Biodiversity distribution patterns of echinoderms from the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent waters: species richness, beta diversity and endemism
Hernández-Zaltrón, V.; Leon-Deniz, L.V.; Ahuatzin-Hernández, J.M. (2025). Biodiversity distribution patterns of echinoderms from the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent waters: species richness, beta diversity and endemism. Hydrobiologia 853(4): 1171-1186. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-025-05987-y
In: Hydrobiologia. Springer: The Hague. ISSN 0018-8158; e-ISSN 1573-5117, more
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| Keywords |
Geography > Biogeography
Echinodermata [WoRMS]
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| Author keywords |
Macroecology; Biological assemblages; Western Atlantic |
| Authors | | Top |
- Hernández-Zaltrón, V.
- Leon-Deniz, L.V.
- Ahuatzin-Hernández, J.M.
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| Abstract |
Echinoderms are a predominantly benthic group with selective substrate preferences, and the Gulf of Mexico exhibits a great diversity of substrates across a well-established physiographic regionalization. Therefore, a spatially structured distribution of this group in the region is expected. However, this hypothesis has not yet been tested at the community level across the entire Gulf. Our objective was to analyze biodiversity distribution patterns of echinoderms in the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent waters. Occurrence records were compiled from the GBIF and OBIS databases and peer-reviewed literature to evaluate the sampling effort, expected richness, beta diversity, and endemism. Sampling effort was higher on the continental shelf of the Yucatán and Florida Peninsulas. Higher expected richness was observed on the continental slope of the region and in the center of the Gulf, while higher endemism was observed in shelf zones and the oceanic Caribbean. Beta diversity allowed the recognition of distinct assemblages that coincide with previously proposed biogeographic areas. This study contributes to establishing a biogeographic baseline of the group in the region. Future perspectives to improve the echinoderm biogeographic knowledge in the Gulf include homogenization of sampling effort, accurate taxonomic identifications, and testing the assemblages identified. |
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