Biodiversity:Common coral reef fishes of Anguilla
Published: October 7, 2009, 6:20 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 7:47 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
Anguilla is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It consists of the main island of Anguilla itself, approximately 26 km (16 mi) long by 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its widest point, together with a number of much smaller islands and cays with no permanent population. Over 165 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Aguilla.
25 most common species in Anguilla
The following ranking is based on the results of 102 surveys covering a bottom time of 74 hours and 56 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, May 27, 2009). The species are ranked by the percentage of surveys in which a species was observed. Abundance of fishes in REEF Fish Surveys are estimated using the following categories: 1- single =1 individual, 2-few = 2- 10 individuals, 3-many = 11-100 individuals, and 4-abundant > 100 individuals. The mean numeric abundance (ranging from 1 - 4) was calculated for each species.. The mean abundance category is determined as follows: mean abundance category 0 - 1.49 = single, 1.50 - 1.99 = single-few, 2.0 - 2.49 = few, 2.5 - 2.99 = few-many, 3.0 - 3.49 = many, 3.5 -3.99 = many-abundant, and 4.0 = abundant.
Blue Tang—the most frequently observed fish in Anguilla. Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough.
Species | % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Blue tang | 99.0 | many |
2. Stoplight parrotfish | 98.0 | few-many |
3. Bluehead | 98.0 | many |
4. Ocean surgeonfish | 95.1 | many |
5. Redband parrotfish | 90.2 | many |
6. Doctorfish | 87.3 | few |
7. Queen parrotfish | 86.3 | few |
8. Yellowtail damselfish | 86.3 | few |
9. [[Brown chromis] | 85.3 | many |
10. Bar jack | 85.3 | few |
11. Bicolor damselfish | 82.4 | few-many |
12. Slippery dick | 81.4 | few |
13. [[Longfin damselfish] | 81.4 | few-many |
14. Yellowhead wrasse | 81.4 | few-many |
15. Sergeant major | 80.4 | few-many |
16. Sharpnose puffer | 78.4 | single-few |
17. Clown wrasse | 78.4 | few |
18. French grunt | 77.5 | few |
19. Striped parrotfish | 77.5 | few |
20. Spotted goatfish | 76.5 | few |
21. Foureye butterflyfish | 76.5 | single-few |
22. Puddingwife | 76.5 | single-few |
23. Princess parrotfish | 76.5 | few-many |
24. Beaugregory | 75.5 | few |
25. Blue chromis | 71.6 | many |
References and Further Reading
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Anguilla". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth October 7, 2009; Last revised Date September 20, 2010; Retrieved June 18, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Anguilla?topic=49480>
The Author
Mark McGinley is an Associate Professor in the Honors College and Department of Biological Sciences at Texas Tech University. He has conducted research in the evolutionary, behavioral, and community ecology of animals and plants. Dr. McGinley’s recent scholarly interests focus on educating the general public about scientific (particularly environmental) issues. He is currently working closely with students in an interdisciplinary degree program, Natural History and Humanities, which combine ... (Full Bio)
Introduction
Anguilla is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It consists of the main island of Anguilla itself, approximately 26 km (16 mi) long by 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its widest point, together with a number of much smaller islands and cays with no permanent population. Over 165 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Aguilla.
25 most common species in Anguilla
The following ranking is based on the results of 102 surveys covering a bottom time of 74 hours and 56 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, May 27, 2009). The species are ranked by the percentage of surveys in which a species was observed. Abundance of fishes in REEF Fish Surveys are estimated using the following categories: 1- single =1 individual, 2-few = 2- 10 individuals, 3-many = 11-100 individuals, and 4-abundant > 100 individuals. The mean numeric abundance (ranging from 1 - 4) was calculated for each species.. The mean abundance category is determined as follows: mean abundance category 0 - 1.49 = single, 1.50 - 1.99 = single-few, 2.0 - 2.49 = few, 2.5 - 2.99 = few-many, 3.0 - 3.49 = many, 3.5 -3.99 = many-abundant, and 4.0 = abundant.
Blue Tang—the most frequently observed fish in Anguilla. Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough.
Species | % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Blue tang | 99.0 | many |
2. Stoplight parrotfish | 98.0 | few-many |
3. Bluehead | 98.0 | many |
4. Ocean surgeonfish | 95.1 | many |
5. Redband parrotfish | 90.2 | many |
6. Doctorfish | 87.3 | few |
7. Queen parrotfish | 86.3 | few |
8. Yellowtail damselfish | 86.3 | few |
9. [[Brown chromis] | 85.3 | many |
10. Bar jack | 85.3 | few |
11. Bicolor damselfish | 82.4 | few-many |
12. Slippery dick | 81.4 | few |
13. [[Longfin damselfish] | 81.4 | few-many |
14. Yellowhead wrasse | 81.4 | few-many |
15. Sergeant major | 80.4 | few-many |
16. Sharpnose puffer | 78.4 | single-few |
17. Clown wrasse | 78.4 | few |
18. French grunt | 77.5 | few |
19. Striped parrotfish | 77.5 | few |
20. Spotted goatfish | 76.5 | few |
21. Foureye butterflyfish | 76.5 | single-few |
22. Puddingwife | 76.5 | single-few |
23. Princess parrotfish | 76.5 | few-many |
24. Beaugregory | 75.5 | few |
25. Blue chromis | 71.6 | many |
References and Further Reading
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