SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Marshall Islands 2007

Study Extent

Laura, Ailuk, Arno and Likiep in Marshall Islands

Sampling

Diversity and abundance of invertebrate species were determined using a range of survey techniques, including broad-scale assessment (using the manta-tow technique) and finer-scale assessment of specific reef and benthic habitats. Broad-scale assessments were used to record large sedentary invertebrates; transects were 300 m long × 2 m wide, across inshore, midshore and more exposed oceanic habitats. Fine-scale assessments were conducted in target areas (areas with naturally higher abundance and/or the most suitable habitat) to specifically describe resource status. Fine-scale assessments were conducted of both reef (hard-bottom) and sandy (soft-bottom) areas to assess the range, size, and condition of invertebrate species present and to determine the nature and condition of the habitat with greater accuracy. These assessments were conducted using 40 m transects (1 m wide swathe, six replicates per station) recording most epi-benthic resources (those living on the bottom) and potential indicator species. For trochus and bêche-de-mer fisheries, searches to assess aggregations were made in the surf zone along exposed reef edges. On occasion, when time and conditions allowed, dives to 25–35 m were made to determine the availability of deeper-water sea cucumber populations. Night searches were conducted on inshore reefs to assess nocturnal sea cucumber species See http://purl.org/spc/digilib/doc/pfj5w

Method steps

1. Multiple observations for the same species aggregated by replicate. For replicates with a start and end positions (manta tow), the position provided is the middle point.

1. Acanthaster planci
2. Actinopyga mauritiana
3. Arca sp.
4. Archaster sp.
5. Astralium sp.
6. Atergatis floridus
7. Beguina semiorbiculata
8. Bohadschia argus
9. Bohadschia vitiensis
10. Bursa bufonia
11. Bursa granularis
12. Carpilius maculatus
13. Cassis cornuta
14. Cerithium nodulosum
15. Chama sp.
16. Charonia tritonis
17. Chicoreus brunneus
18. Chicoreus sp.
19. Choriaster granulatus
20. Choriaster sp.
21. Conomurex luhuanus
22. Conus bandanus
23. Conus distans
24. Conus flavidus
25. Conus leopardus
26. Conus lividus
27. Conus marmoreus
28. Conus miles
29. Conus miliaris
30. Conus pulicarius
31. Conus sp.
32. Coralliophila sp.
33. Culcita novaeguineae
34. Cypraea tigris
35. Drupa rubusidaeus
36. Drupella sp.
37. Echinometra mathaei
38. Echinothrix calamaris
39. Echinothrix diadema
40. Entacmaea quadricolor
41. Etisus sp.
42. Gibberulus gibberulus gibbosus
43. Gonodactylus sp.
44. Gutturnium muricinum
45. Harpa amouretta
46. Harpago chiragra
47. Heterocentrotus mamillatus
48. Hippopus hippopus
49. Holothuria atra
50. Holothuria edulis
51. Holothuria fuscogilva
52. Holothuria hilla
53. Holothuria impatiens
54. Holothuria nobilis
55. Lambis lambis
56. Lambis scorpius
57. Lambis sp.
58. Lambis truncata
59. Leporicypraea mappa
60. Linckia laevigata
61. Luria isabella
62. Lyncina vitellus
63. Lysiosquillina maculata
64. Mancinella armigera
65. Mauritia arabica
66. Mauritia eglantina
67. Mauritia maculifera
68. Mauritia scurra
69. Mespilia globulus
70. Mitra mitra
71. Monetaria annulus
72. Monetaria caputserpentis
73. Monetaria moneta
74. Octopus sp.
75. Panulirus penicillatus
76. Panulirus sp.
77. Panulirus versicolor
78. Phyllidia sp.
79. Pinctada margaritifera
80. Pleuroploca sp.
81. Pollia fumosa
82. Portunus sp.
83. Rhinoclavis aspera
84. Saron sp.
85. Spondylus sp.
86. Stenopus hispidus
87. Stichodactyla sp.
88. Synapta sp.
89. Tectus conus
90. Tectus niloticus
91. Tectus pyramis
92. Tectus sp.
93. Thais sp.
94. Thalassina sp.
95. Thelenota ananas
96. Thelenota anax
97. Tridacna gigas
98. Tridacna maxima
99. Tridacna squamosa
100. Tripneustes sp.
101. Trochus maculatus
102. Trochus sp.
103. Turbo argyrostomus
104. Turbo petholatus
105. Tylothais aculeata
106. Vasum ceramicum
107. Vasum sp.
108. Vasum turbinellus

Laura, Ailuk, Arno and Likiep in Marshall Islands