Chaetodontidae Research Articles

Fish colonization of the artificial reef at Gusung Batu Lampe Muara Badak, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, Indonesia: a preliminary study

Background: Artificial reefs can be utilized as new habitats to restore fish populations in degraded coral reef environments. This study evaluated the restoring ability of the artificial reef set at Gusung Batu Lampe should be investigated by observing the fish population colonizing the reef. Methods: A fish visual census was applied to identify the species and count their numbers at the site. Underwaterline transect was used to limit the observation area to 200 m2 measured with 50m roll meter. The reef structure comprised 34 tetrahedral concrete blocks arranged in a row, which was 60 cm x 60 cm at the base, 35 cm x 35 cm on top and 60 cm high, and has four holes. Two scuba divers descended, one to ensure the safety of the divers and the other to observe the fish. Each dive took place over 30–45 minutes, and was conducted at 09:00, 13:00 and 17:00. Surveys were performed four times: in November and December 2016, and in January and July 2017. Results: Results showed that fish colonization composed of 180 to 283 individual number with taxa between 13 and 25 species. Number of fish in colonization was found significant difference among observation times, and fish species from the family Chaetodontidae were observed in every survey. Conclusions: A total of 38 fish species from 16 families were identified colonizing the reef during surveys, and in four month observation the fish colonization size increased from the fish density of 1/4.444 m2 to 1/1.481 m2, confirming the ability of the reef to restore fish population.

Ice ages and butterflyfishes: Phylogenomics elucidates the ecological and evolutionary history of reef fishes in an endemism hotspot.

For tropical marine species, hotspots of endemism occur in peripheral areas furthest from the center of diversity, but the evolutionary processes that lead to their origin remain elusive. We test several hypotheses related to the evolution of peripheral endemics by sequencing ultraconserved element (UCE) loci to produce a genome‐scale phylogeny of 47 butterflyfish species (family Chaetodontidae) that includes all shallow water butterflyfish from the coastal waters of the Arabian Peninsula (i.e., Red Sea to Arabian Gulf) and their close relatives. Bayesian tree building methods produced a well‐resolved phylogeny that elucidated the origins of butterflyfishes in this hotspots of endemism. We show that UCEs, often used to resolve deep evolutionary relationships, represent an important tool to assess the mechanisms underlying recently diverged taxa. Our analyses indicate that unique environmental conditions in the coastal waters of the Arabian Peninsula probably contributed to the formation of endemic butterflyfishes. Older endemic species are also associated with narrow versus broad depth ranges, suggesting that adaptation to deeper coral reefs in this region occurred only recently (<1.75 Ma). Even though deep reef environments were drastically reduced during the extreme low sea level stands of glacial ages, shallow reefs persisted, and as such there was no evidence supporting mass extirpation of fauna in this region.

Coral Fish Community of Chaetodontidae in the Coral Reef of Poopoh Village, Tombariri District, Minahasa Regency

