Deep-sea Echinoderm report (Crinoidea, Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Echinoidea) in the South Colombian Caribbean

Study Extent

Anadarko Colombia Company’s hydrocarbon exploratory activities in the Southwestern Colombian Caribbean, include four wells (i.e. Gorgon A-1, Calasu 1, Kronos 1, and Purple Angel C-1), and ve other areas of interest (i.e. Chamana, Chamai, Yaduli, Cana Norte, and Cawa). The exploratory wells and areas of interest are localized in the South-western Colombian Caribbean, at depths between 375 m and 2500 m. In general, wells and areas of interest are approximately 54 to 74 o shore from the nearest point in the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

Sampling

Survey areas of interest were assessed using 25 towed camera transects. These transects registered seafloor features, during 3-hour surveys, taking still images every 20 seconds. Benthic and pelagic megafauna specimens were recorded in the images.

Quality Control

Still images and pictures of towed camera were analysed twice by the same expert, who did preliminary identication to phylum and class. All Echinoderm images were then identied to the lowest possible. When in doubt about the identication, additional experts were contacted and the images were sent to them in jpg format for towed camera photographs, and as a snapshot (also in jpg format) for ROV videos.

Method steps

1. ROV surveys ROV video surveys consisted of 80 meter-long transects in cross fashion, north, south, east, and west, from a central point that could be a transponder (tool for positioning of the drilling vessel) or the exact drilling location.
2. We analysed a total of 5066 photographs, looking for benthic and pelagic fauna. The presence of echinoderms was recorded in the wells Calasu, Chamana, Kronos, CanaNorte, Yaduli, Chamai, Cauwa. For each organism (echinoderm and non-echinoderm) coordinates and depth were registered, and identied to the lowest possible taxonomic level. We cropped the photographs to include only the organism, and performed image correction to reduce the blueish colour cast with the Auto Tone function in Adobe Photoshop CC 2018.
3. Taxonomic identications Using photographs and video footage, all the organisms were grouped to Phylum and Class. In this paper, we only highlight the occurrences for the Phylum Echinodermata. Echinoderms were further identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level, based on comparison with literature, databases and with the help of taxonomic experts from each group. The taxonomy here presented is in accordance to the World Register of Marine Species – WORMS (http://www.marinespecies.org/).

The data presented here corresponds to 361 occurrences (128 of Crinoidea, 45 of Asteroidea, 171 of Ophiuroidea, and 17 of Echinoidea) of deep-sea Echinoderm. The taxonomic coverage of this dataset includes 4 class, 11 orders, 17 families, 11 genus and 10 species. There is a 42% classifed to the species level, 23% to class, 22% to family, 9% to subspecie, 3% to order and 1% to genus.

1. Antedonidae
   rank: family
2. Atelecrinidae
   rank: family
3. Benthopectinidae
   rank: family
4. Brissidae
   rank: family
5. Echinothuriidae
   rank: family
6. Goniasteridae
   rank: family
7. Goniopectinidae
   rank: family
8. Ophiacanthidae
   rank: family
9. Ophiernidae
   rank: family
10. Ophiodermatidae
    rank: family
11. Ophiomyxidae
    rank: family
12. Ophiosphalmidae
    rank: family
13. Phormosomatidae
    rank: family
14. Pterasteridae
    rank: family
15. Rhizocrinidae
    rank: family
16. Septocrinidae
    rank: family
17. Zoroasteridae
    rank: family

Anadarko Colombia Company’s hydrocarbon exploratory activities in the Southwestern Colombian Caribbean, include four wells (i.e. Gorgon A-1, Calasu 1, Kronos 1, and Purple Angel C-1), and five other areas of interest (i.e. Chamana, Chamai, Yaduli, Cana Norte, and Cawa). The exploratory wells and areas of interest are localized in the South-western Colombian Caribbean, at depths between 120 m and 2568 m. In general, wells and areas of interest are approximately 54 to 74 off shore from the nearest point in the Caribbean coast of Colombia.