Biodiversity:Common coral reef fishes of Mustique
Published: October 7, 2009, 7:23 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 5:59 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
Mustique is an island located the eastern Caribbean Sea that is part of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In limited sampling, over 130 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Mustique.
25 most common species in Mustique
The following ranking is based on the results of only 27 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 25 hours and 48 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report. 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.
Banded butterflyfish—the most frequently observed reef fish in Mustique. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Brown chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean abundance in Mustique. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Banded butterflyfish | 100.0 | few |
2. Blue tang | 100.0 | few-many |
3. Brown chromis | 100.0 | many-abundant |
4. Bluehead | 100.0 | many |
5. Bicolor damselfish | 100.0 | many |
6. Yellowtail damselfish | 96.3 | few-many |
7. Yellow goatfish | 96.3 | few-many |
8. Sergeant major | 96.3 | few-many |
9. Stoplight parrotfish | 92.6 | few-many |
10. Ocean surgeonfish | 92.6 | few-many |
11. French grunt | 88.9 | few-many |
12. Spanish hogfish | 88.9 | few |
13. Redlip blenny | 88.9 | few-many |
14. Trumpetfish | 85.2 | few |
15. Longspine squirrelfish | 85.2 | few-many |
16. Threespot damselfish | 85.2 | few-many |
17. Redband parrotfish | 85.2 | few |
18. Yellowhead wrasse | 81.5 | many |
19. Coney | 81.5 | few-many |
20. Blackbar soldierfish | 81.5 | many |
21. Orangespotted filefish | 81.5 | single-few |
22. Foueye butterflyfish | 81.5 | few |
23. Striped parrotfish | 77.8 | few-many |
24. Mahogany snapper | 77.8 | few-many |
25. Puddingwife | 77.8 | few |
References and Further Reading
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Mustique". 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 19, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Mustique?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
Mustique is an island located the eastern Caribbean Sea that is part of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In limited sampling, over 130 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Mustique.
25 most common species in Mustique
The following ranking is based on the results of only 27 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 25 hours and 48 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report. 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.
Banded butterflyfish—the most frequently observed reef fish in Mustique. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Brown chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean abundance in Mustique. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Banded butterflyfish | 100.0 | few |
2. Blue tang | 100.0 | few-many |
3. Brown chromis | 100.0 | many-abundant |
4. Bluehead | 100.0 | many |
5. Bicolor damselfish | 100.0 | many |
6. Yellowtail damselfish | 96.3 | few-many |
7. Yellow goatfish | 96.3 | few-many |
8. Sergeant major | 96.3 | few-many |
9. Stoplight parrotfish | 92.6 | few-many |
10. Ocean surgeonfish | 92.6 | few-many |
11. French grunt | 88.9 | few-many |
12. Spanish hogfish | 88.9 | few |
13. Redlip blenny | 88.9 | few-many |
14. Trumpetfish | 85.2 | few |
15. Longspine squirrelfish | 85.2 | few-many |
16. Threespot damselfish | 85.2 | few-many |
17. Redband parrotfish | 85.2 | few |
18. Yellowhead wrasse | 81.5 | many |
19. Coney | 81.5 | few-many |
20. Blackbar soldierfish | 81.5 | many |
21. Orangespotted filefish | 81.5 | single-few |
22. Foueye butterflyfish | 81.5 | few |
23. Striped parrotfish | 77.8 | few-many |
24. Mahogany snapper | 77.8 | few-many |
25. Puddingwife | 77.8 | few |
References and Further Reading
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