DOCSLIB.ORG

Buchanan-Et-Al

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Buchanan-Et-Al Marine Pollution Bulletin 105 (2016) 480–488 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Marine Pollution Bulletin journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/marpolbul Living on the edge: Vulnerability of coral-dependent fishes in the Gulf Jack R. Buchanan a, Friedhelm Krupp b,c, John A. Burt d, David A. Feary e,GinaM.Ralpha, Kent E. Carpenter a,⁎ a IUCN Species Programme, Marine Biodiversity Unit, Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, United States of America b Senckenberg Research Institute, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt a.M., Germany c Qatar Museums, P.O. Box 2777, Doha, Qatar d Department of Biology, New York University — Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates e School of Life Sciences, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom article info abstract Article history: In the Gulf, multiple human impacts and recurrent bleaching events have resulted in serious declines of coral as- Received 30 June 2015 semblages, particularly in near-shore areas. However, the degree to which the extinction risk of coral-dependent Received in revised form 24 October 2015 fishes is impacted by these coral declines has been uncertain. Using primary literature and expert knowledge, Accepted 11 November 2015 coral-dependent fishes of the Gulf were identified and species-specific data on the regional distribution, popula- Available online 19 November 2015 tion status, life history characteristics, and major threats were compiled to determine their likelihood of extinc- tion under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species' Categories and Criteria. Due to the limited area and degraded Keywords: fi fi Persian Gulf and fragmented nature of coral assemblages in the Gulf, all coral-dependent shes (where data was suf cient to Arabian Gulf assess) were listed at elevated risk of extinction. Cross-boundary collaboration among Gulf States is necessary for Coral assemblages effective management and protection of coral assemblages and their associated communities within this globally Marine conservation important region. Extinction risk © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. IUCN Red List 1. Introduction the degree to which a species is associated with live coral (Sale, 2015). As an estimated 10% of coral-reef fishes can be classified as “coral Productive and highly diverse marine ecosystems such as coral reefs dependent” (Pratchett et al., 2008), the existence of intact, live coral are an essential component in shaping the structure of tropical coastal may be essential for continued survival of a large range of coral-reef regions. An estimated 25% of all marine species utilize coral habitat, in- fishes (Munday et al., 2008). While the impact of widespread coral cluding at least 4000 fish species (Burke et al., 2011; McAllister, 1995; loss extends well beyond the coral-dependent fishes (Jones et al., Spalding et al., 2001). In addition, coral reefs and their associated 2004; Pratchett et al., 2011), the extinction risk of habitat specialists fauna provide substantial societal benefits, through food and liveli- (e.g., coral-dependent fishes) is directly affected by the amount and hoods, tourism, shoreline protection and both realized and potential quality of suitable habitat available (Mace et al., 2008). Coral- treatments for disease (Burke et al., 2011). However, coral reefs are dependent fishes are generally categorized by their functional relation- highly threatened (Bryant et al., 1998; Burke et al., 2011; Spalding ship to live coral: ‘obligate coral dwellers’ live exclusively in live coral et al., 2001). Localized impacts, such as those from destructive fishing throughout their ontogeny (Gardiner and Jones, 2005; Munday et al., practices, pollution, and land development, are interacting with global 1997), ‘corallivores’ (facultative and obligate) are species that feed pre- climate change and ocean acidification to threaten even the most dominantly or exclusively on live coral (Pratchett et al., 2013), while remote of reefs (Burke et al., 2011). Globally, more than 60% of coral ‘coral recruiters’ always settle to live coral (Booth and Wellington, reefs are impacted by localized threats, increasing to 75% when global 1998; Holbrook et al., 2000; Öhman et al., 1998). For these coral- climate stressors are included (Burke et al., 2011). dependent species, live coral loss may negatively impact their abun- The degree to which current and future declines in coral reefs will dance and diversity within coral reef systems (Bellwood et al., 2006; impact the fish species inhabiting them is likely to depend heavily on Halford et al., 2004; Kokita and Nakazono, 2001; Munday, 2004; Munday et al., 2008; Pratchett et al., 2006, 2008; Spalding and Jarvis, 2002), and lead to substantial changes in the composition and structure ⁎ Corresponding author at: Global