Guzman, H.M., 1998. Diversity of stony, soft and black corals (Anthozoa: Scleractinia, Gorgonacea, Antipatharia; Hydrozoa: Milleporina) at Cayos Cochinos, Bay Islands, Honduras. Rev. Biol. Trop. 46 Suppl. 4: 75-80.

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Publication

The diversity of the coral fauna in all reef habitats down to 35 m depth at the Reserva Biologica Cayos Cochinos was determined from surveys conducted from August 1994 to June 1996. Sixty-six species of hermatypic corals (including three Millepora), forty-four species of octocorals, and five species of antipatharians are reported for this protected area. This increases the known species of corals in Honduras by ca. 40% and 91% for scleractinians and octocorals, respectively. These differences appear to be primarily a function of the extent of the survey at this location and taxonomic uncertainties across the region. Large-scale surveys in the Bay Islands will provide further insights into the diversity and ecology of reef corals across Central America. Little is known about the coral reefs of Honduras, and further work should be directed towards studying the ecology and management of these reefs.

Systematics, Taxonomy
Zoogeography, Biogeography (generalities), Geographic distribution

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