Foreword -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Echinoderm Research and Diversity in Latin America -- Echinoderms from Mexico: Biodiversity, distribution and current state of knowledge -- Central America Echinoderms: diversity, ecology and future perspectives -- Echinoderm diversity in Panama: 146 years of research across the isthmus -- Echinoderms of Colombia -- -- Echinoderms of Ecuador -- Echinoderms from Venezuela: scientific account, diversity and distribution -- Echinoderms of Peru -- Echinoderm from Brazil: Historical research and the current state of biodiversity knowledge -- Echinoderm Research in Uruguay -- Echinoderms from Argentina: Biodiversity, distribution and current state of knowledge -- Echinoderms of the Cuban Archipelago -- Recent echinoderms from Hispaniola Island -- Review of echinoderm research in Puerto Rico, with focus on biological and ecological aspects -- Echinoderms of the Canary Islands -- Latin America echinoderm biodiversity and biogeography: patterns and affinities -- Index -- Appendix.

For the first time, this unique book compiles the development of echinoderm research in Latin America. The book is comprised of 16 chapters: one introductory, 14 in depth country chapters and a final biogeographic analysis. It draws together the results of all investigations published in international and local journals, reports, theses and other gray literature. Each chapter is composed of 7 sections: an introduction describes the marine environments, and main oceanographic characteristics, followed by a history of research account divided into specific subjects areas. The next section addresses patterns of distribution and diversity. A distinct section explains fishery or aquaculture activities. Following these environmental and anthropogenic threats that affecting echinoderm are described as well as any conservation or management action. Finally, conclusions, needs and new lines of research are presented. The book includes two appendixes with species lists of all echinoderms with bathymetric data, habitat and distribution.