Ariana Belén Alarcón Saavedra, Daniela Huenten, Lorena Pilar Arribas, Martín Ignacio Brogger

Biodiversity, bathymetric distribution, and reproductive strategies of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the Argentine Sea

Introduction

Biodiversity, bathymetric distribution, and reproductive strategies of sea stars (echinodermata: asteroidea) in the argentine sea. Discover sea star (Asteroidea) biodiversity, bathymetric distribution, and reproductive strategies in the Argentine Sea. A review identifying 105 species and key research gaps.

Abstract

Sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) are widely distributed across all oceans, with numerous species inhabiting the Argentine Sea. This region is highly productive and sustains a rich diversity of marine invertebrates. The present work aimed to conduct a comprehensive bibliographic until 2024 review focusing on the biodiversity of Asteroidea in the different marine environments of Argentina and the reproductive strategies of sea stars inhabiting the Argentine Sea. This study focused on the geographic region from the Río de la Plata to the Burdwood Bank. We identified 105 species of sea stars, grouped into six orders, 19 families, and 60 genera. Valvatida and Forcipulatida were the most diverse orders. We noted a prevalence of sea stars in intermediate waters (50–500 m), being present across a wide range of temperatures. Regarding reproduction, our results showed that most of the brooding species were located exclusively in cold and intermediate waters, while broadcast spawner species exhibited a broad distribution from shallow to intermediate waters. This review highlights gaps in reproductive data for most species, as most studies in Argentina focus on identifying species from shallow rather than deeper waters. Enhancing sampling efforts and updating the biological information of these species will likely address these gaps in knowledge, especially in deeper areas where sampling is more challenging. Our results contribute to updating the knowledge of Asteroidea diversity in the Argentine Sea.

Review

This comprehensive bibliographic review, "Biodiversity, bathymetric distribution, and reproductive strategies of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the Argentine Sea," presents a valuable synthesis of existing knowledge on Asteroidea in a highly productive marine region. The authors meticulously compiled data up to 2024, identifying an impressive 105 species across six orders, 19 families, and 60 genera, spanning the geographic range from the Río de la Plata to the Burdwood Bank. A key contribution of this work is the updated inventory of sea star diversity in the Argentine Sea, highlighting the prevalence of Valvatida and Forcipulatida as the most diverse orders and noting a significant presence of sea stars in intermediate waters (50–500 m). The study offers significant insights into the ecological distribution and reproductive patterns of these important marine invertebrates. The finding that most brooding species are exclusively located in colder and intermediate waters, while broadcast spawners exhibit a broader distribution across shallow to intermediate depths, is particularly intriguing. This ecological distinction provides a foundational understanding of how different reproductive strategies might be adapted to specific environmental conditions within the Argentine Sea. The comprehensive nature of this bibliographic approach serves as an essential baseline, consolidating disparate information into a coherent overview that will undoubtedly be a vital resource for future ecological and conservation efforts in the region. Despite its valuable contributions, the review judiciously highlights critical gaps in current knowledge, particularly regarding reproductive data for many species and the disproportionate focus of past studies on shallow versus deeper waters. The authors’ call for enhanced sampling efforts, especially in the more challenging deeper areas, and the urgent need to update biological information for these species, is well-justified. Addressing these identified data deficiencies will be crucial for developing a more complete understanding of Asteroidea ecology and population dynamics in the Argentine Sea and for informing effective marine management strategies.

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