Title: Mid-ocean isolation and the evolution of Hawaiian reef fishes
Abstract: The Hawaiian fish fauna has close affinities with the fauna of the Indo-west Pacific from which it is derived, but is depauperate. It is characterized by a large number of endemic species (30% of inshore fishes), which are often the most abundant species in their families in Hawaii. Although there is evidence of local adaptation, there has been no radiation of species within the island chain, as occurs in the terrestrial biota of isolated islands. Three major factors have contributed to these trends: (1) the geographic isolation of the islands, and oceanographic features, especially current patterns; (2) the life history characteristics of the fishes, especially their dispersal capabilities; and (3) the extent of adaptive differentiation to environmental conditions after they reached Hawaii.
Publication Year: 1987
Publication Date: 1987-07-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 111
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot