SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Papua New Guinea 2006

Study Extent

Andra, Panapompom, Sideia and Tsoilaunung in Papua New Guinea

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 caerulea
3. Actinopyga echinites
4. Actinopyga lecanora
5. Actinopyga mauritiana
6. Actinopyga miliaris
7. Anadara antiquata
8. Anadara sp.
9. Archaster sp.
10. Astralium sp.
11. Atactodea striata
12. Atrina sp.
13. Atrina vexillum
14. Bohadschia argus
15. Bohadschia marmorata
16. Bohadschia vitiensis
17. Calappa sp.
18. Cassiopea andromeda
19. Cassis cornuta
20. Cerithium nodulosum
21. Chama sp.
22. Chicoreus sp.
23. Choriaster granulatus
24. Choriaster sp.
25. Codakia sp.
26. Conomurex luhuanus
27. Conus ebraeus
28. Conus imperialis
29. Conus leopardus
30. Conus litteratus
31. Conus marmoreus
32. Conus miles
33. Conus sanguinolentus
34. Conus sp.
35. Conus textile
36. Conus vexillum
37. Conus virgo
38. Coralliophila sp.
39. Culcita novaeguineae
40. Cypraea sp.
41. Cypraea tigris
42. Diadema sp.
43. Dolabella sp.
44. Drupa sp.
45. Drupella sp.
46. Echinometra mathaei
47. Echinothrix calamaris
48. Echinothrix diadema
49. Echinothrix sp.
50. Filifusus filamentosus
51. Fragum fragum
52. Gibberulus gibberulus gibbosus
53. Haliotis asinina
54. Harpago chiragra
55. Heterocentrotus mamillatus
56. Hippopus hippopus
57. Holothuria atra
58. Holothuria coluber
59. Holothuria edulis
60. Holothuria fuscogilva
61. Holothuria fuscopunctata
62. Holothuria leucospilota
63. Holothuria nobilis
64. Holothuria pervicax
65. Holothuria scabra
66. Hyotissa sp.
67. Lambis crocata
68. Lambis lambis
69. Lambis millepeda
70. Lambis scorpius
71. Lambis sp.
72. Lambis truncata
73. Latirolagena smaragdulus
74. Linckia laevigata
75. Lopha cristagalli
76. Lyncina lynx
77. Lysiosquillina maculata
78. Lysiosquillina sp.
79. Mancinella armigera
80. Mauritia arabica
81. Mespilia globulus
82. Mitra mitra
83. Modiolus sp.
84. Monetaria annulus
85. Monetaria caputserpentis
86. Monetaria moneta
87. Octopus cyanea
88. Octopus sp.
89. Ovula ovum
90. Panulirus sp.
91. Panulirus versicolor
92. Parribacus caledonicus
93. Pearsonothuria graeffei
94. Pinctada margaritifera
95. Pinctada maxima
96. Pinna bicolor
97. Pinna sp.
98. Pleuroploca sp.
99. Polinices mammilla
100. Protoreaster nodosus
101. Pteria penguin
102. Pteria sp.
103. Scylla serrata
104. Spondylus sp.
105. Stichodactyla sp.
106. Stichopus chloronotus
107. Stichopus hermanni
108. Stichopus horrens
109. Stichopus pseudohorrens
110. Stichopus vastus
111. Strombus labiatus
112. Strombus sinuatus
113. Strombus sp.
114. Synapta sp.
115. Tectus conus
116. Tectus niloticus
117. Tectus pyramis
118. Tectus sp.
119. Thais sp.
120. Thelenota ananas
121. Thelenota anax
122. Thelenota rubralineata
123. Tridacna crocea
124. Tridacna derasa
125. Tridacna gigas
126. Tridacna maxima
127. Tridacna squamosa
128. Tripneustes gratilla
129. Trochus maculatus
130. Trochus sp.
131. Turbo argyrostomus
132. Turbo chrysostomus
133. Turbo crassus
134. Turbo petholatus
135. Turbo setosus
136. Tutufa sp.
137. Vasum ceramicum
138. Vasum sp.
139. Vasum turbinellus

Andra, Panapompom, Sideia and Tsoilaunung in Papua New Guinea