Biodiversity:Common coral reef fishes of Martinique
Published: October 7, 2009, 6:40 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 4:04 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
Martinique Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, south of Dominica and north of Saint Lucia. It is one of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles. Over 225 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Martinique.
25 most common species in Martinique
The following ranking is based on the results of 163 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 161 hours and 12 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, May 30, 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.
Bluehead—the most frequently observed reef fish in Martinique. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Browm Chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean abundance in Martinique. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species
| % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Bluehead | 97.5 | many |
2. Brown chromis | 95.1 | abundant |
3. Bicolor damselfish | 95.1 | many-abundant |
4. Yellowhead wrasse | 95.1 | many |
5. Coney | 93.9 | few-many |
6. Trumpetfish | 93.9 | few |
7. French grunt | 93.9 | few |
8. Blue chromis | 92.6 | man |
9. Blackbar soldierfish | 92.0 | many |
10. Spotted goatfish | 89.6 | few-many |
11. Yellow goatfish | 89.6 | few-many |
12. Harlequin bass | 89.0 | few |
13. Smallmouth grunt | 89.0 | many |
14. Sharpnose puffer | 87.7 | few |
15. Sergeant major | 86.5 | many |
16. Ocean surgeonfish | 84.7 | few |
17. Mahogany snapper | 81.6 | few-many |
18. Spanish hogfish | 77.9 | few |
19. Redband parrotfish | 77.3 | few |
20. Bridled goby | 73.0 | few-many |
21. Blue tang | 72.4 | single-few |
22. Yellowtail damselfish | 69.9 | few |
23. Princess parrotfish | 69.3 | few |
24. Tomtate | 68.1 | few |
25. Graysby | 68.1 | single-few |
References and Further Reading
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Martinique". 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 22, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Martinique?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
Martinique Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, south of Dominica and north of Saint Lucia. It is one of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles. Over 225 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Martinique.
25 most common species in Martinique
The following ranking is based on the results of 163 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 161 hours and 12 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, May 30, 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.
Bluehead—the most frequently observed reef fish in Martinique. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Browm Chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean abundance in Martinique. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species
| % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Bluehead | 97.5 | many |
2. Brown chromis | 95.1 | abundant |
3. Bicolor damselfish | 95.1 | many-abundant |
4. Yellowhead wrasse | 95.1 | many |
5. Coney | 93.9 | few-many |
6. Trumpetfish | 93.9 | few |
7. French grunt | 93.9 | few |
8. Blue chromis | 92.6 | man |
9. Blackbar soldierfish | 92.0 | many |
10. Spotted goatfish | 89.6 | few-many |
11. Yellow goatfish | 89.6 | few-many |
12. Harlequin bass | 89.0 | few |
13. Smallmouth grunt | 89.0 | many |
14. Sharpnose puffer | 87.7 | few |
15. Sergeant major | 86.5 | many |
16. Ocean surgeonfish | 84.7 | few |
17. Mahogany snapper | 81.6 | few-many |
18. Spanish hogfish | 77.9 | few |
19. Redband parrotfish | 77.3 | few |
20. Bridled goby | 73.0 | few-many |
21. Blue tang | 72.4 | single-few |
22. Yellowtail damselfish | 69.9 | few |
23. Princess parrotfish | 69.3 | few |
24. Tomtate | 68.1 | few |
25. Graysby | 68.1 | single-few |
References and Further Reading
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1 Comment
Add Commentanyes barber wrote:
thank-you for posting some info on those fishes, my son is studying them while we are in Martinique for 4 months and I couldn't find their name anywhere. Have fun on your surveying