Rapid marine biodiversity assessment records 16 new marine fish species for Seychelles, West Indian Ocean

Abstract

Background: A rapid marine fish biodiversity assessment and subsequent surveys were conducted at D'Arros Island and St. Joseph Atoll, Amirantes, Republic of Seychelles. Results: Dive surveys recorded the first national occurrence of 16 reef associated fish species. Ten species had regionally cosmopolitan distributions in the West Indian Ocean and their occurrence in Seychelles was expected and confirmed. The occurrence of an additional six species represented range extensions of between approximately 2000 and 4300 km further than previously reported. Conclusions: The results of this assessment suggest that the current ichthyofaunal diversity of the Amirantes Island group in the Republic of Seychelles may be underestimated and future surveys are likely to reveal the presence of additional species.