Visual Census of the Reef Fishes in the Natural Reserve of the Glorieuses Islands (Western Indian Ocean)

Abstract

Abstract-This paper constitutes the first qualitative study of coral reef fish populations in the archipelago of the Glorieuses Islands (northern Mozambique Channel). Sampling by visual census techniques, at depths between 0 and 15 meters, was carried out at 30 stations spread over the whole reef. Three hundred and thirty-two (332) fish species belonging to 57 families were registered in this way. These relatively high numbers show that isolated coral reef formations, even of small size, can be endowed with a great specific richness of reef ichthyofauna. These results may be explained by an oceanic flow that favours recruitment, a diversified habitat, and low anthropogenic impact.

VideoSolo, an autonomous video system for high-frequency monitoring of aquatic biota, applied to coral reef fishes in the Glorioso Islands (SWIO)

“…It is worth asking to what extent this estimate on the scale of the m 2 is representative of the specific richness observed in the zone. In 2003, an inventory carried out via visual observations at 30 stations distributed over the whole reef at a depth of between 0 and 15 m had enabled the identification of 333 fish species belonging to 57 families (Durville et al, 2003). Just one camera recording over an area of 1 m 2 enabled the sampling of almost a quarter (22.5%) of the species (but no new ones) observed by UVC on the coral reefs of the Glorioso Islands.…”

The diversity of intertidal fish in Sundak Beach, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, during dry and rainy seasons

“…The abundance and diversity of fish species are strongly affected by the biological diversity of the substratum [18]. Rocky intertidal zones with algal plant cover have large diversity and abundance of species [2,24,25].…”

“…Meanwhile, Blennidae and Gobidae are dominantly found in the rocky intertidal habitats of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman as resident fish [11]. Blennidae and Gobiidae also dominate the intertidal rock pools of Goa, west coast of India [17], the intertidal zone of New South Wales region, Australia [2], the natural reserve of Glorieuses Island, Western Indian Ocean [18], and Watamu Marine National Park of Kenya (2015). Gobiid fish are reported to have high tolerance due to environmental stress than other fish species [11].…”

Reef fishes of praia do Tofo and praia da Barra, Inhambane, Mozambique

“…These results provide a higher estimation of fish species richness than is predicted by the Coral Fish Diversity Index. The diversity of the PTPB area is similar to that recorded in other areas of the southwestern Indian Ocean where visual observations have been the primary data collection method (Table 3) (Maggs et al ., 2010; Chabanet & Durville, 2005; Gillibrand, Harries & Mara, 2007; Durville, Chabanet & Quod, 2003). In particular, SR theor shows high similarity to areas in southern Mozambique and South Africa that are fully or partially protected (e.g.…”