DIVERSITY OF STONY, SOFT AND BLACK CORALS (ANTHOZOA, SCLERACTINIA, GORGONACEA, ANTIPATHARIA, HYDROZOA, MILLEPORINA) AT CAYOS-COCHINOS, BAY ISLANDS, HONDURAS

The diversity of the coral fauna in all reef habitats down to 35 m dep th at the Reserva Biologica Cayos Cochinos was determined from surveys conducted from August 1994 to June 1996. Sixty-six species of hermaty pic corals (including three Millepora), forty-four species of octocora ls, and five species of antipatharians are reported for this protected area. This increases the known species of corals in Honduras by ca. 4 0% and 91% for scleractinians and octocorals, respectively. These diff erences appear to be primarily a function of the extent of the survey at this location and taxonomic uncertainties across the region. Large- scale surveys in the Bay Islands will provide further insights into th e diversity and ecology of reef corals across Central America. Little is known about the coral reefs of Honduras, and further work should be directed towards studying the ecology and management of these reefs.