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Gap in the Continuous Range of Amphiprion clarkii (Pomacentridae) in the Gulf of Thailand (South China Sea). Possible Causes

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Abstract

Among the ten species of anemonefish symbiotic anemones recorded for Vietnam, we have distinguished two main species, Entacmaea quadricolor and Stichodactyla mertensii, that maintain the existence of Amphiprion clarkii spawning pairs and juveniles. A. clarkii has a continuous range in the coastal waters of Vietnam, including the nearby islands. This species lives in symbiosis with the sea anemone E. quadricolor from the northern boundary of waters of Vietnam (21°30′ N) to the Con Son (Con Dao) Islands (8°36′ N) and in symbiosis with E. quadricolor and S. mertensii from the Ly Son Islands (15°26′ N) to the Con Son (Con Dao) Islands (8°36′ N). The southern boundary of the range of A. clarkii is the area of the Con Son (Con Dao) Islands and it does not penetrate farther into the Gulf of Thailand, which is explained by the absence of its main symbiotic sea anemones in the gulf.

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This study was performed under State Assignment no. 0149-2019-0009 as part of the program of the Russian–Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center for studying the biological diversity of coastal waters in Vietnam.

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  1. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences (IO RAS), 117997, Moscow, Russia

    D. A. Astakhov

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Astakhov, D.A. Gap in the Continuous Range of Amphiprion clarkii (Pomacentridae) in the Gulf of Thailand (South China Sea). Possible Causes. J. Ichthyol. 61, 808–817 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0032945221060023

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