Patterns of reef fish taxonomic and functional diversity in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

A core challenge in ecology is identifying the factors that determine species distribution and functional diversity of species assemblages. Reef fish are the most diverse group of vertebrates, form taxonomically rich and functionally diverse communities and represent a key source of food for humans. We examine regional distribution patterns of reef fish species richness and functional diversity and investigate how these are determined by historical, biogeographic, energetic, and anthropogenic factors. We compiled data from 3,312 underwater visual censuses (UVCs) performed at 122 locations comprising rocky and coral reefs along of the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). We used Generalized Linear Mixed-effects Models (GLMM) implemented in a Bayesian framework to investigate whether distance from quaternary refugia, distance from mainland, shelf area, primary productivity, sea surface temperature, human population gravity and conservation status influence reef fish species richness and functi..., We compiled data from 3,312 underwater visual censuses ‘UVCs’ of fish conducted at 122 locations comprising rocky and coral reefs along of the ETP between 2004 and 2020. The total area surveyed per location varied between 320 and 74,000 m2. During visual censuses, the surveyor identified and counted all actinopterygian fish species observed in the water column and on the bottom of belt transects., All analyses and figures were implemented using the R environment ver. 4.0.2.