Mid-ocean isolation and the evolution of Hawaiian reef fishes
Hourigan TF and Reese ES. 1987. Mid-ocean isolation and the evolution of Hawaiian reef fishes. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 2(7):187-191
The Hawaiian reef fish fauna has close affiliation with the fauna of the Indo-west Pacific from which it is derived, but is depauperate. It is characterized by a large number of endemic species (30% of inshore fishes), which are often the most abundant species in their families in Hawaii. Although there is evidence of local adaption, there has been no radiation of species within the island chain, as occurs in the terrestrial biota of isolated island. Three major factors have contributed to these trends: (1) the geographic isolation of the isalnds, and oceanographic features especially current patterns; (2) the life history characterisitcs of the fishes, especially their dispersal capabilities; and (3) the extent of adaptive differentiation to environmental conditions after they reached Hawaii.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Hourigan, T.; Reese, E.
- Units
- PACN
- Keywords
- Biogeography, Coral Reefs, endemism, Fish Assemblages, Hawaii, Marine