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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
by<br />
Robert Irving<br />
Principal Consultant, Sea-Scope <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>al Consultants, Devon, UK<br />
and<br />
Terry Dawson<br />
SAGES Chair in Global <strong>Environment</strong>al Change, School <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Dundee, UK<br />
Report commissioned by<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Pew</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> Group<br />
Global Ocean Legacy<br />
August 2012<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>
Dedication<br />
This book is dedicated to <strong>the</strong> memory <strong>of</strong> Jo Jamieson, underwater photographer extraordinaire and Robert Irving’s diving<br />
colleague in 1991 on <strong>the</strong> Sir Peter Scott Commemorative Expedition to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>, who sadly died just five years<br />
after what she described as “<strong>the</strong> adventure <strong>of</strong> her lifetime”.<br />
Acknowledgements<br />
<strong>The</strong> authors are grateful for <strong>the</strong> support <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pew</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> Group and a Darwin Initiative Overseas Territories<br />
Challenge Fund (Ref. no. EIDCF003) awarded to Terence Dawson.<br />
In addition, we should like to thank <strong>the</strong> following for commenting on <strong>the</strong> final draft <strong>of</strong> this report:<br />
Dr Michael Brooke and Dr Richard Preece (University <strong>of</strong> Cambridge); Jonathan Hall (RSPB); <strong>The</strong> <strong>Pew</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> Group’s<br />
Global Ocean Legacy staff; <strong>The</strong> Government <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> and <strong>the</strong> Head <strong>of</strong> its Natural Resources Department<br />
(Michele Christian); and especially <strong>the</strong> entire community <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
While <strong>the</strong> majority <strong>of</strong> photographs featured in <strong>the</strong> report have been taken by <strong>the</strong> authors, we should like to thank <strong>the</strong><br />
following for <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir photographs, namely Dr Enric Sala (National Geographic Society), Dr Michael Brooke,<br />
Kale Garcia, Jo Jamieson (posthumously), Andrew MacDonald, Dr Richard Preece, Dr Jack Randall, Tubenoses Project<br />
©Hadoram Shirihai and Dr Stephen Waldren. [<strong>The</strong> photo credit SPSCEPI stands for <strong>the</strong> Sir Peter Scott Commemorative<br />
Expedition to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> in 1991/92].<br />
Citation<br />
Irving, R.A. and Dawson, T.P. 2012. <strong>The</strong> marine environment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>. A report to Global Ocean Legacy,<br />
a project <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pew</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> Group.<br />
Cover<br />
Galapagos reef sharks Carcharhinus galapagensis swimming above <strong>the</strong> reef at Ducie atoll. © Enric Sala / National<br />
Geographic.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> warm-hearted and welcoming people <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, whose good fortune it is<br />
to live on a wonderful island and be surrounded by a beautiful and plentiful sea.<br />
Photo: Courtesy <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pew</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> Group/Global Ocean Legacy
First published in Great Britain in 2012 by<br />
Dundee University Press<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Dundee<br />
Dundee<br />
DD1 4HN<br />
Dundee<br />
University<br />
Press<br />
Copyright – <strong>The</strong> <strong>Pew</strong> Charitable Trusts<br />
ISBN – 9781845861612<br />
All rights reserved. No part <strong>of</strong> this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form,<br />
or by any means electronic or mechanical or photocopying, or recording or o<strong>the</strong>rwise without <strong>the</strong> express<br />
written permission <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> publisher.<br />
<strong>The</strong> rights <strong>of</strong> Robert Irving and Terry Dawson to be identified as <strong>the</strong> authors <strong>of</strong> this work has been asserted<br />
in accordance with <strong>the</strong> Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.<br />
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data<br />
A catalogue record for this book is available on request from <strong>the</strong> British Library<br />
Typeset by Communications Inc<br />
Printed by Dundee University Press<br />
CONTENTS<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
Executive summary i<br />
1. Introduction 1<br />
1.1 Historical background 1<br />
1.2 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> today 2<br />
1.3 Geology / geomorphology 4<br />
1.4 <strong>Marine</strong> biogeography 4<br />
2. Information relevant to all four islands 6<br />
2.1 Differences and similarities 6<br />
2.2 Endemism 9<br />
2.3 Measures <strong>of</strong> protection 10<br />
3. Nearshore waters 11<br />
3.1 <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island 11<br />
3.1.1 Introduction 12<br />
3.1.2 Intertidal zone – habitats and species 12<br />
3.1.3 Bathymetry and marine habitats 13<br />
3.1.4 <strong>Marine</strong> species 14<br />
3.1.5 Nearshore fisheries 19<br />
3.2 Henderson 21<br />
3.2.1 Introduction 22<br />
3.2.2 Intertidal zone – habitats and species 22<br />
3.2.3 Bathymetry and marine habitats 22<br />
3.2.4 <strong>Marine</strong> species 23<br />
3.2.5 Nearshore fisheries 28<br />
3.3 Oeno 29<br />
3.3.1 Introduction 30<br />
3.3.2 Lagoon – habitats and species 30<br />
3.3.3 Bathymetry and marine habitats 30<br />
3.3.4 <strong>Marine</strong> species 30<br />
3.3.5 Nearshore fisheries 31<br />
3.4 Ducie 33<br />
3.4.1 Introduction 34<br />
3.4.2 Lagoon – habitats and species 34<br />
3.4.3 Bathymetry and marine habitats 34<br />
3.4.4 <strong>Marine</strong> species 34<br />
3.4.5 Nearshore fisheries 37<br />
4. Offshore waters 38<br />
4.1 Introduction 38<br />
4.2 Geology/geomorphology 38<br />
4.3 <strong>Marine</strong> species 38<br />
4.4 Fisheries 41<br />
4.4.1 Non-commercial 41<br />
4.4.2 Commercial 42<br />
Appendix 1: Bibliography 45<br />
Appendix 2: Additional data sources 49<br />
Appendix 3: IUCN Red List Species 50<br />
Appendix 4: Scientific research expeditions to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> 54<br />
Appendix 5: <strong>Marine</strong> species recorded from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> 57
0 km 100<br />
0 nautical miles<br />
100<br />
©2012 <strong>Pew</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> Group; used by permission<br />
Oeno Island<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island<br />
130°<br />
*<br />
*<br />
Bounty Seamount<br />
40 Mile Reef<br />
(Adams Seamount)<br />
Henderson<br />
Island<br />
*<br />
Ducie Island<br />
Crough<br />
Seamounts<br />
Submarine volcano (seamount)<br />
Pacific Ocean<br />
*<br />
*<br />
200-nautical-mile limit /<br />
EEZ boundary<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> Exclusive<br />
Economic Zone<br />
/<br />
120°<br />
20°<br />
Tropic <strong>of</strong> Capricorn
Executive summary<br />
<strong>The</strong> extent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>’ Exclusive Economic Zone<br />
(EEZ), which defines <strong>the</strong> geographic extent <strong>of</strong> this report.<br />
Introduction<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> are a group <strong>of</strong> four near-pristine small<br />
islands which can claim to be some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most remote<br />
islands in <strong>the</strong> world. <strong>The</strong>y are situated between latitudes<br />
23° and 26° south and longitudes 124° and 131° west<br />
and located in <strong>the</strong> crystal-clear waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> central South<br />
Pacific, about 2,200 km south-east <strong>of</strong> Tahiti and 2,100 km<br />
west <strong>of</strong> Easter Island. <strong>The</strong> group comprises:<br />
l <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island, a high volcanic island <strong>of</strong> 450 ha with<br />
lava cliffs and rugged hills rising to a peak at 347 m;<br />
it is <strong>the</strong> only inhabited island, with a population <strong>of</strong><br />
around 60 as <strong>of</strong> 2012;<br />
l Henderson (200 km east-north-east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>) is <strong>the</strong><br />
largest island in <strong>the</strong> group with an area <strong>of</strong> 4,310 ha.<br />
It is a raised fossilised coral atoll which rises to 33 m.<br />
It is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site on<br />
account <strong>of</strong> its unique natural history and ecological<br />
intactness, and it has been described as “a South<br />
Pacific conservation jewel” 1 ;<br />
l Ducie (472 km east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>), <strong>the</strong> most sou<strong>the</strong>rly<br />
coral atoll in <strong>the</strong> world, consists <strong>of</strong> a central lagoon<br />
surrounded by four islets covering an area <strong>of</strong> 70 ha;<br />
l Oeno (120 km north-west <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>) is a low coral<br />
atoll <strong>of</strong> 65 ha comprising a central low-lying island<br />
surrounded by a shallow lagoon and a fringing reef<br />
(diameter approximately 4 km).<br />
Toge<strong>the</strong>r, all four islands and <strong>the</strong>ir surrounding waters out<br />
to <strong>the</strong> 200 nautical mile limit – also known as <strong>the</strong> Exclusive<br />
Economic Zone (EEZ) – span a vast area <strong>of</strong> ocean <strong>of</strong> about<br />
836,000 km 2 , more than three times <strong>the</strong> size <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UK.<br />
A brief history<br />
It is believed that <strong>Pitcairn</strong> and Henderson were first<br />
colonised by Polynesians in about AD 900 and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
<strong>The</strong> extent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Indo-West Pacific biogeographic<br />
province (shown in dark blue).<br />
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Indo-Pacific_<br />
biogeographic_region_map-en.png)<br />
occupation lasted until about 1450 2 . In 1606, Fernández<br />
de Quirós was <strong>the</strong> first European to discover Henderson<br />
Island (by now uninhabited) and Ducie Island. British<br />
interest in <strong>the</strong> islands (and in <strong>Pitcairn</strong> in particular) began<br />
more than a century-and-a-half later in 1767 when HMS<br />
Swallow, under <strong>the</strong> command <strong>of</strong> Captain Philip Carteret,<br />
encountered <strong>Pitcairn</strong> and mistakenly plotted its position<br />
188 nautical miles west <strong>of</strong> its actual location. This mistake,<br />
