The Reef Ichthyofauna of Bahrain (Arabian Gulf) with Comments on its Zoogeographic Affinities PDF

Keywords

fishes, reefs, Bahrain, Arabian Gulf

Abstract

Seventy-one species of fishes are recorded from shallow-water (4-15 m) reefs northeast of Bahrain in the Arabian Gulf. Most (39 spp.) of these range widely throughout the Indo-West Pacific Region; others exhibit more restricted distributions and help clarify zoogeographic relationships of the Arabian Gulf ichthyofauna. Distributions of reef fishes support the notion of a major zoogeographic discontinuity within the Arabian Gulf. Moreover, levels of endemism for Arabian Gulf reef fishes are higher than hitherto recognized and may approach those of the Red Sea. A strong faunal relationship exists between the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf; seven species reported herein are Arabian endemics, i.e. restricted to the Red Sea, Arabian Peninsula, and Arabian Gulf. One species (Ptereleotris sp.) constitutes a new addition to the Arabian Gulf ichthyofauna. Additional species confirm dubious or frequently overlooked Arabian Gulf records. Previous checklists of Arabian Gulf reef fishes are amended in light of the most recent systematic literature.