We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Community Structure of the Family (Scorpaenidae: Scorpionfishes) in Relation to Habitat and Depth Along the Jordanian Coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea.
- Authors
Khalaf, Maroof; Al-Khasawneh, Thaqef; Wahsha, Mohammad; Hayek, Wissam; Al-Zibdah, Mohammad; Al-Najjar, Tariq
- Abstract
The community structure of the fish family Scorpaenidae was investigated at nine sites along the Jordanian coast, examining various sites, depths, and habitats. The study employed a visual census technique with SCUBA diving for data collection. To present the findings, GIS maps were generated using ArcMap 10.8.1, showcasing the projected benthic cover, frequency of appearance, and relative abundance of the species. The community indices were computed using PRIMER-5 software (Primer-E 2000). The survey recorded a total of 417 scorpionfish individuals, representing seven different species, across 87 belt transects located at nine coastal sites. The average number of scorpionfish individuals per transect was approximately 4.8. Notably, three out of the seven species accounted for a significant 79.8% of all observed individuals. These dominant species were Pterois miles, which exhibited the highest relative abundance at 37.9%, followed by Synanceia verrucosa at 21.3%, and Pterois radiata at 5.4%. Further analysis of the data revealed that P. miles was most prevalent in both coral reef habitats (RA=55.6%) and sandy habitats (RA=47.0%). On the other hand, S. verrucosa showed the highest abundance in the seagrass habitat with a relative abundance of 53.4%. Additionally, P. miles was the most abundant fish species at a depth of 9 m, accounting for 46.9% of the population, while both S. verrucosa and Scorpaenopsis diabolus shared the highest relative abundance at reef flats with 44.4% each. Moreover, P. miles was the most commonly observed species across all sites, with a frequency of appearance (FA) of 70.1%. In the seagrass habitat, S. verrucosa dominated, with an FA of 88.9%. Furthermore, P. miles was frequently encountered at the sandy bottom and coral reef habitats, with FAs of 82.5% and 58.3% respectively. Reef flats showed an equal prevalence of both S. verrucosa and P. miles, each accounting for 50.0% of the observed scorpionfish. Cluster analysis revealed the presence of two main groups: the northern natural sites GH, HA, and PLB formed the first group, while the remaining sites constituted the second group. The species richness was found to be highest at a depth of 6 m, whereas the lowest richness was observed at reef flats. The sandy habitat exhibited the highest diversity index, while the coral reef habitats displayed the lowest diversity. This comprehensive survey provides valuable insights for decision-makers and managers, aiding them in making informed decisions to ensure the safety of beach users and visitors to Aqaba. Additionally, it contributes to public awareness regarding the potential risks posed by these fishes, thereby reducing the likelihood of injuries caused by encounters with them.
- Subjects
GULF of Aqaba; AQABAH (Jordan); PTEROIS miles; CORAL reefs &; islands; HABITATS; BEACHES; FISH communities; CORALS
- Publication
Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences, 2024, Vol 17, Issue 2, p323
- ISSN
1995-6673
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.54319/jjbs/170213