Marine Species Assessment, Marine Biodiversity of coral reef fish assemblages (Bellwood et al., 2006; Munday et al., Unit, IUCN Species Programme, Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, 2008; Pratchett et al., 2008; Sale, 2015). VA 23529-0266, USA. The Persian/Arabian Gulf (hereafter referred to as ‘the Gulf’)isa E-mail addresses: [email protected] (J.R. Buchanan), [email protected] (F. Krupp), [email protected] (J.A. Burt), [email protected] (D.A. Feary), shallow, sub-tropical sea adjacent to the northwestern Indian Ocean [email protected] (G.M. Ralph), [email protected] (K.E. Carpenter). (Reynolds, 1993). Its coral reef ecosystem is characterized by some of http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.11.033 0025-326X/© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. J.R. Buchanan et al. / Marine Pollution Bulletin 105 (2016) 480–488 481 the world's most extreme environmental conditions, including salinity Deficient, and Not Evaluated. A species qualifies for Extinct when values often N45 ppt, as well as the highest variability in annual temper- there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. A species ature encountered by coral reefs globally (Riegl, 2001; Sheppard and is listed as Extinct in the Wild when it is extinct in its natural habitat Loughland, 2002; Sheppard et al., 1992). In the Gulf, true-reef building (Subcommittee, 2014). A species qualifies for one of three ‘threatened’ framework is reduced due to the Gulf's extreme environment and rela- categories (e.g. Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable) if it tively young age (Purkis and Riegl, 2012; Sheppard et al., 2010). Thus, meets the thresholds and conditions for that category in one of five coral “reefs” in the Gulf are better described as ‘coral assemblages’ different available criteria (IUCN, 2012a). These five independent (Burt et al., 2014; Purkis and Riegl, 2012; Sheppard et al., 1992). criteria are based on different issues related to extinction risk, including Various forms of coral assemblages occur in the Gulf. In the northern rapid population declines, small geographic ranges or very small popu- Gulf (i.e., Iraq, Kuwait, northern Saudi Arabia), near-shore coral assem- lation sizes (IUCN, 2012a; Mace et al., 2008). A species is listed as Near blages form patch and fringing reef assemblages (Coles and Tarr, 1990; Threatened if the current data for the species is close to but does not Krupp and Müller, 1994; McCain et al., 1984; Sheppard et al., 1992). quite meet the thresholds and conditions for a threatened category in However, at the seven offshore islands of Saudi Arabia and Iran in the one of the five criteria. A species is assigned to Least Concern if there northern Gulf, coral assemblages form into incipient fringing reefs are no known threats to the species or it does not qualify for a threat- (i.e., coral cays, Sheppard et al., 1992). These are by far the most com- ened category or Near Threatened. A species is assigned to the Data plex and extensive coral habitats in the Gulf, and represent much of Deficient category if there is inadequate information to apply any of the only true reefs in the Gulf. In contrast, the near-shore areas within the five criteria. This category is mainly used when there is taxonomic the southern Gulf (i.e., United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar) are uncertainty, little biological information or insufficient data to quantify dominated by coral carpets or biostromes (Burt et al., 2014; Purkis the impact of known threats. The Not Evaluated category is used for and Riegl, 2012), though patch and fringing reef assemblages are also species that have not yet been evaluated against the five criteria. present (Sheppard et al., 1992, 2010). Although the IUCN Red List was originally developed for use at the In the Gulf, coral assemblages have been heavily degraded as a result global level, increasing interest in sub-global assessments led to the of recurrent bleaching events and coastal development activities (Burt creation of regional guidelines (IUCN, 2012b). Two additional categories et al., 2014; Riegl, 2001). In 1996 and 1998, increased sea-surface tem- to assess the conservation status of species are used in regional assess- peratures (SSTs) resulted in mass mortality of coral, particularly in ments: Regionally Extinct, which refers to species that are considered Acropora dominated areas (Burt et al., 2008, 2013a, 2014; Riegl, 2002; extinct within the focal region but still exist in the wild elsewhere, Riegl and Purkis, 2012). While recovery was observed in some areas, and Not Applicable, which refers to species that have not been assessed recurrent bleaching events in 2002, 2007, 2010, and 2011 impeded because they are unsuitable for inclusion in the regional Red List and often reversed this recovery (Burt et al., 2008, 2013a, 2014; Riegl (e.g., introduced species). Regional assessments use the same quantita- and Purkis, 2012). Widespread coastal development over the past tive thresholds and conditions that are used for global assessments to 50 years has further exacerbated the degradation of coral assemblages allow for comparisons across regions (IUCN, 2012b). However, the in the Gulf (Burt, 2014; Burt et al., 2014; Sheppard et al., 1992).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • PROJECT REPORT Expedition Dates: 6 – 12 October 2013 Report Published: April 2014
