Coral Reef Fishes Research Papers (original) (raw)

Growth rates and longevities were estimated for five major fishery species of parrotfishes (“uhu”) at Oahu, Hawai’i. All species grew rapidly with von Bertalanffy growth formula k values ≥0.4·year−1. Longevities were found to range... more

Growth rates and longevities were estimated for five major fishery species of parrotfishes (“uhu”) at Oahu, Hawai’i. All species grew rapidly with von Bertalanffy growth formula k values ≥0.4·year−1. Longevities were found to range broadly among the three small species, 4 years in Calotomus carolinus and 6 and 11 years in Scarus psittacus and Chlorurus spilurus, and to 15–20 years in Scarus rubroviolaceus and Chlorurus perspicillatus for the two large species. Age reading and growth curves for the latter two large species were validated using bomb radiocarbon dating. Median ages at sexual maturity as females (AM50) and at sex change (from female to terminal phase male, AΔ50) were estimated using logistic models. Sexual maturation occurred at 1–2 years for the small species and at 3–3.5 years in the large species. AΔ50 estimates ranged from 2 to 4 years in the small species and were about 5 and 7 years in S. rubroviolaceus and C. perspicillatus, respectively. Estimated milestones poo...

Abstract Recovery of the threatened staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) is posited to play a key role in Caribbean reef resilience. At four Caribbean locations (including one restored and three extant populations), we quantified... more

Abstract Recovery of the threatened staghorn coral (Acropora
cervicornis) is posited to play a key role in Caribbean
reef resilience. At four Caribbean locations (including one
restored and three extant populations), we quantified characteristics
of contemporary staghorn coral across increasing
conspecific densities, and investigated a hypothesis of
facilitation between staghorn coral and reef fishes. High
staghorn densities in the Dry Tortugas exhibited significantly
less partial mortality, higher branch growth, and supported
greater fish abundances compared to lower densities
within the same population. In contrast, partial mortality,
branch growth, and fish community composition did not
vary with staghorn density at the three other study locations
where staghorn densities were lower overall. This
suggests that density-dependent effects between the coral
and fish community may only manifest at high staghorn
densities. We then evaluated one facilitative mechanism for
such density-dependence, whereby abundant fishes sheltering
in dense staghorn aggregations deliver nutrients back to
the coral, fueling faster coral growth, thereby creating more
fish habitat. Indeed, dense staghorn aggregations within the Dry Tortugas exhibited significantly higher growth rates,
tissue nitrogen, and zooxanthellae densities than sparse
aggregations. Similarly, higher tissue nitrogen was induced
in a macroalgae bioassay outplanted into the same dense
and sparse aggregations, confirming greater bioavailability
of nutrients at high staghorn densities. Our findings inform
staghorn restoration efforts, suggesting that the most effective
targets may be higher coral densities than previously
thought. These coral-dense aggregations may reap the benefits
of positive facilitation between the staghorn and fish
community, favoring the growth and survivorship of this
threatened species.

Global climate change is altering community composition across many ecosystems due to nonrandom species turnover, typically characterized by the loss of specialist species and increasing similarity of biological communities across spatial... more

Global climate change is altering community composition across many ecosystems due to nonrandom species turnover, typically characterized by the loss of specialist species and increasing similarity of biological communities across spatial scales. As anthropogenic disturbances continue to alter species composition globally, there is a growing need to identify how species responses influence the establishment of distinct assemblages, such that management actions may be appropriately assigned. Here, we use trait-based analyses to compare temporal changes in five complementary indices of reef fish assemblage structure among six taxonomically distinct coral reef habitats exposed to a system-wide thermal stress event. Our results revealed increased taxonomic and functional similarity of previously distinct reef fish assemblages following mass coral bleaching, with changes characterized by subtle, but significant , shifts toward predominance of small-bodied, algal-farming habitat generalists. Furthermore, while the taxonomic or functional richness of fish assemblages did not change across all habitats, an increase in functional originality indicated an overall loss of functional redundancy. We also found that prebleaching coral composition better predicted changes in fish assemblage structure than the magnitude of coral loss. These results emphasize how measures of alpha diversity can mask important changes in the structure and functioning of ecosystems as assemblages reorganize. Our findings also highlight the role of coral species composition in structuring communities and influencing the diversity of responses of reef fishes to disturbance. As new coral species configurations emerge, their desirability will hinge upon the composition of associated species and their capacity to maintain key ecological processes in spite of ongoing disturbances. K E Y W O R D S assemblage structure, beta diversity,

Clipperton Atoll, one of the most isolated coral reefs worldwide, is of great scientific interest due to its geomor-phology and high levels of endemism. This study explored the reef fish assemblage structure of Clipperton Atoll and its... more

Clipperton Atoll, one of the most isolated coral reefs worldwide, is of great scientific interest due to its geomor-phology and high levels of endemism. This study explored the reef fish assemblage structure of Clipperton Atoll and its relationship with live coral cover. Nine stations were sampled at three sites and three depths (6, 12 and 20 m) around the reef, measuring fish species richness and biomass and hermatypic coral cover (at genus level). We evaluated variation in species richness, biomass and diversity of fish assemblages among sites and depths, as well as the relationship between the entire fish assemblage composition and live coral cover. The results showed that species richness and biomass were similar among sites, but differed across depths, increasing with depth. In contrast, diversity differed among sites but not among depths. Multivariate analyses indicated that fish assemblage composition differed among sites and depths in relation to changes in cover of coral of the genera Pocillopora, Porites, Pavona and Leptoseris, which dominate at different depths. The results showed that fish species richness and diversity were low at Clipperton Atoll and that, in isolated coral reefs with a low habitat heterogeneity and low human disturbance, live coral cover has a significant influence on the spatial variation of the reef fish assemblages. This study highlights the importance of coral habitat structure in shaping coral reef fish assemblages.

