Taxonomic guide and historical review of starfishes in northeastern Brazil (Echinodermata, Asteroidea).

ABSTRACT: Presently more than 1900 species of sea stars are recognized, of which 77 are recorded for the coast of Brazil. Although the first starfish record in Brazil was published 363 years ago, our knowledge of this fauna remains unsatisfactory from a systematic and ecological point of view, particularly in the north and northeastern regions of the country. This study provides the first annotated list of sea stars from northeastern Brazil. Material described herein is housed at the collections of the Federal University of Paraíba, Federal University of Sergipe, and the Federal University of Bahia, Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo and Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro. Twenty-one species were identified, belonging to 12 genera, 10 families, and 5 orders. Descriptions of species are p

SUBMITTER: Gondim AI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4233396 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature