Deep-Sea Echinoderms of the European Seas
A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Diversity".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2025 | Viewed by 912
Special Issue Editors
2. CONISMA, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Piazzale Flaminio, 9, 00196 Roma, Italy
3. NBFC (National Biodiversity Future Center), Palermo, Italia
Interests: marine zoology; diversity; conservation; deep-sea
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The phylum Echinodermata consists of five extant classes: Crinoidea, Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Echinoidea and Holothuroidea. They are almost exclusive marine benthic organisms, with an incredible variety of colours, sizes and body forms. Echinoderms display different feeding habits and have an important ecological role since they are primary consumers in the food chain cycle, acting as top predators and benthic grazers. Finally, in some countries they offer important benefits to human beings, being an important nutritional and medicinal source.
At present, about 7600 living species are known worldwide, from shallow-water habitats to mesophotic and bathyal depths. However, the majority of the remote and deepest areas of the oceans remain largely unexplored, hinting at the potential for new discoveries. Moreover, although some of the most charismatic and represented echinoderms taxa are found in deep waters, the information on their ecology is still highly fragmentary. The advancement of underwater equipment in the 21st century has made access to these environments easier and more cost-effective, sparking a growing interest in deep-sea creatures, including echinoderms.
This Special Issue aims to collect any interesting contributions useful to advancing knowledge regarding the diversity, distribution, and ecology of echinoderms inhabiting the deepest parts of the European Sea. Both original manuscripts and reviews are welcome.
Dr. Francesco Enrichetti
Dr. Margherita Toma
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- Echinodermata
- marine benthic organisms
- deep-sea creature
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