Tropical ectotherms are hypothesized to be vulnerable to environmental changes, but cascading effects of organismal tolerances on the assembly and functioning of reef fish communities are largely unknown. Here, we examine differences in... more

Tropical ectotherms are hypothesized to be vulnerable to environmental changes, but cascading effects of organismal tolerances on the assembly and functioning of reef fish communities are largely unknown. Here, we examine differences in organismal traits, assemblage structure, and productivity of cryptobenthic reef fishes between the world’s hottest, most extreme coral reefs in the southern Arabian Gulf and the nearby, but more environmentally benign, Gulf of Oman. We show that assemblages in the Arabian Gulf are half as diverse and less than 25% as abundant as in the Gulf of Oman, despite comparable benthic composition and live coral cover. This pattern appears to be driven by energetic deficiencies caused by responses to environmental extremes and distinct prey resource availability rather than absolute thermal tolerances. As a consequence, production, transfer, and replenishment of biomass through cryptobenthic fish assemblages is greatly reduced on Earth’s hottest coral reefs. E...

Colour polymorphism is widespread in animals but, in contrast to other types of poly- morphism, has been little explored during ontogeny. Among coral reef fish, the surge damselfish Chrysiptera leucopoma settles in the larval stage as a... more

Colour polymorphism is widespread in animals but, in contrast to other types of poly- morphism, has been little explored during ontogeny. Among coral reef fish, the surge damselfish Chrysiptera leucopoma settles in the larval stage as a yellow morph, whereas 2 colour morphs (yellow and brown) are apparent in adults at Rangiroa Atoll, French Polynesia. To understand this dimorphism, we tested, under controlled conditions, the hypotheses that: (1) environmental cues (habitat background and conspecific density) play important roles in morph differentiation during ontogeny and (2) morph colouration is reversible. Our first experiment showed that a dark habitat background induced the formation of the brown morph, while C. leucopoma larvae kept their yellow morph when placed in aquaria with a bright habitat background. Colour change from yellow to brown also occurred within the bright habitat, but only at high conspecific densities. Our second experiment showed that colour change was reversible within 15 d post-settlement, but not at the adult stage. Overall, our results highlighted that the studied polymorphism may be environmentally induced and reversible during the first post-settlement days of this coral reef fish.

This report is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of The Nature Conservancy and its partners (CEBSE,... more

This report is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of The Nature Conservancy and its partners (CEBSE, FoPROBIM, C-CAM, and SusGren) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

A total of 62 dive sites were made to provide an overview of reef fish found in the border region of the Province of NTT and Maluku in Indonesia. Live coral cover shows the general condition of the coral cover is in good category with an... more

A total of 62 dive sites were made to provide an overview of reef fish found in the border region of the Province of NTT and Maluku in Indonesia. Live coral cover shows the general condition of the coral cover is in good category with an average value of 62.51%. Reef fish found in this survey consists of 468 species in 47 Famili reef fish reef where fish biomass is highest Kab. MBD (average 12.476,32 kg.ha-1), while the lowest was in the district. East Flores (an average of 652,83 kg.ha-1). The value of reef fish abundance is highest in the district MBD (average 13.308 ind.ha-1) and the lowest was in the district East Flores (average 1.502,23 ind.ha-1). Reef fish community structure based-weinner Shannon index (H') was the medium category, evenness indice value (E) in the category volatile and the value of dominance (C) enters a low dominance so that the ecosystem is still in good condition. The similarity of species of reef fish using cluster analysis results at the level of scaling 66.37% and MDS (Multi Dimensional Scaling) breaks down into two groups of reef fish that reef fish in the district Alor and East Florest and district of Southwest Maluku in other group. Results of the cluster analysis and MDS showed Alor and East Flores regency in NTT Prvince incoming Lesser Sunda seascapes have different reef fish by the District of Southwest Maluku in Maluku Province incoming Sunda Banda seascapes. Overall reef fish in the district. MBD has a very high potential views of abundance, biomass and other ecological values. This location can be developed into a potential source of animal protein for the people there as well as national level. ABSTRAK Penelitian yang tersebar di 62 titik penyelaman dilakukan untuk memberi gambaran mengenai ikan karang yang terdapat di wilayah perbatasan Propinsi NTT dan Maluku di Indonesia.Tutupan karang hidup menunjukan umumnya kondisi tutupan karang berada pada kategori baik dengan nilai rata-rata 62,51%.Ikan karang yang ditemukan dalam survei ini terdiri dari 468 spesies dalam 47 famili ikan karang dimana biomassa ikan karang tertinggi terdapat Kab. MBD (Rata-rata 12.476,32 kg.ha-1) sedangkan yang terendah terdapat di Kab. Flores Timur (rata-rata 652,83 kg.ha-1). Nilai Kelimpahan ikan karang tertinggi terdapat di Kab. MBD (rata-rata 13.308 ind.ha-1) dan yang terendah terdapat di Kab. Flores Timur (rata-rata 1.502.23 ind.ha-1).Struktur komunitas ikan karang berdasarkan indeks shanon-weinner (H') berada kategori sedang, nilai indeks keseragaman (E)

Timely information is critical for coral reef managers and decision-makers to implement sustainable management measures. A Coral Reef Resilience Index (CRRI) was developed with a GIS-coupled decision-making tool applicable for Caribbean... more

Timely information is critical for coral reef managers and decision-makers to implement sustainable management measures. A Coral Reef Resilience Index (CRRI) was developed with a GIS-coupled decision-making tool applicable for Caribbean coral reef ecosystems. The CRRI is based on a five-point scale parameterized from the quantitative characterization of benthic assemblages. Separate subindices such as the Coral Index, the Threatened Species Index, and the Algal Index also provide specific information regarding targeted benthic components. This case study was based on assessments conducted in 2014 on 11
reef sites located across 3 geographic zones and 3 depth zones along the southwestern shelf of the island of Puerto Rico, Caribbean Sea. There was a significant spatial and bathymetric gradient (p < 0.05) in the distribution of CRRI values indicating higher degradation of inshore reefs. Mean global CRRI ranged from 2.78 to 3.17 across the shelf, ranking them as “fair.” The Coral Index ranged from 2.60 to 3.76, ranking reefs from “poor” to “good,” showing a general cross-shelf trend of improving conditions with increasing distance from pollution sources. Turbidity and ammonia were significantly correlated to CRRI scores. Multiple recommendations are provided based on coral reef conditions
according to observed CRRI rankings.

Bobofishing method has been observed to be utilized in Barangay Daliao, Toril, Davao City. This method of fishing is associated with reef fishes. Reef fishes caught by this method were identified and subjected to length-weight... more

Bobofishing method has been observed to be utilized in Barangay Daliao, Toril, Davao City. This method of fishing is associated with reef fishes. Reef fishes caught by this method were identified and subjected to length-weight relationship and condition index. Physical dimension of the traps and the pattern of fishing were determined.
Results revealed that there were 60 species belonging to 21 families associated with bobo fishing method in the said site. The establishment of length-weight relationship for 40 species indicated that most of these fishes grew allometrically negative which gave the implication that growth rate in weight decreased as the fish grows in length. Moreover,condition index indicated that most of them attained lesser weight compared with other geographically isolated populations.
Based on these findings, it has been concluded that many species of reef fishes were associated with bobo fishing method. Having negative allometric growth implied that adult specimens face nutritional inadequacy than smaller ones which may be brought by certain factors. The lesser attainment of weight also implied that certain factors affect the well-being of reef fishes in the site such as environment degradation. Furthermore, it was recommended that more extensive studies regarding LWR shall be conducted, incorporating several important variables such as sex and season, geographical and time influences and more extrinsic taxonomical examinations.

The marine resources of Snake Island were assessed from July 17 to August 9, 2008 using coastal habitat survey methods. The live benthic cover in the Island averaged 53.38% (good condition) and out of six stations, two stations have... more

The marine resources of Snake Island were assessed from July 17 to August 9, 2008 using
coastal habitat survey methods. The live benthic cover in the Island averaged 53.38% (good condition)
and out of six stations, two stations have excellent reef condition. There were 171 fish species recorded
the Island, with an average biomass of 37.17 mt/km2. Snake Island has lower live coral cover and fish
biomass, compared to neighbor islands due to insufficient protection and open access. However, Snake
Island has its unique ecological role to marine biodiversity and characteristics of high potential tourist
destination due to its wider white beach area, strategic location, and presence of excellent coral cover
and attractive fishes in selected areas.

Shallow reef habitats dominated with living corals is relatively accessible all times of the day and could be useful to consider as a natural mesocosm. This study was conducted at Paraviwella near shore reef patch, Tangalle, Southern Sri... more

Shallow reef habitats dominated with living corals is relatively accessible all times of the day and could be useful to consider as a natural mesocosm. This study was conducted at Paraviwella near shore reef patch, Tangalle, Southern Sri Lanka (6° 01’ 17.07” N, 80° 48’ 01.21” E) from 25 April 2014 to 10 September 2014 to examine the current status of the substratum composition. Line Intercept Transects (LITs) method was used for benthic composition study (number of transects = 6, length = 25m and area 3500 m). Temperature (T), Salinity (S), Turbidity (Tb) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) were measured in sea water collected from transect locations. Results disclosed that sea water quality at Paraviwella reef were within the suitable condition for growth of corals and other associated organisms (T=29 ± 1°C, D=54 ± 17 cm, S=34 ± 1ppt, Tb=3 ± 0.6 NTU, DO=8.6 ± 1 ppm). Transect study showed that living corals (64.7 ± 18.9%) and algae (19.2 ± 13.4%) were dominant life forms represented by highe...

Fiji is committed to, and is embarking upon, a process to significantly increase the number and coverage of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within the country. To help deliver on this commitment, the Marine Working Group of the Fiji... more

Fiji is committed to, and is embarking upon, a process to significantly increase the number and coverage of Marine
Protected Areas (MPAs) within the country.
To help deliver on this commitment, the Marine Working Group of the Fiji national Protected Area Committee (PAC),
established under the Environmental Management Act 2005, requested a review of previous efforts to describe marine
priority sites for Fiji. To this end, the then Department of Environment (now Ministry of Environment) and the then
Ministry of Fisheries and Forests (now Ministry of Fisheries) convened an expert workshop on the 19th and 20th July
2016. The Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Management in Pacific Island Countries (MACBIO) Project 1 and the Wildlife
Conservation Society (WCS) supported the workshop.
The objectives of the workshop were to review previous efforts to identify marine priority sites and prepare a report, with
maps, identifying updated Special, Unique Marine Areas (SUMAs) for Fiji.
Prior to the workshop, participants were provided with a range of resource material including, reports and maps from the
earlier prioritisation studies. During the workshop additional information was made available, largely maps and GIS with
new biophysical, spatial data. On the first day, participants were spilt into regional groups to review, amend and, in some
cases, add new site descriptions to the earlier work.
On the second day, participants were asked to rate each site based on the following criteria:
■ ■ Amount, detail, and nature of biological justification
■ ■ Geographic explicitness
■ ■ Information sources
■ ■ National or international obligations
A technical expert, who participated in the workshop, and who was familiar with a range of marine environments across
the Fiji Islands was engaged to review and compile the information gathered at the expert workshop. Post workshop
research was also conducted, through one-on-one interviews and additional mini-workshops. This information, together
with the workshop has been almagamated into this report. In total, 98 inshore and offshore Special, Unique Marine Areas
(SUMAs) were identified.
Site scores range from as low as 5 to as high as 12 (highest possible score). Both high and low scores are useful for
management; high-scoring sites can be prioritised with confidence, while lower-scoring sites can be highlighted for
needing more research or requiring protection for the purposes of ecosystem recovery, or even restoration efforts. Future
scoring systems may take into account levels of human use or impact, as this affects the intrinsic ecological value of a
habitat, assemblage, population or ecosystem. The identification and scoring of special, unique marine areas can guide
the next steps in creating a network of marine protected areas, future marine spatial planning, and also inform other
management measures (e.g. permit or licencing decisions) or environmental impact assessments (EIAs) that may be
relevant to these locations.

