HOLOTHURIOIDEA (ECHINODERMATA) DE AGUAS SOMERAS EN LA COSTA NORTE DE COLOMBIA

Abstract

Systematic and ecological remarks are presented on 14 species of shallow water holothurians of the northern coast of Colombia. The material was collected from Islas del Rosario off the coast southwest of Cartagena (10° 08' 39" Lat. N 75° 43, 21" Long. W) and from Tayrona National Park to the north east of Santa Marta (11° 20, Lat. N and 74 05, Long. W). Ten species are new records to Colombia, one of them appeared to be undescribed as yet (Holothuria thomaú sp. nov. Pawson & Caycedo, in preparation). A key to these species is given. The occurrence of some species in abundance in different habitats is discussed in order to elucidate ecological interrelationships and facilitate field identification.