Pebbled places preferred by people and pipefish in a World Heritage protected area

Although the ecological impacts of recreational activities in clear tropical streams are occasionally acknowledged and addressed, frequently they remain unmanaged, despite the fact that such streams are highly sought-after destinations for leisure pursuits. Here, we provide a case study on the ecological characteristics of the Indo-Pacific freshwater pipefish Microphis leiaspis Bleeker, 1854, which is a habitat specialist with little available information aside from its reproductive biology and the downstream migration patterns of its larvae. Drawing from our collective experiences, we describe the distribution and habitat of Microphis leiaspis and examine the potential impacts of various small-scale human activities on its livelihood, including those occur- ring within protected areas. In particular, we document incidental observations of human disturbances to adult Microphis leiaspis habitat in clear freshwater streams located within the Australian Wet Tropics (AWT) World Heritage Area. Using these observations as a foundation, we conceptualize human interactions with this species in the AWT streams and more broadly across the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean. Microphis leiaspis occurs in the lower-mid course of short-steep-coastal-streams, in association with pebble fields, where it feeds on microscop- ic benthic invertebrates. We observed three distinct human behaviours in the pipefish habitat within the AWT, including stone-stacking, the construction of boulder-cobble dams, and stone-skimming. Additionally, we report on other small-scale human activities that may potentially impact this pipefish species in streams across Pacific Island nations and select coastal regions of continents. Our recommendation is to promote a ‘leave no trace’ approach to the public, which can be effectively communicated by key individuals such as indigenous custodi- ans, national park managers, locals, and tourism operators. This approach aims to minimize rock movement by people, thereby aiding in the protection of diadromous pipefish and other aquatic species residing in short-steepcoastal-streams

Biodiversity and conservation of freshwater fishes in selected rivers of Choiseul Island, Solomon Islands

During a terrestrial biodiversity survey of Choiseul Island, we conducted freshwater fish surveys in seven sites between July 2005 and August 2006. We found 32 fish species from 15 families (38% of known Solomon Island freshwater fish). Most species were uncommon with the exception of Kuhlia marginata (6/7 sites), K. rupestris (5/7 sites) and Glossogobius sp. 1 (5/7 sites). No introduced species were found in any of the sites. Species richness ranged from 2-14 species per site and was highest in Lumutu River and Kolombangara River. This difference between sites is partially attributed to substrate type (higher richness in sites with gravel substrates than mud) and distance from the coast (higher richness near the coast than inland). The results of this survey in conjunction with a previous survey bring the total number of freshwater fish species on Choiseul Island to 41. This diversity is threatened by habitat degradation through sedimentation and over harvesting of some species. We recommend a number of activities to ameliorate these threats including seasonal banning of fish harvest during breeding periods and mass juvenile migrations, discouraging the practice of streamside agriculture, and education of locals on the negative impacts of logging on watershed health and productivity

Redescription of Yirrkala g jellerupi, a Poorly Known Freshwater Indo-Pacific Snake Eel (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae).

v. ill. 23 cm.QuarterlyYirrkala g jellerupi (Weber & de Beaufort, 1916), unknown since the brief and unfigured original description of the holotype from New Guinea, is herein diagnosed, described, and illustrated, based on specimens recently captured in a Fijian freshwater stream. Other eels collected there and nearby include Anguilla megastoma, A. obscura, Lamnostoma kampeni, and an unidentified moringuid. Living far from the sea is very atypical for an adult ophichthid

Ecologlcal observatlons on Sanford's Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus (leucogaster) sanfordi

Field observations of Sanford's Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus (leucogaster) sanfordi were obtained in the Solomon Islands (Choiseul, Tetepare, Rendova, Kolombangara, and Vella Lavella) from January 2006 to October 2011. Sanford's Sea-Eagles were encountered in coastal, lowland and montane forests (to 1100 m above sea-level), open human-modified habitats, and along a river through primary rainforest. Prédation or attempted prédation was observed on soaring Glossy Swiftlets Collocalia esculenta, Solomons Flying-foxes Pteropus rayneri leaving their roosts and a Prehensile-tailed Skink Corucia zebrata. Ecological release may explain this eagle's wide habitat and dietary niche in the Islands, but other evidence (morphology, vocalisations) suggests that lumping it with the White-bellied SeaEagle H. leucogaster, on limited DNA evidence, may be premature

Nouvelle espèce de Lentipes (Gobiidae) des îles Salomon

International audienceA new species of Lentipes, a freshwater Sicydiinae goby, is described from streams of SolomonIslands. It differs from other species of the genus by a combination of characters including an urogenital papillalacking lateral lobes and retractable into a sheath-like groove, the number of pectoral fin rays, the number ofscales, the number of tricuspid teeth in the upper jaw, and a specific body colour in male.Une espèce nouvelle de Lentipes, gobie Sicydiinae d’eau douce, est décrite des îles Salomon. Elle diffère des autres espèces du genre par plusieurs caractères dont une papille urogénitale sans lobes latéraux et rétractable dans une cavité, le nombre de rayons aux nageoires pectorales, le nombre d’écailles, le nombre de dents tricuspides à la mâchoire supérieure et une coloration caractéristique des mâles

Solomon’s Gold Mine: Description or redescription of 24 species of Caridina (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) freshwater shrimps from the Solomon Islands, including 11 new species.