Ecological impacts of military bombing activities in Puerto Rico have often been described as minimal, with recurrent allegations of confounding effects by hurricanes, coral diseases and local anthropogenic stressors. Reef craters, though... more

Ecological impacts of military bombing activities in Puerto Rico have often been described as minimal, with recurrent allegations of confounding effects by hurricanes, coral diseases and local anthropogenic stressors. Reef craters, though isolated, are associated with major colony fragmentation and framework pulverization, with a net permanent loss of reef bio-construction. In contrast, adjacent non-bombarded reef sections have significantly higher benthic spatial relief and biodiversity. We compared benthic communities on 35-50 year-old bomb-cratered coral reefs at Culebra and Vieques Islands, with adjacent non-impacted sites; 2) coral recruit density and fish community structure within and outside craters; and 3) early effects of a rehabilitation effort using low-tech Staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis farming. Reef craters ranged in size from approximately 50 to 400m 2 and were largely dominated by heavily fragmented, flattened benthos, with coral cover usually below 2% and d...

Abstrak Penelitian ini dilakukan sebagai respon atas semakin tingginya kerusakan terumbu karang yang disebabkan oleh penggunaan alat penangkapan ikan yang tidak ramah lingkungan. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Teluk Doreri, dengan mengambil... more

Abstrak Penelitian ini dilakukan sebagai respon atas semakin tingginya kerusakan terumbu karang yang disebabkan oleh penggunaan alat penangkapan ikan yang tidak ramah lingkungan. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Teluk Doreri, dengan mengambil lokasi contoh di Pulau Mansinam, Pulau Lemon dan Kampung Arowi, Kabupaten Manokwari. Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk mengkaji masing-masing alat tangkap, terutama dari segi hasil tangkapan, dan teknik penangkapannya. Dari hasil analisis data diperoleh bahwa alat tangkap seperti bahan peledak dan jaring insang menangkap individu per satuan ekor/unit/hari yang tinggi tetapi dalam ukuran berat (kg/unit/hari) yang rendah. Hal ini menunjukan bahwa individu ikan yang tertangkap berukuran kecil. Sebaliknya, alat tangkap seperti pancing, bubu, alat penikam, senapan ikan dan linggis dapat menangkap ikan dengan ukuran individu relatif lebih besar. Dari kajian terhadap teknik penangkapan terungkap bahwa semua alat penangkapan ikan tersebut dapat menyebabkan kerusakan ekosistem terumbu karang dengan level kerusakan yang bervariasi. Beberapa saran untuk mengurangi dampak oleh alat-alat tersebut terhadap ekosistem terumbu karang juga dibahas. Kata-kata kunci: alat penangkapan ikan, terumbu karang, hasil tangkapan, teknologi penangkapan. PENDAHULUAN Latar Belakang Terumbu karang merupakan ekosisitem yang kaya akan keanekaragaman hayati, dimana di dalamnya terkandung berbagai organisme laut yang sangat pernting untuk kehidupan manusia. Dengan demikian kelestarian ekosistem ini sangat penting untuk dipertahankan. Sayangnya keberlanjutan dari ekosistem terumbu karang pada saat ini mulai terancam oleh kegiatan manusia yang berdampak negatif baik secara langsung maupun tidak langsung yang mengakibatkan terjadinya degradasi habitat. Kegiatan manusia tersebut berupa eksploitasi ekosistem terumbu karang yang 1 Makalah dipresentasikan pada Konferensi Nasional VI pengelolaan sumberdaya pesisir dan lautan,

The following thirty-four new species of the pempherid fish genus Pempheris are described from the western Indian Ocean, raising the total number for the region to 47 species: P. andilana from northwest Madagascar; P. argyrea from the... more

The following thirty-four new species of the pempherid fish genus Pempheris are described from the western Indian Ocean, raising the total number for the region to 47 species: P. andilana from northwest Madagascar; P. argyrea from the Seychelles; P. bineeshi from southeast India; P. bruggemanni from Réunion and Mauritius; P. connelli from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; P. ellipse from the south coast of Oman; P. hadra from the Republic of the Maldives; P. heemstraorum from Rodrigues, Mascarene Islands; P. hollemani from southeast Madagascar; P. ibo from Mozambique and South Africa; P. kruppi from the Gulf of Aden and Socotra; P. kuriamuria from the south coast of Oman; P. leiolepis from Chumbe Island, Zanzibar; P. megalops from the Seychelles; P. micromma from the south coast of Oman; P. muscat from the Gulf of Oman; P. orbis from the Red Sea; P. pathirana from Sri Lanka; P. peza from southern Mozambique; P. rochai from the south coast of Oman; P. rubricauda from northwest Madagascar; P. sergey from the Red Sea; P. shimoni from Kenya; P. shirleen from the Red Sea; P. smithorum from Zanzibar; P. tau from the Red Sea; P. ternay from the Seychelles; P. tilman from the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea; P. tiran from the Strait of Tiran, Red Sea; P. trinco from Sri Lanka; P. viridis from the Red Sea; P. wilsoni from the Gulf of Oman; P. xanthomma from the Gulf of Aden (Yemen); and P. zajonzi from the Socotra Archipelago. Many of the new species are described from single specimens or one location, indicating a need for more collecting to resolve the taxonomy of this group: we emphasize that some decisions are tentative and apply to the state of collections at present. The barcode mtDNA COI sequences for 21 of the 47 WIO species are analyzed, showing some deep divergences between species, but also several sibling species or species complexes that apparently share COI sequences. The genetic analysis is also limited by small sample sizes; more extensive genetic surveys are required to confirm the results. An appendix includes the description of the hybrid P. malabarica × P. russellii, a discussion of a complex of Pempheris in St. Brandon’s Shoals in need of further study, and underwater photographs of potential new species of Pempheris for which we have no specimens.