    PROJECT REPORT Expedition dates: 6 – 12 October 2013 Report published: April 2014 Underwater pioneers: studying & protecting the unique coral reefs of the Musandam peninsula, Oman. n e k t i A n i v l e K ) c ( e g a m i r e v o C BEST BEST FOR TOP BEST WILDLIFE BEST IN ENVIRONMENT TOP HOLIDAY VOLUNTEERING GREEN-MINDED RESPONSIBLE VOLUNTEERING SUSTAINABLE AWARD FOR NATURE ORGANISATION TRAVELLERS HOLIDAY HOLIDAY TRAVEL Germany Germany UK UK UK UK USA EXPEDITION REPORT Underwater pioneers: studying & protecting the unique coral reefs of the Musandam peninsula, Oman. Expedition dates: 6 – 12 October 2013 Report published: February 2014 Authors: Jean-Luc Solandt Marine Conservation Society Matthias Hammer (editor) Biosphere Expeditions 1 © Biosphere Expeditions, an international not-for-profit conservation organisation – www.biosphere-expeditions.org Member of the United Nations Environment Programme's Governing Council & Global Ministerial Environment Forum Member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Abstract Coral reefs are important biodiversity hotspots that not only function as a crucial habitat for a multitude of organisms, but also provide human populations with an array of goods and services, such as food and coastal protection. Despite this, coral reefs are under threat worldwide from direct or indirect anthropogenic impacts, such as pollution, overexploitation and climate change. The coral reefs of the Musandam peninsula (Oman), situated on the Arabian Peninsula in the Strait of Hormuz, endure extreme conditions such as high salinity and temperatures, existing – indeed thriving – in what would be considered marginal and highly challenging environments for corals in other parts of the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing Trophic Relationships Between Shallow-Water Black Corals (Antipatharia) and Their Symbionts Using Stable Isotopes
    Belgian Journal of Zoology www.belgianjournalzoology.be This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0). ISSN 2295-0451 Research article https://doi.org/10.26496/bjz.2019.33 Assessing trophic relationships between shallow-water black corals (Antipatharia) and their symbionts using stable isotopes Lucas Terrana 1,*, Gilles Lepoint 2 & Igor Eeckhaut 1 1 Biology of Marine Organisms and Biomimetics, University of Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium. 2 Laboratory of Oceanology-MARE Centre, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium. * Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract. Shallow-water antipatharians host many symbiotic species, which spend their adult life with their host and/or use them to have access to food. Here we determine the trophic relationships between four common macrosymbionts observed on/in Cirripathes anguina, Cirrhipathes densiflora and Stichopathes maldivensis in SW Madagascar. These include the myzostomid Eenymeenymyzostoma nigrocorallium, the gobiid fish Bryaninops yongei, and two palaemonid shrimps, Pontonides unciger and Periclimenes sp. The first is an endosymbiont living in the digestive tract, while the others are ectosymbionts. The analyses show that most likely (i) none of the symbionts uses the host as a main food source, (ii) nocturnal plankton represents a main part of the diet of antipatharians while the symbionts feed preferentially on diurnal plankton, (iii) the myzostomid has the narrowest trophic niche, (iv) the two shrimps have distinct trophic niches and feed at lower trophic level than do the other symbionts. Concerning the myzostomids, they had the same δ13C values but had significantly higher δ15N values than the hosts. TEFs (Trophic Enrichment Factors) recorded were Δ13C = 0.28 ± 0.25 ‰ and Δ15N = 0.51 ± 0.37 ‰, but these were not high enough to explain a predator-prey relationship.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter Two Marine Organisms
