SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Nauru 2005

Study Extent

Nauru island

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. Actinodendron sp.
3. Actinopyga mauritiana
4. Bulla sp.
5. Calappa sp.
6. Calcinus sp.
7. Carpilius maculatus
8. Chama sp.
9. Coenobita sp.
10. Conus flavidus
11. Conus miles
12. Conus sp.
13. Culcita novaeguineae
14. Cypraea tigris
15. Diadema sp.
16. Drupa morum
17. Drupa sp.
18. Drupella sp.
19. Echinometra mathaei
20. Echinothrix calamaris
21. Echinothrix diadema
22. Echinothrix sp.
23. Eriphia sebana
24. Fromia sp.
25. Grapsus albolineatus
26. Grapsus grapsus
27. Holothuria atra
28. Holothuria nobilis
29. Lambis truncata
30. Latirolagena smaragdulus
31. Linckia laevigata
32. Lysiosquillina sp.
33. Mancinella armigera
34. Monetaria caputserpentis
35. Monetaria moneta
36. Morula sp.
37. Nerita polita
38. Nerita sp.
39. Oliva sp.
40. Ovula ovum
41. Panulirus sp.
42. Pearsonothuria graeffei
43. Pilumnus sp.
44. Stichodactyla sp.
45. Talparia talpa
46. Thais sp.
47. Thelenota ananas
48. Turbo argyrostomus
49. Turbo setosus
50. Vasum ceramicum
51. Vasum sp.

Nauru island