Holothuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems on the central coast of Alagoas, Brazil, with a new record to South Atlantic Ocean

Knowledge of the Holothuroidea in Brazil, particularly on the coral reefs from the Brazilian northeast coast, is still sparse. The present paper describes the distribution and ecological aspects of the species of Holothuroidea in the shallow reef ecosystems of Alagoas State. This study was carried out on nine reef ecosystems located on the central coast of Alagoas. Samples were collected in intertidal zones and shallow water to 20 m depth. In total, 16 species of holothuroids were reported, with 7 new records to northeastern Brazilian coast, most of them found on the undersurface of rocks in protected reef areas. Epitomapta roseola is a new record for South Atlantic Ocean. On coral and sandstone reefs from the Alagoas coast, Holothuria grisea and Trachythyone crassipeda were the most abundant species.