Diversity of shallow-water asteroids (Echinodermata) in the Azorean Archipelago

Abstract

A comprehensive review of the literature on shallow-water asteroids (Echinodermata) recorded in Azores was carried out to establish a definitive list for the Archipelago. A total of 49 echinoderm species was compiled, comprising members of all extant classes; Crinoidea (1), Asteroidea (12), Ophiuroidea (11), Echinoidea (10) and Holothuroidea (7). References of asteroids occurence in the Azores, including historical records and distribution of asteroids from the Azores are given. Seven asteroid species recorded found in the Azores are found also in the Mediterranean and adjoining Atlantic coastlines, three are recorded from the Mediterranean and both sides of the Atlantic, one is limited to the Eastern Atlantic and one is circumtropical. Differences between the littoral hydrological conditions found on the North American coast and those in Azores makes the colonization from American coasts particularly difficult and probably are related to chance events like the episodic anomalies found in the general pattern of oceanic circulation. Asteroids are important in determining habitat structure for other species and can represent a substantial portion of the ecosystem biomass.

Rhodolith forming coralline algae in the Upper Miocene of Santa Maria Island (Azores, NE Atlantic): a critical evaluation

“…Albeit meagre in number of taxa, the geographical distribution of the identified Miocene algal species is consistent with the biogeographical relationships' pattern of both the modern (Tittley & Neto 1995, Santos et al 1997, Ávila 2000, Almada et al 2001, Ávila & Albergaria 2002, Ávila et al 2012a, Micael et al 2012, Xavier & Soest 2012, Ávila & Sigwart 2013, Meireles et al 2014) and the fossil marine fauna and flora of the Azores , 2010, 2012b, Madeira et al 2011, Meireles et al 2012, Ávila 2013 …”

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“…Compiled faunal lists for the area were also critically reviewed and used as additional sources: Pereira (1997), García-Diez et al . (2005), Micael & Costa (2010), and Micael et al . (2012).…”

“…, Borrero-Pérez et al 2011; Kroh et al 2011; Wangensteen et al 2012; Micael et al 2014). Also, during the last decade, local faunal lists were produced on the shallow-water echinoderm fauna that summed up the first attempts to understand the overall biodiversity of this diverse animal group in the Azores (Micael & Costa 2010; Micael et al 2012). In addition, the fossil echinoderm fauna from the early Pliocene and Pleistocene of the oldest island, Santa Maria, was addressed during this decade ( e.g.…”

Northernmost record of Hacelia attenuata (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the Atlantic

“…The smooth seastar Hacelia attenuata Gray, 1840 is relatively common in the Mediterranean Sea occurring also in the Azores (Micael et al 2012), Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Gulf of Guinea (Hansson 1999;Wirtz and Debelius 2003) and Madeira (Espino et al 2006). Pérez-Ruzafa and Lopez-Ibor (1987) also reported this species for an area which the authors called "Portugal", however, this area comprised not just the western and south coast of Portugal but also the gulf of Cadiz (Spain).…”