This study was aimed to determine the number of species, number of individual, density, and the structure of community of Chaetodontidae. This research was conducted in the waters of Poopoh Village, Tombariri District, Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi Province. Data collection was carried out at a depth of 5 meters with the Underwater Visual Census (UVC) method with an observation area of 250 m2. Chaetodontidae have been found on the coral reefs of Poopoh Village, Tombariri District, consisting of 3 (three) genera, Chaetodon, Forcipiger, and Heniochus with 13 species and 51 number of individuals. The diversity of species in Poopoh is categorized as moderate. The highest density of coralivorous fish found in Chaetodon kleinii species is 360 individuals / Ha followed by Heniochus acuminatus which is 240 individuals / Ha. The diversity of Chaetodontidae in this location is high. This condition is also seen in the maximum index (Hmax) which is not far above the value of H '.Keywords: Coral reef, Chaetodontidae, Poopoh Village ABSTRAKTujuan penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengetahui jumlah spesies, kelimpahan individu, densitas, dan struktur komunitas ikan Chaetodontidae. Penelitian ini dilakukan di perairan Desa Poopoh, Kecamatan Tombariri, Kabupaten Minahasa, Provinsi Sulawesi Utara. Pengambilan data dilakukan pada kedalaman 5 meter dengan metode Underwater Visual Census (UVC) dengan luas areal pengamatan adalah 250 m2. Ikan karang Chaetodontidae telah ditemukan di terumbu karang Desa Poopoh, Kecamatan Tombariri, terdiri dari 3 (tiga) marga yaitu Chaetodon, Forcipiger, dan Heniochus dengan 13 spesies dan 51 individu. Keragaman spesies di Poopoh dikategorikan sedang. Densitas tertinggi ikan koralivora ditemukan pada jenis Chaetodon kleinii yaitu 360 individu/Ha diikuti Heniochus acuminatus yaitu 240 individu / Ha. Keanekaragaman spesies Chaetodontidae di lokasi ini tergolong tinggi. Kondisi ini terlihat juga pada indeks maksimum (Hmax) yang tidak berada jauh di atas nilai H ’.Kata Kunci: Terumbu karang, Chaetodontidae, Desa Poopoh, .

A review of the systematic biology of fossil and living bony-tongue fishes, Osteoglossomorpha (Actinopterygii: Teleostei)

ABSTRACT The bony-tongue fishes, Osteoglossomorpha, have been the focus of a great deal of morphological, systematic, and evolutionary study, due in part to their basal position among extant teleostean fishes. This group includes the mooneyes (Hiodontidae), knifefishes (Notopteridae), the abu (Gymnarchidae), elephantfishes (Mormyridae), arawanas and pirarucu (Osteoglossidae), and the African butterfly fish (Pantodontidae). This morphologically heterogeneous group also has a long and diverse fossil record, including taxa from all continents and both freshwater and marine deposits. The phylogenetic relationships among most extant osteoglossomorph families are widely agreed upon. However, there is still much to discover about the systematic biology of these fishes, particularly with regard to the phylogenetic affinities of several fossil taxa, within Mormyridae, and the position of Pantodon. In this paper we review the state of knowledge for osteoglossomorph fishes. We first provide an overview of the diversity of Osteoglossomorpha, and then discuss studies of the phylogeny of Osteoglossomorpha from both morphological and molecular perspectives, as well as biogeographic analyses of the group. Finally, we offer our perspectives on future needs for research on the systematic biology of Osteoglossomorpha.

Ikan Kepe – kepe (Chaetodontidae) sebagai Bioindikator Kerusakan Perairan Ekosistem Terumbu Karang Pulau Tikus

Coral reef is one of ecosystem in the ocean that have important ecologycal functions. Coral reef could be habitat for coral fishes.The demage of coral reef could be impacted on ecologycal proceses in the ocean. Therefore, The monitoring of coral reef health should be done to know the healthinees of coral reef. Butterfly fish is fish that can be used as bioindicator of coral demage. The aims of this study were analyzed condition of precent cover of coral reef, and also to measured mortality index of coral reef, abundance index of butterfly fish, and corelation between butterfly fish and coral reef. Survey method was used in this research. Line Intercept Transect used to measuring percent cover of coral reef along 50 m. The resuts showed that station 7 has the higest of precent cover of coral reef (67%), and station 3 has the lowest of of precent cover of coral reef (20.84%). Coral demage could be caused by illegal fishing. Totally, There were 136 of buterfly fish that found which are categoryzed into 9 specieses. The statistical result found that there are positif corelation between coral reef and butterfly fish. It is indicted that the increasing of percent cover of coral reef could be increasing the abundace of butterfly fish too. Precent cover of live coral reef could be impacted on abundance of buterfly fish due to associated with food and shelter.

