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Distribution of butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) along the Egyptian Red Sea coast and its relation to coral health
Author(s) -
Temraz Tarek A.,
Abou Zaid Mohamed M.
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.703
Subject(s) - coral reef , coral , benthic zone , substrate (aquarium) , fishery , biology , ecology , geography
1. The distribution of butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) and percentage cover of different benthic components of substrate was studied along the coast of the Egyptian Red Sea from 60 km north of Hurghada to Halayeb area near the Sudanese border. 2. The work was conducted during the period from 1999 to 2001 and was carried out at 130 stations along the coast including 75 representing six different coastal‐fringing coral reef profiles. 3. Distribution of the 10 species of butterflyfishes found in the study area did not differ significantly across six recognized reef profiles. 4. Linear regression analyses revealed a significant correlation between the number of individuals of certain species of butterflyfishes with certain substrate components and an overall correlation with the percentage of living coral coverage. 5. These results suggest that butterflyfishes may be useful as indicators of coral health. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.