Contribution to the knowledge of the coastal marine fishes of São Tomé Island (Gulf of Guinea)
Item Type Journal Contribution
Authors Porteiro, F.M.; Barreiros, J.P.; Afonso, P.; Santos, R.S.; Worms, J.; Wirtz, P.
Citation Life and marine Sciences , 17A, p. 65-92
Download date 28/09/2021 17:06:29
Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/704 GULF OF GUINEA CONSERVATION GROUP GULF OF GUINEA ISLANDS' BIODIVERSITY NETWORK
Contribution to the knowledge of the coastal marine fishes of São Tomé Island (Gulf of Guinea)
Authors: Ricardo S. Santos1, João P. Barreiros2, Jean Worms3, Filipe M. Porteiro1, Pedro Afonso1 and Peter Wirtz1
Authors’ affiliation:
1 University of the Azores, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, PT 9901-861 Horta, Portugal
2 University of the Azores, Department of Agricultural Sciences, PT 9700 Angra, Portugal
3 Parc National du Banc d’Arguin, Av. Gamal Abdel Nasser, B.P. 53 55 Nouakchott, Mauritania
Keywords: fishes, checklist, Gulf of Guinea, São Tomé e Príncipe
Correspondence: Pedro Afonso, University of the Azores, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, PT 9901-861 Horta, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Little is known about the ichthyofauna of the São Tomé and Príncipe archipelago. Since the early works of Osório, at the turn of the century, only few attempts were made to update and complete existing knowledge on fish systematics and biodiversity from this area. Over the past few years, however, several surveys made it possible to start an inventory of the coastal fishes for the archipelago. These are mainly based on specimens that where captured or observed whilst diving and also on fishes landed on beaches by local artisanal fishermen. A total of 124 species belonging to 108 genera and 61 families was identified. Some specimens, including Serranidae, Gobiidae and Labridae probably belong to undescribed species and are currently being studied.
Introduction
The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe forms an archipelago located on the equator in the Gulf of Guinea. Fishery provides an important resource for the islands' population, and is organised in a typical artisanal form, using wooden canoes that carry one or two persons (d’Almeida et al. 1996). However, knowledge on the systematics and biodiversity of the Sãotomean coastal ichthyofauna is still very sparse. Since the pioneering publications of Osorio (1891, 1893, 1894, 1898, 1903), only a few works were published. Gascoigne (1993, 1996) compiled a bibliography of publications on the fauna of the archipelago. He lists 26 references dealing with fishes. Since then, to our knowledge, only three more publications appeared that deal with fishes from this area. Wirtz (1997) described the juvenile colour and cleaning habit of Bodianus speciosus, Castro Pampillon (1996) lists the remoras (Echeneididae) of the area, and Debelius’ underwater guide (1997) includes several references and underwater photos taken by one of us (PW). References to marine fishes of São Tomé and Príncipe are, however, probably hidden in other publications.
In this paper, we report a list of fish species as the result of several recent activities:
a. an expedition organised by the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of the Azores (DOP/UAç), in February-March 1993 b. a 3-year survey (1993-95) of the species captured by the local artisanal fishery undertaken by JW in the frame of the P.E.R.H. project (Project d’Évaluation des Ressources Halieutiques) and partly published in D’Almeida et al (1996) c. a trip to collect blennioid fishes by PW in January 1990.
Material and Methods
Fishes were obtained from local fishermen or directly collected by the authors. The methods used for collection were i. spearfishing; ii. netting; iii. baited hooks; iv. quinaldine, either under water or in tide pools.
The following sites were visited (fig. 1):
a) DOP/UAç expedition: Praia Melão, Lagoa-Azul, Àgua-Izé Anambó, Praia das Conchas, Praia dos Tamarindos and Sete Pedras b) Sampling sessions for landings during the P.E.R.H. project: Neves, Melão and São João dos Angolares beaches. c) Underwater photography by PW in front of São Tomé harbour, Lagoa Azul, and Santana Island; Blennioids collected in tide-pools near São Tomé City.
Figure 1: Sampling sites in São Tomé Island - circles: DOP/UAÇ expedition, rectangles: PARH project landing beaches; crosses: PW underwater photography.
Whenever possible, fishes were identified shortly after collection and then preserved in seawater 10% formaldehyde solution. Specimens collected during the 1993 Expedition are deposited in the DOP/UAç collection. Blennioids collected by PW are deposited in the Staatliches Naturkunde Museum, Stuttgart, Germany.
