Journal of the
Ocean Science Foundation

An open-access free online peer-reviewed Marine Biology Journal, since 2008.

published by the Ocean Science Foundation

 
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RESEARCH ARTICLE

A quantitative assessment of reef fish distribution and abundance within near-shore reef habitats of Yap State, F. S. M.

Kenneth E. Clifton, Eva M. Dubey & Elizabeth Woodburn

Abstract

We quantified the distribution and abundance of reef fishes at nine sites around the islands of Yap Proper, Micronesia. These sites were chosen on the basis of location, habitat type, and level of human impact. During more than 158 hours of monitoring effort we encountered a total of 346 species representing 51 families. Of these fish, 114 had not been previously reported for Yap, though many were expected given their biogeographic distributions elsewhere. Herbivorous fishes (e.g., Acanthuridae, Scaridae, Pomacentridae) were the dominant groups, with densities of the Bristletooth Surgeonfish Ctenochaetus striatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) and the Bullethead Parrotfish, Chlorurus sordidus (Forsskål, 1775) ranging from 25-50 fish /100 m2 in most locations. The Moorish Idol, Zanclus cornutus (Linnaeus, 1758), Convict Surgeonfish, Acanthurus triostegus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Bluehead Wrasse, Thalassoma amblycephalum (Bleeker, 1856) were also notably abundant. Diverse (27 species) and abundant populations of butterflyfishes (Chaeteodontidae; often considered as “indicator species” for reef health) were encountered at all sites.

     

CITATION:

Clifton, K.C., Dubey, E.M. & Woodburn, E. (2009) A quantitative assessment of reef fish distribution and abundance within near-shore reef habitats of Yap State, F. S. M. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation, 2, 1-18.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1034408

publication date:15 December 2009