Biodiversity:Common coral reef fishes of St. Kitts
Published: October 12, 2009, 3:16 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 4:00 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
Bluehead—the most frequently observed reef fish in St. Kitts. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Creole wrasse—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in St. Kitts. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
St. Kitts is part of The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis (also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis), a federal two-island nation located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, in the West Indies. It is the smallest sovereign nation in the Americas, in both area and population.The capital city and headquarters of government for the federated state is on the larger island of Saint Kitts. The smaller state of Nevis lies about 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Saint Kitts, across a shallow channel called "The Narrows". Over 240 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in St. Kitts.
25 most common species in St. Kitts
The following ranking is based on the results of 299 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 319 hours and 11 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report. June 4, 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:
- - single =1 individual,
- - few = 2- 10 individuals,
- - many = 11-100 individuals, and
- - 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 |
| 4.0 | = | abundant |
Species | % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Bluehead | 84.6 | many |
2. Bicolor damselfish | 79.3 | many |
3. Bicolor damselfish | 77.6 | few-many |
4. French grunt | 77.3 | few-many |
5. Spotted goatfish | 76.3 | few |
6. Stoplight parrotfish | 75.9 | few |
7. Blue tang | 73.9 | few-many |
8. Ocean surgeonfish | 72.2 | few-many |
9. Trumpetfish | 71.6 | single-few |
10. Brown chromis | 71.6 | many |
11. Blackbar soldierfish | 70.2 | few-many |
12. Blue chromis | 70.2 | many |
13. Yellow goatfish | 69.9 | few-many |
14. Barred hamlet | 67.2 | few |
15. Yellowtail damselfish | 66.9 | few |
16. Yellowtail snapper | 66.2 | few-many |
17. Princess parrotfish | 66.2 | few-many |
18. Redband parrotfish | 62.5 | few-many |
19. Yellowhead wrasse | 62.5 | few |
20. Bar jack | 60.5 | few |
21. Sharpnose puffer | 59.2 | few-many |
22. Foureye butterflyfish | 56.2 | few |
23. Graysby | 55.5 | few |
24. Smooth trunkfish | 49.8 | single-few |
25. Harlequin bass | 49.5 | few |
References and Further Reading
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of St. Kitts". 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 12, 2009; Last revised Date September 20, 2010; Retrieved May 22, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_St._Kitts?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
Bluehead—the most frequently observed reef fish in St. Kitts. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Creole wrasse—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in St. Kitts. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
St. Kitts is part of The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis (also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis), a federal two-island nation located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, in the West Indies. It is the smallest sovereign nation in the Americas, in both area and population.The capital city and headquarters of government for the federated state is on the larger island of Saint Kitts. The smaller state of Nevis lies about 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Saint Kitts, across a shallow channel called "The Narrows". Over 240 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in St. Kitts.
25 most common species in St. Kitts
The following ranking is based on the results of 299 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 319 hours and 11 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report. June 4, 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:
- - single =1 individual,
- - few = 2- 10 individuals,
- - many = 11-100 individuals, and
- - 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 |
| 4.0 | = | abundant |
Species | % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Bluehead | 84.6 | many |
2. Bicolor damselfish | 79.3 | many |
3. Bicolor damselfish | 77.6 | few-many |
4. French grunt | 77.3 | few-many |
5. Spotted goatfish | 76.3 | few |
6. Stoplight parrotfish | 75.9 | few |
7. Blue tang | 73.9 | few-many |
8. Ocean surgeonfish | 72.2 | few-many |
9. Trumpetfish | 71.6 | single-few |
10. Brown chromis | 71.6 | many |
11. Blackbar soldierfish | 70.2 | few-many |
12. Blue chromis | 70.2 | many |
13. Yellow goatfish | 69.9 | few-many |
14. Barred hamlet | 67.2 | few |
15. Yellowtail damselfish | 66.9 | few |
16. Yellowtail snapper | 66.2 | few-many |
17. Princess parrotfish | 66.2 | few-many |
18. Redband parrotfish | 62.5 | few-many |
19. Yellowhead wrasse | 62.5 | few |
20. Bar jack | 60.5 | few |
21. Sharpnose puffer | 59.2 | few-many |
22. Foureye butterflyfish | 56.2 | few |
23. Graysby | 55.5 | few |
24. Smooth trunkfish | 49.8 | single-few |
25. Harlequin bass | 49.5 | few |
References and Further Reading
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Site Options
0 Comments
Add Comment