Most species observed and/or collected were photographed shortly after capture. These photos are deposited in the DOP/UAç archives (ImagDOP).
The main document used for the identification of the species was Blache et al. (1970). To ascertain the taxonomic status of some species, information was cross-checked with other references (Fowler 1936, Fisher et al. 1981, Seret & Opic 1981, Bianchi 1986, Smith & Heemstra 1986, Schneider 1990, Sanches 1991, Allen 1991, Heemstra 1991, Debelius 1997). Fishes are organised by classes, orders and families, according to Nelson (1994). Local vernacular names are given whenever they are known.
Results
i) Checklist
Class Chondrichthyes
Order Orectolobiformes
• Family Ginglymostomatidae
Gynglimostoma cirratum (Bonnaterre, 1788)
One animal seen in Praia Melão, caught by local fishermen. Underwater photo by PW taken in 12 m depth near a sunken ship in front of São Tomé harbour.
Order Carcharhiniformes
• Family Carcharhinidae
Rhizoprionodon acutus (Rüppel, 1835)
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Sphyrna lewini (Griffith & Smith, 1834) Local name: Tubarão martelo
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Order Lamniformes
• Family Odontaspididae
Eugomphodus taurus (Rafinesque, 1810)
One animal seen by DOP when diving in Lagoa Azul, on sandy bottom.
Class Actinopterygii
Order Elopiformes
• Family Elopidae
Elops senegalensis Regan 1909 Local name: colepinha malabo
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Order Albuliformes
• Family Albulidae
Albula vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) Local name: colepinha malabo
Photographed by DOP, caught by local fishermen. Order Anguilliformes
• Family Muraenidae
Channomuraena vittata. Richardson, 1848 Local name: moreia
Underwater photo by PW taken in 12 m depth near a sunken ship in front of São Tomé harbour.
Enchelycore nigricans (Bonnaterre, 1788) Local name: moreia
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on a reef hole in 2 m depth. Underwater photo by PW taken in 12 m depth near a sunken ship in front of São Tomé harbour.
Gymnothorax afer Bloch, 1795 Local name: moreia
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, over sandy bottom in 5 m depth and from tidal rock pool.
Gymnothorax mareei Poll, 1953 Local name: moreia
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, in a reef hole in 5 m depth.
Muraena melanotis (Kaup, 1860) Local name: moreia
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, in a reef hole in 3 m depth. Underwater photo by PW taken at Lagoa Azul in about 15 m depth, on rocky bottom.
Muraena rubusta Osorio, 1909 Local name: moreia
Underwater photo by PW taken at Lagoa Azul in about 15 m depth, on rocky bottom.
• Family Ophichthidae
Myrichthys pardalis (Valenciennes, 1835) Local name: moreia
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, over sandy bottom in 2 and 4 m depth
Underwater photo by PW taken on sandy bottom in 4 m depth.
Order Clupeiformes • Family Clupeidae
Sardinella aurita Valenciennes, 1847 Local name: longo
Collected by DOP in Lagoa Azul and collected by JW, both caught by local fishermen.
Order Aulopiformes
• Family Synodontidae
Trachinocephalus myops (Forster, 1801) Local name: rainha
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Synodus synodus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, over sandy bottom in 3 m depth.
Order Lophiiformes
• Family Antenariidae
Histrio histrio (Linnaeus, 1758) Local name: asno cota
Collected by DOP at Tamarindos sandy beach.
Order Beloniformes
• Family Belonidae
Ablennes hians (Valenciennes, 1846) Local name: agulha espada
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Tylosurus acus rafale Collette & Parin, 1970 Local name: agulha quio. zanve
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Exocoetidae
Cypselurus melanurus (Valenciennes, 1846) Local name: voador
Observed by DOP at the local market. • Family Hemiramphidae
Hemiramphus balao Le Sueur, 1823 Local name: maxipombo
Photographed by DOP, caught by local fishermen.
Order Beryciformes
• Family Holocentridae
Adioryx hastatus (Cuvier, 1829)
Underwater photo by DOP. Underwater photo by PW taken on rocky wall near Santana Island, in 15 m depth. Also caught by local fishermen.
Holocentrus ascensionis (Osbeck, 1765) Local name: caqui
Collected and photographed by DOP in Água-izé caught by local fishermen. Underwater photo by PW taken on rocky wall near Santana Island, in 15 m depth.