however, was to be <strong>of</strong> great benefit to <strong>the</strong> island’s next<br />
inhabitants, <strong>the</strong> mutineers from HMS Bounty, who were<br />
looking for a safe island hideaway in 1790, and remained<br />
undiscovered <strong>the</strong>re for 18 years. <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island <strong>of</strong>ficially<br />
became a British dependency on 29 November 1838. <strong>The</strong><br />
o<strong>the</strong>r three islands (Henderson, Oeno and Ducie) were<br />
annexed by Great Britain in 1902 and were included in <strong>the</strong><br />
dependency in 1938. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> remain <strong>the</strong> only<br />
UK Overseas Territory in <strong>the</strong> Pacific.<br />
Biogeography<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> are located at <strong>the</strong> south-eastern<br />
extremity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Indo-West Pacific biogeographic province,<br />
resulting in a number <strong>of</strong> barriers to <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong><br />
species.<br />
l Prevailing winds and currents are dominantly from <strong>the</strong><br />
east in <strong>the</strong> central South Pacific, with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> lying<br />
upwind and upstream <strong>of</strong> all Indo-Pacific source areas.<br />
l <strong>The</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> lie south <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tropic <strong>of</strong> Capricorn<br />
(23°26’S), with relatively cool waters and climates<br />
imposing fur<strong>the</strong>r barriers to <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong><br />
tropical species.<br />
Studies <strong>of</strong> groups as diverse as corals, reef fishes, vascular<br />
plants and land birds support <strong>the</strong> arguments that<br />
colonisation has been from <strong>the</strong> biologically rich source<br />
areas to <strong>the</strong> west on <strong>the</strong> margins <strong>of</strong> South-East Asia,<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
i
taking advantage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> inter-island connectivity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
south-west Pacific Ocean 3 . As a consequence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
factors, <strong>the</strong> diversity <strong>of</strong> marine species present within <strong>the</strong><br />
nearshore waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EEZ 4 , when compared to island<br />
groups fur<strong>the</strong>r to <strong>the</strong> west, is limited 5 . It also reflects<br />
<strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> some marine and coastal habitats at <strong>the</strong> four<br />
islands, such as mangroves and seagrass beds, due to<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir limited dispersal capabilities. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>’ isolation,<br />
however, has led to a number <strong>of</strong> endemic species evolving<br />
in <strong>the</strong> nearshore zone i.e. <strong>the</strong>y are found at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong> and nowhere else.<br />
Seafloor bathymetry and geological history<br />
<strong>The</strong> seafloor within <strong>the</strong> EEZ is made up <strong>of</strong> a complex <strong>of</strong><br />
abyssal plains, troughs and seamounts. An unusual feature<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> region is that within an area <strong>of</strong> about 7,000 km 2<br />
(or less than 1 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EEZ), submarine volcanic<br />
activity has led to a particularly high density <strong>of</strong> volcanic<br />
cones or seamounts (over 90 in total) rising from <strong>the</strong><br />
seafloor at 3,500 to 3,800 m depth, <strong>the</strong> summit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
tallest seamount rising to just 55 m beneath <strong>the</strong> ocean’s<br />
surface. <strong>The</strong> seamounts have arisen along two geological<br />
‘hotspot’ regions, each aligned east-south-east to westnorth-west.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first, with <strong>the</strong> youngest features in <strong>the</strong><br />
south-east, has along it: Ducie (8 Myr); Henderson (13<br />
Myr); and Oeno (16 Myr) [all ages given ± 1 Myr – one<br />
million years] 6 . <strong>The</strong> second active hotspot region has been<br />
located in a zone 40 km to 110 km south-east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>,<br />
and extends through <strong>the</strong> Gambier <strong>Islands</strong> to <strong>the</strong> Duke <strong>of</strong><br />
Gloucester <strong>Islands</strong>. This hotspot region was responsible for<br />
<strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island itself, which is <strong>the</strong> youngest<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four islands being formed as <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> volcanic<br />
activity around 0.8 to 0.9 million years ago 7 .<br />
When <strong>Pitcairn</strong> erupted, <strong>the</strong> weight <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new volcanic<br />
island caused <strong>the</strong> Earth’s crust beneath it to depress, with<br />
a consequential uplift approximately 200 km from <strong>the</strong><br />
load, a see-saw process known as ‘lithospheric flexure’.<br />
Over thousands <strong>of</strong> years, this uplift caused Henderson<br />
to be raised above sea level and thus form an uplifted<br />
fossilised reef. <strong>The</strong> island has been emergent for about<br />
380,000 years. Today, Henderson remains <strong>the</strong> world’s only<br />
raised coral atoll which has its ecology largely intact.<br />
<strong>Marine</strong> natural history<br />
<strong>The</strong> nearshore marine life associated with each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four<br />
islands is distinct in its own right, reflecting <strong>the</strong> habitats<br />
available and <strong>the</strong> prevailing environmental conditions. To<br />
date, around 1,250 marine species (including seabirds)<br />
have been recorded from <strong>the</strong> waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
EEZ. However, it should be noted that, largely due to <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong>’ inaccessibility, much still remains to be discovered<br />
about <strong>the</strong>ir marine fauna and flora.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first things to strike <strong>the</strong> underwater explorer<br />
is <strong>the</strong> stunning clarity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> water surrounding each <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> four islands. This reflects <strong>the</strong> low levels <strong>of</strong> suspended<br />
organic matter in <strong>the</strong> water column as well as <strong>the</strong> fact that<br />
<strong>the</strong> waters are almost totally pollution-free 8 .<br />
<strong>The</strong> three islands <strong>of</strong> Henderson, Oeno and Ducie play<br />
host to internationally important seabird populations,<br />
ii<br />
with each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> islands being declared Important Bird<br />
Areas. Henderson is, without question, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> petrel<br />
capitals <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world 9 . It is <strong>the</strong> only location in <strong>the</strong> world<br />
where <strong>the</strong> Henderson petrel Pterodroma atrata is known<br />
to breed, with over 16,000 pairs being resident (>95% <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> world population). <strong>The</strong> species is listed by <strong>the</strong> IUCN as<br />
Endangered 10 . Nearly all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world’s Murphy’s petrels<br />
nest in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> at Henderson, Ducie and Oeno,<br />
even though <strong>the</strong> species has a widespread distribution in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Pacific. In addition, <strong>the</strong>re are around 11,100 breeding<br />
pairs <strong>of</strong> Herald petrel Pterodroma heraldica on Henderson.<br />
Of <strong>the</strong> non-breeding species, <strong>the</strong> bristle-thighed curlew<br />
Numenius tahitiensis (with a world population <strong>of</strong> just<br />
7,000) is <strong>of</strong> international importance as a passing visitor<br />
at Henderson and Oeno. With <strong>the</strong> intention <strong>of</strong> allowing<br />
<strong>the</strong> populations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se breeding seabirds to stabilise and<br />
enlarge, <strong>the</strong> Pacific rat Rattus exulans, a major predator<br />
on petrel chicks, has been cleared from both Ducie and<br />
Oeno <strong>Islands</strong> in <strong>the</strong> past 15 years; and a major programme<br />
<strong>of</strong> eliminating rats from Henderson was undertaken in<br />
2011 by <strong>the</strong> Royal Society for <strong>the</strong> Protection <strong>of</strong> Birds with<br />
assistance from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Islanders, though this has<br />
recently been found to have been unsuccessful.<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> major groups <strong>of</strong> marine life have now been<br />
studied (corals, molluscs, echinoderms, fishes, turtles,<br />
seabirds and cetaceans), although o<strong>the</strong>rs remain to be<br />
investigated in full. Those species whose worldwide<br />
conservation status has been assessed and which<br />
have been found to be Endangered are listed in <strong>the</strong><br />
table overleaf.<br />
Offshore<br />
Far less is known <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> marine life <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EEZ’s <strong>of</strong>fshore<br />
waters than is known for <strong>the</strong> nearshore waters. <strong>The</strong><br />
nor<strong>the</strong>rn extremities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EEZ overlap with migration<br />
routes for stocks <strong>of</strong> tuna species (skipjack Katsuwonus<br />
pelamis, yellowfin Thunnus albacares and bigeye Thunnus<br />
obesus). Prior to <strong>the</strong> declaration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
EEZ in 1980, <strong>the</strong> oceanic waters were fished by <strong>the</strong> fleets<br />
<strong>of</strong> three distant-water fishing nations (Japan, Taiwan<br />
and South Korea), all using longline vessels to catch tuna<br />
and billfish. Migration routes for several species <strong>of</strong> whale<br />
(four <strong>of</strong> which are classified as Endangered) and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
cetaceans, as well as for green turtles, pass through <strong>the</strong><br />
waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EEZ. A number <strong>of</strong> oceanic shark species have<br />
also been recorded, such as <strong>the</strong> oceanic whitetip shark<br />
Carcharhinus longimanus.<br />
Endangered marine species* known to be present within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> EEZ<br />