Predicting Success of Range-Expanding Coral Reef Fish in Temperate Habitats Using Temperature-Abundance Relationships

An 18-year database of coral reef fish expatriation poleward in South East Australia was used to estimate persistence of coal-reef fish recruits on temperate reefs. Surveys have identified over 150 coral-reef fish species recruiting to temperate reefs at latitudes of 340S (Sydney) and 60 species to 370S (Merimbula) with 20 and 5 species respectively overwintering in at least one year over the study duration. We developed indices of vulnerability of key species to drops in water temperatures, by relating drops in abundances of species to temperature drops. Twenty species were ranked according to their temperature vulnerability. Overall, the families Chaetodontidae (butterflyfishes), Acanthuridae (surgeonfishes), Labridae (wrasses) and Pomacetnridae (damselfishes) had similar cold-water tolerance. However, there was considerable variability within families, for instance in the Pomacentridae, species from the genus Abudefduf appeared to have better cold-temperature tolerance than the other species. Predicted minimum overwintering temperature varied from 15.6C to 19.8C, with some species showing lower Tzero at Merimbula, the more poleward location. There was general concordance between a species’ tolerance to cold-water and its tendency to occur as an overwinter but also notable exceptions. So while this work demonstrates the potential utility of tolerance to seasonal temperature drops as a means to predict range expansion capacity of vagrant species, the exceptional cases serve to highlight alternative factors. Specifically, tolerance to seasonal cooling of water is not the only important factor when predicting the range expansion capacity of a species. Factors affecting the general abundance of the vagrants, such as habitat suitability and competitor/predator environments will also be critical where overwinter survival becomes a lottery.

KELIMPAHAN DAN KERAGAMAN JENIS IKAN FAMILI CHAETODONTIDAE BERDASARKAN KONDISI TUTUPAN KARANG HIDUP DI KEPULAUAN SPERMONDE SULAWESI SELATAN

The family Chaetodontidae known as butterfly fishes (kepe-kepe) is a species that associated with coral by consumes coral polyp as its feed. This study aimed to determine the abundance and fish diversity of Chaetodontidae and to look the relationship of fish Chaetodontidae abundance with live coral coverage at Spermonde Island. To determines the abundance and fish diversity of Chaetodontidae by using direct census, while to determine the condition of coral reel used line intercept transect (LIT) method. This study was conducted for 6 (six) station at Spermonde Island by collecting data on depth 4 – 6 m with 3 replicate in each station. Result of study found 5 genera and consist of 16 species fishes from family Chaetodontidae. The overall of Chaetodontidae found is 70 Ind/250 m2 with the largest abundance in Kapoposang island (46 Ind/250 m2) and the smallest is Karanrang island (1 Ind/250 m2). Percentage of live coral coverage on research station at Spermonde Island at “good” to “bad” categories highest coral coverage at Badi island (72.6%) and the lowest is Balanglompo island (5%). Fish diversity of Chaetodontidae is high at station that dominated by Acropora coral. Abundance and fish diversity of Chaetodontidae are no relationship significantly on the percentage of live coral coverage of research station at Spermonde Island.Keyword : Chaetodontidae, coral reef, Spermonde.

Coral Fishes of Chaetodontidae in North Salawaty and South Batanta Districts, Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua Province

The objective of this study was to examine the general condition of Chaetodontidae fish in North Salawati and South Batanta Districts, i.e. species composition and number of species, abundance and density of individuals, as well as ecological indices. Data were collected by using Visual Census method with a 70 m-transect, width 2.5 m to the left and 2.5 m to the right. Therefore, the total area observed was 350 m2. This study found 6 (six) genera with 32 species and total abundance of 791 individuals, Chaetodon, Chelmon, Coradion, Heniochus, Hemitaurichthys and Forcipiger. Based on number of species, the studied area had highly diverse coral fish species. Chaetodon lunulatus and C. kleinii were the most species found with the highest number of individuals. Station KBS01 had highest number of species and individual abundance. Diversity index was 2 &lt; H’ &lt; 3 meaning that the coral fish communities in both districts were stable.Keywords : Coral Fishes, Chaetodontidae, Raja Ampat Island. Abstrak Tujuan penelitian ini secara umum adalah untuk mengkaji kondisi existing ikan karang famili chaetodontidae di Kecamatan Salawati Utara dan Kecamatan Batanta Selatan, yaitu komposisi dan jumlah spesies, kelimpahan individu, dan indeks ekologi. Pengambilan data dilakukan menggunakan metode Sensus Visual dengan panjang garis transek 70 m, lebar pengamatan 2,5 meter ke kiri dan 2,5 meter ke kanan. Dengan demikian, luas areal pengamatan adalah 350 m2. Penelitian ini menemukan 6 (enam) genera dengan 32 spesies dan kelimpahan individu total 791 individu terdiri dari Chaetodon, Chelmon, Coradion, Heniochus, Hemitaurichthys dan Forcipiger dengan 32 spesies. Oleh Karena itu, wilayah ini memiliki keanekaragaman jenis ikan karang yang tinggi dimana Chaetodon lunulatus dan C. kleinii paling sering ditemukan dengan jumlah individu tertinggi. Stasiun KBS01 memiliki jumlah spesies dan kelimpahan individu tertinggi. Nilai indeks keanekaragaman berada pada kisaran 2 &lt; H’&lt; 3 yang berarti bahwa komunitas ikan karang di kecamatan ini dinyatakan stabil.

Karyotype and Mapping of Repetitive DNAs in the African Butterfly Fish Pantodon buchholzi, the Sole Species of the Family Pantodontidae

The monophyletic order Osteoglossiformes represents one of the most ancestral groups of teleosts and has at least 1 representative in all continents of the southern hemisphere, with the exception of Antarctica. However, despite its phylogenetic and biogeographical importance, cytogenetic data in Osteoglossiformes are scarce. Here, karyotype and chromosomal characteristics of the lower Niger River population of the African butterfly fish Pantodon buchholzi, the sole species of the family Pantodontidae (Osteoglossiformes), were examined using conventional and molecular cytogenetic approaches. All specimens examined had 2n = 46 chromosomes, with a karyotype composed of 5 pairs of metacentric, 5 pairs of submetacentric, and 13 pairs of acrocentric chromosomes in both sexes. No morphologically differentiated sex chromosomes were identified. C-bands were located in the centromeric/pericentromeric region of all chromosomes and were associated with the single AgNOR site. FISH with ribosomal DNA probes revealed that both 5S and 18S rDNA were present in only 1 pair of chromosomes each, but did not colocalize. CMA₃⁺ bands were observed near the telomeres in several chromosome pairs and also at the 18S rDNA sites. The mapping of di- and trinucleotide repeat motifs, Rex6 transposable element, and U2 snRNA showed a scattered distribution over most of the chromosomes, but for some microsatellites and the U2 snRNA also a preferential accumulation at telomeric regions. This study presents the first detailed cytogenetic analysis in the African butterfly fish by both conventional and molecular cytogenetic protocols. This is the first of a series of further cytogenetic and cytogenomic studies on osteoglossiforms, aiming to comprehensively examine the chromosomal evolution in this phylogenetically important fish order.

The Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) genome provides new insights into the evolution of an early lineage of teleosts.

The Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus), one of the world’s most expensive cultivated ornamental fishes, is an endangered species. It represents an ancient lineage of teleosts: the Osteoglossomorpha. Here, we provide a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome of a female golden-variety arowana using a combination of deep shotgun sequencing and high-resolution linkage mapping. In addition, we have also generated two draft genome assemblies for the red and green varieties. Phylogenomic analysis supports a sister group relationship between Osteoglossomorpha (bonytongues) and Elopomorpha (eels and relatives), with the two clades together forming a sister group of Clupeocephala which includes all the remaining teleosts. The arowana genome retains the full complement of eight Hox clusters unlike the African butterfly fish (Pantodon buchholzi), another bonytongue fish, which possess only five Hox clusters. Differential gene expression among three varieties provides insights into the genetic basis of colour variation. A potential heterogametic sex chromosome is identified in the female arowana karyotype, suggesting that the sex is determined by a ZW/ZZ sex chromosomal system. The high-quality reference genome of the golden arowana and the draft assemblies of the red and green varieties are valuable resources for understanding the biology, adaptation and behaviour of Asian arowanas.

