Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Community organization of coral reef fishes in the rubble sub-habitat of Kavaratti Atoll, Lakshadweep, India

Volume 47 Issue 1

P. E. Vijay Anand and N. G. K. Pillai

Abstract

A visual census of the coral reef fishes, conducted during January 1991 to June 1992, indicated the occurrence of 64 species belonging to fifteen families in the rubble sub-habitat of Kavaratti A toll (Lat. 10°33'N; Long. 72⁰38'E) in Lakshadweep. The community diversity for families and species was 2.68 and 3.58 respectively. Family assemblages were not stable during different seasons. Labridae and pomacentridae made use of the rubble zone efficiently. Pomacentrids were characteristically site attached but varied in relative abundance. Rhinecanthus aculeatus among balistids depended on rubble for food and nesting sites. The occurrence of chaetodontids was due to their flexible feeding habits, in the absence of coral cover. Availability of food strongly determined the distribution of the surgeonfish, Acanthurus triostegus. The abundant turf algae harbored by rubble attracted schools of sub-adult herbivores resulting in variations.

Keywords

Kavaratti Atoll, Lakshadweep, coral reef fishes, diversity index

Date : 30-06-2005