Species richness and distribution patterns of echinoderms in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean (34-56°S)

Abstract

Summary:The aim of this study was to compile and analyse available historical information on echinoderms in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean in order to make a synthesis of present taxonomical knowledge, to identify patterns of geographical distribution of echinoderm assemblages and to test the validity of the current zoogeographic scheme for this group. This study was conducted on the Argentinean continental shelf, southwestern Atlantic Ocean (34-56°S). An intensive research on geo-referenced data was carried out to make a knowledge synthesis on echinoderm species and thus create a historical database. Multivariate analysis was used to analyse the faunal composition through latitudinal and bathymetric gradients as well as echinoderm associations. The results confirmed the existence of two faunal associations that correspond to the traditional zoogeographic scheme established for the Argentine Sea: the Argentinean and Magellan Provinces. The Argentinean Province had 46 widely distributed species. Of the 86 species recorded in the Magellan Province, a high percentage (25%) were also found in Antarctic waters, suggesting a strong connection between the echinoderm fauna of this province and the Antarctic Region. The species richness between 34 and 56°S in the Atlantic Ocean showed a significant increase in reference to latitude, with the highest values being recorded between 46 and 56°S. In view of the high percentage of shared species with Antarctica, considered a hot-spot region in terms of echinoderm diversity, the pattern of distribution of species richness observed in our study area could correspond to a dispersion of this species from Antarctic to sub-Antarctic regions.Keywords: biodiversity, biogeography, distribution patterns, echinoderm, species richness, southwestern Atlantic. Riqueza específica y patrones de distribución de equinodermos en el Atlántico Sudoccidental entre los 34 y 56ºSResumen: El objetivo de este estudio es recopilar y analizar la información histórica disponible sobre equinodermos en el Atlántico Sudoccidental, a fin de elaborar una síntesis del estado de conocimiento actual, identificar patrones de distribución geográfica de las comunidades de equinodermos y poner a prueba la validez del esquema zoogeográfico tradicionalmente establecido para el área de estudio. Este estudio se llevó a cabo en la Plataforma Continental Argentina entre los 34 y 56°S. Se efectuó una intensiva búsqueda de datos geo-referenciados sobre las especies de equinodermos, a fin de crear una base de datos histórica. Se utilizaron análisis multivariados para analizar cambios en la composición específica a través de gradientes latitudinales y batimétricos, así como también para reconocer y diferenciar las asociaciones de equinodermos en el área de estudio. Los resultados confirmaron la existencia de dos asociaciones faunísticas que responden al esquema zoogeográfico tradicionalmente establecido para el área de estudio, distinguiendo dos Provincias Biogeográficas: Argentina y Magallánica. La Provincia Argentina presen...

Biodiversity and biogeography of hydroids across marine ecoregions and provinces of southern South America and Antarctica

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