Biodiversity:Common coral reef fishes of Cozumel
Published: October 7, 2009, 4:14 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 4:01 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
Cozumel is an island located off of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Over 370 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Cozumel.
25 most common species in Cozumel
The following ranking is based on the results of 5161 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 5498 hours and 55 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, Isla Cozumel, June 3, 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 reef fish in Cozumel. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Blue chromis- the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Cozumel. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species
| % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Blue tang | 93.7 | many |
2. Blue chromis | 91.2 | many-abundant |
3. Bicolor damselfish | 90.0 | many |
4. Foureye butterflyfish | 90.0 | few |
5. Bluehead | 89.6 | many |
6. Rock beauty | 86.9 | few |
7. Queen angelfish | 86.7 | few |
8. Stoplight parrotfish | 85.8 | few-many |
9. Yellowhead wrasse | 83.8 | many |
10. Bar jack | 82.5 | few-many |
11. French grunt | 81.5 | few-many |
12. French angelfish | 80.9 | few |
13. Coney | 78.6 | few |
14. Black durgon | 75.8 | few-many |
15. Gray angelfish | 75.5 | few |
16. Redband parrotfish | 75.4 | few-many |
17. Ocean surgeonfish | 73.8 | few-many |
18. Sharpnose puffer | 73.5 | few |
19. Graysby | 73.4 | few |
20. Bluestriped grunt | 71.9 | few-many |
21. Yellowtail damselfish | 71.5 | few |
22. Harlequin bass | 70.3 | many |
23. Brown chromis | 69.4 | few-many |
24. Yellowtail snapper | 68.3 | few |
25. Banded butterflyfish | 67.3 | few |
References and Further Reading
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Cozumel". 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 May 18, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Cozumel?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
Cozumel is an island located off of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Over 370 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Cozumel.
25 most common species in Cozumel
The following ranking is based on the results of 5161 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 5498 hours and 55 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, Isla Cozumel, June 3, 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 reef fish in Cozumel. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Blue chromis- the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Cozumel. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species
| % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Blue tang | 93.7 | many |
2. Blue chromis | 91.2 | many-abundant |
3. Bicolor damselfish | 90.0 | many |
4. Foureye butterflyfish | 90.0 | few |
5. Bluehead | 89.6 | many |
6. Rock beauty | 86.9 | few |
7. Queen angelfish | 86.7 | few |
8. Stoplight parrotfish | 85.8 | few-many |
9. Yellowhead wrasse | 83.8 | many |
10. Bar jack | 82.5 | few-many |
11. French grunt | 81.5 | few-many |
12. French angelfish | 80.9 | few |
13. Coney | 78.6 | few |
14. Black durgon | 75.8 | few-many |
15. Gray angelfish | 75.5 | few |
16. Redband parrotfish | 75.4 | few-many |
17. Ocean surgeonfish | 73.8 | few-many |
18. Sharpnose puffer | 73.5 | few |
19. Graysby | 73.4 | few |
20. Bluestriped grunt | 71.9 | few-many |
21. Yellowtail damselfish | 71.5 | few |
22. Harlequin bass | 70.3 | many |
23. Brown chromis | 69.4 | few-many |
24. Yellowtail snapper | 68.3 | few |
25. Banded butterflyfish | 67.3 | few |
References and Further Reading
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