View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE ISSN: 0001-5113 ACTA ADRIAT., UDC: 593.9:591.9 (262.35)”1995/2002) AADRAY 44 (2): 101-157, 2003 original scientific paper Marine fauna of Mljet National Park (Adriatic Sea, Croatia) 2. Echinodermata Duπan ZAVODNIK Center for Marine Research, Ruer BoπkoviÊ Institute, Obala G. Paliaga 5, 52210 Rovinj, Croatia and Thais Society for Exploration and Conservation of Nature, Primorska 23,10000 Zagreb, Croatia E-mail:
[email protected] Echinoderms of Mljet National Park from all kinds of environments were reviewed. Research was carried out during the summers from 1995 to 2002 at 63 sites by SCUBA and skin divers to a maximum depth of 58 m. At 21 stations, deeper specimens were collected by a Van VEEN grab. At 6 sites, echinoderms were obtained from commercial trammel bottom sets or lobster pots. Earlier published records were reviewed and old collections were examined. In total, 53 species and one ecophenotype were recorded. General distribution, depth range, habitat and ecological notes are listed for each species. The morphology, behaviour and distributional patterns are discussed for a number of species. Specimens of Holothuria sp. cf. mammata, Arbaciella elegans, and Brissopsis aff. mediterranea are described in detail and illustrated. Echinofauna of Mljet National Park is less diverse than in some other Adriatic Sea areas. Key words: Echinodermata, national park, Mljet Island, Adriatic Sea, zoogeography INTRODUCTION 1995). The present paper deals with echinoderms collected in Mljet National Park. The Mljet National Park was established in Few areas in the eastern part of the central 1960 with the aim of protecting the luxurious and southern Adriatic Sea have been the sub- Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forests that jects of echinological studies.