Phuket mar. biol. C ent. Res. BuIl. 67 : 53-62 (2006i)
Short communication:
EIGHT NEW RECORDS OF CORAL REEF FISHES FROM THE GULF OFTHAILAND, SOUTH CHINA SEA
Patrick Scaps
Universitd des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cddex, France
ABSTRACT: Twenty-one species of reef-associated fishes were newly recorded from Ko Tao (Turtle Island) located in the Gulf of Thailand during a recent field survey. Among the 21 specie s,8 (Caranx ignobilis, Chaetodon lineolatus, Lethrinus harak, Lutjanus monostigma, Pentapodus vitta, Sphyraena jello, Dorhyrhamphus dactyliophoras and Arothron nigropunctatus) are new records for the Gulf of Thailand. To date 365 species of coral reef fishes belonging to 61 families are known from the Gulf of Thailand.
INTRODUCTION The majority of time was spent in the 1-10 m depth zone. In addition, photographs were taken for Recently Satapoomin (2000) provided a species which are difficult to identify in the field. preliminary checklist of reef-associated fishes of Only the names of fishes for which identification the Gulf of Thailand based on previous reports was absolutely certain were recorded. Very small particularly by Thai researchers and his own and cryptic species which can not be identified observational records within 8 major reef sites without error were neglected. No collections of located in the Gulf. He listed a total of 357 species individuals were procured with the use of in 61 families and estimated that the number of ichthyocide. reef-associated fishes in the Gulf of Thailand is The observations were carried out at l0 about 425 species. stations all around the island (Fig. 1) during the This study compiles additional records of summer of 2003 (8-17 August 2003). Sites (Table coral reef fishes made during a recent visit on Ko 1) consisted principally of granite pinnacles and Tao (Turtle Island). This segment of the fauna boulder formations on which corals grow. Four includes fishes living on or near coral reefs down other stations SW corner, Thian Og Bay, Hin Wong to the limit of coral growth or approximately 30 m Bay and Mango Bay were intensively surveyed by depth. However, the list of fishes is still incomplete snorkelling. Snorkelling was limited to a depth of due to the fact that this survey was done only 8 meters. Relative abundance of reef-associated during one season and also because of the cryptic fishes was determined as follows: common - seen nature of many small reef species. at the majority of sites in numbers that are relatively high in relation to other members of a particular MATERIALS AND METHODS family, especially if a large family is involved; moderately common - not necessarily seen on In order to compile a list of reef fishes of Ko most dives, but may be relatively common when Tao I used the basic method which consists of the correct habitat conditions are encountered; underwater observations during SCUBA dives at occasional - infrequently sighted and usually in each site. The name of each species identified was small numbers, but may be relatively common in marked on a plastic sheet attached to a clipboard. a very limited habitaq rare * less than 10, often In most cases, a direct dive was made to the base only one or two individuals seen on all dives. of the reef, to or beyond the deepest coral visible. Species were identified and checked through Most of the dive consisted of a slow ascent along the use of various taxonomic literatures and the reef in a zigzag path to the shallowest point. pictorial guide books, such as Myers (1991), <^
Phuket mar. biol. Cent. Res. Bull.
Figure 1". The location of Ko Tao in the Gulf of Thailand (inserted map) and the location of the study sites all around the island. Stations with a hand symbol were investigated by SCUBA diving, and those with dash-line arrows by snorkelling.
Kuiter (1992; I 998), Randall (1992; I 995), Lieske Satapoomin (2000) and other Thai researchers (ln and Myers (1994), Allen and Steen (1996), Allen Satapoomin, 2000). One hundred fifty-four species (1997), Randall et al. (1997). All species names were previously listed by Satapoomin from Ko Tao. were checked for synonyms with FishBase Though, according to Satapoomin, the surveys at (www.fishbase.org). Tao Island group were not limited in effort and time,2l species were new records for Ko Tao. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Seven species (Selaroides leptolepis, Platax pinnatus, Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus, A total of 175 species in 44 families of reef- Siderea thyr s oide a, O stracion cubicus, Amphiprion associated fishes were identified (Appendix); 5 of polymnus, Epinephelus erythrurus) were listed by these were listed only by genus. The compiled list Satapoomin but in other localities. Six species of coral reef fishes was compared with those of ( Ec hinus naucrate s. P latax teira. O edalec hilus 55
Eight new records ofcoral reeffishes
Table 1. Information on the sampling date, stations and maximal depth reached for each survey.
Date (year 2003) Station Depth (m)
08/08; 1 1/08; 13i08;17108 Chumphon Pinnacle )z
08/08; 1 1/08; l5108 White Rock 2l 09/08;12108; 16/08 Shark Island aA 09/08 Twin Peaks 18 l0/08;12108; 15/08 Southwest Pinnacle n l0/08 Hin Pee Vee 22 13/08; 17108 GreenRock n r4/08 Laem Thiam 22 r4/08 Nang Yuan Pinnacle 20 l6108 Hin Wong Pinnacle 26
labiosus, Pygoplites diacanthus, Scorpaeonopsis Va I en c i enn a s ex gu t t at a, S t e th oj u I i s i n t e r rup t a and
sp., Epinephelus coralliola) werc not listed by C hry sip etr a biocellatus) are small and 9 (S te go s om a Satapoomin but were listed by other Thai varium, Naso litturatus, Atule mate, Scomberoides researchers in other localities in the Gulf of commersonianus, Chanos cltanos, Plectorhinchus Thailand. species (Caranx Eight ignobilis, unicolor, Hemirhamphus for, Lutj anus decus s atus, Chaetodon lineolatus, Lethrinus harak, Lutjanus Anacanthus barbattus) are visually obvious. This mono s tigma, P entapo dus vitta, Sp hyraena j ello, indicates that these species are small and cryptic Dorhyrhamphus dactyliophorus and Arothron (this is particularly true for gobiids for which 12 nigropunctatus) arc new records for the Gulf of species were not observed during this study) or Thailand. All the new species recorded forthe Gulf are rare and have a seasonal pattem ofgeographical ofThailand are rare and all, excepted Pentapodus distribution (previous visits on Ko Tao by vitta, are distributed in the Indo-west Pacific . Satapoomin were done in February and May-June Pentapodus vittahas a more restricted distribution whereas this study was done in August). For a within the region of the Indo-Australian discussion about zoogeographical analysis and Archipelago. faunal composition of the reef-fish fauna in the Thirty species previously reported by Gulf of Thailand see the work of Satapoomin Satapoomin from Ko Tao were not observed (2000). during this study. Of these 30 species 13 (Archamia To date 365 species ofreef-associated fishes zosterophora. Ecsenius yaeyamaensis. belonging to 6l families are known from the Gulf Amblygobius decussatus, A. nocturnus, Eviota of Thailand. Of these, 203 were observed from pellucida, E. sebreei, Exyrias bellissimus, Ko Tao. To date, Ko Tao is the best study site in Fusigobius neophytus, Istigobius decoratus, the Gulf of Thailand and contains 56% of the fish Cirrhil abrus cy an op I eura, H ali c ho eres bi c o I or, H. described for the entire Gulf. However, this study melanochir and Scarus hyselopterus) are new has shown that the list of fishes is still incomplete additions made by Satapoomin during his most due to the fact that this survey was done only recent surveys, 8 (Apogon exostigma, A. during one season and the secretive nature of many trimaculatus, Cryptocentrus strigilliceps, small reef species. Ctenogobiops pomastictus, Istigobius ornatus, 56
Phuket mar. biol. Cent. Res. Bull.
Appendix. Fish species recorded at Ko Tao. Genera and species are arranged alphabetically within each family. An asterisk denotes a new record for the Gulf of Thailand. $ denotes a new record for Ko Tao. Terms relating to relative abundance are as follows: Common - seen at the majority of sites in numbers that are relatively high in relation to other members of a particular family, especially if a large family is involved. Moderately common - not necessarily seen on most dives, but may be relatively common when the correct habitat conditions are encountered. Occasional- infrequently sighted and usually in small numbers, but may be relatively common in a very limited habitat. Rare -less than 10, often only one or two individuals seen on all dives.
