Research Abstract

Invertebrate species and family richness compared to coral patch size and degree of isolation

The Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography put forth by MacArthur and Wilson proposes that the number of individuals on an island wil increase with island size and decrease with higher isolation. The theory is central in predicting distribution and abundance of species, but has mainly been tested on terrestrial systems. Coral patches of various sizes and degrees of isolation at Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef were used as model islands. Invertebrates observed on these patches were counted at both the family and species levels, and statistical calculations (ANOVA and Correlations) were carried out to determine whether island size and degree of isolation affects the number of species on coral islands. Distance, but not island size, was shown to be important for determining species richness. The data suggests that coral type may also influence the number and types of organisms that are found on each patch. Coral islands need to be studied in order to determine how much area is needed to accomodate the greatest amount of diversity and species richness possible.