Myripristis jacobus Cuvier, 1829 Local name: mãe de caqui
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, in a reef hole in 2 m depth. Underwater photo by PW. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Order Gasterosteiformes
• Family Syngnathidae
Hippocampus punctulatus
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, over mixed bottom in 2 m depth. Underwater photo by PW on muddy plain in 24 m depth.
According to Dawson (1990), the status of the species is uncertain.
• Family Aulostomidae
Aulostomus strigosus Wheeler, 1955
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, over mixed bottom in 5 m depth . Underwater observation by PW in Lagoa Azul.
• Family Fistularidae
Fistularia petimba Lacepede, 1803 Local name: agulha buzina
Underwater observation by DOP in several locations on sandy bottom and coral reef in 1 to 15 m depth.
Fistularia tabacaria Linnaeus, 1758 Local name: agulha buzina
Underwater photo by PW taken in 12 m depth near a sunken ship in front of São Tomé harbour.
Order Scorpaeniformes
• Family Dactylopteridae
Dactylopterus volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) Local name: concon
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on mixed bottom in 5 m depth
• Family Scorpaenidae
Pontinus kuhlii (Bowdich, 1825) Local name: canga
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Scorpaena laevis Troschel, 1866 Local name: come mole
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Order Perciformes
• Family Serranidae
Anthias anthias (Linnaeus, 1758) Local name: capitão
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Cephalopholis nigri (Günther, 1859) Local name: cota uê/ cota oyo/ colo bobô Collected and photographed by DOP in Água-izé caught by local fishermen.
Apparently, three distinct forms are recognisable, corresponding to the three vernacular names given above. JW found that a number of morphological characters of this species, namely for ‘cota uê’ and ‘cota bobô’, do not fit the diagnosis given by Heemstra (1991) for C. nigri. Characters include SL/BL and HL/ED ratios, the shape of the interorbital area, length of pelvic fins and number of gill rakers and rudiments. Specimens caught during the 1993 DOP/UAç expedition also confirm these differences. The actual taxonomic status of this species needs further investigations.
Cephalopholis taeniops (Valenciennes, 1828) Local name: bobo quema
Underwater photo by PW taken on rocky wall near Santana Island, in 15 m depth. Collected and photographed by DOP and JW, caught by local fishermen.
Epinephelus adscensionis (Osbeck, 1771) Local name: glopim (garoupa)
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, in a reef hole in 8 m depth. Underwater photo by PW taken on rocky wall near Santana Island, in 15 m depth. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Epinephelus aeneus (E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817) Local name: bacalhau
Collected by DOP in Praia Melão, over sandy bottom in 3 m depth. Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Epinephelus goreensis (Valenciennes, 1830) Local name: badejo branco
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Paranthias furcifer (Valenciennes, 1828) Local name: mulato, bala bala
Collected and photographed by DOP in Água Izé caught by local fishermen and in Lagoa Azul, on a reef in 2 m depth. Underwater photo by DOP. Underwater photo by PW taken on rocky wall near Santana Island in15 m depth. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Rypticus saponaceus Schneider, 1801 Local name: peixe sabão
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on a coral reef in 4 m depth. Underwater photo by DOP. Underwater photo by PW taken on rocky wall near Santana Island, in 15 m depth. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Priacanthidae
Heteropriacanthus cruentatus (Lacepède, 1801) Local name: peixe sol, vermelho sol Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on a reef cave in 3 m depth, and caught by local fishermen. Underwater photo by PW taken in 12 m depth near a sunken ship in front of São Tomé harbour. Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Apogonidae
Apogon imberbis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Underwater photo by DOP.
• Family Malacanthidae
Branchiostegus semifasciatus (Norman, 1931) Local name: peixe cabra
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Echeneidae
Remora brachyptera (Lowe, 1839) Local name: peixe piloto
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Coryphaenidae
Coryphaena equiselis Linnaeus, 1758 Local name: colombeta
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Carangidae
Alectis alexandrinus (E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817) Local name: pata pata
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Caranx crysos (Mitchill, 1815) Local name: bonito
Observed by DOP, caught by local fishermen. Underwater photo by PW. Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Caranx hippos (Linnaeus, 1758) Local name: corcovado
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul at 15 m depth. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Decapterus macarellus (Cuvier, 1833) Local name: carapau cavala Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Decapterus punctatus (Cuvier, 1829) Local name: carapau cavala
Collected and photographed by DOP, caught by local fishermen in the outer of Lagoa Azul Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Elagatis bipinnulata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) Local name: alada
Observed by DOP, caught by local fishermen. Underwater observation by PW in Lagoa Azul. Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Selar crumenophthalmus (Bloch, 1793) Local name: carapau
Collected by DOP in Praia Melão on sandy bottom in 3 m depth. Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Selene dorsalis (Gill, 1862) Local name: pata pata
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Trachinotus ovatus (Linnaeus, 1758) Local name: bebeca
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Uraspis secunda (Poey, 1860) Local name: osso mole
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Emmelichthyidae
Erythrocles monodi Poll & Cadenat, 1954 Local name: vermelho sangue
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Haemulidae
Pomadasys rogeri (Cuvier, 1830) Local name: roncador
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Lutjanidae
Apsilus fuscus Valenciennes, 1830 Local name: peixe novo Underwater photo by PW taken in 12 m depth near a sunken ship in front of São Tomé harbour (figure 2a). Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Lutjanus fulgens (Valenciennes, 1830) Local name: vermelho terra
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Lutjanus goreensis (Valenciennes, 1830)
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on mixed bottom in 25 m depth.
