SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Samoa 2005

Study Extent

Manono-uta, Vailoa, Vaisala and Salelavalu in Samoa

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. Anadara antiquata
4. Anadara sp.
5. Archaster typicus
6. Astralium sp.
7. Bohadschia argus
8. Bohadschia vitiensis
9. Calappa sp.
10. Carpilius maculatus
11. Cassiopea sp.
12. Cerithium nodulosum
13. Cerithium sp.
14. Chama sp.
15. Charonia tritonis
16. Chicoreus ramosus
17. Chicoreus sp.
18. Coenobita sp.
19. Conomurex luhuanus
20. Conus flavidus
21. Conus frigidus
22. Conus leopardus
23. Conus litteratus
24. Conus marmoreus
25. Conus miles
26. Conus sp.
27. Conus virgo
28. Culcita novaeguineae
29. Cypraea sp.
30. Cypraea tigris
31. Dardanus sp.
32. Diadema sp.
33. Dolabella sp.
34. Drupa sp.
35. Drupella sp.
36. Echinometra mathaei
37. Echinothrix calamaris
38. Echinothrix diadema
39. Echinothrix sp.
40. Eriphia sebana
41. Etisus splendidus
42. Filifusus filamentosus
43. Fromia sp.
44. Gibberulus gibberulus gibbosus
45. Holothuria atra
46. Holothuria fuscogilva
47. Holothuria fuscopunctata
48. Holothuria leucospilota
49. Holothuria nobilis
50. Lambis lambis
51. Lambis scorpius
52. Lambis sp.
53. Lambis truncata
54. Latirolagena smaragdulus
55. Linckia laevigata
56. linckia sp.
57. Lyncina lynx
58. Lysiosquillina sp.
59. Mespilia globulus
60. Monetaria annulus
61. Monetaria caputserpentis
62. Monetaria moneta
63. Nassarius sp.
64. Octopus sp.
65. Periglypta puerpera
66. Pinctada sp.
67. Pinna bicolor
68. Pinna sp.
69. Pseudovertagus aluco
70. Quidnipagus palatam
71. Scutarcopagia scobinata
72. Spondylus sp.
73. Stichodactyla sp.
74. Stichopus chloronotus
75. Stichopus horrens
76. Strombus labiatus
77. Strombus sp.
78. Synapta sp.
79. Tectus pyramis
80. Tectus sp.
81. Thais sp.
82. Thelenota ananas
83. Thelenota anax
84. Toxopneustes pileolus
85. Toxopneustes sp.
86. Tridacna maxima
87. Tridacna squamosa
88. Trochus sp.
89. Turbo argyrostomus
90. Turbo crassus
91. Turbo setosus
92. Turbo sp.
93. Vasum sp.

Manono-uta, Vailoa, Vaisala and Salelavalu in Samoa