sand to crevices, macroalgae,
sponges, corals, and aggregations of polychaetes. Boffi (1972) reported that this
species occurred from the intertidal zone to a depth of 5 m.
Epifaunal species such as Ophioplocus januarii and Ophioderma januarii,
collected in the unconsolidated sublittoral, such as muddy, sandy, and gravel
bottoms, are common along the northern coast of São Paulo State from the
intertidal to depths of 180 and 100 m, respectively (Monteiro et al. 1992).
Ophioplocus januarii occurs in the transition zone between the inner and outer
continental shelf along the São Paulo State coast (Monteiro et al. 1992; PiresVanin 1993).
Among the Amphiuridae, some species were most commonly collected during
the REVIZEE/South Score and Biota/FAPESP programs, such as A. squamata
(coast and algae), Microphiopholis atra and Amphiura joubini (unconsolidated
sublittoral). These last two are typically infaunal species, with morphological
adaptations, such as a soft disc and long slender arms, to live in unconsolidated
bottoms. Microphiopholis atra is common along the Brazilian southeastern coast,
in depths to 100 m. Amphiura joubini, although frequent on the southeasternsouthern coast, is a subantarctic species with a wide bathymetric distribution (from
shallow water to a depth of 3,000 m). Its occurrence in this region is possibly a
result of the penetration of colder water masses, such as the South Atlantic Central
Water (SACW) (Tommasi 1985). According to Pires-Vanin (1993), A. joubini is
characteristic of an environmental gradient in the transition zone between the inner
and outer continental shelf. Also, Amphiura flexuosa is present in the zone of
environmental transition between the inner and outer shelf, as recorded by findings
of REVIZEE and Biota/FAPESP programs.
Capítoli and Monteiro (2000) reported that Hemipholis elongata, Amphiodia
planispina, Ophiactis lymani, and Amphioplus lucyae form an association of
shallow-water species (\30 m), along the extreme southern coast of Brazil. On the
other hand, Amphiura joubini and Amphiura complanata form an association
between depths of 30 and 100 m.
320
C. R. R. Ventura et al.
squamata, Ophiactis lymani, Ophiactis savignyi, and Ophiothrix angulata occurred associated with algae, on rocky shores, and in the unconsolidated sublittoral.
According to Chao and Tsai (1995), these species preferentially inhabit biological
substrates such as sponges, algae, and corals. Morgado and Tanaka (2001)
recorded them associated with colonies of the bryozoan Schizoporella errata, on
the Brazilian southeastern coast. Boffi (1972) analyzed the ophiuroids associated
with 23 species of macroalgae on the northern coast of São Paulo State, and found
a predominance of Ophiactis lymani and Amphipholis squamata, which occurred
on almost all the algae and were the most frequent and highest-density species.
According to Boffi (1972), Ophiactis savignyi and Ophiothrix angulata preferentially inhabit sponges, although not exclusively. Ophiothrix angulata is a frequent species in shallow depths on the Brazilian coast, and may extend to a depth
of about 540 m. Amphipholis squamata is a cosmopolitan and well-studied species
that inhabits several types of substrates, from sand to crevices, macroalgae,
sponges, corals, and aggregations of polychaetes. Boffi (1972) reported that this
species occurred from the intertidal zone to a depth of 5 m.
Epifaunal species such as Ophioplocus januarii and Ophioderma januarii,
collected in the unconsolidated sublittoral, such as muddy, sandy, and gravel
bottoms, are common along the northern coast of São Paulo State from the
intertidal to depths of 180 and 100 m, respectively (Monteiro et al. 1992).
Ophioplocus januarii occurs in the transition zone between the inner and outer
continental shelf along the São Paulo State coast (Monteiro et al. 1992; PiresVanin 1993).
Among the Amphiuridae, some species were most commonly collected during
the REVIZEE/South Score and Biota/FAPESP programs, such as A. squamata
(coast and algae), Microphiopholis atra and Amphiura joubini (unconsolidated
sublittoral). These last two are typically infaunal species, with morphological
adaptations, such as a soft disc and long slender arms, to live in unconsolidated
bottoms. Microphiopholis atra is common along the Brazilian southeastern coast,
in depths to 100 m. Amphiura joubini, although frequent on the southeasternsouthern coast, is a subantarctic species with a wide bathymetric distribution (from
shallow water to a depth of 3,000 m). Its occurrence in this region is possibly a
result of the penetration of colder water masses, such as the South Atlantic Central
Water (SACW) (Tommasi 1985). According to Pires-Vanin (1993), A. joubini is
characteristic of an environmental gradient in the transition zone between the inner
and outer continental shelf. Also, Amphiura flexuosa is present in the zone of
environmental transition between the inner and outer shelf, as recorded by findings
of REVIZEE and Biota/FAPESP programs.
Capítoli and Monteiro (2000) reported that Hemipholis elongata, Amphiodia
planispina, Ophiactis lymani, and Amphioplus lucyae form an association of
shallow-water species (\30 m), along the extreme southern coast of Brazil. On the
other hand, Amphiura joubini and Amphiura complanata form an association
between depths of 30 and 100 m.
320
C. R. R. Ventura et al.