Echinoderm fauna of anchialine caves in Cozumel Island, Mexico

摘要

The echinoderm fauna from two anchialine caves in Cozumel Island were collected in order to know the cave diversity species from this area. Echinoderms were collected in salt water from each cave by SCUBA diving during different explorations. Physical-chemical parameters of the habitats were collected. The principal species identified were Asterinides folium, Euapta lappa, Diadem antillarum, Ophionereis sp., Eucidaris sp. and Copidaster sp., some of them are potentially new species. From the six species reported only Asterinides folium, Eucidaris sp. and Euapta lappa, showed depigmentation on their bodies. We discuss the geographical distribution and relationships of these species with those reported from the Yucatan Peninsula and other Caribbean Islands.