Biodiversity:Common coral reef fishes of the United States Virgin Islands
Published: October 7, 2009, 9:17 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 4:05 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
The United States Virgin Islands are a group of three major islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas) and several smaller islands located in the Caribbean Sea, 90 miles east of Puerto Rico. The islands are a territory of the United States.
25 most common species in the United States Virgin Islands
The following ranking is based on the results of 2626 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 2909 hours and 06 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.
Blue tang—the most frequently observed reef fish in the United States Virgin Islands. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Brown Chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in the United States Virgin Islands. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category |
1. Blue tang | 93.1 | few-many |
2. Foureye butterflyfish | 89.2 | few |
3. Bluehead | 88.9 | many |
4. Stoplight parrotfish | 86.9 | few-many |
5. Sergeant major | 84.5 | many |
6. Ocean surgeonfish | 83.0 | few-many |
7. Bicolor damselfish | 81.1 | many |
8. Yellowtail snapper | 77.6 | few-many |
9. Bar jack | 77.2 | few |
10. Redband parrotfish | 77.0 | few-many |
11. Yellowtail damselfish | 76.8 | few |
12. Yellowhead wrasse | 74.8 | few-many |
13. Yellow goatfish | 73.5 | few-many |
14. Fairy basslet | 71.8 | few-many |
15. Blue chromis | 71.8 | many |
16. Brown chromis | 71.5 | many |
17. Graysby | 70.1 | few |
18. Princess parrotfish | 70.0 | few |
19. Spotted goatfish | 69.4 | few |
20. Longspine squirrelfish | 67.2 | few |
21. Trumpetfish | 66.3 | single-few |
22. Bluestriped grunt | 63.6 | few |
23. Spanish hogfish | 62.3 | few |
24. Harlequin bass | 61.7 | single-few |
25. Striped parrotfish | 61.2 | few-many |
Islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands
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 the United States 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 19, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_the_United_States_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 United States Virgin Islands are a group of three major islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas) and several smaller islands located in the Caribbean Sea, 90 miles east of Puerto Rico. The islands are a territory of the United States.
25 most common species in the United States Virgin Islands
The following ranking is based on the results of 2626 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 2909 hours and 06 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.
Blue tang—the most frequently observed reef fish in the United States Virgin Islands. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Brown Chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in the United States Virgin Islands. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category |
1. Blue tang | 93.1 | few-many |
2. Foureye butterflyfish | 89.2 | few |
3. Bluehead | 88.9 | many |
4. Stoplight parrotfish | 86.9 | few-many |
5. Sergeant major | 84.5 | many |
6. Ocean surgeonfish | 83.0 | few-many |
7. Bicolor damselfish | 81.1 | many |
8. Yellowtail snapper | 77.6 | few-many |
9. Bar jack | 77.2 | few |
10. Redband parrotfish | 77.0 | few-many |
11. Yellowtail damselfish | 76.8 | few |
12. Yellowhead wrasse | 74.8 | few-many |
13. Yellow goatfish | 73.5 | few-many |
14. Fairy basslet | 71.8 | few-many |
15. Blue chromis | 71.8 | many |
16. Brown chromis | 71.5 | many |
17. Graysby | 70.1 | few |
18. Princess parrotfish | 70.0 | few |
19. Spotted goatfish | 69.4 | few |
20. Longspine squirrelfish | 67.2 | few |
21. Trumpetfish | 66.3 | single-few |
22. Bluestriped grunt | 63.6 | few |
23. Spanish hogfish | 62.3 | few |
24. Harlequin bass | 61.7 | single-few |
25. Striped parrotfish | 61.2 | few-many |
Islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands
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