Malgré plusieurs missions d'inventaire focalisées sur les poissons des îles Marquises, depuis Jardin, 1859, les poissons côtiers de cet archipel sont encore mal connus : 20 espèces nouvelles découver-tes lors de la dernière mission en... more

Malgré plusieurs missions d'inventaire focalisées sur les poissons des îles Marquises, depuis Jardin, 1859, les poissons côtiers de cet archipel sont encore mal connus : 20 espèces nouvelles découver-tes lors de la dernière mission en 2011 et la liste actuelle comprenant 495 espèces décrites, dont 68 espèces endémiques (13,7 %). La communauté des poissons des Marquises est très différente des faunes des autres archipels de la Polynésie française et même de celles des autres îles du Pacifique Sud. Si le nombre d'espèces recensées n'est pas très élevé (richesse spécifique), les abondances et surtout les biomasses sont très importantes (de nombreux gros individus pour certaines espè-ces). La grande taille des espèces commerciales constitue un enjeu certain pour la préservation de la ressource vivrière de ces îles alors que la présence de certaines espèces emblématiques est un atout pour l'activité touristique de la plongée (raies, requins, carangues, poissons hauturiers présents sur le proche côtier). La structure trophique* est dominée par un couple piscivore*/planctophage contrairement au couple carnivore/herbivore généralement observé dans les autres archipels. Cette différence pourrait être due à la présence de forts upwelling* autour des Marquises qui entraînent une production primaire importante et qui pourraient également expliquer l'absence de récifs coralliens construits. Le taux d'espèces endémiques dépasse les 10 %, ce qui représente le plus fort taux des archipels de la Polynésie française, taux qui restent inférieurs à ceux rencontrés à Hawaii ou à l'île de Pâques. Cette faune ichtyologique importante et particulière semble encore relativement épargnée et mérite d'être protégée. Nous recommandons une préservation du complexe Eiao/Hatu Tu pour la richesse spécifique et l'abondance des poissons au nord, l'île de Tahuata au centre pour l'originalité de certains de ses paysages côtiers, et l'île de Fatu Iva au sud pour l'originalité de sa faune ichtyologique.

Status of protected areas located at Barangay Budiong, Odiongan and Bunsuran, Ferrol, in Tablas Island, Romblon, Philippines were assessed last February 22 and 23, 2012.The average live hard coral cover (HC) inside Budiong-Odiongan MPA... more

Status of protected areas located at Barangay Budiong, Odiongan and Bunsuran,
Ferrol, in Tablas Island, Romblon, Philippines were assessed last February 22 and 23,
2012.The average live hard coral cover (HC) inside Budiong-Odiongan MPA was lower
(32%) than that of the outside (45%) but both were categorized into fair condition.
For Bunsuran-Ferrol MPA, HC were the same (30%) and in fair condition.
The fish density outside of the Budiong MPA was less than inside, but the biomass of
the outside was higher than that of the inside. This suggests that the fishes outside
MPA might have larger sizes than those inside Budiong MPA. This maybe brought
about by the relatively higher live coral cover outside MPA. Bunsuran-Ferrol MPA has
also better fish assemblage status both outside and inside of MPA than the Budiong-
Odiongan MPA. As for livelihood potential, the number of commercial Families of fish
species was seven in the inside of Budiong-Odiongan MPA, while six Families in the
outside.
The results indicate that the two reefs studied in Tablas Island have undergone high
fishing pressures in the past so that it needs immediate nourishment, protection, and
management. The low biomass of fish in MPA could be solved by means of restocking of
relevant species on the reef. By improving the fish and macro-invertebrates, livelihood
of fishers is expected to improve.

Three species of seahorses of the genus Hippocampus are recognized within the Hawaiian Islands, H. kuda, H. fisheri and H. histrix. Based on molecular and morphological evidence H. kuda is treated here as two subspecies, the Hawaiian H.... more

Three species of seahorses of the genus Hippocampus are recognized within the Hawaiian Islands, H. kuda, H. fisheri and H. histrix. Based on molecular and morphological evidence H. kuda is treated here as two subspecies, the Hawaiian H. kuda hilonis and H. kuda kuda from elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region. Molecular analysis also indicates that recent populations of H. kuda hilonis are not based on introduced fishes as their cytb sequence is identical to that of the H. hilonis holotype. Hippocampus fisheri is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian record of H. histrix is based on a specimen collected from O‘ahu in 1877 and one reported from Maui in 1928. The specimens are identified correctly, and there is no reason to doubt these old records, illogical as they seem.

