The detailed study of arm ossicles, particularly the lateral arm plates, is providing valuable information in the elucidation of ophiuroid taxonomy. The present study describes in detail 16 species of brittle stars from Araçá Bay, Brazil. This information is used to construct the first interactive electronic key, providing a valuable resource for a broad range of researchers. Brittle stars families were divided into three groups based on their spatial distribution: i) infaunal species of intertidal and shallow subtidal belonging to Amphiuridae and Ophiactidae, ii) epizoic species belonging to Amphiuridae, Ophiactidae, and Ophiotrichidae and, iii) epifaunal species of the subtidal belonging to Ophiodermatidae and Hemieuryalidae. In the global context of recent revisions of ophiuroid taxonomy, the present work provides additional characters for use in future phylogenetic studies.

<p>Este guia ilustrado apresenta 57 espécies de Echinodermata Bruguière, 1791 [ex Klein, 1734] registradas na porção sul do Embaiamento Sul Brasileiro (ESB), incluindo o litoral sul do Estado de São Paulo, todo o litoral do Paraná e norte de Santa Catarina. O guia destina-se a pesquisadores e estudantes que atuam ou gostariam de atuar com o grupo e serve de auxílio na identificação em campo e laboratório. Apresentamos uma caracterização do filo Echinodermata, uma breve descrição da área de estudo, técnicas de coleta e preservação dos exemplares. Para cada classe, são apresentadas caracterizações com as principais estruturas morfológicas de importância taxonômica, seguida das diagnoses das espécies registradas na ESB. Dentro de cada classe, as espécies foram organizadas por família e depois alfabeticamente de acordo com o gênero e a espécie. Para cada espécie foram incluídas fotos, diagnoses, distribuição geográfica e hábitat quando disponíveis em literatura. Esse trabalho é o primeiro guia ilustrado de equinodermos no Brasil e complementa de forma consistente o conhecimento da biodiversidade do grupo, gerando subsídios para futuras intervenções, tomadas de decisões e manutenção da diversidade deste incrível grupo de animais marinhos.</p><p><strong>Palavras chave</strong>: Equinodermos, sul do Brasil, diversidade, Sudoeste Atlântico, Taxonomia.</p>

We re-describe and confirm the validity of Ophiothrix trindadensis Tommasi, 1970 (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea). This is a native species from Brazil, however it lacked a type series deposited in scientific collections. The recognition of O. trindadensis was made possible using integrative taxonomy applied to many specimens from the type locality (Trindade Island) as well as from different locations along the Brazilian coast (Araçá Bay and Estuarine Complex of Paranaguá). Initially, 835 specimens were studied and divided into four candidate species (CS) inferred from external morphological characters. Afterwards, the CSs were compared using integrative taxonomy based on external morphology, arm microstructures morphology (arm ossicle), morphometry, and molecular studies (fragments of the mitochondrial genes 16S and COI). Analyses indicated CS1 and CS2 as O. trindadensis, and CS3 as O. angulata, both valid species. CS4 remains O. cf. angulata as more data, including their ecology and physiology, are needed to be definitively clarified. Our integrative investigation using specimens from the type locality overcame the lack of type specimens and increased the reliable identification of O. trindadensis and O. angulata.

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A análise granulométrica de sedimentos arenosos pode ser realizada através de diferentes técnicas como o peneiramento, a decantação, a difração a laser ou ainda a análise de imagens digitais. A técnica de análise de imagens digital vem sendo difundida por ser considerada a de mais baixo custo, contudo, a maioria dos trabalhos que descrevem o método utilizam programas de computador complexos e pagos. O objetivo do presente trabalho é descrever e avaliar um protocolo metodológico de fácil acesso e baixo custo utilizando para a análise da imagem digital o software ImageJ.  Os resultados obtidos em dez amostras de sedimentos arenosos utilizando o protocolo descrito foram comparados com os resultados de analises granulométricas feitas através do método de peneiramento e de difração a laser. De forma geral, os métodos de análise de imagem e a difração a laser tiveram os resultados similares. Estes resultados concordaram em 60% das classificações textuais (considerando os parâmetros estatísticos de média e seleção). Nas classificações dispares, os valores absolutos estiveram bem próximos dos limites dessas classificações, com diferenças entre métodos de apenas 0,1Ø (e.g. #45). Desta forma, a análise de imagem digital utilizando o programa livre ImageJ mostra-se uma ferramenta de ótima acurácia e robustez, além de ser de baixo custo e fácil acesso.

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Abstract:The sea star Astropecten marginatus has a neotropical distribution and is a highly abundant and frequent species in shrimp trawling by-catchin many places along the Brazilian coast. This has caused its threat to extinction and in addition, its bio-ecological aspects are poorly known. Thus, the main objective of this study was to analyze the seasonal variations of population length structure and feeding habits of the sea stars A. marginatus inhabiting off state of Paraná, Southern Brazil. The analyzed specimens were collected in February (summer), April (fall), June (winter) and October (spring) of 2008 from shrimp by-catch trawling. in the laboratory, each individual had its length measured and then weighed on an analytical scale. Afterwards, the stomach contents of 10 individuals of each of two most frequent length classes were seasonally analyzed. The relative frequency and abundance for each prey category was determined and, then combined into an index of alimentary importance. A total of 994 individuals of A. marginatus were collected with length ranging from 7.0 to 56.2mm, but most individuals were in the 20.1-25mm length classes. individuals larger than 40mm were only collected in the spring while a few recruits (<10mm) were found in fall and winter. The total weight of individuals ranged from 0.1 to 15.3g and the weight-length relationships showed a negative allometric growth (b<2.54). Regarding its food consumption, this sea star explored eleven food items, with cumaceans and mollusks as the most frequent items. High frequency of empty stomach was recorded at fall. Seasonal differences in the amount explored preys and ingested items as well as in the prey composition were also observed. Higher amount of explored prey categories and ingested items were recorded at winter-spring than summer-fall periods. Predominance in prey category changed from gastropods (summer and fall) to cumaceans (winter and spring). The importance of gastropods as main prey category at summer and fall should be carefully considered since it was coincidently observed with high frequency of empty stomach and low amount of ingested items. The observed seasonal differences in feeding behavior pattern were mainly associated to low prey availability and to changes in the sea star feeding rates, and probably reflected in some biological traits such as small body size of the population inhabiting waters off the Paraná coast, Southern Brazil. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (1): 59-68. Epub 2014 March 01.

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