SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Vanuatu 2003

Study Extent

Moso, Paunagisu, Maskelynes and Uri-Uripiv in Vanuatu

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. Acanthopleura gemmata
3. Acrosterigma sp.
4. Actinodendron sp.
5. Actinopyga lecanora
6. Actinopyga mauritiana
7. Actinopyga miliaris
8. Anadara antiquata
9. Anadara sp.
10. Archaster typicus
11. Atrina sp.
12. Atrina vexillum
13. Bohadschia argus
14. Bohadschia marmorata
15. Bohadschia vitiensis
16. Calappa hepatica
17. Cassiopea andromeda
18. Cassiopea sp.
19. Cerithium nodulosum
20. Chama sp.
21. Chicoreus ramosus
22. Choriaster granulatus
23. Codakia interrupta
24. Conomurex luhuanus
25. Conus flavidus
26. Conus geographus
27. Conus leopardus
28. Conus litteratus
29. Conus marmoreus
30. Conus miles
31. Conus sp.
32. Conus textile
33. Coralliophila violacea
34. Culcita novaeguineae
35. Cymatium sp.
36. Cymbiola sp.
37. Cypraea tigris
38. Diadema sp.
39. Dolabella auricularia
40. Drupella sp.
41. Echinometra mathaei
42. Echinothrix calamaris
43. Echinothrix diadema
44. Filifusus filamentosus
45. Fragum unedo
46. Gafrarium pectinatum
47. Gafrarium sp.
48. Gibberulus gibberulus gibbosus
49. Heterocentrotus mamillatus
50. Hippopus hippopus
51. Holothuria atra
52. Holothuria coluber
53. Holothuria edulis
54. Holothuria flavomaculata
55. Holothuria fuscopunctata
56. Holothuria hilla
57. Holothuria nobilis
58. Holothuria scabra
59. Hyotissa sp.
60. Lambis lambis
61. Lambis sp.
62. Lambis truncata
63. Latirolagena smaragdulus
64. Linckia laevigata
65. Mitra mitra
66. Modiolus auriculatus
67. Modiolus sp.
68. Monetaria annulus
69. Monetaria caputserpentis
70. Monetaria moneta
71. Nardoa novaecaledoniae
72. Nardoa sp.
73. Nassarius sp.
74. Octopus cyanea
75. Panulirus sp.
76. Panulirus versicolor
77. Pearsonothuria graeffei
78. Periglypta puerpera
79. Pinctada margaritifera
80. Pinna sp.
81. Pitar prora
82. Polinices sp.
83. Quidnipagus palatam
84. Reishia bitubercularis
85. Rhinoclavis aspera
86. Spondylus sp.
87. Spondylus squamosus
88. Stichodactyla gigantea
89. Stichodactyla sp.
90. Stichopus chloronotus
91. Stichopus hermanni
92. Stichopus horrens
93. Stichopus vastus
94. Strombus labiatus
95. Synapta sp.
96. Tapes literatus
97. Tectus niloticus
98. Tectus pyramis
99. Thais sp.
100. Thelenota ananas
101. Thelenota anax
102. Toxopneustes pileolus
103. Trachycardium sp.
104. Tridacna crocea
105. Tridacna maxima
106. Tridacna squamosa
107. Tripneustes gratilla
108. Trochus maculatus
109. Trochus sp.
110. Turbo argyrostomus
111. Turbo chrysostomus
112. Turbo marmoratus
113. Vasum ceramicum
114. Vasum sp.
115. Vasum turbinellus

Moso, Paunagisu, Maskelynes and Uri-Uripiv in Vanuatu