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Chaetodon larvatus

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
ANIMALIA CHORDATA ACTINOPTERYGII PERCIFORMES CHAETODONTIDAE

Scientific Name: Chaetodon larvatus
Species Authority: Cuvier, 1831
Common Name/s:
English – Blue chevron Butterflyfish, Hooded Butterflyfish, Hooded Butterflyfish, Masked Butterflyfish, Masked Butter Flyfish, Orange-face Buttterflyfish, Red Sea Butterflyfish
French – Poisson-papillon marqué
Synonym/s:
Chaetodon karraf Cuvier, 1831

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published: 2010
Assessor/s: Pyle, R., Craig, M.T. & Pratchett, M.
Reviewer/s: Elfes, C., Polidoro, B., Livingstone, S. & Carpenter, K.E.
Contributor/s:
Justification:

While there have been no declines documented, Chaetodon larvatus feeds exclusively on live coral, making it susceptible to extensive coral loss. However, it has a relatively wide distribution, apparently large population and no obvious major threats other than coral loss. It is listed as Least Concern.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: This species occurs in the Red Sea (Hurgada southwards) and the Gulf of Aden, east to the Arabian Sea coast of Oman (Allen 1980, G.R. Allen pers. comm. 2006). It is generally found between 1-20m (Allen 1980).
Countries:
Native:
Djibouti; Egypt; Eritrea; Israel; Jordan; Oman; Saudi Arabia; Sudan; Yemen
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:
Native:
Indian Ocean – western
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population: It is generally common with stable populations (G.R. Allen pers. comm. 2006). The species is especially common around Jeddah in the Red Sea (Allen 1980), and it is rare in the northern third of the Red Sea.
Population Trend: Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology: This species is found within the clear waters of fringing reefs where plate-forming corals of the genus Acropora abound (Allen 1980). It is a territorial species occurring singly or in pairs. It is an obligate corallivore that feeds exclusively on Acropora corals and actively chases away other butterflyfishes encroaching on its food supply (Allen 1980, G.R. Allen pers. comm. 2006).
Systems: Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):

This species relies on live coral for food and/or recruitment, and may therefore decline in abundance following climate-induced coral depletion (Pratchett et al. 2008). Currently this is not considered a threat, and there appear to be no other major threats to this species.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:

There appear to be no species-specific conservation measures in place. This species is likely present within marine protected areas. Monitoring of this species is needed in conjunction with coral monitoring, as well as determination of the degree of co-dependence between this species and corals. Research is required to establish its specific dietary requirements and reliance on coral.
Citation: Pyle, R., Craig, M.T. & Pratchett, M. 2010. Chaetodon larvatus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 May 2013.
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