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(80-26) Butterflyfish population diversity in Yanbu Coral (Red Sea). Paimpillil, Joseph*,1, Sy, Jaime C1, 1 Envirosolutions, Paimpillil, 37/1387, Elemkulam Road, Cochin 17, India, Cochin 17, Kerala ABSTRACT- A species diversity and population evenness of reef fishes- butterflyfish (Family Chaetodontidae) at locations of sediment loading (Gap & SE End stations) in Yanbu Port Barrier reef and at Control station were assessed for the indirect effect of coral reef health on the butterfly fish population. All the ten species studied were present at control station, with six at Gap station and seven at SE End station, with five species present at all stations. The most common and abundant species Chaetodon auriga. C. melanotus and C. paucifasciatus were recorded only at Control. No significant difference in species diversity was evident between Gap and SE End stations. A significant difference was evident between the pooled data of two locations and the Control. No significant difference in population evenness among the stations was evident. The number of individuals was significantly less in the Port barrier reef, as was the number of species. The low coral cover and high algal growth in the Port Barrier reef clearly indicated that the removal of live coral was not the only negative effect of man made stresses but also had reduced the number of associated species proportionately. One of the first fish populations affected by the environmental stress is the coral reef feeder and for this reason butterflyfish stands as a candidate for environmental quality indicator. Key words: Butterfly fish, species diversity, population evenness |
