Influence of geographical distribution, body size and diet on population density of benthic fishes off Namibia (South West Africa)

Abstract

This study supports the hypothesis that species tend to become rarer towards the limits of their geographic distribution. Over-all species abundance is positively correlated with the size of the area occupied. However, body size is a weak predictor of the abundance of benthic fish species. It is suggested that habitat complexity , competition or other factors regulate patterns of species abundance.