    THE SINGAPORE BLUE PLAN 2018 EDITORS ZEEHAN JAAFAR DANWEI HUANG JANI THUAIBAH ISA TANZIL YAN XIANG OW NICHOLAS YAP PUBLISHED BY THE SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGY OCTOBER 2018 THE SINGAPORE BLUE PLAN 2018 PUBLISHER THE SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGY C/O NSSE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION 1 NANYANG WALK SINGAPORE 637616 CONTACT: [email protected] ISBN: 978-981-11-9018-6 COPYRIGHT © TEXT THE SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGY COPYRIGHT © PHOTOGRAPHS AND FIGURES BY ORINGAL CONTRIBUTORS AS CREDITED DATE OF PUBLICATION: OCTOBER 2018 EDITED BY: Z. JAAFAR, D. HUANG, J.T.I. TANZIL, Y.X. OW, AND N. YAP COVER DESIGN BY: ABIGAYLE NG THE SINGAPORE BLUE PLAN 2018 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The editorial team owes a deep gratitude to all contributors of The Singapore Blue Plan 2018 who have tirelessly volunteered their expertise and effort into this document. We are fortunate to receive the guidance and mentorship of Professor Leo Tan, Professor Chou Loke Ming, Professor Peter Ng, and Mr Francis Lim throughout the planning and preparation stages of The Blue Plan 2018. We are indebted to Dr. Serena Teo, Ms Ria Tan and Dr Neo Mei Lin who have made edits that improved the earlier drafts of this document. We are grateful to contributors of photographs: Heng Pei Yan, the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey photography team, Ria Tan, Sudhanshi Jain, Randolph Quek, Theresa Su, Oh Ren Min, Neo Mei Lin, Abraham Matthew, Rene Ong, van Heurn FC, Lim Swee Cheng, Tran Anh Duc, and Zarina Zainul. We thank The Singapore Institute of Biology for publishing and printing the The Singapore Blue Plan 2018.
    [Show full text]
  • The Importance of Live Coral Habitat for Reef Fishes and Its Role in Key Ecological Processes
    ResearchOnline@JCU This file is part of the following reference: Coker, Darren J. (2012) The importance of live coral habitat for reef fishes and its role in key ecological processes. PhD thesis, James Cook University. Access to this file is available from: http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/23714/ The author has certified to JCU that they have made a reasonable effort to gain permission and acknowledge the owner of any third party copyright material included in this document. If you believe that this is not the case, please contact [email protected] and quote http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/23714/ THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVE CORAL HABITAT FOR REEF FISHES AND ITS ROLE IN KEY ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES Thesis submitted by Darren J. Coker (B.Sc, GDipResMeth) May 2012 For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy In the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and AIMS@JCU James Cook University Townsville, Queensland, Australia Statement of access I, the undersigned, the author of this thesis, understand that James Cook University will make it available for use within the University Library and via the Australian Digital Thesis Network for use elsewhere. I understand that as an unpublished work this thesis has significant protection under the Copyright Act and I do not wish to put any further restrictions upon access to this thesis. Signature Date ii Statement of sources Declaration I declare that this thesis is my own work and has not been submitted in any form for another degree or diploma at my university or other institution of tertiary education. Information derived from the published or unpublished work of others has been acknowledged in the text and a list of references is given.
    [Show full text]
  • Reef Fishes of the Bird's Head Peninsula, West
    Check List 5(3): 587–628, 2009. ISSN: 1809-127X LISTS OF SPECIES Reef fishes of the Bird’s Head Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia Gerald R. Allen 1 Mark V. Erdmann 2 1 Department of Aquatic Zoology, Western Australian Museum. Locked Bag 49, Welshpool DC, Perth, Western Australia 6986. E-mail: [email protected] 2 Conservation International Indonesia Marine Program. Jl. Dr. Muwardi No. 17, Renon, Denpasar 80235 Indonesia. Abstract A checklist of shallow (to 60 m depth) reef fishes is provided for the Bird’s Head Peninsula region of West Papua, Indonesia. The area, which occupies the extreme western end of New Guinea, contains the world’s most diverse assemblage of coral reef fishes. The current checklist, which includes both historical records and recent survey results, includes 1,511 species in 451 genera and 111 families. Respective species totals for the three main coral reef areas – Raja Ampat Islands, Fakfak-Kaimana coast, and Cenderawasih Bay – are 1320, 995, and 877. In addition to its extraordinary species diversity, the region exhibits a remarkable level of endemism considering its relatively small area. A total of 26 species in 14 families are currently considered to be confined to the region. Introduction and finally a complex geologic past highlighted The region consisting of eastern Indonesia, East by shifting island arcs, oceanic plate collisions, Timor, Sabah, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and widely fluctuating sea levels (Polhemus and the Solomon Islands is the global centre of 2007). reef fish diversity (Allen 2008). Approximately 2,460 species or 60 percent of the entire reef fish The Bird’s Head Peninsula and surrounding fauna of the Indo-West Pacific inhabits this waters has attracted the attention of naturalists and region, which is commonly referred to as the scientists ever since it was first visited by Coral Triangle (CT).
