SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Tuvalu 2004-2005

Study Extent

Funafuti, Niutao, Nukufetau and Vaitupu in Tuvalu

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

Data from manta inner 1 station excluded as there is no position.

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. Actinopyga mauritiana
2. Actinopyga miliaris
3. Astralium sp.
4. Bohadschia argus
5. Bohadschia vitiensis
6. Cerithium nodulosum
7. Chama sp.
8. Charonia tritonis
9. Chicoreus ramosus
10. Conomurex luhuanus
11. Conus miles
12. Conus sp.
13. Culcita novaeguineae
14. Cymatium sp.
15. Cypraea sp.
16. Cypraea tigris
17. Drupa morum
18. Drupa sp.
19. Drupella sp.
20. Echinometra mathaei
21. Echinometra sp.
22. Echinothrix diadema
23. Eriphia sebana
24. Fromia sp.
25. Harpago chiragra
26. Heterocentrotus mamillatus
27. Holothuria atra
28. Holothuria fuscogilva
29. Holothuria fuscopunctata
30. Holothuria nobilis
31. Lambis truncata
32. Linckia laevigata
33. Lysiosquillina sp.
34. Mancinella armigera
35. Monetaria caputserpentis
36. Monetaria moneta
37. Octopus cyanea
38. Panulirus sp.
39. Penaeus sp.
40. Pinctada margaritifera
41. Spondylus sp.
42. Stichodactyla sp.
43. Talparia talpa
44. Tectus niloticus
45. Tectus pyramis
46. Tectus sp.
47. Thais sp.
48. Thelenota ananas
49. Thelenota anax
50. Tridacna maxima
51. Tridacna squamosa
52. Trochus maculatus
53. Trochus sp.
54. Turbo argyrostomus
55. Turbo setosus
56. Turbo sp.
57. Tutufa sp.
58. Vasum ceramicum

Funafuti, Niutao, Nukufetau and Vaitupu in Tuvalu