EXTENDING RAPOPORT RULE TO PACIFIC MARINE FISHES

The mean bathymetric (depth) range of assemblages of marine fishes is negatively correlated with the depth at which the assemblage is found and negatively correlated with species richness. These findings suppor t the creation of a new biogeographic rule patterned after the terrest rial Rapoport's Rules for Latitude and Elevation. Previous work on Rap oport's rule is extended to include this bathymetric rule and the basi s for all known Rapoport's rules is generalized in hopes of broadening the search for other Rapoport's rules. Species richness is found to b e correlated with Rapoport phenomena, consistent with previous studies . Moreover, local species richness is found to be strongly influenced by regional patterns of species richness (so-called macro-ecological f actors), not just local influences such as productivity in the immedia te area.