Echinoderms of Ecuador

This chapter presents a summary of studies on echinoderms on the Ecuadorian continental shelf and at the Galápagos Islands. The geographic, climatic and oceanographic contexts, as well as the general characteristics of ecosystems and communities are discussed first to better understand the diversity of echinoderms and their distribution in Ecuador. The research section is divided into six subsections: (1) diversity and distribution of echinoderm species on the Ecuadorian Continental Shelf and at the Galápagos Islands; (2) ecology and population biology (distribution, density, growth, size structure, allometric scaling, reproduction, diet and feeding habits) for three species of sea cucumbers, seven species of sea urchins, and three species of sea stars; (3) effects of temperature on the immune response of the sea urchin Echinometra vanbrunti, with emphasis during El Niño episode of 1997-1998 in the Ecuadorian coast; (4) distribution and abundance of ophiopluteus and echinopluteus larvae; (5) predation, parasitism, and ecology disease for some echinoderms, including the sand dollar Encope micropora, the starfish Phataria unifascialis, the sea urchin Eucidaris galapagensis, and two families of aspidochirote holothurians; and (6) interacting effects of sea urchins on benthic communities. Three sections consider echinoderm fisheries and aquaculture, their threats, with special emphasis on the conservation of echinoderms in Ecuador. The final section contains suggestions and recommendations.