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Comparative analysis of rocky reef fish community structure in coastal islands of south-eastern Brazil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 November 2008

Laís de Carvalho Teixeira Chaves  and
Cassiano Monteiro-Neto
Laís de Carvalho Teixeira Chaves*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro São João Batista s/n, Morro do Valonguinho, Centro, 24001-970 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Cassiano Monteiro-Neto
Affiliation:
Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro São João Batista s/n, Morro do Valonguinho, Centro, 24001-970 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Laís de Carvalho Teixeira Chaves, Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Arquitetura s/n, Cidade Universitária, 50670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil email: chaveslais@yahoo.com.br
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Abstract

Reef fish community structures at three sites in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Pedra Vermelha (PV), Cabo Frio Island—Arraial do Cabo; Mãe Island (MI), Itaipu—Niterói; Comprida Island (CI), Cagarras Archipelago—Rio de Janeiro) were investigated to assess differences in fish species composition, density and distribution of trophic groups, between sites, correlating the observed patterns of fish distribution with environmental factors. Thirty-six visual strip-transects yielded 67 species of 34 families. Studied locations shared at least 40% of all species, mostly of western Atlantic distribution. The three sites presented significant differences on diversity, density and species dominance. CI presented the highest values, except for total density, which was higher at PV, probably due to its partial degree of protection. MI showed the lowest values, suggesting possible impacts from the proximity to the shore. The main trophic categories were omnivores followed by mobile invertebrate feeders, in similarity to what was previously observed for south-eastern Brazil. Inherent habitat features of each location regarding depth, declivity, visibility and rugosity resulted in different species distribution and dominance patterns.

Keywords

fish ecologyhabitat complexityrocky reefssouth-eastern Brazil
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 89 , Issue 3 , May 2009 , pp. 609 - 619
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2008

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