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Distribution of rat species (Rattus spp.) on the atolls of the Marshall Islands: past and present dispersal

Biodiversity Conservation, BRB

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Spennemann D.H.R.

The study of dispersal processes of small mammals, and especially of rodents, has a wide range of applications and until recent years there were few publications discussing the colonisation of 'oceanic' islands by small mammals (cf. Crowell, 1986; Diamond, 1987; Hanski, 1986;Heany, 1986; Lomolino, 1986). This essay will be concerned with the distribution of rat species in the Marshall Islands and its implications on the interpretation of the settlement and human use of the atolls. It will be argued that in all instances the introduction of rats was caused by people and that accidental transport, such as rafting on drift wood and the like, is as unlikely as introduction by means of ship wrecks. Human transport as well as the rats' own inability to cross great distances of water makes them bad zoogeographical markers, as already pointed out by Braestrup (1956), but it is precisely this trait that is of concern here. This paper will argue that the Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans) was an intentional introduction to the area and that its distribution throughout the Marshall Islands was a deliberate strategy.

Checklist of the shorefishes of Ouvea atoll, New Caledonia

Biodiversity Conservation

Available Online

Kulbickland Michel

Williams Jeffrey T

The shorefishes of Ouvea, an isolated atoll in the Loyalty Islands group of New Caledonia, had not been surveyed prior to 1990. An extensive survey was conducted by ORSTOM between 1991 and 1992 to obtain baseline information on the shorefishes. A total of 653 taxa among 72 families are now documented from this area. The most diverse families are the Labridae (69 species), Pomacentridae (58 species), Gobiidae (54 spccies),Serranidae (39 species), Chaetodontidae (31 species) and Apogonidae (28 species). The absence or very low diversity of some families (Clupeidae, Nemipteridae, Siganidae) or genera (Abudefduf, Neopomacentrus) is similar to findings for other isolated islands of the Coral Sea. Of the 653 species recorded from Ouvea, 51 species have not been reported from New Caledonia, a large high island to the South. Only one endemic species, Luzonichthys williamsi, has been recognized among the shorefishes at Ouvea. A number of Pacific Plate endemic species were recorded at Ouvea. which is positioned on the Australasian Plate to the south of the edge of the Pacific Plate. Antennarius duescus, previously known from three specimens taken at the Hawaiian Islands, is recorded from a single specimen taken at Ouvea. Another antitropical distribution pattern is exhibited by Dinemalichthys riukiuensis, which is known to occur at Fiji, Ouvea and Queensland in the South and from Okinawa.

On the origin of drift materials in the Marshall Islands

Biodiversity Conservation

Available Online

Spennemann, D.H.R.

The oceanic dispersal of plants and animals has been the focus of studies ever since organized natural history started in the Pacific, and the dispersal of terrestrial by sea rafting has been given due consideration. The finding of drift materials such as glass floats, tree trunks and seeds, is a common occurrence on the shores of Pacific Islands, but in most cases the origin of such material is unknown or at least equivocal. Thus while the principle of sea rafted dispersal is known and reported at length, there is a need to document those occasions where positive proof of origin can be furnished.

Pacific Islands Climate Change Assistance Programme (PICCAP) RAS/95/G32/A/IG/99 : project document

Climate Change Resilience, Biodiversity Conservation

Available Online

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) (SPREP)

The Pacific Island climate Change Programme (PICCAP) is a regional Climate Change Enabling Activities project. It involves ten Pacific Island countries (Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu) and is coordinated and executed by the South Pacific Regional Environment.

Coral Reefs: An english compilation of Activities for middle School Students

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The breathtakingly beautiful coral reefs of the world cover less than a half of one percent of our planet's sea floor. And yet, these magnificent underwater empires are home to an estimated 25 percent of all oceanic species, a dazzling diversity of sea creatures. Like the teeming metropolis of Rome, a coral reef "was not built in a day."Rather, the coral heads in a reef grow at a painstakingly slow average rate of half an inch per year and require epochs of geological time to amass into reefs and coral cays.Coral reefs, in addition to providing food and shelter for countless varieties of marine life, provide benefits beyond estimation for humankind. Healthy reefs aree ssential for an adequate supply of seafood to nourish the world's populations and sustain regional fishing industries. Reefs enhance tourist businesses by attracting millions of divers and by continuously supplying coastal beaches with shimmering white sand, the fine-grained rubble of dead corals and calcareous reef algae. By breaking waves, reefs protect nearby shorelines from soil and sand erosion and from the brunt of ravaging hurricanes. A wealth of commercial and medical applications has been discovered for corals and other components of the reef community. From coral reefs come additives for cement and mortar, compounds used in violin varnishes, substances for surgically replacing broken human bones, and promising treatments for infections,viruses, arthritis, asthma, and cancer. Scientists agree that this is only the tip of the iceberg as far as important findings and innovations which will result from continued research of coral reefs.

1997 Pacific year of the Coral Reefs Regional Campaign Plan

Biodiversity Conservation

Available Online

The 1997 Pacific Year of the Coral Reef is a region wide education and awareness campaign. Part of the ICR! Pacific Regional Strategy, this Campaign is aimed at communicating the urgent need to conserve the Pacific coral reef and related ecosystems.

1997 Climate Change National Communication : Federated States of Micronesia

Climate Change Resilience

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FSM National Government

The Federated States of Micronesia includes the most geographically and culturally diverse part of the greater Micronesian region. The nation is comprised of four states Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae lying along the equator in geographic sequence from west to east. The nation has a total population of about 106,000. Each state has considerable autonomy within the federation and has devised its own strategy for development. An overall, integrated development vision for the federation is provided by the national government.

Report of the Sixth (6th) South Pacific Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas (PIRT) : volume 1 - Conference meeting report, 29 September - 3 October 1997, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia / compiled and technically edited by Sue Miller and Joanna Sim.

SPREP Publications, Biodiversity Conservation

Available Online

The Sixth South Pacific Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas was hosted by the Federated States of Micronesia in the State of Pohnpei from 29 September 3 October 1997.

Capacity 21 : Integration of environmental, social and economic sustainability for Vanuatu - sustainable development : an information package for Vanuatu

Available Online

Nalial, Edward I.N.

Development is a national priority for Vanuatu. However, there are limited natural resources available in this country. Therefore, like the rest of the world Vanuatu must outline methods that will retain the balance between development and maintenance of natural resources and the environment. The preservation of that balance is the practice, now endorsed, commonly known as Sustainable Development.

vanuatu

Report of the Ninth (9th) SPREP Meeting of Officials, Nukualofa, Kingdom of Tonga, 25-27 November, 1996

SPREP Publications, Key SPREP Documents

Available Online

The Officials segment of the Ninth SPREP Meeting was convened in Nukualofa, Kingdom of Tonga, from 25 to 27 November 1996. Representatives of the following countries and territories attended: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France, Guam, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States of America, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna and Western Samoa. Representatives of the Forum Secretariat, the South Pacific Commission (SPC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) attended as Advisers. Observers from a range of regional, international and non-government organisations were also present. A list of participant is attached as Annex 1.

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