Khalaf, MA and Kochzius, M (2002) Changes in trophic community structure of shore fishes at an industrial site in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 239 . pp. 287-299. DOI https://doi.org/10.3354/meps239287.

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Abstract

The semi-enclosed Gulf of Aqaba is under high pressure by urban and industrial pollution, shipping and port activities as well as tourism. Off the Jordanian Red Sea coast, the trophic community structure of shore fishes was determined on coralreefs in front of an industrial area (disturbed), in a marine reserve and site without industry or port activities (undisturbed), as well as in a seagrass-dominated bay. Planktivores were the most abundant feeding guild on coral reefs as well as in theseagrass-dominated bay. The relative abundance of feeding guilds other than planktivores seems to be strongly influenced by the benthic habitat. Multivariate analysis clearly separated disturbed from undisturbed sites, whereas univariate measures, such asspecies richness, diversity and evenness did not reveal any negative impact of disturbance. The disturbance of the coral reefs led to changes in the fish community through the reduction of total fish abundance by 50%, increased total abundance ofherbivorous and detritivorous fishes, decreased total abundance of invertebrate- and fish-feeders, and increased relative abundance of planktivorous fishes.

Document Type:	Article
Programme Area:	PA Not Applicable
Research affiliation:
Refereed:	Yes
Open Access Journal?:	No
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.3354/meps239287
ISSN:	0171-8630
Date Deposited:	05 Nov 2025 12:23
Last Modified:	05 Nov 2025 12:23
URI:	https://cris.leibniz-zmt.de/id/eprint/5960

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