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Abstract

Reef fish populations were surveyed by visual census from 2 - 20 m depth at a range of sites at the Althorpc
Is, Haystack I., and nearby mainland reference sites. Mean densities ranged mainly from 0.13 - 0,18 m-2, and
comprised mainly benthic carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. Densities are comparable to those elsewhere in
SE Australia, but much lower than those in the eastern Great Australian Bight. Forty fish species were recorded
at Althorpe Is, 28 at Haystack I. and 'fess at the other sites. Most species were too low in abundance to examine
depth-related patterns, but the three most common species, blue-throated wrasse, herring cale and magpie perch,
decreased in abundance with depth. The main faunal differences encountered were between mainland and island
sites, and with depth. Biogeographically, the reef fish fauna was largely of widely ranging southern Australian
temperate species, but included six species with SW Australian affinities, and three species with SE Australian
affinities.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Shepherd, S and Edgar, GJ and Barrett, NS
Journal or Publication Title:	Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia
Additional Information:	Copyright © 2005 Royal Society of South Australia
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

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