• Family Lobotidae
Lobotes surinamensis (Bloch, 1790) Local name: tchintchin de fundo
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Gerreidae
Eucinostomus melanopterus (Bleeker, 1863) Local name: parente
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Sparidae
Boops boops (Linnaeus, 1758) Local name: bonga
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Dentex (Polysteganus) congoensis Poll, 1954 Local name: vermelho dente, mamaminha
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Dentex (Polysteganus) macrophtalmus (Bloch, 1791) Local name: vermelho fundo
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Pagellus bellottii bellottii (Steindachner, 1882) Local name: malagueta
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Pagrus caeruleostictus (Valenciennes, 1830) Local name: pargo
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Centracanthidae Spicara melanurus (Valenciennes, 1830)
Collected and photographed by DOP, caught by local fishermen in Lagoa Azul.
• Family Lethrinidae
Lethrinus atlanticus Valenciennes, 1830 Local name: bica
Collected and photographed by DOP, caught by local fishermen in Lagoa Azul. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Polynemidae
Galeoides decadactylus (Bloch, 1795) Local name: barbudo
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Sciaenidae
Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801) Local name: corvina
Underwater observation by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on mixed bottom in 25 m depth.
• Family Mullidae
Mulloidichthys martinicus (Cadenat & Roux, 1964)
Underwater photo by DOP. Underwater photo by PW. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Pseudupeneus prayensis (Cuvier, 1829) Local name: salmonete
Collected and photographed byDOP in Lagoa Azul, on mixed bottom in 10 m depth. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen
• Family Drepanidae
Drepane africana Osorio, 1891 Local name: cozinheiro
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Chaetodontidae
Chaetodon robustus Günther, 1860 Local name: tchintchin Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on a reef in 4 m depth. Underwater photo by DOP and PW (figure 2a).
Holocanthus africanus Cadenat, 1951 Local name: tchintchin
Collected and photographed by DOP. Underwater photo by DOP. Underwater observation by PW on rocky wall near Santana Island, in 15 m depth. Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Kyphosidae
Kyphosus incisor (Cuvier, 1831) Local name: sopa
Collected and photographed by DOP in Sete Pedras at 4 m depth. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Kuhliidae
Parakuhlia macrophtalmus (Osorio, 1894) Local name: bujigo
Collected by JW , caught by local fishermen.
• Family Cirrhitidae
Cirrhitus atlanticus Osorio1893
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on a reef in 3 m depth. Underwater photo by DOP and PW (figure 2b).
• Family Pomacentridae
Abudefduf saxatilis (Linnaeus, 1758) Local name: tchintchin
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on a reef in 10 m depth. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Chromis multilineata (Guichenot, 1855) Local name: tchintchin
Underwater photo by PW taken on rocky wall near Santana Island, in 15 m depth.
Microspathodon frontatus Emery, 1970 Local name: tchintchin
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on a reef in 10 m depth (photo 2d).
Stegastes imbricatus (Jenyns, 1842) Local name: tchintchin Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on a reef in 3 m depth.
• Family Labridae
Bodianus pulchellus (Poey, 1825)
Underwater photo by PW. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Bodianus speciosus (Bowdich, 1825) Local name: bulhão
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on sandy bottom in 15 m depth. Underwater photo by DOP and PW (figure 2a). Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Coris atlantica Günther, 1862
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on a reef in 4 m depth.
Günther (1862) described this species based on specimens from Sierra Leone. Subsequently, most authors (e.g. Gomon and Forsyth, 1990) synonymised C. atlantica with C. julis. T. Guillemot et al. (in prep.) are preparing a genetic comparison of C. atlantica and C. julis to clarify this question.
Thalassoma pavo (Linnaeus, 1758)
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on rocky bottom in 2 m depth.
Xyrichthys novacula (Linnaeus, 1758)
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on sandy bottom in 4 m depth.
• Family Scaridae
Sacrus hoefleri (Steindachner, 1882) Local name: bulhão
Collected and photographed by DOP in Sete Pedras, on mixed bottom in 10 m depth (photo 2c). Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Sparisoma rubripinne (Valenciennes, 1839) Local name: bulhão congo
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on mixed bottom in 5 and 10 m depth. Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Uranoscopidae
Uranoscopus polli Cadenat, 1953 Local name: lenha (rainha) Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Clinidae
Labrisomus nuchipinnis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
Collected by DOP in Lagoa Azul in tidal rock pool and Praia das Conchas on mixed bottom in 1.5 m depth. Collected by PW in tide-pool near São Tomé city.
• Family Blenniidae
Entomacrodus cadenati Springer, 1966 Local name:
Collected by DOP in Lagoa Azul in tidal rock pool and Praia das Conchas on mixed bottom in 1 m depth. Collected by PW in tide-pool near São Tomé city.
Hypleurochilus aequipinnis Günther, 1861
Underwater observation by PW in São Tomé Harbour.
Lipophrys velifer (Norman, 1935)
Collected by DOP in Lagoa Azul on tidal rock pool. Collected by PW in tide-pool near São Tomé city.
Ophioblennius atlanticus atlanticus (Valenciennes, 1836)
Collected by DOP in Praia das Conchas on rocky bottom in 1 m depth. Underwater photo by DOP. Collected by PW in tide-pool near São Tomé city.
Scartella cristata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Underwater photo by PW in Lagoa Azul. Collected by PW in tide-pool near São Tomé city.
• Family Gobiidae
Bathygobius burtoni (O’Shaughnessy, 1875)
Collected by DOP in tide-pool at Praia das Conchas.
Gnatholepis thomsoni
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul, in 2 m depth in mixed bottom.
Wheelerigobius wirtzi Miller, 1987 Collected by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on sandy and rocky bottom in 2 m depth, and coral reef. Associated with sea urchins.
• Family Ephippidae
Ephippus goreensis Cuvier, 1831 Local name: cozinheiro
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Acanthuridae
Acanthurus monroviae Steindachner, 1877
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul on mixed bottom in 1.5 m depth. One individual was a juvenile observed to enter an unidentified holothurian. Underwater photo by DOP and PW (figure 2a).
Prionurus biafraensis (Blache & Rossignol, 1961) Local name: asno cota
Collected and photographed by DOP in Ananbó on coral reef in 2 m depth. Underwater photo by DOP and also by PW taken on rocky wall near Santana Island, in 15 m depth. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Sphyraenidae
Sphyraena barracuda (Walbaum, 1792) Local name: barracuda
Underwater observation by DOP in Lagoa azul, school in 5 to 15 m depth. Underwater photo by DOP. Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Sphyraena sphyraena (Linnaeus, 1758) Local name: pescada
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Scombridae
Acanthocybium solandri (Cuvier, 1831) Local name: peixe fumo
Photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Auxis thazard (Lacépède, 1800) Local name: fulu fulu
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Euthynnus alletteratus (Rafinesque, 1810) Local name: fulu fulu Photographed by DOP and Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus, 1758) Local name: atum judeu
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Scomberomorus tritor (Valenciennes, 1831) Local name: peixe serra
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre, 1788) Local name: atum oledê
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Thunnus obesus (Lowe, 1839) Local name: atum fogo
Observed by DOP and JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Xiphiidae
Istiophorus albicans (Latreille, 1804) Local name: peixe andala
Photographed by DOP, caught by local fishermen in Praia Melão. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Order Pleuronectiformes
• Family Bothidae
Bothus guibei Stauch, 1965 Local name: linguado
Collected by DOP in Lagoa Azul, on sandy bottom in 4 m depth. Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Bothus lunatus Linnaeus, 1758 Local name: linguado
Underwater photo by PW taken in 12 m depth near a sunken ship in front of São Tomé harbour.
• Family Cynoglossidae
Cynoglossus senegalensis (Kaup, 1858) Local name: linguado
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Order Tetraodontiformes • Family Balistidae
Balistes carolinensis Gmelin, 1789
Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Balistes punctatus Gmelin, 1789 Local name: asno
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul in 15 m depth. Collected and photographed by JW, caught by local fishermen.
