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Community structure and ecology of butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) in the Gulf of Aqaba (northern Red Sea)
Author(s) -
Brokovich E.,
Baranes A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
aquatic conservation: marine and freshwater ecosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1099-0755
pISSN - 1052-7613
DOI - 10.1002/aqc.695
Subject(s) - habitat , ecology , abundance (ecology) , fishery , biomass (ecology) , geography , biology
1. Of the 11 species of chaetodontids recorded from the northern Gulf of Aqaba, nine species ( Chaetodon auriga , C. austriacus , C. fasciatus , C. lineolatus , C. melannotus , C. paucifasciatus , C. trifascialis , Heniochus diphreutes and H. intermedius ) were observed in the shallow waters of Eilat (down to 15 metres). 2. The butterflyfish represented 1.2% of all fishes recorded at these sites. C. paucifasciatus was the most common (50.1%), followed by C. austriacus (26.3%) and C. fasciatus (11.2%). 3. The spatial distribution of C. austriacus and C. fasciatus , showed the strongest correlation to habitat characteristics. 4. C. austriacus demonstrated the highest correlation of abundance and biomass to habitat characteristics, and we suggest that changes in habitat will have an impact on this species, thus enabling it to be used as a bio‐indicator for this area's reef ecosystem. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.