Holothuroidea (Echinodermata) da região Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

The class Holothuroidea has approximately 1400 species existent, these nearly 50 are recorded to de Brazilian coast. Studies about this class are relatively few, particularly to the North and Northeast of Brasil. In front of the lack of information on the species of holothurians to the Brazilian coast the present study aimed to identify the species of the class Holothuroidea from the Northeast of Brasil to inventory and provide detailed taxonomic information as well as data on their distribution in the region. The Invertebrate Collection Paulo Young, of the Department of Systematics and Ecology (DSE), of Federal University of Paraíba (CIPY-DSE-UFPB) was the main the main material analyzed. Were also examined the collections of the museums of the Federal University of Bahia (MZUFBA), Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ) and University of São Paulo (MZUSP). The study of specimens includes analysis of external and internal morphological characters, beyond the pattern of calcareous ossicles, these latter are fundamental for determining the specific level. 32 species were identified, belonging to 3 orders, 8 families, 19 genera and 8 subgenera. Of the species recorded Thyone crassidisca Miller & Pawson, 1981, Euthyonidiella trita (Sluiter, 1910), Protankyra ramiurna Heding, 1928 and Holothuria (Holothuria) dakarenisis represent new records to Brazilian coast. The states with the highest diversity regarding Holothuroidea fauna was, respectively, Paraíba (n = 22 spp.), Bahia (n = 21 spp.), Alagoas (n = 14 spp.) and Pernambuco (n = 10). No species were recorded for states of Maranhão e Sergipe. The fauna of infralittoral requires better sampling. Moreover, in some species taxonomic problems were observed and discussed. The study provides the first annotated list of sea cucumbers from Northeastern Brazil. Reinforces the importance of scientific collections for systematic studies and increased knowledge of biodiversity.