Acoustic Communication in Butterflyfishes: Anatomical Novelties, Physiology, Evolution, and Behavioral Ecology.

Coral reef fishes live in noisy environments that may challenge their capacity for acoustic communication. Butterflyfishes (Family Chaetodontidae) are prominent and ecologically diverse members of coral reef communities worldwide. The discovery of a novel association of anterior swim bladder horns with the lateral line canal system in the genus Chaetodon (the laterophysic connection) revealed a putative adaptation for enhancement of sound reception by the lateral line system and/or the ear. Behavioral studies show that acoustic communication is an important component of butterflyfish social behavior. All bannerfish (Forcipiger, Heniochus, and Hemitaurichthys) and Chaetodon species studied thus far produce several sound types at frequencies of <1 to >1000 Hz. Ancestral character state analyses predict the existence of both shared (head bob) and divergent (tail slap) acoustic behaviors in these two clades. Experimental auditory physiology shows that butterflyfishes are primarily sensitive to stimuli associated with hydrodynamic particle accelerations of ≤500 Hz. In addition, the gas-filled swim bladder horns in Chaetodon are stimulated by sound pressure, which enhances and extends their auditory sensitivity to 1700-2000 Hz. The broadband spectrum of ambient noise present on coral reefs overlaps with the frequency characteristics of their sounds, thus both the close social affiliations common among butterflyfishes and the evolution of the swim bladder horns in Chaetodon facilitate their short-range acoustic communication. Butterflyfishes provide a unique and unexpected opportunity to carry out studies of fish bioacoustics in the lab and the field that integrate the study of sensory anatomy, physiology, evolution, and behavioral ecology.

Preliminary annotated list of species of the family Chaetodontidae (Actinopterygii) from Ly Son Islands (South China Sea, Central Vietnam)

Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) from the reefs of Ly Son Archipelago (northern Central Vietnam) are reviewed. In total, 16 species of chaetodontids from three genera (Chaetodon, Forcipiger, and Heniochus) are found. All species are documented by underwater photos, and they have not been registered off Ly Son Islands before. A comparison of chaetodontid faunas off Ly Son, Cu Lao Cham, and Paracel islands; in the Gulf of Tonkin; and in southern Central Vietnam is conducted.

Diversity and evolution of sound production in the social behavior ofChaetodonbutterflyfishes

Fish produce context-specific sounds during social communication, but it is not known how acoustic behaviors have evolved in relation to specializations of the auditory system. Butterflyfishes (family Chaetodontidae) have a well-defined phylogeny and produce pulsed communication sounds during social interactions on coral reefs. Recent work indicates that two sound production mechanisms exist in the bannerfish clade and that other mechanisms are used in the Chaetodon clade, which is distinguished by an auditory specialization, the laterophysic connection (LC). Here, we determine the kinematic action patterns associated with sound production during social interactions in four Chaetodon subgenera and the non-laterophysic fish Forcipiger flavissimus. Some Chaetodon species share the head bob acoustic behavior with F. flavissimus, which along with other sounds in the 100-1000 Hz spectrum, are probably adequate to stimulate the ear, swim bladder or LC of a receiver fish. In contrast, only Chaetodon species produced the tail slap sound, which involves a 1-30 Hz hydrodynamic pulse that is likely to stimulate the receiver's ear and lateral line at close distances, but not the swim bladder or LC. Reconstructions of ancestral character states appear equivocal for the head bob and divergent for the tail slap acoustic behaviors. Independent contrast analysis shows a correlation between sound duration and stimulus intensity characters. The intensities of the tail slap and body pulse sounds in Chaeotodon species are correlated with body size and can provide honest communication signals. Future studies on fish acoustic communication should investigate low-frequency and infrasound acoustic fields to understand the integrated function of the ear and lateral line, and their evolutionary patterns.

Mate choice and body pattern variations in the Crown Butterfly fish Chaetodon paucifasciatus (Chaetodontidae).

