Biodiversity:Common coral reef fishes of Utila
Published: October 7, 2009, 7:28 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 5:54 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
Utila is one of the Bay Islands of Honduras located in the Caribbean Sea. Over 400 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Utila.
25 most common species in Utila
The following ranking is based on the results of 1738 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 2013 hours and 11 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.
Stoplight parrotfish—the most frequently observed reef fish in Utila. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Masked goby—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Utila. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species
| % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category |
1. Stoplight parrotfish | 93.1 | few-many |
2. Blue tang | 92.5 | few-many |
3. Blue chromis | 91.1 | many |
4. Bicolor damselfish | 90.7 | many |
5. Foureye butterflyfish | 90.0 | few |
6. Bluehead | 89.2 | many |
7. Fairy basslet | 86.5 | many |
8. Bar jack | 85.2 | few |
9. French grunt | 84.2 | few |
10. Yellowtail damselfish | 84.0 | few |
11. Yellowhead wrasse | 83.9 | few-many |
12. Striped parrotfish | 81.2 | few-many |
13. Redband parrotfish | 79.6 | few |
14. yellowtail snapper | 78.5 | few |
15. Schoolmaster | 77.4 | few |
16. Barred hamlet | 77.3 | few |
17. Graysby | 76.9 | few |
18. Spanish hogfish | 76.1 | few |
19. Sharpnose puffer | 75.1 | few |
20. Rock beauty | 73.5 | few |
21. Creole wrasse | 72.8 | many |
22. Ocean surgeonfish | 72.1 | few-many |
23. Sergeant major | 71.8 | few-many |
24. Threespot damselfish | 71.6 | few-many |
25. Longspine squirrelfish | 69.9 | few |
References and Further Reading
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Utila". 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_Utila?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
Utila is one of the Bay Islands of Honduras located in the Caribbean Sea. Over 400 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Utila.
25 most common species in Utila
The following ranking is based on the results of 1738 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 2013 hours and 11 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.
Stoplight parrotfish—the most frequently observed reef fish in Utila. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Masked goby—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Utila. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species
| % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category |
1. Stoplight parrotfish | 93.1 | few-many |
2. Blue tang | 92.5 | few-many |
3. Blue chromis | 91.1 | many |
4. Bicolor damselfish | 90.7 | many |
5. Foureye butterflyfish | 90.0 | few |
6. Bluehead | 89.2 | many |
7. Fairy basslet | 86.5 | many |
8. Bar jack | 85.2 | few |
9. French grunt | 84.2 | few |
10. Yellowtail damselfish | 84.0 | few |
11. Yellowhead wrasse | 83.9 | few-many |
12. Striped parrotfish | 81.2 | few-many |
13. Redband parrotfish | 79.6 | few |
14. yellowtail snapper | 78.5 | few |
15. Schoolmaster | 77.4 | few |
16. Barred hamlet | 77.3 | few |
17. Graysby | 76.9 | few |
18. Spanish hogfish | 76.1 | few |
19. Sharpnose puffer | 75.1 | few |
20. Rock beauty | 73.5 | few |
21. Creole wrasse | 72.8 | many |
22. Ocean surgeonfish | 72.1 | few-many |
23. Sergeant major | 71.8 | few-many |
24. Threespot damselfish | 71.6 | few-many |
25. Longspine squirrelfish | 69.9 | few |
References and Further Reading
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