Echinoderms from the lower-sublittoral zone on the north-western coasts of Sado island, the Japan Sea

Kogure, Y.

Echinoderms from the lower-sublittoral zone on the north-western coasts of Sado island, the Japan Sea

1999

Kogure, Y. (Japan Sea National Fisheries Research Inst., Niigata (Japan))

Echinoderms were sampled by dredging at four stations situated in the lower-sublittoral zone at depths ranging from 120 to 142 m on the north-western coasts of Sado island in June, 1998. A total of 14 species, including 2 Asteroidea, 7 Ophiuroidea, 3 Echinoidea and 2 Holothuroidea, are listed with taxonomic and ecological remarks in addition to some color photographs. The species richness was high in the stony sand area, where Ophiothrix panchyendyta (Ophiuroidea) was dominant. Analysis of the fauna from the zoogeographical view-point made it clear that the fauna consisted of both cold and warm water elements in spite of the influence of the warm Tsuhsima Current. In order to explain the coexistence of these two elements, the oceanographic and the geographical features around Sado island are discussed

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