Gulf of Mexico
In terms of ecology of Echinodermata, the Gulf of Mexico is one of the less
studied zones. Only four studies have been published presenting ecological analyses of the communities of echinoderms in the region (Fig. 2.1).
Caso et al. (1994) carried out qualitative and quantitative studies on the echinoderm community from the Laguna de Terminos, Campeche. The relative abundance,
geographic and local distribution, type of nutrition and habitat of 12 species of
Echinodermata were analyzed. Lytechinus variegatus, Luidia clathrata, Echinaster
serpentarius, Ophiophragmus würdermanii and Amphiodia guillermosoberoni stood
out because of their relative importance and abundance. The higher diversity and
specific richness index values corresponded to the species located in the areas with
major oceanic influence, and the low diversity and specific richness index values
corresponded to species found in the lagoons.
Celaya-Hernandez et al. (2008) analyzed the diversity, abundance, distribution
and substrate preferences of the regular sea urchins found at the southern region of
the Isla Verde lagoon reef, Veracruz. The substrate types considered in the analysis
were: coral-rocks, rocks, rocks-sand, and sand and Thalassia testudinum beds.
Diadema antillarum, Echinometra lucunter lucunter and E. viridis were mainly
associated with coral-rock, rock and sand substrates, whereas Lytechinus variegatus
and Tripneustes ventricosus were mainly associated with sea grass. The authors
established that the distribution of the sea urchins is dependent upon substrate type
and feeding habits which are intimately linked. The seven species reached their
largest abundances during the rainy season. Jorgensen et al. (2008) recorded the
high population density survival of D. antillarum after a category five hurricane in
the southern Mexican Caribbean.
Vazquez-Bader et al. (2008) described the distribution and relative abundance
of epifaunal echinoderms in the southwestern region of the Gulf of Mexico, based
on 181 collections by the use of an Otter Trawl during different years. This study
recorded 25 species of Asteroidea, 15 species of Ophiuroidea, 14 species of
Echinoidea, four species of Crinoidea, and one species of Holothuroidea. The most
frequently found species was L. clathrata, reported at 68 % of all stations. The
highest seasonal density of echinoderms was recorded in autumn on carbonate
substrate, whereas the highest species richness was found in summer.
Gonzalez-Azcarraga (2009) compared the community structure and morphological diversity of regular sea urchins in the Gulf of Mexico ‘‘Veracruz Reef
System’’ and the Cozumel reefs in the Mexican Caribbean. They found statistically
significative differences for all indexes among localities and at all depths. Veracruz
Reef System showed the highest values due to their greater substrate heterogeneity
and a high organic material deposition.
32
F. A. Solís-Marín et al.
In terms of ecology of Echinodermata, the Gulf of Mexico is one of the less
studied zones. Only four studies have been published presenting ecological analyses of the communities of echinoderms in the region (Fig. 2.1).
Caso et al. (1994) carried out qualitative and quantitative studies on the echinoderm community from the Laguna de Terminos, Campeche. The relative abundance,
geographic and local distribution, type of nutrition and habitat of 12 species of
Echinodermata were analyzed. Lytechinus variegatus, Luidia clathrata, Echinaster
serpentarius, Ophiophragmus würdermanii and Amphiodia guillermosoberoni stood
out because of their relative importance and abundance. The higher diversity and
specific richness index values corresponded to the species located in the areas with
major oceanic influence, and the low diversity and specific richness index values
corresponded to species found in the lagoons.
Celaya-Hernandez et al. (2008) analyzed the diversity, abundance, distribution
and substrate preferences of the regular sea urchins found at the southern region of
the Isla Verde lagoon reef, Veracruz. The substrate types considered in the analysis
were: coral-rocks, rocks, rocks-sand, and sand and Thalassia testudinum beds.
Diadema antillarum, Echinometra lucunter lucunter and E. viridis were mainly
associated with coral-rock, rock and sand substrates, whereas Lytechinus variegatus
and Tripneustes ventricosus were mainly associated with sea grass. The authors
established that the distribution of the sea urchins is dependent upon substrate type
and feeding habits which are intimately linked. The seven species reached their
largest abundances during the rainy season. Jorgensen et al. (2008) recorded the
high population density survival of D. antillarum after a category five hurricane in
the southern Mexican Caribbean.
Vazquez-Bader et al. (2008) described the distribution and relative abundance
of epifaunal echinoderms in the southwestern region of the Gulf of Mexico, based
on 181 collections by the use of an Otter Trawl during different years. This study
recorded 25 species of Asteroidea, 15 species of Ophiuroidea, 14 species of
Echinoidea, four species of Crinoidea, and one species of Holothuroidea. The most
frequently found species was L. clathrata, reported at 68 % of all stations. The
highest seasonal density of echinoderms was recorded in autumn on carbonate
substrate, whereas the highest species richness was found in summer.
Gonzalez-Azcarraga (2009) compared the community structure and morphological diversity of regular sea urchins in the Gulf of Mexico ‘‘Veracruz Reef
System’’ and the Cozumel reefs in the Mexican Caribbean. They found statistically
significative differences for all indexes among localities and at all depths. Veracruz
Reef System showed the highest values due to their greater substrate heterogeneity
and a high organic material deposition.
32
F. A. Solís-Marín et al.