title: Living on the edge: Vulnerability of coral-dependent fishes in the Gulf.
abstract: In the Gulf, multiple human impacts and recurrent bleaching events have resulted in serious declines of coral assemblages, particularly in near-shore areas. However, the degree to which the extinction risk of coral-dependent fishes is impacted by these coral declines has been uncertain. Using primary literature and expert knowledge, coral-dependent fishes of the Gulf were identified and species-specific data on the regional distribution, population status, life history characteristics, and major threats were compiled to determine their likelihood of extinction under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species' Categories and Criteria. Due to the limited area and degraded and fragmented nature of coral assemblages in the Gulf, all coral-dependent fishes (where data was sufficient to assess) were listed at elevated risk of extinction. Cross-boundary collaboration among Gulf States is necessary for effective management and protection of coral assemblages and their associated communities within this globally important region.
authors.affiliation: IUCN Species Programme, Marine Biodiversity Unit, Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, United States of America. Electronic address: jbuch013@odu.edu.
authors.forename: Jack R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Buchanan
authors.affiliation: Senckenberg Research Institute, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt a.M., Germany; Qatar Museums, P.O. Box 2777, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: fkrupp@senckenberg.de.
authors.forename: Friedhelm
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Krupp
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, New York University - Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: john.burt@nyu.edu.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Burt
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom. Electronic address: David.Feary@nottingham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Feary
authors.affiliation: IUCN Species Programme, Marine Biodiversity Unit, Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, United States of America. Electronic address: gralph@odu.edu.
authors.forename: Gina M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Ralph
authors.affiliation: IUCN Species Programme, Marine Biodiversity Unit, Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, United States of America. Electronic address: kcarpent@odu.edu.
authors.forename: Kent E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Carpenter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000254:growth & development; D044822:Biodiversity; D057894:Coral Reefs; D056727:Endangered Species; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D019156:Indian Ocean; D013045:Species Specificity
keywords: Arabian Gulf; Coral assemblages; Extinction risk; IUCN Red List; Marine conservation; Persian Gulf