Reef fishes of the Anchieta Island State Park, Southwestern Atlantic, Brazil

Peixes recifais do Parque Estadual da Ilha Anchieta, Sudoeste do Atlântico, Brasil

Abstract

This paper presents a checklist of the reef fish fauna of the Anchieta Island State Park, a no-take zone in which no extractive activities are allowed, in Ubatuba, Southeastern Brazil. Data was obtained between 2011 and 2013, mainly through underwater observations with snorkelling and SCUBA, and secondarily using scientific fishing (trawling). Published and unpublished data were also verified and compiled. A total of 103 reef fish species, distributed in 78 genus and 50 families was recorded. Haemulidae was the richest family (n=7 species), followed by Epinephelidae (n=6), Pomacentridae, Carangidae and Tetraodontidae (n= 4 each). Haemulon was also the most speciose genera (n=5), followed by Stegastes, Acanthurus and Mycteroperca (n=3 each). Sixty-nine species (67%) are included in global and regional Red Lists. Twenty-five species (24.2%) are within the categories Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU) and Near-Threathened (NT). The network of Marine Protected Areas in Southeastern Brazil is still incipient, and the considerable number of threatened species in the Anchieta Island State Park clearly indicates the importance of the study area for the conservation of coastal and reef fishes.

Key words:
rocky reefs; species richness; scientific diving; ichthyology; conservation