Occurrence of the non-indigenous brittle star Ophiothela cf. mirabilis Verrill, 1867 (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) in natural and anthropogenic habitats off Santa Catarina, Brazil

By

Lawley, Jonathan W.
Fonseca, Adriana Carvalhal
Júnior, Edson Faria
Lindner, Alberto

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2018-4-13

Original Publication

Check list : journal of species lists and distribution

Volume

14

Series / Issue

Issue: 2

Pages

453--459

Subjects

Distribution extension , exotic , introduction , invasion

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

[São Paulo, Brazil] Luís Felipe Toledo 2005-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15560/14.2.453

 

Abstract

The brittle star Ophiothela mirabilis, thought to be confined to Pacific waters, was first observed in the Atlantic in 2000. Since then, it has expanded its range north to Trinidad and Tobago and south to Paraná, Brazil. By monitoring the coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil, with both recruitment plates in harbors and SCUBA diving, we were able to observe specimens of Ophiothela mirabilis in both natural and anthropogenic habitats. This presents a range extension of ~80 km south and emphasizes the importance of anthropogenic means for their spread and establishment.