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Life on the Reef: The Amazing World of Coral Fishes
Fathom
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| Seminar Introduction |
 | | Brian Pitkin |
Coral reefs occupy less than 1 percent of the Earth's crust, but they are extremely important centres of biodiversity. They support an immense diversity of fishes throughout the tropics, including over 4,000 species, which range in size from a giant grouper, 3 m (9.8 ft) long, to a minute goby, barely 1 cm (0.4 in) in length. The appeal of many coral fishes, such as butterflyfishes and angelfishes, lies in their colour and beauty. Tiny damselfishes, and others that may be less conspicuous as individuals, shimmer in lively swarms around the corals. The fascination of coral fishes, however, goes far beyond first impressions; closer observation reveals unique and complex lifestyles and behaviour. In this seminar, Linda Pitkin--award-winning underwater photographer and entomologist at The Natural History Museum, London--explores some of the varied specializations that enable coral fishes to live in every part of the reef environment, the means by which they derive food and shelter from the reefs, and their interactions--often fiercely territorial--in a densely populated living space. Many coral fishes are secretive, hiding in holes or burrows, or lying camouflaged on the sea-bed; others hover openly in the water column above. Their impact on coral reefs is immense, whether they graze the fine seaweeds growing on the reef or prey on various reef-dwelling animals.
As well as fishes, humans have also had a huge impact on coral reefs, often in a destructive form. In the final session of this seminar, Linda Pitkin explains how coral reefs and their inhabitants are vulnerable to marine pollution and to the effects of climate change.
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| Learning Objectives |
- Describe the complex community of organisms that make up a coral reef.
- Compare the feeding strategies of predatory and plankton-feeding coral fishes.
- Explain why so many coral fishes are brightly coloured.
- Analyse the range of threats to coral reef ecosystems.
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| Sessions |
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| Credits |
Copyright The Natural History Museum.
Coral reefs throughout the tropics support an amazing diversity of fishes--from eye-catching butterflyfishes, which hover around the corals, to secretive gobies, and venomous scorpionfishes which lie camouflaged on the sea bed. The appeal of coral fishes lies not only in the exquisite beauty for which some are renowned, but in their fascinating lifestyles and behaviour. Whether brightly coloured or plain, their natural history never ceases to enthrall. With over 100 of her award-winning photographs, Linda Pitkin explores the varied lifestyles of these fishes--the means by which they find food and shelter on the reef, and their complex interactions. She describes the partnerships of anemonefishes and sea anemones, the grazing activities of parrotfishes and surgeonfishes, and the lifestyles of many other fish that live on coral reefs, huge predatory groupers and even sharks among them. Coral Fish
Pitkin, Linda
Paperback (2001)
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| Technical Requirements |
To appreciate this seminar experience, it is critical that you have the appropriate software, plug-ins, and network connections. Please take the time to download the latest versions of the plug-ins mentioned below if you do not already have them.
Browser: Netscape versions 4.x up to 4.76, or Internet Explorer versions 4.x or later. Your browser must be JavaScript-enabled and must be set to accept cookies.
Network Connection: The recommended minimum connection is 56Kbps with a throughput of 34Kbps or more. A faster connection is encouraged to take better advantage of the media elements in the seminar.
Plug-ins: If you do not have RealPlayer and Flash Player already installed, please download them from the following sites:
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