Alfredo Laguarda-Figueras

Identification of echinoderms (Echinodermata) from an anchialine cave in Cozumel Island, Mexico, using DNA barcodes

The echinoderm species richness of the Aerolito de Paraiso anchialine cave, on Cozumel Island, in the Mexican Caribbean, is assessed on the basis of morphological and DNA barcoding data. We included specimens from this cave system and from different open sea areas, and employed two different approaches for species delineation based on DNA barcoding data: a 2% cox1 divergence and the general mixed Yule‐coalescent (GMYC) approaches. We subsequently compared the results derived from these approaches with our morphospecies discrimination. A total of 188 cox1 sequences belonging to specimens of four echinoderm classes were examined. The 2% cox1 divergence and GMYC approaches recovered 78 and 70 putative species, respectively, 24 and 22 of which corresponded to specimens from the anchialine system. Of 26 echinoderm species identified in the cave system, seven appear to be endemic to it. Among these are Copidaster carvenicola Solís‐Marín & Laguarda‐Figueras, 2010, two morphologically distinctive, undescribed species belonging to Asterinides and Ophionereis and four probably cryptic undescribed species originally assigned to Amphipholis squamata (Delle Chiaje, 1839), Astropecten duplicatus Gray, 1840, Copidaster lymani (AH Clark, 1948) and Ophiothrix angulata (Say, 1825). Further research and protection of this particularly fragile ecosystem becomes urgent because construction of tourism developments is planned nearby.

Two Lower Cretaceous (Albian) Fossil Holothurians (Echinodermata) from Tepexi De Rodriguez, Puebla, Mexico

Abstract Two new genera and species of well-preserved fossil holothurians are described from the Lower Cretaceous (Albian) of Tepexi de Rodriguez, Puebla, central Mexico. Parapsolus tlayuensis is a psolid, and Paleopentacta alencasterae is a cucumariid. Paleopentacta alencasterae is the first complete holothurian fossil known to have two types of body wall ossicles preserved. The presence of the families Psolidae and Cucumariidae suggests that the local habitat was a hard substrate. The two holothurian species described here are interpreted as shallow water-suspension feeding species.

Ophioderma peruana, a new species of brittlestar (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea, Ophiodermatidae) from the Peruvian coast.

Abstract Ophioderma peruana sp. n. is a new species of Ophiodermatidae, extending the distribution of the genus Ophioderma to Lobos de Afuera Island, Peru, easily distinguishable from its congeners by its peculiarly fragmented dorsal arm plates. Dense granules, rounded or polygonal cover the disc, the radial shields may be naked or completely covered by granules. A good character for recognizing this species in the field is the dorsal side of the disc which is brown with disc granules lighter cream and brown, the arms are mottled with whitish spots and the ventral part of the disc on the interradial part is brown and the radial part bright yellow.

Revision of the genus Ophioteichus H.L. Clark, 1938 (Ophiuroidea: Ophiolepididae).

In this study we re-describe the ophiuroid genus Ophioteichus H.L. Clark, 1938 and diagnose the species using existing and new characters found by examining the type material. The species Ophiolepis utinomii Irimura, 1967, is very similar to the holotype of Ophioteichus multispinum, and is herein transferred to the genus Ophioteichus; this transfer expands the geographic range of the genus. Ophioteichus is currently composed of three species: Ophioteichus parvispinum, Ophioteichus multispinum and Ophioteichus utinomii comb. nov. The genus is now known from the eastern part of Australia, Philippines and the coast of Japan, with a bathymetric range from littoral down to 45.3 m.

Echinoderms of the Cuban Archipelago

In this chapter we offer a historical view of investigations about echinoderms in Cuba since they first began in the middle nineteenth century until today. The research cruises made in Cuban seas, as well as other studies that have allowed achieving current knowledge, are described. Information is also given on the geomorphologic and oceanographic characteristics which are related to the different types of marine ecosystems and biotopes existing in the Cuban archipelago, as well as the diversity and distribution of species inhabiting them. Three hundred and fifty six species have been recorded in Cuba of these, the class Crinoidea is represented by 34 species, Asteroidea by 76 species, Ophiuroidea by 162, Echinoidea by 63, and Holothuroidea by 51. All of these species are represented on the main biotopes of the Cuban marine ecosystem: coral reefs and hard non-reef floors, unconsolidated sediments (sand, mud), submerged vegetation (seagrass and macroalgae), mangrove swamps, coastal lagoons and estuaries, low rocky coasts or cliffs and beaches. They are found from the intertidal zone down to a depth of 5,850 m, where the sea urchin Portualesia miranda occurs. The degree of recovery of the populations of the black sea urchin Diadema antillarum is described. Information is presented on the commercial exploitation of the sea cucumber Isostichopus badionotus. We emphasize the necessity of continuing the study of this important group and recommend opening new lines of investigation. Among the threats to which echinoderms are subject is habitat destruction caused mainly by coastal development. We comment on the urgency for caring and preserving this group by means of its rational use.

Lissothuria imbricata sp. nov., a new species of sea cucumber (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the central-eastern Pacific Ocean

A new species of sea cucumbers of the genus Lissothuria Verrill, 1867 is described. Lissothuria imbricata sp. nov. was found in the central-eastern Pacific Ocean, at 2-16 m depth living on top of rocky reefs, partially covered by algae and organic material. It is distinguished from other species of the genus by having body wall ossicles in form of short, broad towers with a slightly spiny apex, giving the dorsal area a granular appearance. The shape of the ossicles shows some similarities with L. nutriens (H.L. Clark, 1901).

Influencia de las variables fisicoquímicas en la estructura de tallas y distribución de Meoma ventricosa grandis (Echinodermata: Brissidae) dentro del canal Boca Chica, Acapulco, México

espanolEn este trabajo se examinaron diferentes variables fisicoquimicas (textura del sedimento, temperatura, salinidad, oxigeno disuelto, turbidez, nitrito, nitrato, amonio, fosfato, materia organica de nieve marina, materia organica del sedimento y materia organica del tracto digestivo) y su influencia en la estructura de tallas y la distribucion de Meoma ventricosa grandis. El estudio fue realizado en 3 estaciones de trabajo (E1: La Playa, E2: El Jardin, E3: Palmitas) localizadas a traves del canal Boca Chica, Acapulco, Mexico, durante 2006 y 2007. Los resultados de las mediciones del tamano corporal mostraron un menor porcentaje de individuos adultos en las estaciones 1 y 2 (13 y 5%, respectivamente), por el contrario en la estacion 3 el porcentaje fue de 51%. El analisis de varianza senalo una diferencia significativa en el tamano de los individuos de la estacion Palmitas con respecto a las otras dos, presentando los ejemplares mas grandes a traves de todo el estudio. La textura del sedimento en la estacion 1, La Playa y en la estacion 2, El Jardin se caracterizo por clastos asimetricos de arena gruesa y grava, de diversos tamanos, con una profundidad de la capa de sedimentos de 20 a 30 cm, en contraste con la estacion 3, Palmitas, la cual presento clastos casi simetricos de arena gruesa, de tamano similar, con profundidad de 50 cm; en todas las estaciones los individuos juveniles estaban enterrados entre los 10 y 20 cm de profundidad y los adultos entre 15 y 40 cm. El indice gonadico fue de tipo asincronico durante el estudio, presentando los picos reproductivos mas altos en Palmitas. El analisis de arboles de regresion establecio que la materia organica consumida por los individuos actua como la principal variable fisicoquimica que favorece la distribucion de este equinoideo dentro del canal, localizando hasta 6,571 individuos en relacion a este recurso. La mayor proporcion de ejemplares (11,330) se alcanzo en presencia de la materia organica, los nitratos y los fosfatos. Se registra por primera vez para el genero Meoma la existencia de una seleccion especifica del tipo de sustrato dependiente principalmente de su talla corporal. EnglishIn this study we examine different physicochemical variables (sediment texture, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, phosphate, organic matter of marine snow, organic matter of sediment and organic matter of digestive tract) and their influence on the size structure and distribution of Meoma ventricosa grandis. The study was conducted in 3 workstations (E1: La Playa, E2: El Jardin, E3: Palmitas) located across the Boca Chica Channel, Acapulco, Mexico, during 2006 to 2007. The results of the measurements of the body size showed a higher percentage of adults in workstation 1 and 2 (13 and 5%, respectively); however, in workstation 3 the percentage was of 51%. The variance pointed a significance in the size of the individuals from the workstation Palmitas, showing the largest specimens throughout the study. The sediment texture in workstations La Playa and El Jardin was characterized by asymmetric clasts of coarse sand and gravel of different sizes, with a sediment layer with a depth of layer of 20-30 cm. Unlike workstation of Palmitas wich was distinguished by almost symmetrical gravel clasts, similar in size and with depth of 50 cm; in all workstations juveniles were buried between 10 and 20 cm and adults between 15 and 40 cm of depth. The gonadal index was asynchronous, presenting the highest reproductive peaks in Palmitas. Regression Trees analysis established that the organic matter deposited in the sediment acts as the primary physicochemical variable in the distribution of the echinoid within the channel, locating until 6,571 individuals in direct relation to it. The largest number of specimens (11,330) was obtained in the presence of organic matter, nitrates and phosphates. This is the first time that genus Meoma is related to a specific substrate according to the body size.

An occurence records database of Irregular Echinoids (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) in Mexico

Abstract Background Research on echinoderms in Mexico began in the late nineteenth century. We present a dataset that includes the taxonomic and geographic information of irregular echinoids from Mexico, housed in four collections: 1) Colección Nacional de Equinodermos “Ma. Elena Caso Muñoz” from the Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (ICML), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM); 2) Invertebrate Zoology Collection, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., United States of America (USA); 3) Invertebrate Collection, Museum of Comparative Zoology, University of Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA and 4) Invertebrate Zoology, Peabody Museum, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. New information A total of six orders, 17 families, 35 genera and 68 species are reported, 37 distributed in the Pacific coast and 31 in the Atlantic coast, none of them was found in both coasts. The most diverse region is the Gulf of California (S=32); the most diverse order is Spatangoida with 31 species reported in mexican waters.

Lissothuria caboblanquensis n. sp., a new species of sea cucumber (Holothuroidea: Dendrochirotida: Psolidae) from Costa Rica

A new species of sea cucumber of the genus Lissothuria Verrill, 1867 is described. Lissothuria caboblanquensis n. sp. was found in the Costa Rican Pacific, at 17 m depth. The presence of towers with spiny apex and the elaborated shape of the hourglasses in the dorsal body wall, make this species unique among the species of this genus. This species is distinctive within the genus. The shape of the ossicles shows some similarities with L. nutriens H. L. Clark, 1901 and L. hancocki (Deichmann, 1941).