Biodiversity:Common coral reef fishes of the British Virgin Islands
Published: October 7, 2009, 8:19 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 4:22 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
The British Virgin Islands, a small island nation, is one of the Windward Islands of the eastern Caribbean Sea. Over 310 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in the British Virgin Islands.
25 most common species in the British Virgin Islands
The following ranking is based on the results of 2605 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 2516 hours and 23 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, May 28, 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 the British Virgin Islands. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Brown Chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in the British Virgin Islands. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category |
1. Bluehead | 97.7 | many |
2. Blue tang | 97.1 | few-many |
3. Bicolor damselfish | 94.3 | many |
4. Brown chromis | 92.0 | many-abundant |
5. Blackbar soldierfish | 89.7 | many-abundant |
6. Stoplight parrotfish | 88.0 | few |
7. Trumpetfish | 86.9 | few |
8. French grunt | 86.9 | few-many |
9. Redband parrotfish | 86.3 | few-many |
10. Yellowhead wrasse | 85.7 | few-many |
11. Ocean surgeonfish | 84.6 | few-many |
12. Spanish hogfish | 83.4 | few |
13. Threespot damselfish | 82.3 | few-many |
14. Princess parrotfish | 81.1 | few-many |
15. Sergeant major | 80.6 | few-many |
16. Sharpnose puffer | 80.0 | few |
17. Longspine squirrelfish | 78.3 | few |
18. Yellow goatfish | 77.1 | few |
19. Blue chromis | 75.4 | many |
20. Graysby | 74.9 | few |
21. Masked goby | 73.1 | many-abundant |
22. Barred hamlet | 72.0 | few |
23. Striped parrotfish | 71.4 | few-many |
24. Smooth trunkfish | 69.1 | single-few |
25. Bridled goby | 66.9 | few-many |
Islands of the British Virgin Islands
References and Further Reading
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of the British Virgin Islands". 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_the_British_Virgin_Islands?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
The British Virgin Islands, a small island nation, is one of the Windward Islands of the eastern Caribbean Sea. Over 310 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in the British Virgin Islands.
25 most common species in the British Virgin Islands
The following ranking is based on the results of 2605 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 2516 hours and 23 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, May 28, 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 the British Virgin Islands. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Brown Chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in the British Virgin Islands. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category |
1. Bluehead | 97.7 | many |
2. Blue tang | 97.1 | few-many |
3. Bicolor damselfish | 94.3 | many |
4. Brown chromis | 92.0 | many-abundant |
5. Blackbar soldierfish | 89.7 | many-abundant |
6. Stoplight parrotfish | 88.0 | few |
7. Trumpetfish | 86.9 | few |
8. French grunt | 86.9 | few-many |
9. Redband parrotfish | 86.3 | few-many |
10. Yellowhead wrasse | 85.7 | few-many |
11. Ocean surgeonfish | 84.6 | few-many |
12. Spanish hogfish | 83.4 | few |
13. Threespot damselfish | 82.3 | few-many |
14. Princess parrotfish | 81.1 | few-many |
15. Sergeant major | 80.6 | few-many |
16. Sharpnose puffer | 80.0 | few |
17. Longspine squirrelfish | 78.3 | few |
18. Yellow goatfish | 77.1 | few |
19. Blue chromis | 75.4 | many |
20. Graysby | 74.9 | few |
21. Masked goby | 73.1 | many-abundant |
22. Barred hamlet | 72.0 | few |
23. Striped parrotfish | 71.4 | few-many |
24. Smooth trunkfish | 69.1 | single-few |
25. Bridled goby | 66.9 | few-many |
Islands of the British Virgin Islands
References and Further Reading
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