SPECIES ABUNDANCE
CARCHARINIDAE Carcharinus melanopterus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) A single individual seen at Chumphon Pinnacle DASYATIDAE Taeniura lymna (Forsske\ n7, Occasional
APOGONIDAE Apogon cyanosoma Bleeker, 1853 Occasional Apogon kallopterus Bleeker, 1856 Occasional Archamia fucara (Canton, I 850) Common Cheilodipterus artus Smith, 1960 Occasional Cheilodipterus macrodon (Lac6pdde, 1802) Occasional C heilodipterus quinquelineatus Cuvier, 1828 Common
BALISTIDAE Balistoides viridescens (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Rare
BELONIDAE Tylosurus crocodilus (Peron & Lesueur, 1821) Occasional
BLENNIIDAE Cirripectes filamentosus (Alleyne & Macleay, 1877) Rare Istiblennius edentulus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Rare Salarias fasciatus (Bloch, 1786) Occasional
CAESIONIDAE Caesio caerulaurea Lac6pdde, 1801 Occasional schools encountered Caesio cuning (Bloch, 1791) Common Pterocaesio chrysozona (Cuvier, 1830) Occasional school encountered
CALLIONYMIDAE Callionymus sp. Only one seen at White Rock
CARANGIDAE Alepes varl (Cuvier, 1831) Rare Carangoides bajad (Forsske\ n75) Occasional Carangoide s ferdau (Forsskil, 1 775) Occasional * Caranx ignobilis (Forsskil, 1775) Rare, only three seen Chumphon pinnacle 57 Eight new records ofcoral reeffishes
Appendix. (continue)
SPECIES ABUNDANCE
Caranx sexfasciatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1824 Occasional $ Selaroides leptolepis (Cuvier, 1833) A large school seen at Chumphon pinnacle Trachinotus bailloni (Lac6pdde, 1801) Only one seen at Chumphon pinnacle CHAETODONTIDAE *chaetodon lineolatus cuvier, 183 I one pair seen at Green Rock Chaetodon octofasciatus Bloch, 1837 Common Chaetodonwiebeli Kaup, 1863 Occasional Chelmon rostratus (Linnaeus, 1758) Occasional Heniochus acuminatus (Linnaeus, 1758) Occasional
CLUPEIDAE Spratelloides gracilis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1864) Occasional schools encountered
DIODONTIDAE Diodon histrixLinnaeus, 1758 Rare Diodon liturosus Shaw, 1804 Rare
ECHENEIDAE $ Echenius naucrates Linnaeus, 1758 A single individual seen at Chumphon Pinnacle EPHIPPIDAE $ Platax pinnatus (Linnaeus, 1758) Schools occasionally encountered $ Platax teira (Forsske\ 1775) A school at chumphon pinnacle
GERREIDAE Gerres oyena (Forsske\ 1775) Rare
GOBIESOCIDAE Diademichthys lineatus (Sauvage, 1883) Rare
GOBIIDAE Amblyeleotris periophthalma (Bleeker, 1853) Occasional Amblyeleotris steinitzi (Klausewitz, 1974) Occasional Amblygobius phalaena (Valenciennes, 1837) Rare $ Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus (Hene, 1933) A single individual seen at White Rock Cryptocentrus cinctus (Hene, 1936) Occasional Cryptocentrus strigilliceps (Jordan & Seale, 1906) Rare Exyrias bellisimus (Smith,l959) Rare Valencienna muralis (Valenciennes, 1837) Rare
HAEMULIDAE Diagramma pinctum (Thunberg, 1792) Rare Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides Laclpdde, 1800 Rare 58
Phuket mar. biol. Cent. Res. Bull.
Appendix. (continue)
SPECIES ABUNDANCE
HOLOCENTRIDAE Myripristis hexagona (Lac6pbde, 1802) Common
Sar goc entrum rubrum (Forsskil, 1 775) Common
KYPHOSIDAE Kyphosus cinerascens (Forsskil, 1775) Occasional Kyphosus vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) Occasional
LABRIDAE Anamp ses caeruleopuncfa/as Riippell, I 828 Occasional Cheilinus chlororus (Bloch, 1791) Occasional C heilinus fas ciatus (Bloch, l1 9l) Occasional Cheilinus trilobatus Lac6pdde, I 801 Occasional Diproctacanthus xanthurus (Bleeker, I 856) Occasional Epibulus insidiator (Pallas, 1770) Occasional Halichoeres argus (Bloch, l79l) Moderatly common Halichoere s chloropterus (Bloch, 1791 ) Common Halichoeres leucurus (Walbaum, 1792) Rare