Terumbu karang merupakan ekosistem yang memiliki peranan biofisik bagi beragam biota laut yang salah satunya adalah ikan terumbu. Penelitian dilakukan pada bulan Mei 2017 di Pulau Tunda, Serang, Banten untuk mengetahui persentase tutupan... more

Terumbu karang merupakan ekosistem yang memiliki peranan biofisik bagi beragam biota laut yang salah satunya adalah ikan terumbu. Penelitian dilakukan pada bulan Mei 2017 di Pulau Tunda, Serang, Banten untuk mengetahui persentase tutupan karang keras dan menilai keterkaitannya dengan komposisi ikan terumbu. Pengamatan dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode Point Intercept Transect (PIT) untuk pengamatan terumbu karang dan Underwater Visual Cencus (UVC) untuk pengamatan ikan terumbu. Persentase tutupan karang terendah terletak di timur Pulau Tunda (36.67±4.06 %) dan tertinggi di Utara Pulau Tunda (58.67±4.26%). Terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan pada tutupan karang terhadap stasiun pengamatan (ANOVA, F=14.00, p<0.05), dan tidak terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan pada kelimpahan ikan dan indeks keanekaragaman terhadap stasiun pengamatan. Nilai korelasi tutupan karang dengan kelimpahan ikan (r=0.95) dan indeks keanekaragaman (r=0.99) di utara Pulau Tunda lebih tinggi daripada bagian timur. Sebanyak total 1004 individu ikan terumbu yang termasuk kedalam 85 spesies dan 22 famili telah teramati dengan jumlah spesies tertinggi ialah famili Pomacentridae (damselfishes) diikuti oleh famili Labridae (wrasses) dan Chaetodontidae (butterflyfishes). Spesies Pomacentrus alexanderae dan Pomacentrus moluccensis (Pomacentridae) berkontribusi di bagian timur, sedangkan di bagian utara adalah Chaetodon octofasciatus (Chaetodontidae) dan Scolopsis bilineata (Nemipteridae). Kelimpahan dan keanakeragaman ikan terumbu di Pulau Tunda memiliki hubungan dengan tutupan terumbu karang

Browsing fishes have been identified as an important component of coral reef resilience, because in contrast to other herbivorous fishes they are able to feed on established macroalgae. Climate change and local anthropogenic impacts have... more

Browsing fishes have been identified as an important component of coral reef resilience, because in contrast to other herbivorous fishes they are able to feed on established macroalgae. Climate change and local anthropogenic impacts have contributed to phase shifts in many coral reefs from coral to macroalgae dominance, and recent research suggests the potential ability of browsers to reverse such phase shifts. However, there is high variation among studies and some contradicting findings exist. Here, we review the relevant literature to assemble a list of species currently known to contribute to browsing in the Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, we identify spatial and temporal patterns, outline factors influencing browsing, and discuss the probability of phase shift reversal. We formulate research recommendations addressing the identified gaps in knowledge about the interactions of browsing fishes and their environment. To date, 37 species of fishes have been observed consuming macroalgae in the Indo-Pacific. The most important groups are the family Siganidae, the subfamily Scarinae (Labridae), and the subfamily Nasinae (Acanthuridae). Browsing species vary between studies depending on location, season and macroalgae species examined. Several influencing factors, such as structural complexity, palatability of macroalgae and ecosystem connectivity have been suggested to cause these discrepancies. The most promising avenues for future research are the effect of structural complexity, the importance of mobile link species and influences of food availability on the selectivity of browsing species. Increasing our knowledge in these fields will provide a better basis for successful management strategies directed at increasing the resilience of coral reefs.

Capture fisheries in small island developing states (SIDS) have the capacity to increase access to vital micronutrient-rich food to tackle malnutrition, but when fishers are restricted to nearshore habitats by limited capacity (boats,... more

Capture fisheries in small island developing states (SIDS) have the capacity to increase access to vital micronutrient-rich food to tackle malnutrition, but when fishers are restricted to nearshore habitats by limited capacity (boats, engines, fishing gear), fisheries production can be low. This is the case of coastal Timor-Leste, where some of the world's most diverse coral reefs are juxtaposed with one of the world's most undernourished populations. In these settings, interventions that have successfully improved livelihoods from fishing and reduced threats to biodiversity are rare. Elsewhere in the Pacific, nearshore anchored fish aggregating devices (FADs) have shown success in improving catch rates by making pelagic stocks more accessible to small-scale fishers. Here we test the effects of FADs at increasing capture fish production, by deploying eight experimental FADs at four sites around the country and recording catch and effort data from FAD and non-FAD fishing trips. We assess the effects of FADs on catch rates and catch assemblage and the rate of 100% return on investment (RoI). The average longevity of FADs was 11 months. Results show a significant positive effect of FADs on catch rates when controlling for random site variation, with FADs paying for themselves in ∼5 months or less at three out of four sites. Across all sites and fishing types, 63 species were identified, but FAD catches significantly reduced overall assemblage diversity, with three species (Sardinella spp., Decapterus macarellus, Rastrelliger brachysoma) representing 96% of the catch. Despite the relatively short longevity of FADs deployed in Timor-Leste, the fast RoI seen at most sites indicates that FADs are effective in providing livelihood benefits in certain locations. Catch rates were highest where fishers were specialized, invested in FAD fishing, and formed catch sharing groups with access rights to specific FADs. National level investment into a FAD programme by the government could realistically increase overall fish production in the country, thereby improving availability of micronutrient rich fish to combat malnutrition. A deployment program should be coupled with capacity building around group formation and defining access rights to ensure equitable community benefits.

The new scorpionfish species Scorpaena wellingtoni is described from two specimens collected from Tagus Cove on Isla Isabela in the Galápagos Archipelago. The barcode COI mtDNA sequence for the holotype of the new species differs by... more

