in Bahía de Cárdenas (pers. comm. M. Ortiz). However, it has not recorded for
over 20 years, despite numerous exploratory samplings in that bay. Moreover, it
was never observed during the several samplings made in the Sabana-Camagüey
Archipelago. Nevertheless, some specimens have been observed recently at
Provincia de Villa Clara (ecozone 8). High densities have being observed of
A. punctulata in the north and south coasts of Península de Guanahacabibes
(ecozones 5 and 6, respectively) (pers. comm. R. Arias and M. Esquivel).
12.7 Conclusions and Recommendations
The Phylum Echinodermata is among the best studied faunistic groups in the
Cuban Archipelago with observations from the seventeenth century until the
present. However, knowledge of this group differs among classes. The least
studied is Class Crinoidea. There are remarkable differences in knowledge among
the platform’s nine ecozones. These results will contribute to the knowledge of
echinoderm diversity in Cuba, and will be of practical and teaching purposes for
scholars interested in the subject.
One recommendation is to increase the scientific formation of young men and
women specialized in this group with the aim of ensuring the continuity of studies
related to the Phylum Echinodermata. New projects and lines of investigation
(genetics and molecular amongst them) should be developed. It is necessary to
develop a database and an information system on Cuban marine biodiversity,
including echinoderms, and to regulate and promote its use. Existing laws prohibiting echinoderm extraction for ornamental purposes without prior impact
studies should be effectively enforced. Environmental education, awareness, and
citizens’ involvement should be promoted so that the population, especially
children and young people learn about echinoderm species inhabiting our seas.
Acknowledgments We want to express our gratitude to Cynthia Ahearn and David Pawson
(United States National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution) and Gordon Hendler (Los Angeles County Museum) for they support and for always enriching our minds with
their wise knowledge. We also thank the Department and Laboratories of the Oceanology
Institute of La Havana, Cuba (Oceanology Department and Laboratory), for their unconditional
support during all these years. Without them this work would have been impossible.
References
Ablanedo N, González H, Ramírez M, Torres I (1990) Evaluación del erizo de mar Echinometra
lucunter como indicador de la contaminación por metales pesados. Cuba. Aquat Liv Res
3:113–120
Abreu-Pérez M (1983) Nuevos registros de ofiuroideos (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) del Golfo
de Batabanó. Cuba. Poeyana 259:1–6
12 Echinoderms of the Cuban Archipelago
419
over 20 years, despite numerous exploratory samplings in that bay. Moreover, it
was never observed during the several samplings made in the Sabana-Camagüey
Archipelago. Nevertheless, some specimens have been observed recently at
Provincia de Villa Clara (ecozone 8). High densities have being observed of
A. punctulata in the north and south coasts of Península de Guanahacabibes
(ecozones 5 and 6, respectively) (pers. comm. R. Arias and M. Esquivel).
12.7 Conclusions and Recommendations
The Phylum Echinodermata is among the best studied faunistic groups in the
Cuban Archipelago with observations from the seventeenth century until the
present. However, knowledge of this group differs among classes. The least
studied is Class Crinoidea. There are remarkable differences in knowledge among
the platform’s nine ecozones. These results will contribute to the knowledge of
echinoderm diversity in Cuba, and will be of practical and teaching purposes for
scholars interested in the subject.
One recommendation is to increase the scientific formation of young men and
women specialized in this group with the aim of ensuring the continuity of studies
related to the Phylum Echinodermata. New projects and lines of investigation
(genetics and molecular amongst them) should be developed. It is necessary to
develop a database and an information system on Cuban marine biodiversity,
including echinoderms, and to regulate and promote its use. Existing laws prohibiting echinoderm extraction for ornamental purposes without prior impact
studies should be effectively enforced. Environmental education, awareness, and
citizens’ involvement should be promoted so that the population, especially
children and young people learn about echinoderm species inhabiting our seas.
Acknowledgments We want to express our gratitude to Cynthia Ahearn and David Pawson
(United States National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution) and Gordon Hendler (Los Angeles County Museum) for they support and for always enriching our minds with
their wise knowledge. We also thank the Department and Laboratories of the Oceanology
Institute of La Havana, Cuba (Oceanology Department and Laboratory), for their unconditional
support during all these years. Without them this work would have been impossible.
References
Ablanedo N, González H, Ramírez M, Torres I (1990) Evaluación del erizo de mar Echinometra
lucunter como indicador de la contaminación por metales pesados. Cuba. Aquat Liv Res
3:113–120
Abreu-Pérez M (1983) Nuevos registros de ofiuroideos (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) del Golfo
de Batabanó. Cuba. Poeyana 259:1–6
12 Echinoderms of the Cuban Archipelago
419