ABSTRACTMate choice is an important ecological behavior in fish, and is often based on visual cues of body patterns. The Crown Butterfly fish Chaetodon paucifasciatus (Chaetodontidae) is a monogamist, territorial species; it swims in close proximity to its partner throughout most of its life. This species is characterized by a pattern of 6–8 vertical black stripes on a white background, on both sides of its body. Our aim was to define spatial features (variations) in body patterns by evaluating the level of dissimilarity between both sides of each individual fish, and the level of dissimilarity between patterns of different individuals. In addition, we tested whether the fish are attracted to or reject specific features of the body patterns. Features were defined and counted using photographs of body patterns. Attraction to or rejection of specific features were tested behaviorally using a dual-choice experiment of video animations of individuals swimming over a coral-reef background. We found that the patterns of each fish and sides of the body were no less dissimilar, compared intraspecificly to other fish, and that each side pattern was unique and distinguishable. Variations in the patterns occurred mostly in the last three posterior stripes. Individuals were mainly attracted to conspecifics with multiple crossing patterns (two or more consecutive crossings), and rejected patterns with holes. Our results suggest that in this species the unique body pattern of each fish is used for conspecific identification of mates and intruders.

Enigmatic orthology relationships between Hox clusters of the African butterfly fish and other teleosts following ancient whole-genome duplication.

Numerous ancient whole-genome duplications (WGD) have occurred during eukaryote evolution. In vertebrates, duplicated developmental genes and their functional divergence have had important consequences for morphological evolution. Although two vertebrate WGD events (1R/2R) occurred over 525 Ma, we have focused on the more recent 3R or TGD (teleost genome duplication) event which occurred approximately 350 Ma in a common ancestor of over 26,000 species of teleost fishes. Through a combination of whole genome and bacterial artificial chromosome clone sequencing we characterized all Hox gene clusters of Pantodon buchholzi, a member of the early branching teleost subdivision Osteoglossomorpha. We find 45 Hox genes organized in only five clusters indicating that Pantodon has suffered more Hox cluster loss than other known species. Despite strong evidence for homology of the five Pantodon clusters to the four canonical pre-TGD vertebrate clusters (one HoxA, two HoxB, one HoxC, and one HoxD), we were unable to confidently resolve 1:1 orthology relationships between four of the Pantodon clusters and the eight post-TGD clusters of other teleosts. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that many Pantodon genes segregate outside the conventional “a” and “b” post-TGD orthology groups, that extensive topological incongruence exists between genes physically linked on a single cluster, and that signal divergence causes ambivalence in assigning 1:1 orthology in concatenated Hox cluster analyses. Out of several possible explanations for this phenomenon we favor a model which keeps with the prevailing view of a single TGD prior to teleost radiation, but which also considers the timing of diploidization after duplication, relative to speciation events. We suggest that although the duplicated hoxa clusters diploidized prior to divergence of osteoglossomorphs, the duplicated hoxb, hoxc, and hoxd clusters concluded diploidization independently in osteoglossomorphs and other teleosts. We use the term “tetralogy” to describe the homology relationship which exists between duplicated sequences which originate through a shared WGD, but which diploidize into distinct paralogs from a common allelic pool independently in two lineages following speciation.

Estructura de las comunidades de peces de arrecife en las Islas Catalinas y Playa Ocotal, Pacífico Norte de Costa Rica

