Factors Influencing the Distribution of the Damselfish Chromis cyanea (Poey), Pomacentridae, on a Reef at Curacao, Netherlands Antilles
de Boer BA. 1978. Factors Influencing the Distribution of the Damselfish Chromis cyanea (Poey), Pomacentridae, on a Reef at Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. Bulletin of Marine Science. 28(3):550-565
The distribution of Chromis cyanea on a Curacao reef was investigated. Weekly counts of adults and juveniles were obtained while traversing three reef transects. Juveniles were present throughout the year, with peaks in abundance during June and between August and October. Spawning occurred in every month. Quantitative data on coral cover, number of hiding places, field of vision, and availability of food were collected and related to the population density of C. cyanea. The relative importance of these factors in determining the distribution of C. cyanea is discussed. The number of available hiding places and the field of vision are judged to exert the strongest influence on the distribution. The use C. cyanea makes of the reef resources is discussed in relation to the concept of resource sharing mechanisms though to exist between the different species of reef fishes.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- de Boer, Bart
- Units
- SFCN
- Keywords
- Abundance, Fish Communities, Population Density, reef resources, Spawning