Distribution of echinoderms on continental shelf in open waters of the northern and middle Adriatic Sea

• Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom Vol. 89; no. 3; pp. 585 - 591
• Main Authors: Despalatović, Marija, Grubelić, Ivana, Piccinetti, Corrado, Cvitković, Ivan, Antolić, Boris, Žuljević, Ante, Nikolić, Vedran
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.05.2009
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Asteroidea; Biological and medical sciences; continental shelf; Continental shelves; distribution; Echinodermata; echinoderms; Echinoidea; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Holothuroidea; Investigations; Marine; northern and middle Adriatic Sea; Ophiuroidea; Sea water ecosystems; Sediment distribution; Sediments; Synecology; Territorial waters; Mediterranean Sea; Adriatic Sea; MED, Adriatic Sea; continental shelf; distribution; echinoderms; northern and middle Adriatic Sea; Marine environment; Free water; Continental shelf; Polynya
• ISSN: 0025-3154; 1469-7769
• DOI: 10.1017/S002531540900304X

This study presents the first extensive investigation of echinoderm distribution in the area of mobile bottoms in the open part of the northern and middle Adriatic Sea. Five hundred and eighteen bottom trawl hauls were performed at 56 predetermined permanent stations along ten transects over different sediment types, at depths of 10 to 430 m. A total of 34 species of Echinodermata were identified (9 from the class Holothuroidea, 12 from the class Asteroidea, 4 from the class Ophiuroidea and 9 from the class Echinoidea). The list of the species, together with data on depth and sediment distribution, and the stations where individual species were found, are presented.