Spatiotemporal distribution patterns of Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) in reef ecosystems of the Tropical Southwest Atlantic: influence of microhabitat

Le résumé fourni par la source

The Ophiuroidea, grouping the most recent and diverse species of the phylum Echinodermata, can be found in marine ecosystems, living in different substrates. Despite the large coastline of Brazil, knowledge on the ecology of the species is still scarce, particularly for the Northeast coast. The present work aims to verify the influence of environmental variables in the temporal and spatial distribution of Ophiuroidea species. We also aim to analyze the abundance of the most representative species and to compare the richness between the sampled areas. Seven spots along the coast of Paraíba were sampled between 2019 and 2021, during the dry and rainy seasons. Amphipholis squamata showed a wide spatial and temporal distribution and greater abundance (63.82%). The Carapibus Beach community stood out in terms of species richness and abundance. This faunal survey was essential for understanding the structure, dynamics, and diversity of communities in the sampled locations. Such data are of help for the management and conservation of species and to expand information on the biodiversity of communities in Brazilian reef ecosystems.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.