Global News - February 2008
< Back to Global News
Butterfly fish 'at risk of extinction'
Tue 26 February 2008 13:05 UK — Marine Wildlife,Other
A butterfly fish that is currently widespread around the world may be threatened by extinction if the world's coral reefs continue to be degraded, according to a new study.
Research undertaken by a team from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies warned that the chevroned butterfly fish's highly-specialised eating habits make it particularly susceptible to damage being caused to coral reefs.
In their findings, published in the journal Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, the team discovered that the butterfly fish flourished when it could eat its chosen coral, but when it could only feed on alternatives it grew ill and, in some cases, died.
"The irony is that these butterfly fish are widespread around the world, and you'd have thought their chances of survival were pretty good," the report's author Dr Morgan Pratchett said.
.
"But they only eat one sort of coral - Acropora hyacinthus - and when that runs out, the fish just disappear from the reef."
Efforts to protect coral reefs were recently boosted by news of the creation of the world's largest marine reserve, to be established off the coat of the Pacific island of Kiribati, including a number of untouched reefs.
Help IAR rescue and rehabilitate endangered wildlife.
News brought to you by International Animal Rescue, leaders in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
< Back to Global News |
Read IAR News
Read IAR News >
|
November 2008
A win for greyhounds in Massachusetts
On 4 November the people of Massachusetts, USA voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Greyhound Protect Act. This legislation will phase out commercial dog racing in the state by 2010.
October 2008
Help the Street Animals of Morocco (HSAM)
International Animal Rescue has twice assisted with the treatment of cats and dogs in Morocco by a group of local and foreign volunteers. The initiative was led by vet nurse Claire Sedgewick. She has produced a report describing their work.
October 2008
Sainsbury's seal protest update
On 29 October we entered discussions with Sainsbury's officials and now await a favorable response to our demands for a statement of their intention to stop killings seals.
|