    [Show full text]
  • Taxonomic Research of the Gobioid Fishes (Perciformes: Gobioidei) in China
    KOREAN JOURNAL OF ICHTHYOLOGY, Vol. 21 Supplement, 63-72, July 2009 Received : April 17, 2009 ISSN: 1225-8598 Revised : June 15, 2009 Accepted : July 13, 2009 Taxonomic Research of the Gobioid Fishes (Perciformes: Gobioidei) in China By Han-Lin Wu, Jun-Sheng Zhong1,* and I-Shiung Chen2 Ichthyological Laboratory, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Hucheng Ring Rd., 201306 Shanghai, China 1Ichthyological Laboratory, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Hucheng Ring Rd., 201306 Shanghai, China 2Institute of Marine Biology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202, Taiwan ABSTRACT The taxonomic research based on extensive investigations and specimen collections throughout all varieties of freshwater and marine habitats of Chinese waters, including mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, which involved accounting the vast number of collected specimens, data and literature (both within and outside China) were carried out over the last 40 years. There are totally 361 recorded species of gobioid fishes belonging to 113 genera, 5 subfamilies, and 9 families. This gobioid fauna of China comprises 16.2% of 2211 known living gobioid species of the world. This report repre- sents a summary of previous researches on the suborder Gobioidei. A recently diagnosed subfamily, Polyspondylogobiinae, were assigned from the type genus and type species: Polyspondylogobius sinen- sis Kimura & Wu, 1994 which collected around the Pearl River Delta with high extremity of vertebral count up to 52-54. The undated comprehensive checklist of gobioid fishes in China will be provided in this paper. Key words : Gobioid fish, fish taxonomy, species checklist, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan INTRODUCTION benthic perciforms: gobioid fishes to evolve and active- ly radiate. The fishes of suborder Gobioidei belong to the largest The gobioid fishes in China have long received little group of those in present living Perciformes.
    [Show full text]
  • The Global Trade in Marine Ornamental Species
    From Ocean to Aquarium The global trade in marine ornamental species Colette Wabnitz, Michelle Taylor, Edmund Green and Tries Razak From Ocean to Aquarium The global trade in marine ornamental species Colette Wabnitz, Michelle Taylor, Edmund Green and Tries Razak ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS UNEP World Conservation This report would not have been The authors would like to thank Helen Monitoring Centre possible without the participation of Corrigan for her help with the analyses 219 Huntingdon Road many colleagues from the Marine of CITES data, and Sarah Ferriss for Cambridge CB3 0DL, UK Aquarium Council, particularly assisting in assembling information Tel: +44 (0) 1223 277314 Aquilino A. Alvarez, Paul Holthus and and analysing Annex D and GMAD data Fax: +44 (0) 1223 277136 Peter Scott, and all trading companies on Hippocampus spp. We are grateful E-mail: [email protected] who made data available to us for to Neville Ash for reviewing and editing Website: www.unep-wcmc.org inclusion into GMAD. The kind earlier versions of the manuscript. Director: Mark Collins assistance of Akbar, John Brandt, Thanks also for additional John Caldwell, Lucy Conway, Emily comments to Katharina Fabricius, THE UNEP WORLD CONSERVATION Corcoran, Keith Davenport, John Daphné Fautin, Bert Hoeksema, Caroline MONITORING CENTRE is the biodiversity Dawes, MM Faugère et Gavand, Cédric Raymakers and Charles Veron; for assessment and policy implemen- Genevois, Thomas Jung, Peter Karn, providing reprints, to Alan Friedlander, tation arm of the United Nations Firoze Nathani, Manfred Menzel, Julie Hawkins, Sherry Larkin and Tom Environment Programme (UNEP), the Davide di Mohtarami, Edward Molou, Ogawa; and for providing the picture on world’s foremost intergovernmental environmental organization.