The new scorpionfish species Scorpaena wellingtoni is described from two specimens collected from Tagus Cove on Isla Isabela in the Galápagos Archipelago. The barcode COI mtDNA sequence for the holotype of the new species differs by 10.8–14.2% from other members of a set of small related New World scorpionfishes, including S. russula and S. sonorae in the eastern Pacific and S. inermis, S. albifimbria, and S. calcarata in the western Atlantic. The new species is very similar in appearance to the Atlantic Mushroom Scorpionfish, S. inermis, with similar markings, a reduced second preopercular spine, no supplemental preopercular spine, eight dorsal-fin soft rays, two spines on the suborbital ridge, a short snout, and a narrow shallow interorbital space. It shares the tabs extending down from the pigmented corneal drape over the pupil, however they are not mushroom-shaped as in S. inermis. The new species further differs from S. inermis by having a distinct occipital pit, more prominent head spines, and a cleithral spine. S. wellingtoni also resembles the Atlantic Coral Scorpionfish S. albifimbria in markings, a reduced second preopercular spine, a relatively deep body, a short snout, and the presence of the occipital pit and cleithral spines, but it does not share the supplemental preopercular spine or the nine dorsal-fin soft rays and three suborbital-ridge spines found on S. albifimbria. The two widespread eastern-Pacific congeners, S. russula and S. sonorae, also have reduced second preopercular spines, but both differ from the new species in markings and having flat or very shallow occipital pits and an additional dorsal-fin ray and suborbital-ridge spine (S. calcarata in the Atlantic differs in the same characters, except the last). A rare deepwater species from Cocos Island and the Galápagos Archipelago, S. cocosensis, shares most meristic characters but has a less arched upper body, a wider interorbital space with prominent interorbital ridges, and different color and markings. S. wellingtoni is apparently found only in the Galápagos Islands and is thus far the only endemic scorpionfish reported in the Archipelago

Four new species of pempherid fishes (common name sweepers) of the genus Pempheris are described: P. convexa from the south coast of Oman and the Maldives, unique in the convex dorsal profile of the head, small eye, and silver-gray color,... more

Four new species of pempherid fishes (common name sweepers) of the genus Pempheris are described: P. convexa from the south coast of Oman and the Maldives, unique in the convex dorsal profile of the head, small eye, and silver-gray color, and the scales rimmed with yellowish brown; P. cuprea from northern Mozambique with a deep body, low counts of pectoral-fin rays and gill rakers, and copper coloration; P. darvelli from the Gulf of Oman, silvery with irregular broad brassy stripes and pink iridescence on head and dorsally on body; and P. eatoni, common on the coast of KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique, often in tidal channels along rocky shores, and typically silvery gray with blue-green iridescence, each scale with a vertically elongate brown spot.

In coral reef restoration, coral gardening involves rearing coral fragments in underwater nurseries prior to transplantation. These nurseries become fish-aggregating devices and attract biofouling. We hypothesised that: (1) the presence... more

In coral reef restoration, coral gardening involves rearing coral fragments in underwater nurseries prior to
transplantation. These nurseries become fish-aggregating devices and attract biofouling. We hypothesised
that: (1) the presence of corals at a nursery is critical to recruit fish assemblages and (2) the recruited fish
assemblages control biofouling, reducing person-hours invested in nursery cleaning. Three midwater coral
nurseries were deployed at 8 m depth for 27 months within the marine protected area of Cousin Island Special
Reserve, Seychelles, Indian Ocean. Each nursery consisted of a 6 m × 6 m PVC pipe frame, layered with a recycled
5.5-cm-mesh tuna net. Human cleaning effort was calculated based on daily dive logs. Nursery-associated fish
assemblages and behaviour were video-recorded prior to harvesting corals after a 20-month growth period and
seven months post-coral harvesting. The density (ind. m–2) of blue-yellow damselfish Pomacentrus caeruleus was
12–16 times higher when corals were present than when corals were absent at the nurseries. Fish assemblages
recruited into the nurseries included three trophic levels, from herbivores to omnivores, in six families: Ephippidae,
Pomacentridae, Labridae (Scarinae), Gobiidae, Siganidae and Monacanthidae. Higher abundance of large fish (total
number of individuals) resulted in 2.75 times less person-hours spent in nursery cleaning. These results have
important implications for cost-effective coral reef restoration.

Giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) are an iconic reef fish of the Indo-Pacific, and yet knowledge of their life history is incomplete. The species is common in tropical and subtropical waters ranging from the far western Indian Ocean off... more

Giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) are an iconic reef fish of the Indo-Pacific, and yet knowledge of their life history is incomplete. The species is common in tropical and subtropical waters ranging from the far western Indian Ocean off South Africa to the central Pacific Ocean, where the species attains its greatest recorded size in Hawaii. Despite their broad range, importance as a top predator and attraction among anglers, the age and longevity of giant trevally remain largely undescribed and there are concerns that giant trevally are being fished down in the Hawaiian Islands. The most comprehensive age and growth study was performed in the Hawaiian Islands, but the work was limited to early growth observations. Although a study of daily increments was limited to fish less than maximum size, a model used to describe the growth characteristics was extrapolated to estimate that maximum age may exceed 20 years. In this study, otoliths of giant trevally from the Hawaiian Islands were investigated for annual growth zones, and the validity of the age estimates was tested and validated with bomb 14C dating. Revised growth parameters indicate giant trevally grow rapidly in the Hawaiian Islands and can attain an age of 25 years.

In the Philippines, very high fishing pressure coincides with the globally greatest number of shorefish species, yet no long-term fisheries data are available to explore species-level changes that may have occurred widely in the most... more

In the Philippines, very high fishing pressure coincides with the globally greatest number of shorefish species, yet no long-term fisheries data are available to explore species-level changes that may have occurred widely in the most species rich and vulnerable marine ecosystem, namely coral reefs. Through 2655 face-to-face interviews conducted between August 2012 and July 2014, we used fishers' recall of past catch rates of reef-associated finfish to infer species disappearances from catches in five marine key biodiversity areas (Lanuza Bay, Danajon Bank, Verde Island Passage, Polillo Islands and Honda Bay). We modeled temporal trends in perceived catch per unit effort (CPUE) based on fishers' reports of typical good days' catches using Generalized Linear Mixed Modelling. Fifty-nine different finfish disappeared from catches between the 1950s and 2014; 42 fish were identified to species level, two to genus, seven to family and eight to local name only. Five species occurring at all sites with the greatest number of fishers reporting zero catches were the green bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), African pompano (Alectis ciliaris), giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) and mangrove red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus). Between the 1950s and 2014, the mean perceived CPUE of bumphead parrotfish declined by 88%, that of humphead wrasse by 82%, African pompano by 66%, giant grouper by 74% and mangrove red snap-per by 64%. These declines were mainly associated with excess and uncontrolled fishing, fish life-history traits like maximum body size and socioeconomic factors like access to market infrastructure and services, and overpopulation. The fishers' knowledge is indicative of extirpations where evidence for these losses was otherwise lacking. Our models provide information as basis for area-based conservation and regional resource

