Effect of coral cover and substrate on groupers density and diversity at Pulau Bidong

Abstract

This study was conducted to see the effect of coral cover and substrate complexity on groupers density and diversity at Bidong Island. The data was collected from nine stations during two sampling sessions, in September 2007 and January 2008. All the data collections were conducted by direct observation using SCUBA diving. Fish abundance was collected using fish belt transect and benthic coverage data was taken by Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method. The structural complexity of the reef substrates was determined by using Dahl method. One hundred and seventy three individuals from six species of groupers were obtained which were Cephalopolis boenak, C. microprion, C. cyanostigma, C.argus, C. formosa and Epinephelus fasciatus. C. boenak was the most abundant species encountered throughout this study, whereas C. formosa was the least abundant species. The density of groupers in Bidong waters was 0.038 individual per m2 .The study showed that structural complexity of the reef substrates has no significant correlation (P < 0.05) with abundance and diversity of groupers.