Species of the family Ophiuridae are most commonly collected above a depth
of 100 m. Sumida and Pires-Vanin (1997) reported that Ophiura ljungmani has a
wide distribution, although it occurs preferentially at depths above 100 m.
According to these authors, there is a clear relationship between depth and species
composition, which changes significantly at depths between 300 and 500 m off
southeastern Brazil. At the shallower depths, changes in species composition occur
more gradually. This differentiation in species composition along the bathymetric
gradient was observed by several investigators on the southeastern coast of Brazil,
for different taxonomic groups such as Ophiuroidea (Borges 2001), Mollusca
(Miyaji 2001; Quast 2003; Arruda 2005), and benthic macrofauna in general
(Sumida and Pires-Vanin 1997; Amaral et al. 2004). Borges (2001), analyzing the
ophiuroids of the REVIZEE/South Score program, found a group of species at
depths to 100 m, another between 100 and 300 m, and a third below 300 m.
Several studies in the southeastern and southern continental shelf of Brazil
(Monteiro 1987; Pires-Vanin 1993; Sumida 1994; Petti 1997; Borges 2001)
highlighted some groups of species of Ophiuroidea frequently found: (1) species
such as O. lymani, O. savignyi, A. squamata and O. angulata that are common
along the coast, especially ocuring associated with other invertebrate (sponges and
octocorals); (2) species such as O. januarii, H. elongata, M. atra, and Ophiophragmus luetkeni that occur at depths between 5 and 50 m; (3) species such as
Amphiura flexuosa, A. joubini and Ophiothrix rathbuni that occur below a depth of
30 m, although more frequently near depths of 100–200 m; and (4) species of
greater depths ([200 m), such as Ophiomastus satelitae, Ophiura clemens,
O. ljungmani, Ophiomusium acuferum, Ophiomusium eburneum, Ophiostriatus
striatus and Ophiomisidium tommasii.
9.3.4 Holothuroidea
Data on Brazilian Holothuroidea appeared at the beginning of the nineteenth
century, published by European and North American scientists who identified
echinoderms from the Brazilian coastal waters collected on scientific expeditions
(Tiago and Ditadi 2001). However, this group has been the most neglected among
the echinoderms and even intertidal species known for over 40 years remain
poorly studied.
According to Clark (1907), Selenka’s monograph (1867) was the pioneering
study of the anatomy and modern systematics of the Holothuroidea. Selenka listed
212 species known to that time, 49 of which were new to science. One year later
Selenka (1868) added seven other species to his list, although none of the 219
species were reported for Brazilian waters. Indeed, the first record of Brazilian
Holothuroidea is in Verrill (1868). He published an article on the Radiata
Collection sampled by the geologist Charles Frederick Hartt, who accompanied
9 Echinoderm from Brazil
321
of 100 m. Sumida and Pires-Vanin (1997) reported that Ophiura ljungmani has a
wide distribution, although it occurs preferentially at depths above 100 m.
According to these authors, there is a clear relationship between depth and species
composition, which changes significantly at depths between 300 and 500 m off
southeastern Brazil. At the shallower depths, changes in species composition occur
more gradually. This differentiation in species composition along the bathymetric
gradient was observed by several investigators on the southeastern coast of Brazil,
for different taxonomic groups such as Ophiuroidea (Borges 2001), Mollusca
(Miyaji 2001; Quast 2003; Arruda 2005), and benthic macrofauna in general
(Sumida and Pires-Vanin 1997; Amaral et al. 2004). Borges (2001), analyzing the
ophiuroids of the REVIZEE/South Score program, found a group of species at
depths to 100 m, another between 100 and 300 m, and a third below 300 m.
Several studies in the southeastern and southern continental shelf of Brazil
(Monteiro 1987; Pires-Vanin 1993; Sumida 1994; Petti 1997; Borges 2001)
highlighted some groups of species of Ophiuroidea frequently found: (1) species
such as O. lymani, O. savignyi, A. squamata and O. angulata that are common
along the coast, especially ocuring associated with other invertebrate (sponges and
octocorals); (2) species such as O. januarii, H. elongata, M. atra, and Ophiophragmus luetkeni that occur at depths between 5 and 50 m; (3) species such as
Amphiura flexuosa, A. joubini and Ophiothrix rathbuni that occur below a depth of
30 m, although more frequently near depths of 100–200 m; and (4) species of
greater depths ([200 m), such as Ophiomastus satelitae, Ophiura clemens,
O. ljungmani, Ophiomusium acuferum, Ophiomusium eburneum, Ophiostriatus
striatus and Ophiomisidium tommasii.
9.3.4 Holothuroidea
Data on Brazilian Holothuroidea appeared at the beginning of the nineteenth
century, published by European and North American scientists who identified
echinoderms from the Brazilian coastal waters collected on scientific expeditions
(Tiago and Ditadi 2001). However, this group has been the most neglected among
the echinoderms and even intertidal species known for over 40 years remain
poorly studied.
According to Clark (1907), Selenka’s monograph (1867) was the pioneering
study of the anatomy and modern systematics of the Holothuroidea. Selenka listed
212 species known to that time, 49 of which were new to science. One year later
Selenka (1868) added seven other species to his list, although none of the 219
species were reported for Brazilian waters. Indeed, the first record of Brazilian
Holothuroidea is in Verrill (1868). He published an article on the Radiata
Collection sampled by the geologist Charles Frederick Hartt, who accompanied
9 Echinoderm from Brazil
321