Following recent (2014–2017) collections made in the Solomon Islands by the MNHN and the NGO ESSI, we provide a checklist of the species of amphidromous freshwater shrimps of the genus Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837 from this region. Using morphological as well as molecular data in an integrative taxonomic perspective, we found a total of 24 species, including 11 new for science, that are described or re-described, illustrated and discussed in relation to their habitat and distribution. Newly described species are Caridina barakoma sp. nov., C. choiseul sp. nov., C. intermedia sp. nov., C. maeana sp. nov., C. nana sp. nov., C. piokerai sp. nov., C. pisuku sp. nov., C. paratypus sp. nov., C. poarae sp. nov., C. sikipozo sp. nov. and C. turipi sp. nov. Caridina gueryi Marquet, Keith & Kalfatak, 2009 is re-validated as a species distinct from C. buehleri Roux, 1934. Lectotypes are designated for C. mertoni Roux, 1911 and C. papuana Nobili, 1905. Diagnoses for 6 informative species groups are provided: C. brevicarpalis group, C. gracilirostris group, C. nilotica group, C. typus group, C. serratirostris group and C. weberi group. A map of the species distribution in the Solomon Islands, as well as the phylogenetic relationships between the species and their relatives, are provided

A new species of Lentipes (Gobiidae) from the Solomon Islands

A new species of Lentipes, a freshwater Sicydiinae goby, is described from streams of Solomon Islands. It differs from other species of the genus by a combination of characters including an urogenital papilla lacking lateral lobes and retractable into a sheath-like groove, the number of pectoral fin rays, the number of scales, the number of tricuspid teeth in the upper jaw, and a specific body colour in male

Solomon’s Gold Mine: Description or redescription of 24 species of Caridina (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) freshwater shrimps from the Solomon Islands, including 11 new species

Following recent (2014–2017) collections made in the Solomon Islands by the MNHN and the NGO ESSI, we provide a checklist of the species of amphidromous freshwater shrimps of the genus Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837 from this region. Using morphological as well as molecular data in an integrative taxonomic perspective, we found a total of 24 species, including 11 new for science, that are described or re-described, illustrated and discussed in relation to their habitat and distribution. Newly described species are Caridina barakoma sp. nov., C. choiseul sp. nov., C. intermedia sp. nov., C. maeana sp. nov., C. nana sp. nov., C. piokerai sp. nov., C. pisuku sp. nov., C. paratypus sp. nov., C. poarae sp. nov., C. sikipozo sp. nov. and C. turipi sp. nov. Caridina gueryi Marquet, Keith & Kalfatak, 2009 is re-validated as a species distinct from C. buehleri Roux, 1934. Lectotypes are designated for C. mertoni Roux, 1911 and C. papuana Nobili, 1905. Diagnoses for 6 informative species groups are provided: C. brevicarpalis group, C. gracilirostris group, C. nilotica group, C. typus group, C. serratirostris group and C. weberi group. A map of the species distribution in the Solomon Islands, as well as the phylogenetic relationships between the species and their relatives, are provided

Freshwater ichthyofauna of the Pacific-Asia Biodiversity Transect (PABITRA) Gateway in Viti Levu, Fiji

The freshwater ichthyofauna of the Fiji islands remained poorly documented before the establishment of the Pacific-Asia Biodiversity Transect (PABITRA) network. The PABITRA approach assesses biodiversity along ocean-to-mountain transects and promotes sustainable land use on islands across the Pacific. Multiple surveys of freshwater fish species along the Viti Levu PABITRA transect have contributed six new occurrence records and one new species to the known freshwater fishes of Fiji since 2002. In total, 21 indigenous species of fish (9% endemic) from 10 families and no introduced fishes were found in the three PABITRA sites. Diversity was highest (16 species) at Savura forest reserve and decreased further inland into Sovi and Wabu. The assemblage found is dominated by highly migratory species (95%) that traverse the different aquatic habitats (marine, estuarine, lowland and upland streams) covered by the PABITRA transect. This high degree of connectivity highlights several growing issues affecting aquatic fauna on the high island of Viti Levu. The reduction in forest cover along the gateway transects, especially in the terminal reaches, and infrastructure development such as dams and weirs have deleterious effects on the migration routes of the Fijian ichthyofauna. Several species collected are important food sources and have cultural totemic importance to local inhabitants along the vertical transect. This paper documents the ichthyofauna of the Fiji gateway transect, ecological characteristics of this assemblage, IUCN Redlist conservation assessment status and highlights factors affecting the fragility and resilience of these communities, particularly focusing on the importance of life-history patterns and watershed condition

Solomon Islands ranger skills guide

Rangers are very important in maintaining green lines that protect conservation areas, marine protected areas, wildlife refuges, historic sites, or resource management areas. Whether they are conducting awareness programs, enforcing laws, accompanying visitors, or assisting researchers, rangers are essential to establishing secure, enjoyable and memorable experiences. The ‘Solomon Islands Ranger Skills Guide’ is intended to assist local rangers with skills and practical training that may be useful in managing and monitoring natural resources at their respective sites. It is intended to help the relevant government ministry manage, protect and preserve Solomon Islands natural heritage, and to support conservation efforts that will ensure the persistence of ecologically and historically important sites