Equinodermos batiales de la cubeta catalano-balear (Mediterráneo noroccidental)

Abstract

Bathyal echinoderrns of the catalonian-balearic basin (North Western Mediterranean)
Three species of Asteroidea, three of Echinoidea and two of Holothuroidea were identified from benthic trawl fishing samples in the deep-sea area between Catalonia and the Balearic Islands (Spain) during 1982,1983 and 1985. The zoogeographical distribution and bathymetnc range of each species is summarized. The results agree with the establishment of a single Atlanto-Mediterranean biogeographical region. The existence of the high homothermia (12,8ºC) in mediterranean waters, below 200 m, leads to a wide bathymetrical distribution of the species and to the coexistence in deep layers of eunthermic and stenothermic species.