Coral diversity and similarity along Sudanese Red Sea Fringing reef.

This study investigated and assessed the coral diversity and similarity along the Sudanese Red Sea fringing reefs, aiming to establish baseline data for future studies and document coral diversity and similarity between different sites. This study was carried out during the period between 2008 and 2011 in seven different areas extended from north to south for 300 km; Osef, Dungonab, Arkiyai, Arous, Abuhashish, Bashair and Suakin. The methods used comprised of three 50 m transects (point intercept transect and belt transect) surveyed at each of three depths; 1-3m, 5-7m and 10-12m. For all transect data, a hierarchical cluster analysis, ANOVA test and t-test were performed. The results showed some variation and differences between depths, and sites. 136 species of hermatypic corals belonging to 42 genera were identified, species richness ranged from 38 species in Dungonab to 12.33 species in Bashair. The highest value for the index of similarity was 68 % registered between Arkiyai and Suakin, whereas, the lowest value was 32 % registered between Suakin and Bashair. Coral reef biodiversity of the Sudanese Red Sea fringing reef is probably not seriously threatened as long as the legislated conservation measures are maintained.