The number of echinoderm species varies along the Gulf of California,
increasing towards tropical latitudes (Cintra-Buenrostro 2001). However it seems
the community structure of echinoderms in the Gulf is relatively homogeneous and
dominated by asteroids (Reyes-Bonilla et al. 2005; Herrero-Perezrul et al. 2008).
However, echinoderm distribution is probably related to habitat type. For instance,
shallow bays favor coral communities and species associated with them.
Holguin-Quiñones et al. (2008) analyzed the spatial and temporal variation of
Echinoidea and Holothuroidea in shallow water at Isla San Jose, Gulf of California.
The most abundant species were T. depresus, E. vanbrunti, P. unifascialis,
C. coronatus, D. mexicanum and E. thouarsii. There were no statistically significant
spatial or temporal differences in diversity, evenness and species richness.
The analysis identified two groups from locations of the eastern and western coasts.
Herrero-Perezrul et al. (2010) analyzed the community structure of conspicuous
species of echinoderms of three islands in the southern Gulf of California:
San Jose, Espiritu Santo and Cerralvo. They identified 23 species. The ecological
indices showed similar values between the islands. However, the species
composition was different. The community structure was stable in the study area.
It seems that habitat type has a strong influence on the distribution and abundance
of echinoderms.
Luna-Salguero and Reyes-Bonilla (2010) compared the community and trophic
structure of rocky bottom asteroids in two regions of the Gulf of California. The
starfish assemblages in both zones were dominated by a single species, Phataria
unifascialis, and the Loreto area had higher values of richness, abundance and
diversity of asteroids than the Ligüi area. In both areas, herbivores predominated
above detritivores and carnivores. Abundance at each trophic level was statistically significantly higher in Loreto with more trophic groups per transect. These
higher values of richness, abundance and diversity in Loreto are probably a consequence of a higher number of habitats and food resources.
South Pacific
Benitez-Villalobos (2001) characterized the community of echinoderms at two
coral reef communities (La Entrega and Casa Mixteca) in Bahias de Huatulco
region, Oaxaca State. The La Entrega community showed the lowest values of
diversity and evenness and the highest values of dominance, associated with a
more intense human activity. At the same locality Zamorano and Leyte-Morales
(2005a) repeated the analysis of Benitez-Villalobos (2001) and compared the
results obtained by both studies. Species richness and abundances they recorded
were higher than those obtained in 2001. However there were no statistically
significant differences in the diversity calculated by both studies. Ophiuroidea was
the dominant class of echinoderms in 2001, whereas Holothuroidea was dominant
in 2005. The authors attributed this change in dominance to the intense dredging
that had occurred in Santa Cruz Bay. This probably produced an increase in
30
F. A. Solís-Marín et al.
increasing towards tropical latitudes (Cintra-Buenrostro 2001). However it seems
the community structure of echinoderms in the Gulf is relatively homogeneous and
dominated by asteroids (Reyes-Bonilla et al. 2005; Herrero-Perezrul et al. 2008).
However, echinoderm distribution is probably related to habitat type. For instance,
shallow bays favor coral communities and species associated with them.
Holguin-Quiñones et al. (2008) analyzed the spatial and temporal variation of
Echinoidea and Holothuroidea in shallow water at Isla San Jose, Gulf of California.
The most abundant species were T. depresus, E. vanbrunti, P. unifascialis,
C. coronatus, D. mexicanum and E. thouarsii. There were no statistically significant
spatial or temporal differences in diversity, evenness and species richness.
The analysis identified two groups from locations of the eastern and western coasts.
Herrero-Perezrul et al. (2010) analyzed the community structure of conspicuous
species of echinoderms of three islands in the southern Gulf of California:
San Jose, Espiritu Santo and Cerralvo. They identified 23 species. The ecological
indices showed similar values between the islands. However, the species
composition was different. The community structure was stable in the study area.
It seems that habitat type has a strong influence on the distribution and abundance
of echinoderms.
Luna-Salguero and Reyes-Bonilla (2010) compared the community and trophic
structure of rocky bottom asteroids in two regions of the Gulf of California. The
starfish assemblages in both zones were dominated by a single species, Phataria
unifascialis, and the Loreto area had higher values of richness, abundance and
diversity of asteroids than the Ligüi area. In both areas, herbivores predominated
above detritivores and carnivores. Abundance at each trophic level was statistically significantly higher in Loreto with more trophic groups per transect. These
higher values of richness, abundance and diversity in Loreto are probably a consequence of a higher number of habitats and food resources.
South Pacific
Benitez-Villalobos (2001) characterized the community of echinoderms at two
coral reef communities (La Entrega and Casa Mixteca) in Bahias de Huatulco
region, Oaxaca State. The La Entrega community showed the lowest values of
diversity and evenness and the highest values of dominance, associated with a
more intense human activity. At the same locality Zamorano and Leyte-Morales
(2005a) repeated the analysis of Benitez-Villalobos (2001) and compared the
results obtained by both studies. Species richness and abundances they recorded
were higher than those obtained in 2001. However there were no statistically
significant differences in the diversity calculated by both studies. Ophiuroidea was
the dominant class of echinoderms in 2001, whereas Holothuroidea was dominant
in 2005. The authors attributed this change in dominance to the intense dredging
that had occurred in Santa Cruz Bay. This probably produced an increase in
30
F. A. Solís-Marín et al.