the oceanic waters to the coast, and given that the Canary Islands are among one of
the main routes of migratory species (e.g. tunids), the pelagic systems strongly
interact with the benthic-littoral systems. Moreover, since great depths are occur
near the coast, deep-water species that migrate to shallow areas during their diel
rhythms and are temporarily integrated into coastal ecosystems (Aguilera et al.
1994). In this sense, it is also important to emphasize that some deep fauna occur
in shallow caves along the coast (Sangil 2007).
15.2 Research
The following section provides a historical perspective on the development of
studies on echinoderms in the Canarian Archipelago. We describe the shift in the
scientific strategy for the study of this zoological group and as some data to
quantity published material.
Although the echinoderm fauna of the Atlantic is well known, much of the
research has focused mainly on Western North Atlantic coastal waters. The
European Eastern Atlantic coasts have also been well studied (see Koehler 1921;
Mortensen 1925, 1927; Høiseater 1990; Hansson 2001), while Macaronesian
archipelagos (Azores, Madeira, Salvajes, Canary Islands and Cabo Verde) are less
known. Some studies have been done on the coasts of the Azores and Portugal
coasts (Barrois 1888; Nobre 1930, 1931, 1938; Chapman 1951; Marques 1983;
Pereira 1997). De Jesus and Abreu (1998) studied Madeira although sampling was
restricted to soft bottoms between 20 and 100 m depth. Recently, the echinoderm
fauna of the shallow rocky bottoms (0–25 m depth) of the Macaronesian archipelagos has been surveyed in the context of the ‘‘Macaronesia 2000 Project’’
promoted by the Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre from Tenerife (Pérez-Ruzafa
et al. 2002) and Cabo Verde (Pérez-Ruzafa et al. 1999, 2003a, Entrambasaguas
2008; Entrambasaguas et al. 2008).
Echinoderms are one of the groups of marine animals that have received considerable research effort in the Canaries. Because of its economic impact, research
interest has primarily concerned, and sometimes even monopolized, by one species:
the sea urchin Diadema aff. antillarum. This species have been recently described
and named as Diadema africana (Rodríguez et al. in press.). It is worthwhile to note
that researchers have used either D. antillarum or D. aff. antillarum to refer to the
Eastern-Atlantic species. We recommend the use of D. africana when referring to
eastern-Atlantic populations and have used this name throughout the text.
15.2.1 Pioneering Studies
The occurrence of echinoderms in the Canary Islands has been noted by a few
authors (Greef in Theel 1886; Panning 1939) and by expeditions in these waters.
15 Echinoderms of the Canary Islands, Spain
479
the main routes of migratory species (e.g. tunids), the pelagic systems strongly
interact with the benthic-littoral systems. Moreover, since great depths are occur
near the coast, deep-water species that migrate to shallow areas during their diel
rhythms and are temporarily integrated into coastal ecosystems (Aguilera et al.
1994). In this sense, it is also important to emphasize that some deep fauna occur
in shallow caves along the coast (Sangil 2007).
15.2 Research
The following section provides a historical perspective on the development of
studies on echinoderms in the Canarian Archipelago. We describe the shift in the
scientific strategy for the study of this zoological group and as some data to
quantity published material.
Although the echinoderm fauna of the Atlantic is well known, much of the
research has focused mainly on Western North Atlantic coastal waters. The
European Eastern Atlantic coasts have also been well studied (see Koehler 1921;
Mortensen 1925, 1927; Høiseater 1990; Hansson 2001), while Macaronesian
archipelagos (Azores, Madeira, Salvajes, Canary Islands and Cabo Verde) are less
known. Some studies have been done on the coasts of the Azores and Portugal
coasts (Barrois 1888; Nobre 1930, 1931, 1938; Chapman 1951; Marques 1983;
Pereira 1997). De Jesus and Abreu (1998) studied Madeira although sampling was
restricted to soft bottoms between 20 and 100 m depth. Recently, the echinoderm
fauna of the shallow rocky bottoms (0–25 m depth) of the Macaronesian archipelagos has been surveyed in the context of the ‘‘Macaronesia 2000 Project’’
promoted by the Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre from Tenerife (Pérez-Ruzafa
et al. 2002) and Cabo Verde (Pérez-Ruzafa et al. 1999, 2003a, Entrambasaguas
2008; Entrambasaguas et al. 2008).
Echinoderms are one of the groups of marine animals that have received considerable research effort in the Canaries. Because of its economic impact, research
interest has primarily concerned, and sometimes even monopolized, by one species:
the sea urchin Diadema aff. antillarum. This species have been recently described
and named as Diadema africana (Rodríguez et al. in press.). It is worthwhile to note
that researchers have used either D. antillarum or D. aff. antillarum to refer to the
Eastern-Atlantic species. We recommend the use of D. africana when referring to
eastern-Atlantic populations and have used this name throughout the text.
15.2.1 Pioneering Studies
The occurrence of echinoderms in the Canary Islands has been noted by a few
authors (Greef in Theel 1886; Panning 1939) and by expeditions in these waters.
15 Echinoderms of the Canary Islands, Spain
479