ENDEMIC SHALLOW REEF FISHES FROM MALPELO ISLAND: ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

Abstract

The fish species endemic to Malpelo Island have been scarcely studied, resulting in a lack of information on their densities and habitat preferences. The distribution and abundance of the endemic reef fish species of Malpelo were estimated using underwater visual census techniques. The most abundant species were Axoclinus rubinoffi (0.18 fish/m2) and Lepidonectes bimaculatus (0.08 fish/m2). The highest abundance was found in rocks covered by coralline algae in the Bajo de Junior site.