Fishes of the Remote Southwest Palau Islands: A Zoogeographic Perspective
Fishes of the Remote Southwest Palau Islands: A Zoogeographic Perspective
Date
1996-07
Authors
Donaldson, Terry J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Hawaii Press
Abstract
Fishes of the Southwest Palau Islands (SWPI) recorded from the
SWPI Expedition of 1992 were analyzed for patterns of distribution, species
richness, diversity, evenness, and similarity between island localities. Fifty-three
timed visual transects and supplemental observations were made at Helen Reef
(Hotsarihie Atoll) and the islands of Tobi, Merir, Pulo Anna, Sonsorol, and
Fanna. A total of 602 species was observed, including 596 species and morphs
on transects. Fifty-four new records were identified, including nine species new
to Micronesia. The species reported compose 64.1% of the known Palauan fish
fauna. A latitudinal gradient in species richness, decreasing from north to
south, is apparent. Species diversity is less pronounced latitudinally, is significantly
different between island localities in most pairwise comparisons, and is
seemingly dependent upon the degree of habitat complexity. This complexity
may be a function of locality relative size. Patterns of similarity in faunal composition
also appear to be related to relative size of locality. Helen Reef had the
most distinct fauna, followed by Tobi. Merir and Sonsorol, and Pulo Anna and
Fanna, respectively, were more similar to each other.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Donaldson TJ. 1996. Fishes of the remote southwest Palau Islands: a zoogeographic perspective. Pac Sci 50(3): 285-308.
Rights
Access Rights
Collections
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.