Halic ho ere s mar garitac eus (Valenciennes, 1 8 39) Occasional Halichoeres marginatus Riippell, I 835 Moderatly common Halichoeres melanurus (Bleeker, I 85 1) Occasional Halichoeres nigrescens (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Rare Hemigymnus melapterus (Bloch, 179 l) Occasional ktbroide s dimidiatus (Valenciennes, 1 839) Moderatly common
Oxycheilinus digrammus (Lac6pdde, 1 801) Occasional Stethojulis tilineata (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Occasional Thalas soma lunare (Linnaeus, 1758) Moderatly common
LETHRINIDAE Lethrinus atkinsoni Seale, 1909 Rare Lethrinus erythropterus Valenciennes, 1830 Occasional * Lethrinus harak (Forsske\ 1715) Rare Lethrinus lentjan (Lac6pdde, 1802) Rare Lethrinus microdon Valenciennes, 1830 Occasional Lethrinus nebulosus (Forsskfll, 1775) Rare
LUTJANIDAE Lutjanus argentimacularzs (Forsskil , l'775) Rare Lutjanus fulviflamma (Forsskil, 1775) Occasional * Lutjanus monostigma (Cuvier, 1828) Rare Lutjanus russelli (Bleeker, 1849) Rare Lutjanus vitta (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) Occasional 59 Eight new records of coral reeffishes
Appendix. (continue)
SPECIES ABUNDANCE
MICRODESMIDAE Ptereleotris microlepis (Bleeker, 1856) Occasional
MONACANTHIDAE Aluterus scriptus (osbeck, 1765) Rare, a single individual sighted at Hin Wong Pinnacle MUGILIDAE Crenimugil crenilabris (Forssk6l, 1775) Occasional schools encountered Ellochelon vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) Occasional schools encountered Moolgarda seheli (Forsske\ n7, occasional schools encountered $ Oedalechilus labiosus (Valenciennes, 1836) Rare
MULLIDAE Parupeneus indicus (Shaw, 1803) Common Upeneus tragula Richardson, 1846 Occasional
MURAENIDAE $ Siderea thyrsoidea (Richardson, 1845) Rare, only four seen
NEMIPTERIDAE * Pentapodus vina Quoy & Gamard, 1824 Rare Scolopsis ffinis Peters, 1877 Rare Scolopsis bilineatus (Bloch, 1793) Common Scolopsis ciliatus (Lac6pbde, 1802) Occasional Scolopsis lineatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1824 Occasional Scolopsis margitifer (Cuvier, 1830) Occasional Scolopsis monogramm(t (Cuvier, 1830) Rare Scolopsis vosmeri (Bloch, 1792) Rare
OSTRACIDAE $ Ostracion cubicus Linnaeus, 1758 Only two seen (Hin pee Vee - Chumphon Pinnacle) PEMPHERIDAE Pempheris oualensis (Cuvier, 1831) Occasional
PINGUIPEDIDAE Parapercis sp. Rare
POMACANTHIDAE Pomacanthus annularis (Bloch, 1787) Occasional Pomacanthus sexstriatus (Cuvier, 1831) Rare $ Pygoplites diacanthus (Boddaert,1772) A single individual seen at Shark Island 60
Phuket mar. biol. Cent. Res. Bull.
Appendix. (continue)
SPECIES ABUNDANCE
POMACENTRIDAE
Abudefduf bengalensis (Bloch, 1 787) Occasional Abudefduf notatus (D ay, 1869) Occasional Abudefduf s exfasciatus (Lac6pdde, 1 802) Common Abudefduf s ordidus (F orsskal, 11 7 5) Rare Abudefduf vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) Moderatly common Ambly glyphodion curacao (Bloch, 1787) Occasional Ambly gly pho dion le uc o g asrer (Bleeker, 1847 ) Occasional Amphiprion perideraion Bleeker, I 855 Common $ Amphiprion polymnus (Linnaeus, 1758) Rare (Hin Pee Vee, Twin Peaks and Green Rock) Cheiloprion labiatus (Day, 1877) Rare Chromis atripectoralis Welander & Schultz, 1951 Occasional Chromis cinerascens (Cuvier, 1830) Rare Chrysiptera leucopoma (Lesson, I 830) Common Chry siptera unimaculata (Cuvier, I 830) Rare
Dascyllus reticulatus (Richardson, 1 846) Rare Dascyllus timaculatus (Riippel, I 828) Occasional
Dischistodus melanotus Gleeker. 1 853) Rare Hemiplyphidodon plagiometopon (Bleeker, 1852) Occasional Neoglyphidodon melas (Cuvier, 1830) Rare
Neo glyphidodon nigroris (Cuvier, 1 830) Occasional Neopomacentrus anabatoides (Bleeker, 1847) Occasional Neopomacentrus cyanomos (Bleeker, 1 856) Moderatly common Neopomacentrus filamentoszs (Macleay, I 883) Occasional Plectroglyphidodon lacry^matus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) Rare Pomacentrus alexanderae Evermann & Seale. 1907 Occasional Pomacentrus chrysurus Cuvier, 1830 Occasional Pomacentrus coelestis Jordan & Starks, 1901 Moderatly common
Pomacentrus grammorhynclzzs Fowler, 19 1 8 Rare Pomacentrus moluccensis Bleeker, 1 853 Moderatly common Ste gastes fasciolatus (Ogilby, I 889) Rare Stegastes lividus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Rare Ste gastes nigricans (Lac6pdde, 1803) Rare Ste gastes obreptus (Whitley, 1948) Occasional
PSEUDOCHROMIDAE Pseudochromis sp. Rare
SCARIDAE Scarus dimidiatus Bleeker, 1859 Rare Scarus ghobban (Forsskil, 1775) Common Scarus nlger Forsske\ n'75 Rare Scarus prasiognathos Valenciennes, 1 839 Occasional Scarus quoyi YaTenciennes, I 840 Rare 6l Eight new records ofcoral reeffishes
Appendix. (continue)
SPECIES ABUNDANCE
Scarus rivulatus Valenciennes, 1 840 Occasional Scarus rubroviolaceas Bleeker, 1849 Occasional
SCORPAENIDAE
$ Scorpaenopsis sp. A single individual seen at Hin Pee Vee
SERRANIDAE Cephalopholis boenak (Bloch, 1790) Common Cephalopholis cyanostigma (Valenciennes, 1828) Rare Cephalopholis formosa (Shaw & Nodder, 1812) Common Cephalopholis micropion (Bleeker, I 852) Occasional D ip I orion bifas c iatus Cuvier, 1 828 Occasional Epinephe lus caerule opunctatus (Bloch, I7 90) Rare $ Epinephelus c orallicola (Valenciennes, 1 828) Occasional $ Epinephelus erythrurus (Valenciennes, 1828) Rare Epinephelus fasciatus (Forsskil, 1775) Occasional Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskil, 1775) Rare Epine p he lus merr a Bloch, I7 93 Occasional Epinephe lus ongus (Bloch, l7 g0) Rare Epinephelus quoyanus (Valenciennes, 1830) Rare Plectropomus leopardus (Lac6pbde, 1802) Rare Plectropomus maculatus (Bloch, 1 790) Occasional
SIGANIDAE Si ganus canaliculatus (Park, 17 97) Rare Si ganus corallinus (Valenciennes, 1 835) Occasional Siganus guttatus (Bloch, 1787) Occasional Siganus javus (Linnaeus, 1766) Occasional Siganus punctatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Rare Siganus vermiculatus (Valenciennes, 1 835) Rare Siganus virgatus (Valenciennes, I 835) Common
SPHYRAENIDAE * jello Sphyraena Cwiet l8Z9 A single individual seen at Shark Island Sphyraena obtusata Cuvier, 1829 Moderately common Sphyraena qenie Khtttzinger, 1870 Occasional
SYNGNATHIDAE * Doryrhamphus dactyliophorus (Bleeker, 1853) A single individual seen at Twin Peaks TERAPONIDAE Terapon jabua (Forsskil, 1775) Rare 62
Phuket mar. biol. Cent. Res. Bull.
Appendix. (continue)
SPECIES ABUNDANCE
TETRAODONTIDAE * Arothron nigropunctatrzs (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) A single individual seen at SW corn9r Arothron stellatus (Bloch & Schneider, I 80 1) Rare
TRIPTEYGIIDAE Tripterygion sp. Rare
REFERENCES
Allen, G.R. I 997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-East Asia.Westem Australian Museum. 292 p. Allen, G.R., R. Steen. l996.Indo-Pacifrc Coral Reef Field Guide. Tropical Reef Research. 378 p. Kuiter,R.H.l992.TropicalReef-FishesoftheWesternPacific,IndonesiaandAdjacentWaters.Penrebit PT GramediaUtama, Jakarta.3l4 p. Kuiter, R.H. 1998. Photo Guide to Fishes of the Maldives. Atoll Editions, Australia. 257 p. Lieske, E. and R. Myers. 1994. Coral Reef Fishes, Indo-Pacific and Caribbean. Harper Collins Publishers. 400 p. Myers, R.F. 1991. Micronesian Reef Fishes: APractical Guide to the Identification of the Inshore Marine Fishes of Tropical Central and Western Pacific. 2nd Edition. Coral Graphics, Guam. 298 p. Randall, J.E.1992. Diver's Guide to Fishes of Maldives. Immel Publishing Limited, London. 193 p. Randall, 1.8.1995. Coastal Fishes of Oman. Crawford House Publishing Plt. Ltd., Australia. 439 p. Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Publishing Pty. Ltd., Australia. 551 p. Satapoomin, U. 2000. Apreliminary checklist of coral reef fishes of the Gulf of Thailand, South China Sea. Raffles Bull. Zool. 48: 3l-53.
Manuscript received : February 2 00 5 Accepted: October 2005