Zoogeography of Tropical Western Atlantic Crinoidea (Echinodermata)

Authors

David L. Meyer, University of Cincinnati
Charles G. Messing, University of MiamiFollow
Donald B. Macurda Jr., University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1978

Publication Title

Bulletin of Marine Science

Keywords

Crinoidea

ISSN

0007-4977

Volume

28

Issue/No.

3

First Page

412

Last Page

441

Abstract

Recent collections of crinoids from the intertidal zone to 1,650 m in the tropical western Atlantic have provided significant range extensions for more than half of the 44 comatulid and stalked species known from the region. Of the 34 comatulid species, over 60% are endemic to the region; of the 10 stalked species, 90% are endemic. At the familial level, this fauna has its strongest affinities with the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Comatulids are most abundant above 300 m, while stalked species occur primarily between 100 and 700 m. Species that occur primarily above 600 m (the deepest penetration of the 10°C isotherm in the region) have depth ranges generally narrower than 200 m. Species that are found below 1,000 m generally have much broader depth ranges.

Comments

Biological Results of the University of Miami Deep-Sea Expeditions. 129.

NSUWorks Citation

Meyer, David L., Charles G. Messing, and Donald B. Macurda Jr. "Biological results of the University of Miami deep-sea expeditions. 129. Zoogeography of tropical western Atlantic Crinoidea (Echinodermata)." Bulletin of Marine Science 28, no. 3 (1978): 412-441.