Echinoderm Fauna of Thailand: History and Inventory Reviews

Abstract

A comprehensive review of the literature on echinoderm recorded in Thai waters was carried out in order to obtain the correct number of species found in this area. From the study, it was found that the total numbers of species are 381: 39 crinoids, 69 asteroids, 112 ophiuroids, 67 echinoids and 94 holothurians. All species presented and their distributions are tabulated herein. There are 14 type species of echinoderms inhabiting in Thai waters and four of them are endemic. The Andaman Sea has a greater diversity of echinoderms than those in the Gulf of Thailand. Most echinoderm recorded are of shallow waters while deep-water ones are remained relatively unexplored. Further study on echinoderms of shallow water should be done in term of monographic works and marine scientists should be encouraged in order to speed up the study on other aspects of these animals as well.