Marine Biodiversity in the Caribbean: Regional Estimates and Distribution Patterns

The precolonial communities of the Caribbean archipelago were not insular. The discontinuous natural resource distribution, the maritime orientation of the Caribbean Amerindians, and the complexities of regional social interaction ensured that the precolonial Caribbean islandscape was dynamic and highly interconnected. This report explores the socicultural behavior and intercommunity exchange relationships of the inhabitants of the Lesser Antilles. It combines related archaeological case studies encompassing the procurement and exchange of: (1) raw materials and utilitarian goods with a wide spatial and social distribution, (2) goods with high stylistic visibility and presumed social function as markers of identity or status, and (3) prestige goods with profound ceremonial value. The study of these objects reveals overarching social and ideological dimensions to Caribbean life. Data suggest that social relationships manifest themselves at different levels and through distinct rhythms while taking on various material guises during the Ceramic age Amerindian occupation of the Caribbean islands (400 B.C. to A.D. 1492). While there is great potential in unraveling interaction networks through the careful study of distribution patterns, the incorporation of ethnohistoric and ethnographic information is imperative to elucidate the web of social relationships underlying these material manifestations.

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Governance of the Caribbean Marine Biodiversity: Complex Challenges for a Complex Region

Biological Diversity and International Law ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-72961-5_10 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 179-203

Author(s):

Luis E. Rodríguez-Rivera

Keyword(s):

Marine Biodiversity ◽

Complex Region ◽

The Caribbean

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REVIEW OF THE NEW WORLD EYELESS WEEVILS WITH UNCINATE TIBIAE (COLEOPTERA, CURCULIONIDAE; MOLYTINAE, CRYPTORHYNCHINAE, COSSONINAE)

Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada ◽

10.4039/entm124162fv ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 124 (S162) ◽

pp. 3-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Anne T. Howden

Keyword(s):

Puerto Rico ◽

New Species ◽

New World ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Virgin Islands ◽

Central United States ◽

History Of ◽

Present Distribution ◽

The Caribbean ◽

New Synonymy

AbstractThe majority of the species of the New World litter-inhabiting eyeless weevils belong to groups possessing uncinate tibiae: Molytinae, Cryptorhynchinae, and Cossoninae. The remaining species are Raymondionymini (Erirhininae) and are not included in this work.Eight genera and 40 species with uncinate tibiae are diagnosed and keyed. Caecossonus Gilbert (four species) is revised and the following new species are described: C. continuus (Mexico); C. sylvaticus (Belize). Decuanellus Osella (10 species) is revised and the following new species are described: D. bahamensis (Bahama Islands); D. brevicrus (Virgin Islands); D. iviei (Virgin Islands); D. longirostris (Puerto Rico); D. muchmorei (Virgin Islands). The new genus Kuschelaxius is proposed and the type species K. tomentosus (Puerto Rico) is described from Puerto Rico. The new species K. discifer is described from Hispaniola. No new species are described in the remaining genera: Howdeniola Osella (two species, Colombia); Lymantes Schoenherr (five species, central United States, El Salvador); Neotorneuma Hustache (one species, Chile); Pseudoalaocybites Osella (15 species, Cuba, Jamaica, Colombia, and Venezuela); Pseudocaecocossonus Osella (one species, Cuba). There are many undescribed species in Lymantes and Pseudoalaocybites, and problems precluding much-needed revisions of these genera are detailed.New combinations and a new synonymy are as follows: Bordoniola Osella is transferred to Raymondionymini; Howdeniola is transferred to Cossoninae; Caecossonus negreai Osella is transferred to Pseudoalaocybites (Pseudoalaocybites); Pseudoalaocybites (Pseudoalaocybites) venezuelanus Osella is transferred to P. (Croizatius); Pseudoalaocybites (Croizatius) montanus Osella is a junior synonym of P. (C.) latithorax Osella.Both the geological history of the Caribbean and dispersal by overwater rafting influenced the present distribution patterns of Caecossonus and Decuanellus.

