High biodiversity of leptocephali in Tomini Bay Indonesia in the center of the Coral Triangle

摘要: Abstract The Indonesian Seas in the center of Coral Triangle have high marine biodiversity, and a unique area is Sulawesi Island that has large semi-enclosed Tomini Bay, including Togian Islands, formed within island. A sampling survey for leptocephali was conducted March 2010 at 48 stations southern Celebes Sea Bay collected 2056 (6.0–319 mm) least 11 anguilliform 3 elopomorph families ∼126 species. About 44 Muraenidae, 26 Ophichthidae, 25 Congridae, Chlopsidae species 5 each other were collected. congrid, Ariosoma scheelei, chlopsid, Kaupichthys, serrivomerids, Nemichthys an ophichthid Neenchelys most abundant species/taxa. Comparisons two areas found ∼105 among 1090 from 21 tows ∼78 966 30 tows. Species such as chlopsids (25% Bay), some muraenids, congrids, moringuids, serrivomerids more than Sea, rare only there. wide size range taxa indicated many spawn bay their larvae are likely retained Large eddies appeared to transported offshore. biodiversity eel suggest may offer good environment spawning self-recruitment, which partly explain number families. More research needed evaluate composition eels wider region facilitate understanding conservation diverse habitats Seas.