Diversity of Coral Reef Fishes at Racha Yai Island, Thailand

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Premrudee Noonsang
Fahmida Wazed Tina
Mullica Jaroensutasinee
Krisanadej Jaroensutasinee
Sirilak Chumkiew
Uthai Kuhapong

Abstract

The coral reef fish diversity, richness, evenness and fish feeding habits were examined in Khonkae Bay from 2013-2015, and in Patok Bay from 2014-2015 at Racha Yai Island, Phuket. At each Bay, three 50-m permanent line transects (each covering 250 m2) were made along the reef slope at 8-10 m depth. Each transect area was separated from each other by 10 m. All reef fishes from each transect were identified, counted, and recorded. Afterwards, Shannon index (H), Margalef’s richness (D), and Pielou’s evenness (e) were calculated. The differences in fish diversity, richness, and evenness were tested between/among years for each Bay. In addition, the differences in feeding habits for each year in each Bay were tested. In Khonkae Bay, from 2013-2015, 6326 fish individuals were observed belonging to 94 species, 53 genera, 27 families, and 4 orders. Shannon index (H) were 2.06, 0.96 and 1.66. Margalef’s richness index (D) were 4.42, 4.03 and 3.94. Pielou’s evenness index (e) were 0.64, 0.29 and 0.52. In Patok Bay, from 2014-2015, 5542 fish individuals were observed belonging to 89 species, 47 genera, 23 families, and 3 orders. Shannon index (H) were 2.20 and 1.69 Margalef’s richness index (D) were 5.54 and 5.22. Pielou’s evenness index (e) were 0.67 and 0.49. Fish diversity and evenness in Khonkae Bay were lowest in 2014 than other two years. This might be because in 2014, Abudefduf vaigiensis was a dominate species with 69.82%. On the other hand, at Patok Bay, fish diversity, species richness and evenness did not vary between years due to no dominant fish species. This indicates that reef and reef fish status at Patok Bay might be in a better condition and less stressed for less coral bleaching and fewer number of tourists than at Khonkae Bay.

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How to Cite
Noonsang, P., Tina, F. W., Jaroensutasinee, M., Jaroensutasinee, K., Chumkiew, S., & Kuhapong, U. (2017). Diversity of Coral Reef Fishes at Racha Yai Island, Thailand. Journal of Fisheries and Environment, 40(3), 19–34. Retrieved from https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JFE/article/view/82144
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