Occurrence of the non-indigenous brittle star Ophiothela cf. mirabilis Verrill, 1867 (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) in natural and anthropogenic habitats off Santa Catarina, Brazil.

The brittle star Ophiothela cf. mirabilis, an ophiuroid introduced in the Atlantic, has expanded its range north to Trinidad and Tobago and south to Paraná, Brazil. By monitoring the coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil, with both recruitment plates in harbors and scuba diving, we were able to observe specimens of O. cf. mirabilis in both natural and anthropogenic habitats. This confirms its reported range extension of roughly 80 km south and emphasizes the importance of anthropogenic means for their spread and establishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]