SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Kiribati 2004

Study Extent

Abaiang, Abemama, Kuria and Kiritimati in Kiribati

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. Actinopyga miliaris
4. Anadara sp.
5. Anadara uropigimelana
6. Atactodea striata
7. Atrina sp.
8. Atrina vexillum
9. Bohadschia argus
10. Bohadschia vitiensis
11. Cassis cornuta
12. Cerithium nodulosum
13. Cerithium sp.
14. Chama sp.
15. Conomurex luhuanus
16. Conus flavidus
17. Conus leopardus
18. Conus miles
19. Conus sp.
20. Conus virgo
21. Culcita novaeguineae
22. Cymatium sp.
23. Diadema sp.
24. Dosinia sp.
25. Drupa morum
26. Echinometra mathaei
27. Echinothrix diadema
28. Echinothrix sp.
29. Gafrarium sp.
30. Harpago chiragra
31. Heterocentrotus mamillatus
32. Hippopus hippopus
33. Holothuria atra
34. Holothuria edulis
35. Holothuria fuscogilva
36. Holothuria fuscopunctata
37. Holothuria nobilis
38. Lambis truncata
39. Linckia laevigata
40. Lysiosquillina sp.
41. Octopus cyanea
42. Octopus sp.
43. Oliva sp.
44. Panulirus sp.
45. Pearsonothuria graeffei
46. Pinctada margaritifera
47. Pinna bicolor
48. Pinna sp.
49. Polinices sp.
50. Spondylus sp.
51. Spondylus squamosus
52. Stichodactyla sp.
53. Stichopus chloronotus
54. Tectus pyramis
55. Thais sp.
56. Thelenota ananas
57. Thelenota anax
58. Trachycardium sp.
59. Tridacna gigas
60. Tridacna maxima
61. Tridacna squamosa
62. Turbo argyrostomus
63. Turbo setosus
64. Turbo sp.
65. Vasum ceramicum
66. Vasum sp.
67. Vasum turbinellus

Abaiang, Abemama, Kuria and Kiritimati in Kiribati