Resumen:
The genus Muricea, a highly speciose gorgonian coral group in
the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), is commonly found on shallow
rocky reefs including Machalilla National Park (MNP), El Pelado
Marine Reserve (REMAPE) and Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR).
Here, we report the presence of M. hebes, M. echinata and M.
robusta, which have been not previously reported at the
REMAPE area and along the Ecuadorian region. These new
records for Muricea hebes (Verril, 1864) in Ecuador broaden the
known geographical distribution of these species across the
tempered waters of California and Mexico, and the Tropical
Eastern Pacific, belonging to Panama and Ecuador. Muricea
robusta (Verril, 1864) was previously recorded in Mexico and
Colombia, whereas M. echinata (Verril, 1866) was only found in
Panama. This report contributes to increasing the knowledge of
marine diversity in Ecuador, and broadens the previously
recorded geographic distribution of the genus Muricea through out the TEP.
