Description
Book SynopsisThe Banggai cardinalfish,
Pterapogon kauderni, is a fascinating species that possesses a series of remarkable biological characteristics making it unique among coral reef fishes. It has been the focus of studies in reproduction, ecology, population genetics and evolution. In addition, since its rediscovery in the late 1990s, it has become tremendously popular in the international ornamental fish trade, and indiscriminate collecting has led to its inclusion in the 2007 IUCN Red List as an endangered species.
This book is divided into three main parts: a general introduction to the fish, including a historical synopsis with an overview of the Banggai Archipelago; a comprehensive treatment of the species' natural history (distribution, morphology, reproduction, embryology, ecology, genetics, systematics and evolution); an account of the conservation of the species, including descriptions of its fishery, attempts to protect it under CITES, and introduction programmes. The book a
Trade Review
“An authoritative synthesis of everything we know about this important yet endangered ornamental fish that also plays an important ecological role on Indonesian coral reefs.” (Bulletin of the British Ecological Society, 1 June 2012)
Table of ContentsPreface x
Acknowledgments xiii
Part I Introduction 1
1 Introduction 3
1.1 The Banggai cardinalfish and a long rewarding experience 3
2 Historic Review 6
2.1 The improbable first encounter 6
2.2 Rediscovering the “King of the Cardinalfishes,” and a prophecy realized 8
2.3 Other field studies 9
3 The Banggai Archipelago 11
4 Field Research in the Banggai Islands 21
4.1 Introduction 21
4.2 A challenging first expedition 22
Part II Natural History 29
5 Geographic Distribution 31
5.1 Introduction 31
5.2 The geographic distribution of Pterapogon kauderni within its natural range 33
5.3 The Luwuk population 36
5.4 The north Sulawesi populations 38
5.5 Other exotic populations 39
5.6 Discussion 40
6 General Survey of Morphology 46
6.1 Introduction and some particulars of the soft anatomy 46
6.2 Main osteological characteristics (Figure 6.2a, see Tables 6.1, 6.2 for selected body proportions and counts) 49
7 Reproductive Biology 58
7.1 General aspects of reproduction in Apogonidae 58
7.2 The reproductive biology of Pterapogon kauderni 75
8 Ecology 94
8.1 Main ecological aspects of Apogonidae 94
8.2 Habitat and microhabitat preference of Pterapogon kauderni 95
8.3 Common fish assemblages including Pterapogon kauderni 101
8.4 Group structure 102
8.5 Reproductive ecology 104
8.6 Trophic habits 109
8.7 Likely predators of Pterapogon kauderni 119
8.8 Natural occurrence of parasites in Pterapogon kauderni 120
9 Genetics 123
9.1 Introduction 123
9.2 Genetic structure in Pterapogon kauderni 124
9.3 Possible spot polymorphism 125
10 Systematics and Evolution 128
10.1 Introduction 128
10.2 Taxonomy of Pterapogon kauderni 130
10.3 Recent phylogenetic studies and intergeneric relationships of Pterapogon 131
10.4 Direct development and the Banggai-Australian connection: Could ontogeny and paleogeography provide hints about the origin and intergeneric relationships of Pterapogon? 132
10.5 Evolution of Apogonidae. The case for a freshwater-origin of the family 138
Part III Conservation 145
11 The Fishery of Pterapogon kauderni 147
11.1 Introduction: Pterapogon kauderni, a species particularly susceptible to high collection pressure 147
11.2 The history of the trade 149
11.3 Field surveys and a bleak conservation situation 150
11.4 The capture, handling and shipping of Pterapogon kauderni: high mortality explained 152
12 Conservation of Pterapogon kauderni, a Challenge Still Ahead 158
12.1 The unsuccessful proposal for regulating the capture and trade of Pterapogon kauderni 158
12.2 The real significance of Pterapogon kauderni in the local economy. Why the livelihood of the Banggai
people should not be used as an excuse to prevaricate the protection of this species 160
12.3 The potential benefits of and resistance to regulate the capture and trade of Pterapogon kauderni 161
13 The Lembeh Conundrum, from a Careless Action to a Grave Conservation Situation 166
13.1 The “Lembeh population” and its impact in the Lembeh Strait 166
13.2 A word for the hobbyists 170
Part IV Appendix 173
14 Captive Breeding and Rearing of Pterapogon kauderni 175
14.1 Introduction 175
14.2 Reproduction 176
14.3 Nutritional aspects 181
14.4 Diseases: a new viral infection 183
References 186
Index 198
COMPANION WEBSITE
This book has a companion website: www.wiley.com/go/vagelli/cardinalfish
with Figures and Tables from the book for downloading
