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Central America Echinoderms: Diversity, Ecology and Future Perspectives

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Echinoderm Research and Diversity in Latin America

Abstract

Central America is a region with a high biological diversity, not only in its terrestrial part, but also in its marine component. This is the result of a rich geological history that has caused the exchange and isolation of fauna and flora. The richness of ecosystems and coastal morphologies allow the presence of various groups of organisms, and among them are the echinoderms. Investigation of echinoderms in the region goes back to 1867 when the first publication appeared. Research on echinoderms in Central America can be divided into two periods. The first period consists mainly of expeditions from Europe and the United States (1860–1960). The second period involved the formation of local scientists and the establishment of research centers in the region (1960–present). Two hundred and twenty-nine publications have been published on Central America echinoderms. The majority focused on ecology, taxonomy and evolution. Panama, Belize and Costa Rica are the countries where most of the research has been done. In this chapter we reviewe and describe the most important results of those investigations, with the exception of Panama, which is considered by Coppard and Alvarado (Chapter 4). Four hundred and sixteen species of echinoderms are reported, 214 species in the Caribbean and 207 species in the Pacific. Ophiuroidea is the most diverse class with 123 species, followed by Echinoidea (94 species), Asteroidea (80 species), Holothuroidea (80 species), and Crinoidea (18 species). The number of species is approximately 6 % of the total known echinoderms worldwide. Most of the investigations have been focused on echinoids and ophiuroids, with very little work on the other groups. The main threats to this phylum are environmentaal deteriorations by natural processes, and above all, by rapid coastal development. In addition, illegal fishing, by-catch and the lack of protection and coordination from the authorities are affecting the sea cucumbers and sea stars populations. An increase in research is recommended for Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua, through programs of regional exchange and by the development of specialists in each one of these countries. Moreover, emphasis must be given to developing new lines of research to fill the gaps in knowledge of various groups and ecosystems.

Resumen

Centro América es una región con una alta diversidad biológica, no solo en su parte terrestre, sino también en su componente marino, la cual es el resultado de su historia geológica, que ha provocado el intercambio y aislamiento de faunas y floras. La riqueza de ecosistemas y morfologías costeras permiten la presencia de un variado grupo de organismos, entre ellos los equinodermos. La investigación de este grupo en la región se remonta a 1867 cuando aparece la primera publicación, y continua hasta nuestros días. Este proceso de investigación se puede dividir en dos periodos. El primero con la presencia de grandes expediciones desde Europa y Estados Unidos (1860–1960); y un segundo periodo con el establecimiento de centros de investigación en la región y el desarrollo de científicos locales (1960–presente). Doscientos veintinueve publicaciones sobre equinodermos de Centro América se han encontrado, de las cuales la mayor parte se enfocan en aspectos ecológicos, taxonómicos y evolutivos; siendo Panamá, Belice y Costa Rica lo países donde se ha llevado la mayoría de ellos. En este capítulo se revisa y describe los resultados más importantes de estas investigaciones, con la excepción de los trabajos de Panamá que es revisado por Coppard y Alvarado (Capítulo 4). Se encontraron registros de 416 especies de equinodermos, 214 en el Caribe y 207 en el Pacífico. La clase Ophiuroidea es la más diversa con 123 especies, seguida por Echinoidea (94 especies), Asteroidea (80 especies), Holothuroidea (80especies), y Crinoidea (18 especies). Esta cantidad de especies equivale aproximadamente al 6 % del total de especies de este filo a nivel global. La mayor parte de las investigaciones están enfocadas en equinoideos y ofiuroideos, con muy pocos trabajos para el resto de grupos. Las principales amenazas para este filo son el deterioro de su medio ambiente por procesos naturales pero sobre todo por la acelerada alteración costera. Así mismo, la pesca ilegal, la pesca de arrastre (con su fauna de acompañamiento) y la falta de protección y coordinación entre las autoridades están afectando las poblaciones de pepinos de mar y asteroideos. Se recomienda un incremento en las investigaciones en Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador y Nicaragua a través de programas de intercambio regional, y desarrollo de especialistas en cada uno de estos países. Así mismo, se hace hincapié en abrir nuevas líneas de investigación para tratar de cubrir los vacíos de conocimiento que se posee de varios grupos y ecosistemas.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank A. Bolaños, I. Wehrtmann, C. Fernández, M. Springer, R. Vargas, F.A. Solís-Marín and the late C.G. Ahearn for their help with literature, comments and museum access. M. Chavez for the elaboration of the figures. JJAB thanks CONICIT, MICIT and CONACYT. We appreciate the comments made by J. Cortés, J. Lawrence and T. Hopkins that improved this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR), Universidad de Costa Rica San Pedro, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica

    Juan José Alvarado

  2. Posgrado en Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Mexico

    Juan José Alvarado

  3. Gerencia de Vida Silvestre, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, San Salvador, El Salvador

    Enrique Barraza 

  4. Museo de Zoología, Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica

    Tito Isaac Sancho-Mejías

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Correspondence to Juan José Alvarado .

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  1. Centro de Investigaciónes en Ciencias, del Mar y Limnologia, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Colombia

    Juan José Alvarado

  2. Instituto de Ciencias del Mar, y Limnologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Universitario s/n, México City, 04510, Mexico

    Francisco Alonso Solis-Marin

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Alvarado, J.J., Barraza , E., Sancho-Mejías, T.I. (2013). Central America Echinoderms: Diversity, Ecology and Future Perspectives. In: Alvarado, J., Solis-Marin, F. (eds) Echinoderm Research and Diversity in Latin America. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-20051-9_3

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