Canthidermes sufflamen (Mitchill, 1815)
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul on sandy bottom in 10 m depth
• Family Monacanthidae
Aluterus scriptus (Osbeck, 1765)
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul on a reef in 10 m depth
Cantherines pullus (Ranzani, 1842)
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul on a reef in 10 m depth. Underwater photo by PW taken on rocky wall near Santana Island in 15 m depth.
• Family Ostraciidae
Acanthostracion notacanthus Bleeker, 1863
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul on a reef in 3 m depth
• Family Tetraodontidae
Sphoeroides marmoratus (Lowe, 1839)
Collected by DOP in Praia das Conchas on sandy bottom in 3 m depth.
Lagocephalus laevigatus (Linnaeus, 1766) Local name: coelho
Collected by JW, caught by local fishermen.
• Family Diodontidae
Chilomycterus reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) Photographed by DOP, caught by local fishermen.
Diodon holocanthus Linnaeus, 1758
Collected and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul on a reef in 3 m depth and Praia das Conchas in sandy bottom at 5 m depth
Diodon hystrix Linnaeus, 1758
Collected and photographed by DOP in Praia Melão on sandy bottom in 10 m depth. Underwater photo by DOP and also by PW on muddy plain in 24 m depth.
ii) Specimens not identified to species
Order Perciformes
• Family Serranidae
Serranus sp.
While diving at Santana, in about 15 m depth, PW observed and photographed two small (about 10 cm total length), animals apparently belonging to the genus Serranus, possibly a new species (P. Heemstra, pers. communication). An underwater photo of this species is printed in Debelius (1997) on page 148. We have been unable to identify this species.
• Family Labridae
Clepticus sp. (fig. 2e)
One individual was captured and photographed by DOP in Lagoa Azul. The animal was swimming over mixed bottom at 10 m depth. P. Heemstra (pers. comm.) suggested that it might be an undescribed species of the genus Clepticus. A further study of the specimen revealed that this is indeed the case. We are currently studying the species in more detail.
• Family Gobiidae
Coryphopterus sp.? (figure 2f)
2 unidentified gobies were photographed by PW near Santana Island, over rocky bottom in 18 m depth. They resemble animals of the genus Coryphopterus, which would be the first record of the genus for the eastern Atlantic.
Discussion The coasts of São Tomé and Príncipe probably harbour many more species, some of them still not recorded for the area and some even new to science. The species list provided by us contains several new records for the archipelago. Specially interesting occurrences include Bodianus pulchellus, a species previously considered to be restricted to the western Atlantic, Epinephelus adscencionis, with no confirmed occurrences in the eastern Atlantic, and Paranthias furcifer, a species very common in the catches of local fishermen but considered by Schneider (1990) as exceptional in the Gulf of Guinea - ‘Only found once off Nigeria’.
When SCUBA diving, we photographed two species that are probably new to science (but we were unable to collect them). One labrid collected by us represent new species (P. Heemstra, pers. comm.) and are being studied.
The scarceness of sharks and batoid fishes in this checklist is mainly due to limited sampling effort in deeper waters around the island, where local fishermen rarely operate, and due to the fact that sharks caught by fishermen are usually processed onboard before they can be identified.
Virtually nothing is known about the ecology and behaviour of the fishes of São Tomé and Príncipe. For instance, there are few data on the abundance (and therefore the fishery potential) of even the most common species. When SCUBA diving, we twice observed a juvenile Acanthurus monroviae entering a large holothurian; this is an undescribed association. Many more studies, both of applied and of purely scientific interest, remain to be performed in the area.
Acknowledgements
The authors are indebted to many people who contributed in the various works undertaken. Special thanks are given to Angus Gascoigne, Aida d’Almeida, Olávio Aníbal, André Bandeira, Augusto Diogo, Graciano Costa, Manuel Teixeira and Dennis Etienne for help in field work. We are also grateful to Phill Heemstra, JLB Smith Institute, Grahamstown, South Africa, and to Peter Miller, University of Bristol, UK, for helpful comments and identification of specimens.
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Figure 2.
a. Chaetodon robustus, Acanthurus monroviae, Apsilus fuscus (clockwise from left), being cleaned by juvenile Bodianus speciosus (front) b. Cirrhitus atlanticus c. Scarus hoefleri female d. Microspathodon frontatus e. Clepticus sp. f. Coryphopterus sp. (fotos 2a,b and 2f by PW, fotos 2c-e by RSS/JPB)