    [Show full text]
  • Centropomidae
    click for previous page CENTRP 1983 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREA 51 (W. Indian Ocean) CENTROPOMIDAE Barramundis, sea perches Body elongate or oblong, compressed, dorsal profile concave at nape. Mouth large, jaws equal or with lower longer than upper; teeth small, in narrow or villiform bands on jaws and on vomer and palatines (roof of mouth), sometimes also on tongue; preopercle with a serrated posterior border or with 2 ridges; opercle with a single spine. Dorsal fin almost wholly separated into 2, with 7 or 8 stronq spines in front, followed by 1 spine and 10 to 15 soft rays; pelvic fins below pectoral fins, with a stronq spine and 5 soft rays; anal fin short, with 3 spines and 8 to 13 soft rays; caudal fin rounded. Scales usually large, ctenoid and adherent; lateral line continued onto caudal fin. Colour: usually dark grey or green above and silvery below. Medium- to large-sized bottom-living fishes occurring in coastal waters, estuaries and lagoons, in depths between about 10 and 30 m. Highly esteemed food and sport fishes taken mainly by artisanal fisheries. dorsal fins almost separate lateral line single spine continued onto tail concave - 2 - FAO Sheets CENTROPOMIDAE Fishing Area 51 SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Serranidae: spinous and soft parts of dorsal fin not as deeply notched; also, colour pattern distinctive and/or caudal fin truncate or weakly emarginate in some. Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae: dorsal fin not deeply notched, head profile not concave over eye and canine teeth present in some. Sciaenidae: lateral line also extends onto tail, but only 2 anal spines.
    [Show full text]
  • Annotated Checklist of the Fish Species (Pisces) of La Réunion, Including a Red List of Threatened and Declining Species
    Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde A, Neue Serie 2: 1–168; Stuttgart, 30.IV.2009. 1 Annotated checklist of the fish species (Pisces) of La Réunion, including a Red List of threatened and declining species RONALD FR ICKE , THIE rr Y MULOCHAU , PA tr ICK DU R VILLE , PASCALE CHABANE T , Emm ANUEL TESSIE R & YVES LE T OU R NEU R Abstract An annotated checklist of the fish species of La Réunion (southwestern Indian Ocean) comprises a total of 984 species in 164 families (including 16 species which are not native). 65 species (plus 16 introduced) occur in fresh- water, with the Gobiidae as the largest freshwater fish family. 165 species (plus 16 introduced) live in transitional waters. In marine habitats, 965 species (plus two introduced) are found, with the Labridae, Serranidae and Gobiidae being the largest families; 56.7 % of these species live in shallow coral reefs, 33.7 % inside the fringing reef, 28.0 % in shallow rocky reefs, 16.8 % on sand bottoms, 14.0 % in deep reefs, 11.9 % on the reef flat, and 11.1 % in estuaries. 63 species are first records for Réunion. Zoogeographically, 65 % of the fish fauna have a widespread Indo-Pacific distribution, while only 2.6 % are Mascarene endemics, and 0.7 % Réunion endemics. The classification of the following species is changed in the present paper: Anguilla labiata (Peters, 1852) [pre- viously A. bengalensis labiata]; Microphis millepunctatus (Kaup, 1856) [previously M. brachyurus millepunctatus]; Epinephelus oceanicus (Lacepède, 1802) [previously E. fasciatus (non Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775)]; Ostorhinchus fasciatus (White, 1790) [previously Apogon fasciatus]; Mulloidichthys auriflamma (Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775) [previously Mulloidichthys vanicolensis (non Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1831)]; Stegastes luteobrun- neus (Smith, 1960) [previously S.
    [Show full text]
  • Reef Life Survey Assessment of Coral Reef Biodiversity in the North -West Marine Parks Network
    Reef Life Survey Assessment of Coral Reef Biodiversity in the North -west Marine Parks Network Graham Edgar, Camille Mellin, Emre Turak, Rick Stuart- Smith, Antonia Cooper, Dani Ceccarelli Report to Parks Australia, Department of the Environment 2020 Citation Edgar GJ, Mellin C, Turak E, Stuart-Smith RD, Cooper AT, Ceccarelli DM (2020) Reef Life Survey Assessment of Coral Reef Biodiversity in the North-west Marine Parks Network. Reef Life Survey Foundation Incorporated. Copyright and disclaimer © 2020 RLSF To the extent permitted by law, all rights are reserved and no part of this publication covered by copyright may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means except with the written permission of The Reef Life Survey Foundation. Important disclaimer The RLSF advises that the information contained in this publication comprises general statements based on scientific research. The reader is advised and needs to be aware that such information may be incomplete or unable to be used in any specific situation. No reliance or actions must therefore be made on that information without seeking prior expert professional, scientific and technical advice. To the extent permitted by law, The RLSF (including its volunteers and consultants) excludes all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses and any other compensation, arising directly or indirectly from using this publication (in part or in whole) and any information or material contained in it. Images Cover: RLS diver
    [Show full text]
  • Sanganeb Atoll, Sudan a Marine National Park with Scientific Criteria for Ecologically Significant Marine Areas Abstract
    Sanganeb Atoll, Sudan A Marine National Park with Scientific Criteria for Ecologically Significant Marine Areas Abstract Sanganeb Marine National Park (SMNP) is one of the most unique reef structures in the Sudanese Red Sea whose steep slopes rise from a sea floor more than 800 m deep. It is located at approximately 30km north-east of Port Sudan city at 19° 42 N, 37° 26 E. The Atoll is characterized by steep slopes on all sides. The dominated coral reef ecosystem harbors significant populations of fauna and flora in a stable equilibrium with numerous endemic and endangered species. The reefs are distinctive of their high number of species, diverse number of habitats, and high endemism. The atoll has a diverse coral fauna with a total of 86 coral species being recorded. The total number of species of algae, polychaetes, fish, and Cnidaria has been confirmed as occurring at Sanganeb Atoll. Research activities are currently being conducted; yet several legislative decisions are needed at the national level in addition to monitoring. Introduction (To include: feature type(s) presented, geographic description, depth range, oceanography, general information data reported, availability of models) Sanganeb Atoll was declared a marine nation park in 1990. Sanganeb Marine National Park (SMNP) is one of the most unique reef structures in the Sudanese Red Sea whose steep slopes rise from a sea floor more than 800 m deep (Krupp, 1990). With the exception of the man-made structures built on the reef flat in the south, there is no dry land at SMNP (Figure 1). The Atoll is characterized by steep slopes on all sides with terraces in their upper parts and occasional spurs and pillars (Sheppard and Wells, 1988).
    [Show full text]
  • Population Genomic Response to Geographic Gradients by Widespread and Endemic Fishes of the Arabian Peninsula
    Received: 30 January 2020 | Revised: 21 February 2020 | Accepted: 24 February 2020 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6199 ORIGINAL RESEARCH Population genomic response to geographic gradients by widespread and endemic fishes of the Arabian Peninsula Joseph D. DiBattista1,2,3 | Pablo Saenz-Agudelo1,4 | Marek J. Piatek5,6 | Edgar Fernando Cagua7 | Brian W. Bowen8 | John Howard Choat9 | Luiz A. Rocha10 | Michelle R. Gaither10,11 | Jean-Paul A. Hobbs2,12 | Tane H. Sinclair-Taylor1,13 | Jennifer H. McIlwain2 | Mark A. Priest14 | Camrin D. Braun1,15 | Nigel E. Hussey16 | Steven T. Kessel17 | Michael L. Berumen1 1Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Red Sea Research Abstract Center, King Abdullah University of Science Genetic structure within marine species may be driven by local adaptation to their and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia environment, or alternatively by historical processes, such as geographic isolation. 2School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia The gulfs and seas bordering the Arabian Peninsula offer an ideal setting to examine 3Australian Museum Research Institute, connectivity patterns in coral reef fishes with respect to environmental gradients and Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW, Australia vicariance. The Red Sea is characterized by a unique marine fauna, historical periods 4Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, of desiccation and isolation, as well as environmental gradients in salinity, tempera- Valdivia, Chile ture, and primary productivity that vary both by latitude and by season. The adjacent 5Computational Bioscience Research Center, Arabian Sea is characterized by a sharper environmental gradient, ranging from ex- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia tensive coral cover and warm temperatures in the southwest, to sparse coral cover, 6 Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National cooler temperatures, and seasonal upwelling in the northeast.
    [Show full text]