Peningkatan suhu permukaan laut akibat pemanasan global yang terjadi dari awal hingga pertengahan tahun 2016 memberikan dampak pemutihan karang di beberapa lokasi di TWP Gili Matra. Hasil pengamatan pemutihan karang didapatkan komposisi... more

Peningkatan suhu permukaan laut akibat pemanasan global yang terjadi dari awal hingga pertengahan tahun 2016 memberikan dampak pemutihan karang di beberapa lokasi di TWP Gili Matra. Hasil pengamatan pemutihan karang didapatkan komposisi dari koloni karang yang terkena pemutihan (50%), pucat (18%), mati (1%) dan tidak terdampak 31%. Implikasi ini mengakibatkan turunnya tutupan karang namun tidak signifikan (P(1.013)=0.333,p> 0,05) dari 23,43% ± 2,61 SE di tahun 2012 menjadi 18,48 % ± 4,14 SE di tahun 2016 serta penurunan signifikan (P(58,06) = 3,8e-06) rekruitmen karang (Juvenil karang) dari 6,66 ind.m-1 ± 1,04 SE di tahun 2012 menjadi 1,41 ind.m-1 ± 0,16 SE di tahun 2016. Dampak lainnya yaitu penurunan signifikan (P(20,84)=0,00053,p<0,001) kelimpahan ikan terumbu dari 28.733,26 ind.ha-1 ± 3.757,89 SE di tahun 2012 menjadi 11.431,18 ind.ha-1 ± 702,53 SE di tahun 2016 serta penurunan biomassa ikan terumbu namun tidak signifikan (P(0,58)=0,46 ,P> 0,05) dari 506,56 kg.ha-1 ± 99,05 SE di tahun 2012 menjadi 438,41 kg.ha-1 ± 45,69 SE di tahun 2016. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan dampak bleaching menyebabkan sedikitnya rekrutmen karang yang mengakibatkan proses recovery area terdampak menjadi lambat dikarenakan juvenil karang baru sebagian besar mati. Dampak kedua dari bleaching ini yaitu kelimpahan ikan yang turun signifikan, hal ini mengindikasikan yang tersedia hanya ikan-ikan ukuran besar (dewasa) dan sedikitnya ikan-ikan kecil termasuk juvenile yang ditemukan.
Kata kunci: pemanasan global, pemutihan karang, tutupan karang, ikan karang

The Indo-Pacific labrid fish genus Pseudocoris Bleeker is represented by nine species: three pairs of sibling species that split between the Indian and Pacific Oceans and three endemic to various parts of the Pacific Ocean. Two of the... more

The Indo-Pacific labrid fish genus Pseudocoris Bleeker is represented by nine species: three pairs of sibling species that split between the Indian and Pacific Oceans and three endemic to various parts of the Pacific Ocean. Two of the species pairs include a new species for the Indian Ocean sibling. Pseudocoris heteroptera (Bleeker) is now considered limited to the Pacific Ocean, ranging from the Line Islands to Indonesia, north to Taiwan and southern Japan, and south to the Great Barrier Reef, while Pseudocoris occidentalis n. sp. is from the western Indian Ocean. The terminal male of both species have a large dark bar anteriorly on the body, followed by a series of irregular black bars; the Indian Ocean species differs by having shorter bars, a bright yellow anal fin in the terminal male, and the juveniles blue becoming yellow posteriorly. Pseudocoris yamashiroi (Schmidt) is now considered limited to the Pacific Ocean, wide-ranging from Japan, Taiwan, and the Marshall Islands, south to Samoa and New Caledonia, while Pseudocoris hemichrysos n. sp. is from the islands of the western Indian Ocean, including Maldives, Mascarenes, and Chagos; the terminal males of the new species differ by having a bright yellow-orange area on the rear upper body and soft dorsal fin. The third sibling-species pair had already been split; comprising the Pacific Pseudocoris bleekeri (Hubrecht) from Indonesia north to Ryukyu Islands, the terminal male with a broad bright yellow bar on midside of body, flanked by numerous dark bars and ovals, and Pseudocoris petila Allen & Erdmann, named for its slender body. The latter was described from two initial-phase specimens from the Andaman Islands, and an underwater photograph of the terminal male from NW Sumatra (the range is extended southwest to the island of Réunion and South Africa based on underwater photographs of terminal males); the terminal male of P. petila differs by having two yellow bars on the midside of the body. The three endemic Pacific species comprise Pseudocoris aequalis Randall & Walsh from the Coral Sea and southern Queensland, the terminal male bright blue without elongate anterior dorsal spines; Pseudocoris aurantiofasciata Fourmanoir, wide-ranging in the Pacific (with records in the eastern Indian Ocean at Christmas and Cocos-Keeling Islands), the largest species (to 193 mm SL), with the greatest body depth (to 2.9 in SL), the adult male with a narrow white bar on the side and with two long caudal-fin filaments; and Pseudocoris ocellata Chen & Shao from Taiwan and Japan, the terminal male with a large, irregular, blue-edged black spot on midside. Sequences of the barcode mtDNA COI marker for all but one species of the genus (P. ocellata is unavailable) show the eight species to be distinct monophyletic lineages, with the sibling-species pairs from different oceans diverging 0.63% in P. heteroptera/P. occidentalis, 2.51% in P. yamashiroi/P. hemichrysos, and 1.08% in P. bleekeri/P. petila.