Biogeographic and bathymetric ranges of Atlantic deep-sea echinoderms and ascidians: the role of larval dispersal

摘要: Dispersal plays an important role in the establishment and maintenance of biodiversity and, for most deep-sea benthic marine invertebrates, it occurs mainly during larval stages. Therefore, mode reproduction (and thus dispersal ability) will affect greatly biogeographic bathymetric distributions organisms. We tested hypothesis that, bathyal abyssal echinoderms ascidians Atlantic Ocean, species with planktotrophic development have broader ranges than lecithotrophic development. In comparing two groups development, we found that ascidians, which probably a shorter period therefore less potential, were present fewer geographic regions elasipod holothurians, are likely to longer periods. For asteroids echinoids, both greater species. these classes, relationships egg diameter range either linearly increasing or non-monotonic. conclude does not necessarily constrain deep sea, because may be confined high detrital input from sea surface. Our data suggest more information is necessary on lengths different accurately assess sea.