The reefs are heterogeneous systems that maintain a high diversity of organisms. Fish community structure varies within and among reefs, so it would be expected that reef structure and heterogeneity should affect fish communities inhabiting reefs. Four reef patches at Catalinas Islands (Sur, La Pared, Roca Sucia and Sombrero) and one in Ocotal beach (10 degrees 28'45" N; 85 degrees 52'35" W) were studied with visual censuses (July-December 2003). The structure and composition of fishes between Catalinas islands and Ocotal beach were different, and habitat structure and composition explain most of the variance founded. The presence of the fleshy algae Caulerpa sertularioides in Ocotal, and the corals Tubastrea coccinea and Pocillopora spp. at Catalinas Island explained the variability among sites and how it affected fish community structure and composition. The butterfly fish Johnrandallia nigrirostris, damselfish Microspathodon dorsalis, and surgeon fish Prionurus punctatus were directly correlated with the ahermatipic coral Tubastrea coccinea in Roca Sucia reef, while the angel fish Holacanthus passer was associated to reefs with a major percentage of rocky substrate. Other species such as the damselfish Abudefduf troschelli and Halichoeres dispilus were more abundant at Ocotal, where the algae C sertularioides dominated. The number and abundance of reef fishes was directly correlated with the rugosity index at the reefs of Roca Sucia and Ocotal, but not at reefs of La Pared and Sombrero.

Coral Fishes the Famili Chaetodontidae in Coral Reef Waters of Para Island Sub District Tatoareng, Sangihe Kepulauan Regency

This study aims to determine the distribution and abundance of reef fish families chaetodontidae in coral reef waters of Para Island Sub District Tatoareng. This study was conducted at 4 stations. Data collected was done using visual census on the 50-meter transect line at 5 meters depth. In addition to revealing the number of species and abundance of individuals chaetodontidae, data analysis aimed to determine number of species, individual abundance, and the community index. Based on the identification, obtained 27 species from 3 genera and 217 number of individuals. The highest number of species found at station Para 1. 7 species are always found in all observation stations, Chaetodon kleinii, C. punctatofasciatus, C. lunulatus, C. trifascialis, C. vagabundus, Heniochus varius, H. chrysostomus. The species with the largest number of individuals that is Chaetodon kleinii (45 individuals). Chaetodontidae fish species diversity index ranged between 2.207-2.866. Dominance Index are categorized low in the range of 0.078-0.122. Similarity index are categorized high in the range of 0.922-0.971. Keywords : coral fishes, chaetodontidae, coral reef, Para Island

Nucleus Rostrolateralis: An Expansion of the Epithalamus in Some Actinopterygii

The diencephalic nucleus rostrolateralis (RL) in the African butterfly fish (Pantodon buchholzi) is a brain nucleus identified in fewer than a dozen of the ∼25,000 species of actinopterygian fishes. Located in the rostrolateral diencephalon, this nucleus in Pantodon receives direct and indirect visual input from the superior visual field. Its lack of precedent or consistent phylogenetic expression creates a difficulty in interpreting the functional role of this nucleus within the visual system. By tracing experiments, RL was found to be afferent to nucleus interpeduncularis (IP) and the target of cells from the subpallium of the telencephalon. RL is a component of a descending telencephalic pathway involved in at least one behavior at the intersection of limbic and somatic activities--feeding. The parallelism between the ventral telencephalon--RL--IP and the limbic/striatal--habenula--IP pathway (the dorsal diencephalic conduction system, DDCS) suggests that RL is a component within the DDCS. Moreover, the hodological connections of RL suggest that RL is likely a hypertrophy of the lateral habenula.

Preliminary annotated list of the species of the family chaetodontidae (actinopteryngii, perciformes) from Bach Long Vi Island (South China Sea, Gulf of Tonkin, Northern Vietnam)

Butterflyfishes (fam. Chaetodontidae) inhabiting the reefs of Bach Long Vi Island (Gulf of Tonkin) are reviewed. In all, seven species of chaetodonoides from the genus Chaetodon were registered: C. aurgia, C. auripes, C. lineolatus, C. octofasciatus, C. speculum, C. trifascialis, C. wiebeli. All the species were identified during underwater observations; five species (C. auriga, C. auripes, C. octofasciatus, C. trifascialis, and C. wiebeli) were documented based on the underwater photos. All the discovered butterflyfish species have never been registered for Bach Long Vi Island and the central part of the Gulf of Tonkin. Brief diagnostic characteristics, description of ranges, and distribution along the biotopes and depths were provided for all the species of chaetodonoides from Bach Long Vi Island.

Schooling bannerfish

Schooling bannerfish