RBMO 47(1): 141-146 | 2012
Research Note 

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Updated morphological description of Asteroporpa (Asteroporpa) annulata (Euryalida: Gorgonocephalidae) from the Brazilian coast, with notes on the geographic distribution of the subgenus

Anne I. Gondim^1*, Thelma L. P. Dias² & Cynthia L. C. Manso³

¹Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Laboratório de Invertebrados Paulo Young, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Campus I. Cidade Universitária, CEP 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil

²Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, CCBS, Departamento de Biologia, Campus I, Rua Baraúnas, 351, Bairo Universitário, CEP 58429-500, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil
³Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Laboratório de Invertebrados Marinhos, Departamento de Biociências, Av. Vereador Olimpio Grande, S/N, CEP 49500-000, Itabaiana, SE, Brasil

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This study provides an updated morphological description of Asteroporpa (Asteroporpa) annulata based on one specimen from the northeastern coast of Brazil, thus validating the previously uncertain occurrence of this species there. We also provide notes on the known geographic distribution of the subgenus Asteroporpa (Asteroporpa) and comments on ecological aspects of this taxon. Given our limited knowledge of the Euryalida fauna along the Brazilian coast, these new records are important for understanding the distribution, dispersal and speciation patterns of this group. The number of Euryalida reported for the Brazilian coast is increased to eight with this record.

Key words: Echinodermata, taxonomy, ophiurans, geographical distribution

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