COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF ECHINODERMS IN VERACRUZ REEFS

First data on echinoderm communities, their spatial variations and their relationship with substrate attributes and depth in the Pantepec and Tuxpan reefs. The data obtained were used to estimate equity, dominance and community estimators, and a canonical correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship of echinoderms with the type of substrate present in the Tuxpan and Pantepec reefs. New records(Astrophyton muricatum and Astropyga magnifica) are reported for the Gulf of Mexico. The total abundance of echinoderms was 6,446 organisms. At the habitat level, the layers between 15 and 20 m depth showed the highest richness (16 species). Ecologically, echinoderm communities are more dominant than equal, which is linked to the notable abundance of Echinometra viridis in deep strata and E. lucunter lucunter in shallow zones. The echinoderm fauna in the Tuxpan and Pantepec reefs is generally very similar. The substrate in the Tuxpan reef is more heterogeneous with respect to the Pantepec reef, being the depth a determining factor.Key words: Echinoderms, distribution, substrate, reef.