Coral Reefs:Common coral reef fishes of the Dominican Republic
Published: October 7, 2009, 6:28 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 3:53 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti. Over 320 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in the Dominican Republic.
25 most common species in the Dominican Republic
The following ranking is based on the results of 943 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 984 hours and 38 minutes. (REEF Gopgraphic 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.
Blue tang—the most frequently observed reef fish in the Dominican Republic. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Blue chromis—the fish with the highest mean abundance in the Dominican Republic. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species
| % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category
|
1. Blue tang | 82.8 | few-many |
2. Blue chromis | 81.7 | many |
3. Bicolor damselfish | 81.5 | many |
4. Bluehead | 81.4 | many |
5. Ocean surgeonfish | 76.2 | few-many |
6. Foureye butterflyfish | 74.9 | few |
7. Yellowhead wrasse | 73.2 | few-many |
8. Redband parrotfish | 73.1 | few |
9. Trumpetfish | 68.6 | single-few |
10. French grunt | 66.6 | few |
11. Sergeant major | 63.5 | few-many |
12. Brown chromis | 63.5 | many |
13. Rock beauty | 62.7 | few |
14. Princess parrotfish | 62.0 | few |
15. Blackbar soldierfish | 62.0 | few |
16. Stoplight parrrotfish | 62.0 | few |
17. Spotted goatfish | 61.3 | few |
18. Harlequin bass | 55.2 | few |
19. Yellowtail damselfish | 54.4 | few |
20. Graysby | 53.5 | few |
21. Yellow goatfish | 51.5 | few-many |
22. Barred hamlet | 50.7 | single-few |
23. Sharpnose puffer | 49.4 | single-few |
24. Fairy basslet | 48.2 | few |
25. Longspine squirrelfish | 47.0 | few |
References and Further Reading
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of the Dominican Republic". 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_the_Dominican_Republic?topic=49570>
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 Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti. Over 320 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in the Dominican Republic.
25 most common species in the Dominican Republic
The following ranking is based on the results of 943 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 984 hours and 38 minutes. (REEF Gopgraphic 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.
Blue tang—the most frequently observed reef fish in the Dominican Republic. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Blue chromis—the fish with the highest mean abundance in the Dominican Republic. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species
| % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category
|
1. Blue tang | 82.8 | few-many |
2. Blue chromis | 81.7 | many |
3. Bicolor damselfish | 81.5 | many |
4. Bluehead | 81.4 | many |
5. Ocean surgeonfish | 76.2 | few-many |
6. Foureye butterflyfish | 74.9 | few |
7. Yellowhead wrasse | 73.2 | few-many |
8. Redband parrotfish | 73.1 | few |
9. Trumpetfish | 68.6 | single-few |
10. French grunt | 66.6 | few |
11. Sergeant major | 63.5 | few-many |
12. Brown chromis | 63.5 | many |
13. Rock beauty | 62.7 | few |
14. Princess parrotfish | 62.0 | few |
15. Blackbar soldierfish | 62.0 | few |
16. Stoplight parrrotfish | 62.0 | few |
17. Spotted goatfish | 61.3 | few |
18. Harlequin bass | 55.2 | few |
19. Yellowtail damselfish | 54.4 | few |
20. Graysby | 53.5 | few |
21. Yellow goatfish | 51.5 | few-many |
22. Barred hamlet | 50.7 | single-few |
23. Sharpnose puffer | 49.4 | single-few |
24. Fairy basslet | 48.2 | few |
25. Longspine squirrelfish | 47.0 | few |
References and Further Reading
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