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Checklist Of Bird’s Head Seascape Reef Fishes 2009
A checklist of shallow (to 60 m depth) reef fishes is provided for the Bird’s Head Peninsula region of West Papua,
Indonesia. The area, which occupies the extreme western end of New Guinea, contains the world’s most diverse
assemblage of coral reef fishes. The current checklist, which includes both historical records and recent survey results,
includes 1,511 species in 451 genera and 111 families. Respective species totals for the three main coral reef areas –
Raja Ampat Islands, Fakfak-Kaimana coast, and Cenderawasih Bay – are 1320, 995, and 877. In addition to its
extraordinary species diversity, the region exhibits a remarkable level of endemism considering its relatively small area.
A total of 26 species in 14 families are currently considered to be confined to the region.
Indonesia. The area, which occupies the extreme western end of New Guinea, contains the world’s most diverse
assemblage of coral reef fishes. The current checklist, which includes both historical records and recent survey results,
includes 1,511 species in 451 genera and 111 families. Respective species totals for the three main coral reef areas –
Raja Ampat Islands, Fakfak-Kaimana coast, and Cenderawasih Bay – are 1320, 995, and 877. In addition to its
extraordinary species diversity, the region exhibits a remarkable level of endemism considering its relatively small area.
A total of 26 species in 14 families are currently considered to be confined to the region.
