Patterns of fish distribution in tropical rock pools at Príncipe Island, Gulf of Guinea

Little is known about the ichthyofauna from intertidal rock pools of west coast Africa, especially in Gulf Guinea. Rock are characteristic habitats zone structurally complex rocky shores, adding important niche space to coastal fish species. In this study, three similar shores Príncipe Island were sampled describe composition, abundance and distribution assemblages their relation parameters pool structure (volume, depth), water mass (temperature, salinity pH) biology (algal coral cover, biological species richness). A total 18 one leptocephalus larva unknown species, representing 13 families, observed during sampling. decreasing order, five-most-abundant goby Bathygobius burtoni, night sergeant Abudefduf taurus, West African rockhopper Entomacrodus cadenati, sailfin blenny Microlipophrys velifer Biafra doctorfish Prionurus biafraensis, which together represented 81% number recorded study. The four-most-abundant also proved be better adapted range conditions found pools. Overall, larger with minimal cover higher support richness. Most individually preferred volumes, but some presented a degree habitat specificity, such as absence or presence cover. Species that more-active swimmers deeper