Western Australia Reef Fish Survey, 1976-1993, 728 Species

728 species of reef fishes were recorded from 23 survey locations along Western Australia's west and south coasts between 1976 and 1993. The data, originally published via the Australian Marine Parks Science Atlas, was aggregated into 12 regions and 13 range categories to analyze distribution patterns influenced by the Leeuwin Current. This record is provided by Parks Australia to highlight research relevant to Australian Marine Parks.

Use Cases

• Modeling species distribution gradients based on tropical, warm-temperate, and subtropical faunal components described.
• Analyzing endemic species prevalence and 'faunal signatures' for regions between Shark Bay and Albany.
• Studying the 'offshore versus inshore' effect on tropical species diversity mentioned in the analysis.
• Investigating biogeographic province boundaries, such as the proposed Leeuwin Province encompassing Coral Bay and the Recherche Archipelago.

Strengths

• Contains records for 728 distinct reef fish species.
• Survey covers a 17-year period (1976-1993) and 23 geographic locations.
• Data includes quantified faunal composition: 491 tropical species (67%), 174 warm-temperate (24%), 36 subtropical (5%).
• Analysis is structured around 12 defined regions and 13 range categories for distribution pattern examination.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data freshness should be verified; the underlying survey period ended in 1993.

Provenance

Source

Parks Australia, referencing the original source publication.

Collection Method

Surveys conducted at 23 locations along the coast.

Time Range

1976-1993

Freshness

Metadata last updated 2026-07-16 23:35:56.271725; underlying survey data is from 1976-1993.

Geography

Western Australia's west and south coasts, from Ningaloo Reef to the Recherche Archipelago.