SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Tonga 2002 to 2006

Study Extent

Tongatapu

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

Quality Control

Stations without positions have been excluded. Surveys targeting specific resources (trochus/sea cucumber) are excluded from this dataset

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 echinites
3. Actinopyga lecanora
4. Actinopyga mauritiana
5. Actinopyga miliaris
6. Anadara antiquata
7. Anadara sp.
8. Archaster typicus
9. Arestorides argus
10. Astralium sp.
11. Atrina sp.
12. Bohadschia argus
13. Bohadschia marmorata
14. Bohadschia vitiensis
15. Bulla ampulla
16. Calappa hepatica
17. Canarium mutabile
18. Cassiopea andromeda
19. Cassiopea sp.
20. Cerithium nodulosum
21. Chama sp.
22. Chicoreus ramosus
23. Choriaster granulatus
24. Conomurex luhuanus
25. Conus leopardus
26. Conus quercinus
27. Conus sp.
28. Cryptoplax sp.
29. Culcita novaeguineae
30. Cymatium sp.
31. Cypraea sp.
32. Cypraea tigris
33. Diadema sp.
34. Dolabella auricularia
35. Drupa morum
36. Echinometra mathaei
37. Echinothrix diadema
38. Filifusus filamentosus
39. Fragum fragum
40. Gibberulus gibberulus gibbosus
41. Heterocentrotus mamillatus
42. Holothuria atra
43. Holothuria coluber
44. Holothuria edulis
45. Holothuria fuscogilva
46. Holothuria fuscopunctata
47. Holothuria lessoni
48. Holothuria leucospilota
49. Holothuria nobilis
50. Holothuria scabra versicolor
51. Hyotissa sp.
52. Lambis crocata
53. Lambis lambis
54. Lambis truncata
55. Latirolagena smaragdulus
56. Linckia laevigata
57. Mammilla melanostoma
58. Mitra mitra
59. Modiolus sp.
60. Monetaria annulus
61. Monetaria caputserpentis
62. Monetaria moneta
63. Nassarius sp.
64. Panulirus sp.
65. Periglypta reticulata
66. Pinctada margaritifera
67. Pinna bicolor
68. Pinna sp.
69. Pitar sp.
70. Polinices sp.
71. Protoreaster nodosus
72. Quidnipagus palatam
73. Scutarcopagia scobinata
74. Spondylus sp.
75. Stichodactyla sp.
76. Stichopus chloronotus
77. Stichopus hermanni
78. Strombus sp.
79. Synapta sp.
80. Tectus niloticus
81. Tectus pyramis
82. Thais sp.
83. Thelenota ananas
84. Thelenota anax
85. Toxopneustes pileolus
86. Tridacna maxima
87. Tridacna squamosa
88. Tripneustes gratilla
89. Trochus maculatus
90. Trochus sp.
91. Turbo argyrostomus
92. Turbo chrysostomus
93. Turbo crassus
94. Turbo setosus
95. Vasum turbinellus

Tongatapu