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  • © 1989

The butterflyfishes: success on the coral reef

Editors:

Part of the book series: Developments in Environmental Biology of Fishes (DEBF, volume 9)

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Table of contents (19 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages 1-8
  2. Circumtropical patterns in butterflyfish communities

    • James S. Findley, Muriel T. Findley
    Pages 33-46
  3. The brain organization of butterflyfishes

    • Roland Bauchot, Jean-Marc Ridet, Marie-Louise Bauchot
    Pages 205-220
  4. The eye muscles and their innervation in Chaetodon trifasciatus (Pisces, Teleostei, Chaetodontidae)

    • Roland Bauchot, Athanase Thomot, Marie-Louise Bauchot
    Pages 221-234

About this book

Butterflyfishes of the family Chaetodontidae are conspicuous members of almost all tropical reefs. These colorful fishes have attracted a great deal of attention from both the scientific community and especially the aquarium fish industry. At first one is tempted to say that butterflyfishes are abundant worldwide, but the evidence does not support this statement. The biomass of chaetodontids on reefs may range from 0.02-0.80%, and in terms of numbers they comprise only 0.04-0.61 % of the individuals on the reef. Yet in spite of these relatively small numbers they have been extensively studied. A quick census shows some 170 articles on or about butterfly­ fishes, with 78% of them being published since the 1970's. Along with the cichlids and damselfishes they might be one of the most studied and well published family of tropical fishes. Why then have chaetodontids attracted so much attention? The butterflyfishes are mostly shallow water inhabitants that are approachable and easily recognizable, making their study very feasible. Their bright coloration has provoked many hypotheses but has posed more questions about coloration than it has provided answers. And despite their apparent overall morphological similarity, their highly structured and varied social systems have made them an ideal model for such studies. The reasons for choosing these organisms are indeed as diverse as the studies themselves.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: The butterflyfishes: success on the coral reef

  • Editors: Philip J. Motta

  • Series Title: Developments in Environmental Biology of Fishes

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2325-6

  • Publisher: Springer Dordrecht

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

  • Copyright Information: Kluwer Academic Publishers 1989

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-7923-0168-4Published: 30 June 1989

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-94-010-7545-9Published: 27 September 2011

  • eBook ISBN: 978-94-009-2325-6Published: 06 December 2012

  • Series ISSN: 0924-5316

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: VIII, 248

  • Additional Information: Reprinted from ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES, 25:1-3

  • Topics: Applied Ecology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Freshwater & Marine Ecology

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access