Beiträge zur Ökologie und Biologie litoralbewohnender Salariidae und Gobiidae (Pisces) aus dem Roten Meer : 5. Beitrag der Arbeitsgruppe Litoralforschung

At the shores of the islands of Sarso and Sindi Sarso (Farasan Archipelago, Red Sea) the supra-, mid- and sublittoral zones of four different localities were investigated. Cross sections of a sand-rock beach, a rock beach, a rocky cliff and a mangrove beach have been drawn to find out different habitats. The largest part of the bottom is formed by creviced coral rocks. Fishes of the families Salariidae and Gobiidae were examined in detail and referred to distinct habitats. The habits and ecological demands of the species mentioned are discussed: Salariidae: Lophalticus kirkii prefers the supralittoral region of the steep cliffs, from which it can easily reach the water level. Feeds on algae. Istiblennius edentulus inhabits the horizontal as well as the vertical rock walls of the midlittoral region. Periods of low tide are passed in tide pools. Goes ashore only at night and feeds on algae. - Halmablennius flaviumbrinus occurs on the horizontal rock walls of the midlittoral region only. Periods of low tide are passed in tide pools, too. Feeds on algae. Antennablenius bypenetes exists on plain and steep rocks of the midlittoral region and prefers holes of adequate diameter to hide in. Periods of low tide are spent in little tide pools. Feeds on algae. Salarias fasciatus is very common in those parts of the sublittoral region where sufficient hiding-places are present. It seems to avoid turbulent water. Feeds on algae, eventually Bryozoa, too. Gobiidae: Acentrogobius ornatus and A. meteori live in the midlittoral and upper sublittoral regions on sand or in sand-filled trenches of horizontal rock walls. Cryptocentrus: species of this genus are very common below the midlittoral region. Since they are living in sand burrows, they are dependent on sandy areas. It is discussed, why Salariidae and Gobiidae prefer different environments in their trend towards an amphibian habit. On the rocky shores there seems to be a more favorable food supply for the algae-feeding Salariidae than for the predatory Gobiidae; the representatives of Gobiidae have turned to terrestrial habits in the mangrove region, less at rocky shores