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Distribution and abundance patterns of echinoderms in the fjord and channel complex from a subantarctic north Patagonian Ice field, Magellan region

Revista de Biología Tropical ◽

10.15517/rbt.v65i1-1.31667 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 65 (1-1) ◽

pp. 60

Author(s):

Erika Mutschke ◽

Dieter Gerdes ◽

Carlos Ríos

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Dominant Species ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Break Point ◽

Marine Biodiversity ◽

Southeastern Pacific ◽

Abundance Patterns ◽

Magellan Region ◽

Ice Field ◽

First Time

The existence of latitudinal marine biodiversity gradients from low to high-southern latitudes is a controversial issue regarding the marine biogeographic division in the Southeastern Pacific. In this region, the Northern Patagonian Icefield is considered a break point for faunistic elements derived from more northern or southern biogeographical realms. However, the division seems to be better defined by distribution patterns and endemism of specific marine taxa. There have been no exhaustive latitudinal benthic inventories compiled along the southern-eastern Pacific Chilean coastline. This study focuses on the spatial distribution variability and relative abundance of the sublittoral echinoderm assemblages and uses them to establish an evaluation of zoogeographic relationship in the Southeastern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. This is the first time echinoderms have been used for this purpose. A total 3 665 echinoderm specimens were collected in two cruises. Within this organism pool, 29 species were distinguished, belonging to the asteroids (17 species), echinoids (6 species), ophiuroids (4 species) and holothurians (2 species); crinoids were not found. The dominant species were the asteroid Ctenodiscus procurator, the echinoid Pseudechinus magellanicus, the ophiuroid Ophiuroglypha lymani, and the irregular sea urchin Tripylaster philippii. The spatial distribution patterns for the echinoderm clusters along the study area showed only weak geographical trends. Stations belong in three groups: with influence of glacier processes, influence of waters of the open Pacific Ocean, and a third group of stations without any links to specific locations. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65(Suppl. 1): S60-S72. Epub 2017 November 01.

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Meiofauna is an important, yet neglected, component of biodiversity of Posidonia oceanica

10.1101/2021.05.09.443247 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Guillermo García-Gómez ◽

Álvaro García-Herrero ◽

Nuria Sánchez ◽

Fernando Pardos ◽

Andres Izquierdo-Muñoz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Habitat Complexity ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Posidonia Oceanica ◽

Future Research ◽

Mediterranean Ecosystem ◽

Marine Biodiversity ◽

Complete Understanding ◽

Mediterranean Regions ◽

Species Specific

Posidonia oceanica meadows are biodiversity reservoirs and provide many ecosystem services in coastal Mediterranean regions. Marine meiofauna, on the other hand, not only represents a major component of regional marine biodiversity, but also a useful tool to address both theoretical and applied questions in ecology, evolution, and conservation. We review the meiofaunal diversity in the P. oceanica ecosystem combining a literature review and a case study. First, we gathered records of 664 species from 69 published studies as well as unpublished sources, including few species exclusive from this ecosystem. Eighteen of those studies quantified the spatial and temporal changes of species composition, highlighting habitat-specific assemblages that fluctuate following the annual changes experienced by P. oceanica. Hydrodynamics, habitat complexity, and food availability, all three inherently linked to the seagrass phenology, are recognised as the main factors at shaping the complex distribution patterns of meiofauna in the meadows. These drivers have been identified mainly from Copepoda and Nematoda, and depend ultimately on species-specific preferences. Second, we tested the generality of these observations using marine mites as a model group, showing that the same processes might be in place also for other less abundant meiofaunal groups. Overall, our study highlights an outstanding diversity of meiofauna in P. oceanica and shows its potential for future research, not only focused on exploring and describing new species of neglected meiofaunal organisms, but also providing a more complete understanding on the functioning of the iconic Mediterranean ecosystem created by P. oceanica.

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Tracking Marine Alien Macroalgae in the Mediterranean Sea: The Contribution of Citizen Science and Remote Sensing

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering ◽

10.3390/jmse9030288 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 288 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anna Maria Mannino ◽

Flavio Borfecchia ◽

Carla Micheli

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Citizen Science ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Marine Biodiversity ◽

Indigenous Species ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Time Changes

The accelerating rate of the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) and the magnitude of shipping traffic make the Mediterranean Sea a hotspot of biological invasions. For the effective management of NIS, early detection and intensive monitoring over time and space are essential. Here, we present an overview of possible applications of citizen science and remote sensing in monitoring alien seaweeds in the Mediterranean Sea. Citizen science activities, involving the public (e.g., tourists, fishermen, divers) in the collection of data, have great potential for monitoring NIS. The innovative methodologies, based on remote sensing techniques coupled with in situ/laboratory advanced sampling/analysis methods for tracking such species, may be useful and effective tools for easily assessing NIS distribution patterns and monitoring the space/time changes in habitats in order to support the sustainable management of the ecosystems. The reported case studies highlight how these cost-effective systems can be useful complementary tools for monitoring NIS, especially in marine protected areas, which, despite their fundamental role in the conservation of marine biodiversity, are not immune to the introduction of NIS. To ensure effective and long-lasting management strategies, collaborations between researchers, policy makers and citizens are essential.

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