Abstract
We provide an update, based on literature records, on biodiversity and distribution of echinoderms along the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Sixty-one echinoderms taxa are reported, in 36 families. We present information on habitat distribution, taxonomy and possible threats to these species. The highest number of echinoderm records was between 25°19′S and 28°11′S latitudes, and sites of the Continental Shelf and the Reserva Biológica Marinha of Arvoredo area had the most species records (30 and 26 species, respectively). In addition, Santa Catarina is the southernmost record, in the Atlantic Ocean, for 40 echinoderm species; of these, 10 are on the regional list of endangered species. Eight species are endemic to Brazil and one ophiuroid species was reported herein for the first time at Santa Catarina: Ophiacantha pentacrinus Lütken, 1869.
Highlights
There are about 7,000 echinoderm species worldwide, of which 347 have been reported in Brazil (Ventura et al, 2006, 2013)
The echinoderm species search resulted in 444 records for the state of Santa Catarina
One hundred and fifty one records are in scientific manuscripts, 90 in master thesis, PhD thesis and undergraduate thesis, 45 in conference proceedings, 41 in endangered species lists, 27 in book chapters and 16 in technical reports
Summary
There are about 7,000 echinoderm species worldwide, of which 347 have been reported in Brazil (Ventura et al, 2006, 2013). The group is represented by sea stars (Asteroidea), sea urchins (Echinoidea), sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea), sea lilies and feather stars (Crinoidea), and brittle stars (Ophiuroidea). Echinoderms, such as starfishes and sea urchins, are important predators and herders that play key roles in the functioning of shallow-water marine ecosystems (Paine, 1966; Lessios, 1988; Birkeland, 1989). In Brazil, these organisms are collected and sold as a decorative artifact, such as the starfish Oreaster reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Dias et al, 2011; Martins et al, 2012c; Alves et al, 2018), currently in vulnerable status in the endangered species book (ICMBio, 2018)
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