Species Status* Notes**<br />
Humpback whale<br />
Megaptera<br />
novaeangliae<br />
Sei whale<br />
Balaenoptera borealis<br />
Blue whale<br />
Balaenoptera musculus<br />
Fin whale<br />
Balaenoptera physalus<br />
Hawksbill turtle<br />
Eretmochelys imbricata<br />
Green turtle<br />
Chelonia mydas<br />
Phoenix petrel<br />
Pterodroma alba<br />
Henderson petrel<br />
Pterodroma atrata<br />
Polynesian storm petrel<br />
Nes<strong>of</strong>regetta<br />
fuliginosa<br />
Black-browed albatross<br />
Thalassarche<br />
melanophrys<br />
Great hammerhead shark<br />
Sphyrna mokarran<br />
Humphead wrasse<br />
Cheilinus undulatus<br />
EN Has a circumglobal distribution but subpopulations now recognised in<br />
<strong>the</strong> South Pacific and Australia. <strong>The</strong> individuals present within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong> EEZ belong to <strong>the</strong> F2 (French Polynesia) breeding sub-stock, and it<br />
is this sub-stock specifically which is Endangered (o<strong>the</strong>r populations are <strong>of</strong><br />
Least Concern).<br />
EN Worldwide population estimated at 80,000 with that <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
Pacific at just over 9,000. Those seen within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> EEZ likely to<br />
be migrating between feeding and nursery grounds.<br />
EN B. m. brevicauda (also known as <strong>the</strong> pygmy blue whale) is a subspecies<br />
found in <strong>the</strong> South Pacific Ocean. <strong>The</strong> population occurring <strong>of</strong>f Chile and<br />
Peru may be a distinct population. Those seen within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> EEZ<br />
likely to be migrating between feeding and nursery grounds.<br />
EN Found in all <strong>the</strong> world’s major oceans, from polar to tropical waters. Fewer<br />
than 15,000 currently remain in <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Hemisphere (out <strong>of</strong> a total<br />
population <strong>of</strong> approx. 120,000).<br />
CR Has a circumglobal distribution throughout tropical and, to a lesser extent,<br />
subtropical waters. Hawksbills are migratory and individuals undertake<br />
complex movements through geographically disparate habitats during <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
lifetimes.<br />
EN Has a circumglobal distribution throughout tropical and, to a lesser extent,<br />
subtropical waters (including <strong>the</strong> eastern Central Pacific Ocean). Known<br />
to nest on Henderson (an estimate <strong>of</strong> 10 laying females in 1991, approx.<br />
1% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> French Polynesian population). Known to migrate long distances<br />
between feeding grounds and nesting beaches.<br />
EN Breeds in <strong>the</strong> Line and Phoenix <strong>Islands</strong> (Kiribati) and Marquesas <strong>Islands</strong><br />
(French Polynesia). Believed to have once bred in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> but not<br />
currently. Observed <strong>of</strong>fshore in 2010.<br />
EN Known to breed only on Henderson Island, but may have also bred on<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island in <strong>the</strong> past and has apparently become extirpated from Ducie.<br />
In 1991–1992, <strong>the</strong> breeding population on Henderson was estimated at<br />
approx. 16,000 breeding pairs and it was suggested that <strong>the</strong> species could<br />
be undergoing a long-term decline, largely due to rat predation. >95% <strong>of</strong><br />
world population on Henderson.<br />
EN Worldwide population in <strong>the</strong> region <strong>of</strong> 1,000 mature individuals. Known to<br />
breed at <strong>the</strong> Gambier <strong>Islands</strong> and fur<strong>the</strong>r west. Observed <strong>of</strong>fshore within<br />
EEZ.<br />
EN Has a circumpolar distribution ranging from subtropical to polar waters,<br />
with 67% <strong>of</strong> breeding pairs in <strong>the</strong> Falkland <strong>Islands</strong>.<br />
EN Heavily fished for its large fins, which are extremely valuable on <strong>the</strong><br />
Asian market. As a result, great hammerhead populations are declining<br />
substantially worldwide.<br />
EN A large fish, with males reaching 2 m in length. Found on steep coral<br />
reef slopes from 1–100 m. Adults prefer to occupy limited ‘home ranges’.<br />
Recorded from Henderson.<br />
* Information from <strong>the</strong> IUCN Red List (2012). CR = Critically Endangered; EN = Endangered.<br />
Information on whales, turtles and fish species from IUCN Red List (2012);<br />
** Information on birds from Birdlife International species factsheets (http://www.birdlife.org).<br />
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iii
No. <strong>of</strong> marine species in major taxonomic groups recorded from within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> EEZ.<br />
1. Brooke, M. de L., 2010. Important Bird Areas:<br />
Henderson Island. British Birds, 103: 428–444.<br />
2. Weisler, M.I., 1995. Henderson Island prehistory:<br />
colonization and extinction on a remote Polynesian<br />
island. Biological Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Linnaean Society, 56:<br />
377–404.<br />
3. Stoddart, D.R. 1992. Biogeography <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tropical<br />
Pacific. Pacific Science, 46: 276–293.<br />
4. <strong>The</strong> EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) extends to 200<br />
nautical miles (370 km) around each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four<br />
islands in <strong>the</strong> group and covers an area <strong>of</strong> 836,108<br />
km 2 (or 322,823 mls 2 ).<br />
5. Benton, T.G. & Spencer, T., 1995b. Biogeographic<br />
processes at <strong>the</strong> limits <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Indo-West Pacific<br />
Province. Biological Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Linnean Society, 56:<br />
243–244.<br />
iv<br />
Group No. <strong>of</strong><br />
species<br />
recorded<br />
to date<br />
(May 2012)<br />
No. <strong>of</strong><br />
endemic<br />
species<br />
Most endangered<br />
conservation<br />
status<br />
represented<br />
Species richness Level <strong>of</strong><br />
study<br />
Cetaceans 22 0 Endangered (EN) Low/intermediate Poor/<br />
intermediate<br />
<strong>Marine</strong> birds<br />
(breeding)<br />
13 1 Endangered (EN) Intermediate Good<br />
<strong>Marine</strong> birds<br />
(non-breeding)<br />
20+ 0 Endangered (EN) Low/intermediate Poor<br />
Turtles 2 0 Critical (CR) Low Poor<br />
Pelagic fishes 13 0 Near-Threatened (NT) Low Poor/<br />
intermediate<br />
Reef fishes 352 5 Endangered (EN) Low/intermediate Good<br />
Echinoderms >64 3 Not Evaluated (NE) Intermediate Intermediate<br />
Molluscs >502 5+ Not Evaluated (NE) Low Intermediate<br />
Crustacea >42 ? Not Evaluated (NE) Low? Poor<br />
Ostracods 47 ? Not Evaluated (NE) Intemediate Intermediate<br />
Hard corals 87 1 Vulnerable (VU) Intermediate Intermediate<br />
Hydroids 8 0 Not Evaluated (NE) Low Intermediate<br />
Sponges 12 0 Not Evaluated (NE) Low Poor<br />
Forams 32 ? Not Evaluated (NE) Low Intermediate<br />
Algae 29 0 Not Evaluated (NE) Low Poor/<br />
intermediate<br />
Blue-green algae 4 0 Not Evaluated (NE) Low Poor<br />
Totals 1,249+ 15+<br />
6. Okal, E.A. & Cazenave, A., 1985. A model for <strong>the</strong><br />
plate evolution <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> east-Central Pacific based<br />
on SEASAT<br />
7. Blake, S.G. 1995. Late Quaternary history <strong>of</strong><br />
Henderson Island, <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Group. Biological Journal<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Linnean Society, 56: 43–62.<br />
8. Note, however, that a surprising amount <strong>of</strong> waterborne<br />
litter can collect on remote oceanic atolls<br />
(Benton, T. G., 1995. From castaways to throwaways:<br />
marine litter in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>. Biological Journal <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Linnean Society, 56: 415–422.<br />
9. Brooke, M. de L. 2010. Important Bird Areas:<br />
Henderson Island. British Birds, 103: 428–444.<br />
10. IUCN Red List 2012.<br />
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v
vi<br />
Introduction 1<br />
Four islands make up <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> group. <strong>The</strong>re is<br />
little reason to group <strong>the</strong> islands toge<strong>the</strong>r o<strong>the</strong>r than<br />
geographical proximity (<strong>the</strong>y happen to be neighbouring<br />
islands although <strong>the</strong> outliers, Oeno and Ducie, lie<br />
approximately 560 km apart) and political expediency<br />
(<strong>the</strong>y were all claimed by Britain during <strong>the</strong> nineteenth<br />
century). Two are coral atolls (Oeno and Ducie); one is<br />
an uplifted coral atoll (Henderson); and one is an extinct<br />
volcano (<strong>Pitcairn</strong>). Of <strong>the</strong> four, <strong>Pitcairn</strong> is <strong>the</strong> only inhabited<br />
island, supporting a population <strong>of</strong> about 60 people at <strong>the</strong><br />
present time.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se South Pacific islands are exceptionally remote.<br />
From <strong>Pitcairn</strong> itself, <strong>the</strong> nearest island group is that <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Gambier <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>of</strong> French Polynesia which lie some<br />
540 km to <strong>the</strong> west-north-west, while Easter Island is over<br />
2,000 km to <strong>the</strong> east. <strong>The</strong> continental land masses <strong>of</strong> New<br />
Zealand and South America are over 5,500 km distant<br />
(Figure 1).<br />
<strong>The</strong> four islands <strong>the</strong>mselves are well spread out, each<br />
being <strong>the</strong> emergent pinnacle <strong>of</strong> a submarine volcano.<br />
Oeno is located 128 km north-north-west <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>;<br />
Henderson is 195 km east-north-east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>; and<br />
Ducie is 475 km east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>. Although <strong>the</strong>ir combined<br />
land area extends to only 49 km 2 , <strong>the</strong>ir Exclusive Economic<br />
Zone (EEZ) is just over 836,108 km 2 (or 322,823 square<br />
miles) in extent, a vast area that is more than three times<br />
<strong>the</strong> size <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UK (Figure 2).<br />
1.1 Historical background<br />
<strong>The</strong> first known settlers to <strong>Pitcairn</strong> were Polynesians.<br />
Archaeological evidence points to <strong>the</strong>ir occupying much<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> island where any reasonably flat land was found<br />
(Weisler, 1995). Resources at <strong>the</strong>ir disposal would have<br />
included timber, fruit and planted crops, seabirds, fish and,<br />
perhaps most tellingly, suitable hard basalt for making<br />
adzes (woodworking tools). Indeed, Weisler (1995) states,<br />
“Despite its small size, <strong>Pitcairn</strong> had <strong>the</strong> best stone-tool<br />
resources in <strong>the</strong> region and was a source <strong>of</strong> cultivated<br />
foods and probably very large trees for canoe making.” It<br />
is believed that <strong>Pitcairn</strong> and Henderson were first colonised<br />
by Polynesians in about AD 900 and that <strong>the</strong> occupation<br />
<strong>of</strong> both islands lasted until about 1450 – possibly up to<br />
200 years later in <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> Henderson (Weisler, 1995).<br />
Early European exploration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pacific led <strong>the</strong><br />
Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernández de Quirós to<br />
encounter both Ducie and Henderson in 1606 (though<br />
no mention is made in his journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> presence<br />
<strong>of</strong> Polynesians at Henderson). He named <strong>the</strong>m ‘La<br />
Encarnación and San João Baptista respectively – <strong>the</strong><br />
anglicised names <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> islands came later. He did not<br />
come across <strong>Pitcairn</strong>. <strong>The</strong> first European encounter with<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> had to wait for a fur<strong>the</strong>r 161 years when Captain<br />
Philip Carteret aboard HMS Swallow chanced upon it in<br />
Figure 1. <strong>The</strong> location <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> in <strong>the</strong> central<br />
South Pacific. (Illustration: R.A. Irving)<br />
Figure 2. <strong>The</strong> extent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 200-nautical-mile EEZ, which<br />
defines <strong>the</strong> geographic extent <strong>of</strong> this report. (Illustration<br />
adapted from Gillet, 2009)<br />
Plate 1. As this signpost confirms, positioned at <strong>the</strong><br />
highest point (347 m) on <strong>the</strong> island, <strong>Pitcairn</strong> is a long way<br />
from anywhere. (Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
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1
1767 and named it <strong>Pitcairn</strong>’s Island after <strong>the</strong> man onboard<br />
who had first sighted it. Its position was marked as 133°<br />
30’ west, which is actually 188.4 nautical miles west <strong>of</strong><br />
its true location. It was also noted that <strong>the</strong> island was<br />
uninhabited and difficult to land at, two key facts which<br />
were <strong>of</strong> great relevance some 22 years later when <strong>the</strong><br />
mutineers from HMS Bounty were seeking a safe refuge.<br />
It is <strong>the</strong> appearance <strong>of</strong> Fletcher Christian and his fellow<br />
eight mutineers which initiates <strong>the</strong> modern history <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> island. Toge<strong>the</strong>r with six Polynesian men and 12<br />
Polynesian women <strong>the</strong>y brought with <strong>the</strong>m from Tahiti,<br />
<strong>the</strong>y discovered <strong>Pitcairn</strong> on 15 January 1790 after a<br />
journey <strong>of</strong> four months spent searching for a suitable<br />
refuge. <strong>The</strong>ir island was not to remain a paradise for<br />
long, however. Within three-and-a-half years, all bar four<br />
mutineers and 10 women (and <strong>the</strong>ir children) remained<br />
– <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs murdered, mostly <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> ill treatment<br />
or jealousy. By 1800, <strong>the</strong>re was just one survivor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
original mutineers, John Adams. <strong>The</strong> island was to remain<br />
undiscovered for a fur<strong>the</strong>r eight years when an American<br />
whaling ship happened past, but it wasn’t until 1814 that<br />
two British ships arrived at <strong>the</strong> island and <strong>the</strong> full story <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> mutineers’ hideaway became public knowledge.<br />
In 1838, <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island became a British dependency.<br />
By 1856 <strong>the</strong> population had grown to 193 and was<br />
increasing rapidly. It was feared that <strong>the</strong> island’s resources<br />
would not be able to support this number for much longer<br />
and a compulsory evacuation <strong>of</strong> all islanders took place<br />
to Norfolk Island, east <strong>of</strong> Australia. However, by 1859, 16<br />
had decided to return to <strong>Pitcairn</strong> to start afresh, followed<br />
by a fur<strong>the</strong>r 27 in 1864. In 1902, Oeno, Henderson and<br />
Ducie were annexed by Great Britain and were included in<br />
<strong>the</strong> dependency in 1938 (Carter, 1981).<br />
Recent history has seen <strong>the</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>’ 200-nautical-mile EEZ<br />
established in 1980, and Henderson become a UNESCO<br />
World Heritage Site in 1988. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> incentives to<br />
designate Henderson resulted from <strong>the</strong> interest in <strong>the</strong><br />
island shown in <strong>the</strong> early-1980s by an American millionaire<br />
who wanted to build a holiday home with its own airstrip<br />
on <strong>the</strong> island. As Henderson was recognised, albeit only<br />
by a select group <strong>of</strong> scientists and conservationists, to be<br />
one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world’s remaining raised coral atolls with its<br />
ecology largely intact, moves were made to widen this<br />
recognition. However, it wasn’t to be until after <strong>the</strong> Sir<br />
Peter Scott Commemorative Expedition to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong> in 1991/92 that <strong>the</strong> composition <strong>of</strong> that ecology<br />
began to be known. A Management Plan for <strong>the</strong> period<br />
2004–2009 was subsequently drawn up (Brooke et al.,<br />
2004), published by <strong>the</strong> Foreign and Commonwealth<br />
Office, London in conjunction with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
Administration and <strong>the</strong> Royal Society for <strong>the</strong> Protection<br />
<strong>of</strong> Birds. This consolidated much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> earlier literature<br />
and scientific knowledge <strong>of</strong> Henderson Island as a<br />
consequence <strong>of</strong> UNESCO designation.<br />
Most recently, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>Environment</strong><br />
Management Plan (PEMP) (Smyth, 2008), which covers<br />
all four islands, has been published. This develops<br />
10 key objectives for managing <strong>the</strong> environment <strong>of</strong><br />
2<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>, based upon <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>al<br />
Charter jointly signed by <strong>the</strong> Mayor <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island<br />
and <strong>the</strong> UK Government in 2001. Although <strong>the</strong> UK<br />
Government ratified <strong>the</strong> Convention on Biological<br />
Diversity (CBD) in 1994, this has not been extended<br />
to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> group. A review <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> progress on <strong>the</strong><br />
CBD in UK Overseas Territories, commissioned by <strong>the</strong><br />
Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), highlighted that<br />
<strong>the</strong> main area <strong>of</strong> CBD legislation with which <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
group was not complying, was in connection with <strong>the</strong><br />
ongoing monitoring <strong>of</strong> biodiversity (Cross & Pienkowski,<br />
1998). A UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum<br />
(UKOTCF) review <strong>of</strong> existing and potential Ramsar sites<br />
in UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies,<br />
commissioned by <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>, Food<br />
and Rural Affairs (Defra), identified <strong>the</strong> coastal waters <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> group as potential Ramsar Convention sites<br />
<strong>of</strong> International Importance (Pienkowski, 2005), but data<br />
remain inadequate to determine designations.<br />
1.2 <strong>The</strong> islands today<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> remains geographically remote and isolated today,<br />
though <strong>the</strong> installation <strong>of</strong> a satellite link on <strong>the</strong> island in<br />
2002 has allowed internet access and <strong>the</strong> immediacy <strong>of</strong><br />
e-mail communications. However, getting to and from <strong>the</strong><br />
island still remains a challenge. For international travellers,<br />
a flight to Tahiti in French Polynesia is required, followed<br />
by <strong>the</strong> once-weekly (or twice-weekly in <strong>the</strong> summer) flight<br />
to <strong>the</strong> Gambier <strong>Islands</strong> group (<strong>of</strong> which <strong>the</strong> main island is<br />
Mangareva), located over 1,600 km to <strong>the</strong> south-east <strong>of</strong><br />
Tahiti. As <strong>the</strong>re is no airstrip on <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, <strong>the</strong> only access<br />
route is by sea from this point. <strong>The</strong> island’s supply ship<br />
Claymore II visits it once every three months and takes<br />
about 32 hours to sail to <strong>Pitcairn</strong> from Mangareva. Access<br />
may also be privately arranged through o<strong>the</strong>r travel<br />
companies 11 . At present, <strong>the</strong> only landing place on <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
is at Bounty Bay on <strong>the</strong> north-east side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> island.<br />
Visitors are ferried to shore in one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> island’s two<br />
longboats or by means <strong>of</strong> smaller local skiffs. However,<br />
plans are in place (and funding has been approved) to<br />
build an alternative landing at Tedside on <strong>the</strong> north-west<br />
side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> island, to increase <strong>the</strong> options for landing<br />
passengers.<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong>ers have always been very welcoming to visitors.<br />
<strong>The</strong> island has no hotel, so visitors stay as guests <strong>of</strong><br />
individual families. Recently, two units have been built<br />
to house visitors as families prepare for a growing<br />
tourism industry. Typically, stays are ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> three or 10<br />
days’ duration, dependent upon <strong>the</strong> sailing schedule <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Claymore II 12 or <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r vessels. Access to Oeno,<br />
Henderson or Ducie is considerably harder logistically,<br />
usually requiring <strong>the</strong> charter <strong>of</strong> a private vessel such as<br />
<strong>the</strong> SV Xplore, but not impossible. Very few commercial<br />
tour operators, private yachts or scientific expeditions<br />
visit <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r islands (for which special permits are<br />
required). <strong>Pitcairn</strong>ers <strong>the</strong>mselves visit Oeno and Henderson<br />
occasionally and Ducie extremely rarely.<br />
Table 1. <strong>Pitcairn</strong> facts and figures. (Adapted from <strong>the</strong> UK FCO website: http://fco.gov.uk)<br />
Status British Overseas Territory Population About 60<br />
Religion(s) Seventh Day Adventist Currency New Zealand Dollar<br />
Languages English and Pitkern. <strong>The</strong> latter is a mixture <strong>of</strong> English and<br />
Tahitian and became an <strong>of</strong>ficial language in 1997.<br />
Governance <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Islanders manage <strong>the</strong>ir internal affairs through<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island Council. <strong>The</strong> Council is made up <strong>of</strong><br />
Councillors and a Mayor elected by <strong>the</strong> community every<br />
two years. A new Governance Structure, introduced<br />
in April 2009, established for <strong>the</strong> first time public<br />
service positions to head up four Divisions: Community<br />
Development; Operations; Natural Resources; Finance and<br />
Economic.<br />
Administration <strong>Pitcairn</strong> is administered by <strong>the</strong> Government <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong> (GPI), made up <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Governor’s Office in<br />
Wellington, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> Office (PIO) in Auckland<br />
and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island Council.<br />
National Day 23 January is Bounty Day, which commemorates <strong>the</strong> day<br />
in 1790 when HMS Bounty was set alight and sank.<br />
Economy <strong>The</strong> working population is ei<strong>the</strong>r self-employed or<br />
works for local government. <strong>The</strong>re is no formal taxation.<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong>’s primary source <strong>of</strong> income was traditionally <strong>the</strong><br />
sale <strong>of</strong> postage stamps. However, <strong>the</strong> decline in philatelic<br />
sales worldwide, <strong>the</strong> advent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> internet and <strong>the</strong><br />
increased cost <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> service, have all had an impact.<br />
Individual income derives from subsistence horticulture,<br />
fishing and <strong>the</strong> sale <strong>of</strong> handicrafts (traded with visiting<br />
ships and also marketed by mail order through <strong>the</strong><br />
internet). <strong>The</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Government is trying to boost<br />
revenue through <strong>the</strong> sale <strong>of</strong> .pn domain names, honey<br />
production and increasing tourist arrivals.<br />
National ties Many <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Islanders have strong links with New<br />
Zealand – some are dual UK/New Zealand nationals. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
are also increasing links with French Polynesia, <strong>Pitcairn</strong>’s<br />
nearest neighbour, and <strong>Pitcairn</strong> is a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Secretariat <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pacific Community.<br />
Education <strong>The</strong> island school takes children up to <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 15.<br />
Fur<strong>the</strong>r education is undertaken in New Zealand.<br />
Correspondence courses are undertaken via <strong>the</strong> internet.<br />
UK responsibilities <strong>The</strong> UK is responsible for <strong>Pitcairn</strong>’s external relations,<br />
defence and internal security. Over <strong>the</strong> last decade <strong>the</strong><br />
UK Government has provided extensive development<br />
assistance for a range <strong>of</strong> projects designed to help provide<br />
an environment which encourages economic and social<br />
development and to meet <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se have included a health centre, rebuilding <strong>the</strong><br />
school, upgrading satellite communications (to include<br />
telephones in all homes, a stable internet connection<br />
and television reception) bringing <strong>the</strong> island closer to <strong>the</strong><br />
outside world, a sealed road from <strong>the</strong> jetty to <strong>the</strong> main<br />
settlement, o<strong>the</strong>r equipment and improved infrastructure.<br />
A new regular shipping service, which started in<br />
December 2009, has improved access to <strong>the</strong> island. Work<br />
is also progressing on projects to provide sustainable wind<br />
energy and an alternate harbour to make <strong>the</strong> landing<br />
<strong>of</strong> supplies, tourists (particularly from cruise ships) and<br />
islanders easier and safer.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
3
Figure 3. Seafloor bathymetry in <strong>the</strong> vicinity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>, showing <strong>the</strong> two main zones (shaded) <strong>of</strong> hotspot<br />
activity. (Adapted from satellite altimetry data [Smith & Sandwell, 1997]).<br />
1.3 Geology / geomorphology<br />
<strong>The</strong> seafloor within <strong>the</strong> EEZ is a complex <strong>of</strong> abyssal<br />
plains, troughs and a series <strong>of</strong> seamounts (Figure 3). <strong>The</strong><br />
deepest part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seafloor is in <strong>the</strong> region <strong>of</strong> 4,000 m,<br />
with <strong>the</strong> summit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tallest seamount rising to just<br />
55 m beneath <strong>the</strong> ocean’s surface. To <strong>the</strong> east <strong>of</strong> Ducie<br />
is a major structure topped by two seamounts reaching<br />
1,000 m below present sea level at 25.0° south, 122.2°<br />
west and 24.8° south, 121.7° west. Okal (1984) proposed<br />
that this feature be known as Crough Seamount. This<br />
particular seamount is <strong>the</strong> youngest (4 Myr) in an area<br />
<strong>of</strong> hotspot activity on which are aligned Ducie (8 Myr),<br />
Henderson (13 Myr) and Oeno (16 Myr) [all ages given<br />
± 1 Myr – one million years] (Okal & Cazenave, 1985). A<br />
second active hotspot region has been located in a zone<br />
40 km to 110 km south-east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, which extends<br />
through <strong>the</strong> Gambier <strong>Islands</strong> and Mururoa atoll to <strong>the</strong><br />
Duke <strong>of</strong> Gloucester <strong>Islands</strong> (Spencer, 1989a). This hotspot<br />
region was responsible for <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island,<br />
which is <strong>the</strong> youngest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four islands and was formed<br />
as <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> volcanic activity around 0.8 to 0.9 million<br />
years ago (Blake, 1995). Two particularly large submarine<br />
volcanoes along this second hotspot lineation, which lie<br />
to <strong>the</strong> south-east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, were discovered in 1989<br />
by St<strong>of</strong>fers et al. (1990). <strong>The</strong>y were named ‘Adams’ and<br />
‘Bounty’ by Binard et al. (1992) and rise to within 55 m<br />
and 450 m <strong>of</strong> sea level respectively. <strong>The</strong>y have also been<br />
found to show evidence <strong>of</strong> very recent lava flows and<br />
hydro<strong>the</strong>rmal activity (Hekinian et al., 2003). <strong>The</strong> relatively<br />
shallow apex <strong>of</strong> Adams Seamount is known locally as ’40mile<br />
Reef’ (see also section 4.2).<br />
<strong>The</strong> weight <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ‘new’ volcanic island <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> caused<br />
<strong>the</strong> crust beneath it to depress, with a consequential<br />
4<br />
uplift approximately 200 km from <strong>the</strong> load by means <strong>of</strong><br />
a ‘see-saw’ process known as ‘lithospheric flexure’. Over<br />
thousands <strong>of</strong> years, this uplift caused Henderson, a former<br />
sea-level atoll, to be raised above sea level and thus form a<br />
raised fossilised reef with a dry, fossil lagoon. This process<br />
(which is still continuing at a rate <strong>of</strong> 0.1 mm/yr) has caused<br />
Henderson to be elevated to a maximum <strong>of</strong> 33.5 m above<br />
sea level. <strong>The</strong> island has been emergent for about 380,000<br />
years (Blake, 1995).<br />
1.4 <strong>Marine</strong> biogeography<br />
In considering <strong>the</strong> origin <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>’ marine life,<br />
one might reasonably expect that <strong>the</strong> nearest land mass to<br />
<strong>the</strong> east (i.e. South America) would act as <strong>the</strong> main source,<br />
as it is from <strong>the</strong> east that <strong>the</strong> dominant winds and currents<br />
come. However, this is not <strong>the</strong> case. <strong>The</strong> vast majority <strong>of</strong><br />
nearshore species, including fishes, molluscs, echinoderms<br />
and corals, all have <strong>the</strong>ir sources <strong>of</strong> origin to <strong>the</strong> west (Kay,<br />
1980 & 1984). This is enabled by <strong>the</strong> scattering <strong>of</strong> island<br />
‘stepping stones’ between <strong>the</strong> extremely biodiverse waters<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> western Pacific (around New Guinea) and <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> or Easter Island (fur<strong>the</strong>r east still), but <strong>the</strong>re<br />
are no island stepping stones between <strong>Pitcairn</strong> or Easter<br />
Island and South America. This situation is as true for <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong>’ terrestrial biota as it is for <strong>the</strong> nearshore marine<br />
component (Diamond, 1995).<br />
Take <strong>the</strong> nearshore fish fauna <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>, for<br />
example. Compared to that <strong>of</strong> archipelagos to <strong>the</strong> west,<br />
it is impoverished. To date, a total <strong>of</strong> just 352 species<br />
are known from <strong>the</strong> four <strong>Pitcairn</strong> islands, <strong>of</strong> which 13<br />
are pelagic species. <strong>The</strong>re are 593 species <strong>of</strong> shore fishes<br />
known from <strong>the</strong> Society <strong>Islands</strong>, which lie approximately<br />
Figure 4. <strong>The</strong> extent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Indo-West Pacific biogeographic province (shown in dark blue).<br />
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Indo-Pacific_biogeographic_region_map-en.png)<br />
1,500 km to <strong>the</strong> west (Randall, 1985), yet Easter Island,<br />
some 1,900 km fur<strong>the</strong>r east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, has just 126 shore<br />
species (Disalvo et al., 1988). So it is likely that <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
too has acted as a stepping stone (to some degree) for a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> species to reach Easter Island. In addition, <strong>the</strong><br />
fish fauna <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Gambier <strong>Islands</strong> (south-eastern Tuamotu<br />
archipelago) is very similar to that <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
but <strong>the</strong>re are about a dozen species which have yet to<br />
make <strong>the</strong> ‘hop’ to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> mollusc fauna has a similar tale to tell. <strong>The</strong> recorded<br />
molluscan fauna from <strong>the</strong> whole <strong>of</strong> French Polynesia is<br />
1,159 species (Richard, 1985); for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>,<br />
Preece (1995a) put <strong>the</strong> figure at 419 species (though<br />
<strong>the</strong> present review has increased this to 502), while for<br />
Easter Island only 133 species are known (Rehder, 1980).<br />
Rehder & Randall (1975) point out that Ducie atoll is <strong>the</strong><br />
most eastern atoll <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> vast Indo-Pacific biogeographical<br />
region (Figure 4) that possesses a pure, though<br />
impoverished Polynesian biota.<br />
Corals exhibit considerable geographic variation in<br />
morphology and it may be difficult to determine whe<strong>the</strong>r<br />
unusual forms at peripheral locations (such as <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong>) are due to genetic or ecophenotypic differences<br />
(Paulay, 1989). Paulay (1989) found that several species<br />
in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> group did not fit well <strong>the</strong> described species<br />
into which <strong>the</strong>y were assigned. He commented that,<br />
“<strong>The</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> coral fauna exhibits considerably more such<br />
odd geographic variation than <strong>the</strong> Cook <strong>Islands</strong>’ fauna”.<br />
Interestingly, coral fauna connectivity between south,<br />
central and eastern tropical Pacific sites indicates that<br />
<strong>the</strong>re is a strong affinity between those <strong>of</strong> Easter Island,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Galapagos <strong>Islands</strong> and <strong>the</strong> coasts and islands <strong>of</strong><br />
Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica fur<strong>the</strong>r to <strong>the</strong><br />
east (Glynn et al., 2007).<br />
One should not forget that <strong>the</strong> amount <strong>of</strong> research<br />
carried out in any one location is also likely to have a<br />
bearing on <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> species recorded from that<br />
location. Not only is <strong>Pitcairn</strong> an isolated spot for nearshore<br />
marine species to reach, it is quite a challenge for marine<br />
biologists to get to as well!<br />
Of course, <strong>the</strong> story is a little different for <strong>of</strong>fshore pelagic<br />
species and for those that inhabit <strong>the</strong> ocean depths. Here,<br />
though <strong>the</strong> water volumes concerned are much greater,<br />
<strong>the</strong>re is far more connectivity and so <strong>the</strong> same restrictions<br />
do not apply. <strong>The</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore waters within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong> EEZ are known to feature in <strong>the</strong> migratory routes<br />
<strong>of</strong> several species (humpback whales and green turtles<br />
to name just two), and it is quite possible that <strong>the</strong> deep<br />
waters are as rich in species as o<strong>the</strong>r deep-water areas<br />
elsewhere in <strong>the</strong> Central Pacific. However, until fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
exploratory research is undertaken into <strong>the</strong>se abyssal<br />
areas, <strong>the</strong>se will remain suppositions.<br />
11. <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Travel, a locally owned business, arranges<br />
passenger charters to <strong>Pitcairn</strong> and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r islands<br />
on <strong>the</strong> yacht SV Xplore (www.pitcairntravel.pn).<br />
Less regular, one-<strong>of</strong>f expeditions are run by o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
companies (e.g. www.uncharteredworldtravel.com).<br />
12. <strong>The</strong> sailing schedule <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> MV Claymore II can<br />
be found at:<br />
www.visitpitcairn.pn/visitpitcairn/shipping/index.html<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
5
6<br />
Taxon<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> is <strong>the</strong> only island <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four which has prolific<br />
seaweed growth; this makes it stand apart from <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
and probably reflects its sou<strong>the</strong>rly position in <strong>the</strong> group.<br />
Extensive carpets <strong>of</strong> mostly brown macroalgal species<br />
(predominantly Sargassum odontocarpum and Lobophora<br />
variegata) cover bedrock outcrops in depths between 14<br />
and 22 m. Cover <strong>of</strong> live coral varies considerably around<br />
<strong>the</strong> island, with some areas (such as <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> east end<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> north coast) having 80 percent cover and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
areas just 0 to 10 percent cover. <strong>The</strong> only algae apparent<br />
at neighbouring Henderson Island are ei<strong>the</strong>r hard,<br />
coralline species, or small wispy strands <strong>of</strong> red and green<br />
species, which have yet to be identified. While relatively<br />
inconspicuous, <strong>the</strong>se latter species are heavily grazed upon<br />
by herbivorous fish and also by sea urchins. Huge numbers<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> long-spined sea urchin Diadema savignyi are seen in<br />
aggregations on <strong>the</strong> fore-reef during <strong>the</strong> day, as <strong>the</strong>re are<br />
so few places for <strong>the</strong>m to hide away. Though Henderson<br />
boasts <strong>the</strong> greatest number <strong>of</strong> coral species in <strong>the</strong> group<br />
(60 in all), <strong>the</strong>se do not grow into large reef formations<br />
but ra<strong>the</strong>r exist, on <strong>the</strong> whole, as solitary or low growing<br />
forms. Indeed, most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fore-reef is composed <strong>of</strong> coral<br />
rubble, broken and dead pieces <strong>of</strong> coral which are likely to<br />
have been damaged periodically by fierce storm events.<br />
Information relevant to all four islands 2<br />
Although each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> is unique, a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> considerations are pertinent to all four. From a scientific<br />
point <strong>of</strong> view, it is <strong>of</strong>ten easier to group <strong>the</strong> four toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
and compare and contrast <strong>the</strong>ir marine faunas with<br />
neighbouring French Polynesia or Easter Island.<br />
That said, it has not always been possible for visiting<br />
research expeditions to visit all four islands, even though<br />
<strong>the</strong>y might well have done had time allowed or if <strong>the</strong><br />
elements were in <strong>the</strong>ir favour. Initial collections <strong>of</strong> material<br />
were <strong>of</strong>ten undertaken on an ad hoc basis. <strong>The</strong> first truly<br />
scientific studies (including <strong>the</strong> collection <strong>of</strong> various marine<br />
shells) in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> were under <strong>the</strong> guidance <strong>of</strong><br />
Captain F.W. Beechey onboard HMS Blossom in 1825. He<br />
was also responsible for <strong>the</strong> first full description <strong>of</strong> Ducie<br />
atoll (Rehder & Randall, 1975). Since that time <strong>the</strong>re have<br />
been several individual visits and six major expeditions to<br />
<strong>the</strong> four <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> (Whitney South Seas Expedition<br />
[1922]; Magarevan Expedition [1934]; Westward<br />
expedition [1971]; Smithsonian Expedition [1987]; Sir Peter<br />
Scott Commemorative Expedition to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
[1991/92]; and most recently, <strong>the</strong> National Geographical<br />
Society Pristine Seas expedition to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
[2012]). Details <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se are summarised in Appendix 4.<br />
Figure 5. <strong>The</strong> location <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> (Oeno,<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong>, Henderson and Ducie) in <strong>the</strong> central South Pacific.<br />
(Illustration: R.A. Irving)<br />
2.1 Differences and similarities<br />
Each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four islands which make up <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> group<br />
is different. Not only is this true and obvious above sea<br />
level, but it is also true, maybe more so to <strong>the</strong> trained<br />
eye, below sea level. While each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> islands is perched<br />
on <strong>the</strong> very tip <strong>of</strong> its own huge submarine volcano, with<br />
steeply sloping sides descending to <strong>the</strong> abyssal depths,<br />
<strong>the</strong> shallower, nearshore sublittoral environment <strong>of</strong> each is<br />
very different.<br />
<strong>The</strong> atoll <strong>of</strong> Oeno is characterised by its central island<br />
and surrounding shallow lagoon. Proportionately fewer<br />
marine studies have been undertaken at Oeno than at<br />
<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r three islands and so our knowledge is that<br />
much less. Beyond <strong>the</strong> reef margin, <strong>the</strong> fore-reef has<br />
approximately 50 to 60 percent live coral cover, with<br />
patches <strong>of</strong> sand and coral rubble in between. While Ducie<br />
is also a coral atoll, its four islets make up <strong>the</strong> perimeter<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> atoll, with a lagoon in <strong>the</strong> centre. <strong>The</strong> lagoon is<br />
noticeably deeper (up to 15 m) than that at Oeno (3 m)<br />
but it is also dotted with patch reefs and sandy channels.<br />
On <strong>the</strong> surface <strong>the</strong> islets appear largely barren from<br />
<strong>the</strong> point <strong>of</strong> view <strong>of</strong> vegetation, with just one species<br />
<strong>of</strong> shrub (Heliotropium foer<strong>the</strong>rianum formerly known<br />
as Tournefortia argentea) predominating, though <strong>the</strong>re<br />
are thousands <strong>of</strong> petrels which make <strong>the</strong> most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
island’s isolation. By contrast, <strong>the</strong> reefs below <strong>the</strong> surface<br />
are surprisingly well developed, with an average live<br />
coral cover <strong>of</strong> 90 percent in depths between 11 to 20 m<br />
decreasing to 70 percent in deeper water, from 21 to 40 m.<br />
<strong>The</strong> dominant corals are a number <strong>of</strong> Acropora species<br />
and Montipora cf. aequituberculata, all <strong>of</strong> which are<br />
uncommon at neighbouring Henderson. <strong>The</strong> coral fauna<br />
shows remarkable resilience here as Rehder and Randall<br />
(1975) commented on a mass mortality <strong>of</strong> fore-reef corals<br />
which must have happened at some time prior to <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
visit in 1971. <strong>The</strong>y speculated this might have been <strong>the</strong><br />
result <strong>of</strong> an influx <strong>of</strong> cold water around <strong>the</strong> atoll.<br />
One aspect <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> underwater scenery which is common<br />
to all four islands (though is most noticeable at Henderson<br />
and Ducie) is <strong>the</strong> stunning clarity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seawater. On a<br />
Table 2. A summary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total number <strong>of</strong> known marine taxa (in most cases species, but <strong>the</strong>se numbers also<br />
include genera) recorded from within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> EEZ. Note that <strong>the</strong> vast majority <strong>of</strong> records are from<br />
nearshore or intertidal studies.<br />
No. <strong>of</strong> taxa recorded Total no. <strong>of</strong><br />
Pit Hen Oen Duc Offshore taxa present<br />
at all 4 islands<br />
Macroalgae (seaweeds) 24 5 - - ? 29+<br />
Cyanophyta (blue-green algae) 4 - - - ? 4<br />
Foraminifera (forams) 11 26 2 0 ? 32<br />
Porifera (sponges) - 6 4 6 ? 12<br />
Cnidaria: Hydrozoa - 7+ 4 0 ? 8+<br />
Cnidaria: Anthozoa (incl. corals) 15 60 17 27 ? 87<br />
Crustacea: Ostracoda ? ? ? ? ? 47<br />
Crustacea (all groups except Ostracoda) 12+ 32+ 18+ 11+ ? 42+<br />
Mollusca: Polyplacophora 1 ? ? ? ? 1+<br />
Mollusca: Gastropoda (snails, etc.) 71 270 192 62 ? 415+<br />
Mollusca: Bivalvia 16 40 46 18 ? 81+<br />
Mollusca: Cephalopoda 1+ 1+ 0 0 4 5+<br />
(Molluscs: all groups)* (88) (326) (255) (80) (4) (502)<br />
Echinodermata: Echinoidea (sea urchins, etc.) 2+ 12 5 6 ? 15<br />
Echinodermata: Asteroidea (starfish) 7 7 1 0 ? 10<br />
Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea (brittlestars) 12 6 6 1 ? 24<br />
Echinodermata: Holothuroidea (sea cucumbers) 2+ 10 7 5 ? 15<br />
Pisces: all species (reef & open water) 270 173 165 127 13 365<br />
Reptilia (turtles) ? 1 ? ? 2 2<br />
Aves (marine): breeding seabirds 5 12 12 13 14 13<br />
Aves (marine): non-breeding/migrants 6 4 6 2 19 20<br />
Cetacea (whales & dolphins) 1 ? ? 1 22 22<br />
Totals: 459+ 672+ 485+ 279+ 74+ 1,249+<br />
* This row <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> table provides sub-totals for <strong>the</strong> previous three rows, with entries in paren<strong>the</strong>ses indicating <strong>the</strong>y are<br />
excluded from <strong>the</strong> totals at <strong>the</strong> foot <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> table.<br />
UK Joint Services diving expedition to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> in 2003,<br />
which visited <strong>Pitcairn</strong> and Henderson, <strong>the</strong> underwater<br />
horizontal visibility at 20 m depth at Henderson was<br />
measured at 75 m (R.A. Irving, pers. obs.). It was less<br />
at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (at 50 m), which was to be expected as <strong>the</strong><br />
inshore water <strong>the</strong>re has a higher suspended sediment<br />
loading. However, while <strong>the</strong> clarity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> water may be<br />
good news for visiting divers, it is not so good for filterfeeding<br />
organisms. <strong>The</strong>re is a distinct lack <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se at all<br />
four islands, with sponges, hydroids, sessile polychaetes,<br />
bryozoans, crinoids and ascidians all under-represented<br />
on account <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> organic matter present in <strong>the</strong><br />
water column.<br />
SEABIRDS<br />
<strong>The</strong> species <strong>of</strong> seabirds within <strong>the</strong> scope <strong>of</strong> this review<br />
include those which are resident (and breeding) on one<br />
or more <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> islands, and those that are merely visiting<br />
(i.e. migrants or non-breeding). From observations made<br />
during <strong>the</strong> Sir Peter Scott Commemorative Expedition<br />
to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> in 1991/92, <strong>the</strong> migrants visiting<br />
<strong>the</strong> islands were all waders with Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Hemisphere<br />
breeding grounds. <strong>The</strong>ir numbers showed <strong>the</strong> expected<br />
annual pattern, reaching maxima during <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
winter. Those numbers were generally very modest (Brooke<br />
1995a). Only bristle-thighed curlews were present in<br />
significant numbers; <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> support almost<br />
2 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> global population (Collar et al., 1992).<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r observations <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore seabirds have come from<br />
charter boat passages to and from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>, particularly<br />
those carrying ornithologists (see also section 4.3, Table 17).<br />
<strong>The</strong> various seabirds which nest and raise young at <strong>the</strong><br />
islands show varying breeding seasons throughout <strong>the</strong><br />
year. In <strong>the</strong> absence <strong>of</strong> both information about <strong>the</strong> birds’<br />
diets and annual fluctuations in abundance <strong>of</strong> marine prey,<br />
<strong>the</strong> causes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> occurrence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se breeding seasons<br />
remains unknown (Brooke 1995a). However, <strong>the</strong>y do<br />
confirm <strong>the</strong> seasonal nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> marine environment<br />
surrounding <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> (Spencer, 1995b).<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
7
Table 3. Estimates <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> breeding populations in pairs [standard error] <strong>of</strong> Pterodroma species breeding in<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> in 1991/92 (after Brooke, 1995b).<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island itself is not listed because no petrel species were breeding <strong>the</strong>re.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Phoenix petrel P. alba is not listed because none were found breeding during <strong>the</strong> 1991/92 expedition.<br />
8<br />
Henderson Oeno Ducie Red Data List status<br />
Kermadec petrel P. neglecta 10,000 [3,000] < 100 30,000 [10,000] LC<br />
Murphy’s petrel P. ultima 2,500 [500] 12,500 [2,500] 250,000 [29,000] NT<br />
Herald petrel P. heraldica 11,100 [2,000] 0 10,000 – 99,999 [?] LC<br />
Henderson petrel P. atrata 16,000 [3,000] 0 0 EN<br />
Plate 2. Kermadec petrel Pterodroma neglecta<br />
(Photo: M. Brooke)<br />
Plate 4. Herald petrel Pterodroma heraldica<br />
(Photo: Tubenoses Project © H. Shirihai)<br />
Plate 3. Murphy’s petrel Pterodroma ultima<br />
(Photo: M. Brooke)<br />
Plate 5. Henderson petrel Pterodroma atrata<br />
(Photo: M. Brooke)<br />
<strong>The</strong> problem with rats…<br />
A clear association has been established between <strong>the</strong><br />
decline <strong>of</strong> certain bird populations on islands and <strong>the</strong><br />
introduction <strong>of</strong> rats Rattus spp. Brooke (1995b) observed<br />
intense predation by Pacific rats Rattus exulans on newly<br />
hatched Murphy’s and Kermadec petrel chicks while<br />
resident on Henderson Island for 15 months in 1991/92.<br />
He also attributed <strong>the</strong> loss <strong>of</strong> chicks <strong>of</strong> Henderson petrels<br />
and Herald petrels as likely due to Pacific rats (Brooke<br />
et al., 2010a).<br />
Rats were introduced by <strong>the</strong> Polynesians to Henderson<br />
about 700 years ago (Weisler, 1994). Brooke (1995b)<br />
postulated that <strong>the</strong> combined population <strong>of</strong> Herald and<br />
Henderson petrels on Henderson Island at that time could<br />
have been in <strong>the</strong> region <strong>of</strong> six million pairs. A steady and<br />
constant decline in that number (which Brooke [1995b]<br />
calculated as being 0.77 percent per annum) as a result <strong>of</strong><br />
both human and rat predation, would leave a combined<br />
population <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two species at between 4,500 and<br />
45,000 respectively by <strong>the</strong> late twentieth century. In 1991,<br />
Brooke (1995b) estimated <strong>the</strong> combined population<br />
<strong>of</strong> Herald and Henderson petrels to be in <strong>the</strong> region <strong>of</strong><br />
27,000 pairs.<br />
In 1997, successful rat eradications took place on<br />
both Oeno and Ducie atolls (G. Wragg, pers. comm.).<br />
Two attempts to eradicate rats from <strong>the</strong> larger, more<br />
rugged and more logistically complex <strong>Pitcairn</strong> have been<br />
unsuccessful, however. In August 2011 <strong>the</strong> much larger<br />
task <strong>of</strong> eradicating rats from Henderson was undertaken<br />
by <strong>the</strong> Royal Society for <strong>the</strong> Protection <strong>of</strong> Birds/<strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong> Government with on-<strong>the</strong>-ground assistance from<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> Islanders. Unfortunately, this eradication attempt<br />
was also unsuccessful, with live rats being sighted by<br />
members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Geographic expedition to <strong>the</strong><br />
islands in April 2012 13 .<br />
2.2 Endemism<br />
<strong>The</strong> definition <strong>of</strong> an endemic species is “a species which is<br />
only found in a given region or location and nowhere else<br />
in <strong>the</strong> world” (http://www.biodiversity-worldwide.info) 14 .<br />
Corals, Molluscs and Echinoderms<br />
Paulay (1989), who studied corals, molluscs and<br />
echinoderms at all four islands during <strong>the</strong> 1987<br />
Smithsonian Expedition, concluded that seven out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
310 species or subspecies he identified (or 2.2 percent)<br />
were known only from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> group. <strong>The</strong>se were<br />
<strong>the</strong> asteroid Allostichaster peleensis, <strong>the</strong> ophiuroids<br />
Amphilimna tanyodes and Amphiura bountyia, <strong>the</strong> coral<br />
Porites aff. annae, and <strong>the</strong> gastropods Engina rosacea,<br />
Fusinus gala<strong>the</strong>ae bountyi and Ziba cernohorskyi. Five <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> seven were only known from <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island at <strong>the</strong><br />
time. However, <strong>the</strong>se five species were all obtained by<br />
dredging from fairly deep water (40-100 m), a habitat<br />
which has been minimally sampled in Polynesia (Paulay,<br />
1989). Preece (1995a) doubled <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> marine<br />
molluscs known from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> and described<br />
several new species, including a few additional endemics<br />
with non-planktotrophic larvae, but concurred that <strong>the</strong><br />
overall level <strong>of</strong> endemism for <strong>the</strong> marine molluscan fauna<br />
was about 2 percent. This is <strong>the</strong> percentage level <strong>of</strong><br />
endemism seen in <strong>the</strong> fish fauna too (see below). <strong>The</strong>se<br />
levels <strong>of</strong> endemism are relatively low. However, in terms<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> endemic nearshore fish species per<br />
unit area, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> are among a select group<br />
<strong>of</strong> remote islands with <strong>the</strong> highest concentrations (Allen,<br />
2008), <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs in <strong>the</strong> group being Clipperton, Isla del<br />
Coco, Easter and Rapa.<br />
Reef fishes<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are five species <strong>of</strong> bony fishes which are currently<br />
believed to be endemic to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> (Randall,<br />
1999; FishBase, 2011). <strong>The</strong>se are <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> sandlance<br />
Ammodytoides leptus, <strong>the</strong> many-spined butterflyfish<br />
Hemitaurichthys multispinosus (both only found at<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong>); <strong>the</strong> Henderson triplefin Enneapterygius ornatus<br />
and <strong>the</strong> squirrelfish Sargocentron megalops (both found<br />
only at Henderson). <strong>The</strong>re is also an undescribed species<br />
<strong>of</strong> combtooth blenny Alticus sp. (Randall, 1999), found<br />
both at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> and Henderson. Thirty-three species <strong>of</strong><br />
fishes were new to science when first collected from <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong> in 1971 and have since been described. A fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
15 species were only recorded to genus when collected,<br />
although a number have since been identified to species<br />
level (Randall, 1999).<br />
As indicated above, a number <strong>of</strong> species that were new to<br />
science at <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir discovery have been recorded<br />
from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>. Several <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se species now<br />
bear a name which refers to <strong>the</strong>ir place <strong>of</strong> origin (<strong>the</strong>ir<br />
type locality) in some way. Thus we have Fusinus gala<strong>the</strong>ae<br />
bountyi (a neogastropod mollusc); Cypselurus pitcairnensis<br />
(a flyingfish); Amphiura bountyia (a brittlestar); and<br />
Neonesidea blighi and Loxoconcha hendersonislandensis<br />
(both ostracods).<br />
For <strong>the</strong> curious, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> also have a number <strong>of</strong><br />
endemic non-marine terrestrial species, including five land<br />
birds – <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> reed warbler, <strong>the</strong> Henderson fruit dove,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Henderson lorikeet, <strong>the</strong> Henderson rail or crake and<br />
<strong>the</strong> Henderson reed warbler (Brooke, 2010). Henderson<br />
also has nine endemic plants; Oeno had one but it could<br />
not be found in 1991; and <strong>Pitcairn</strong> has two endemic<br />
ferns and seven endemic flowering plants (Florence et al.,<br />
1995). <strong>The</strong>re are seven species (or subspecies) <strong>of</strong> terrestrial<br />
gastropod molluscs which are endemic to Henderson and<br />
a fur<strong>the</strong>r eight from <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (Preece, 1995b). <strong>The</strong>re is<br />
also an undetermined number <strong>of</strong> endemic insects to <strong>the</strong><br />
islands (Benton, 1995a) as well as <strong>of</strong> non-flying arthropods<br />
(Benton & Lehtinen, 1995). It should be remembered,<br />
however, that this list is not complete nor is it definitive –<br />
it simply reflects those groups which have been studied in<br />
detail.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
9
2.3 Measures <strong>of</strong> protection<br />
<strong>The</strong> UK Overseas Territory <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
marine waters are included within <strong>the</strong> UK’s ratification <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> following Conventions:<br />
l World Heritage Convention 15<br />
l Ramsar Convention 16<br />
l Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)<br />
l Convention for <strong>the</strong> Protection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Natural Resources<br />
and <strong>Environment</strong> for <strong>the</strong> South Pacific Region (signed<br />
June 1988)<br />
l International Convention on <strong>the</strong> Regulation <strong>of</strong> Whaling<br />
l Convention on <strong>the</strong> Conservation <strong>of</strong> Migratory Species<br />
(CMS) – <strong>the</strong> Henderson petrel Pterodroma atrata is<br />
included in <strong>the</strong> appendices and a Memorandum <strong>of</strong><br />
Understanding has been signed by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
Council with CMS concerning <strong>the</strong> conservation <strong>of</strong><br />
cetaceans.<br />
National legislation pertaining to species protection and<br />
protected areas includes:<br />
l <strong>The</strong> Fisheries Zone Ordinance<br />
l Local Government Regulations 1971 (Part IV)<br />
– see below<br />
l UK Overseas Territories <strong>Environment</strong>al Charter.<br />
Local Government Regulations<br />
Under Chapter XI (Local Government Ordinance), Part IV<br />
(Animals and Wildlife), Section 5, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Laws <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>,<br />
Henderson, Ducie and Oeno <strong>Islands</strong> (Revised edition<br />
2010), it states that:<br />
“No person shall take, hunt, fish, capture, harass or<br />
intentionally kill, or attempt to take, hunt, fish, capture,<br />
harass or kill, any member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> following species:<br />
blue whale (Balaenoptera m[a]usculus); humpback<br />
whale (Megaptera novaeangliae); right whale<br />
(Eubalaena glacialis); short-tailed albatross (Diomedea<br />
albatrus); cahow (Pterodroma cahow); dark-rumped<br />
petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia); green sea turtle and<br />
related species (Cheloniidae); lea<strong>the</strong>r back sea turtle<br />
(Dermochelys coriacea); hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys<br />
imbricata); loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta); Ridley turtle<br />
(Lepidochelys olivacea).<br />
Penalty: $50.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> list <strong>of</strong> species presented here clearly requires updating<br />
as, according to <strong>the</strong> authors’ research, seven (<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 11)<br />
have never been recorded from <strong>the</strong> waters surrounding<br />
<strong>the</strong> islands: right whale Eubalaena glacialis; short-tailed<br />
albatross Diomedea albatrus; cahow Pterodroma cahow);<br />
dark-rumped petrel Pterodroma phaeopygia; lea<strong>the</strong>r back<br />
sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea; loggerhead turtle Caretta<br />
caretta; and Ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea.<br />
13. See <strong>the</strong> National Geographic Newswatch blog<br />
article at http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.<br />
com/2012/04/28/mike-fays-pitcairn-journal-<br />
tragic-sighting<br />
14. This definition requires that <strong>the</strong> region to which<br />
<strong>the</strong> species is endemic be defined. Thus one can<br />
have a ‘habitat endemic’ (e.g. only found within a<br />
certain habitat such as a cave or a seagrass bed); an<br />
‘island endemic’ (e.g. just found at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island); a<br />
‘group endemic’ (e.g. found only at two or more <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>), or even a ‘geographical range<br />
endemic’ (e.g. only found within <strong>the</strong> central South<br />
Pacific).<br />
From <strong>the</strong>se examples it is clear that <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> mere term endemic as such is ra<strong>the</strong>r vague and<br />
without too much value by itself. It should be noted<br />
that <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> endemism very much depends on<br />
<strong>the</strong> knowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> geographical range <strong>of</strong> a species.<br />
Usually, a newly discovered species has only been<br />
found at just one limited site, and with <strong>the</strong> knowledge<br />
<strong>of</strong> that moment, it should be considered an island and<br />
probably a group endemic. However, this only lasts<br />
until <strong>the</strong> time when someone discovers it at ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
island group. At that moment its original status <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> endemism will be lost. This is bound to<br />
be <strong>the</strong> case for many endemic organisms which are<br />
difficult to see or recognise, as is <strong>the</strong> case with most<br />
marine invertebrates.<br />
15. Henderson became a World Heritage Site in 1988.<br />
16. Five sites are currently under consideration: Oeno,<br />
Henderson and Ducie (totalling an area <strong>of</strong> 5,300 ha),<br />
and two sites at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> – Brown’s Water and <strong>the</strong><br />
Coastal Waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
Nearshore waters 17 3<br />
3.1 <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island<br />
KEY FACTS<br />
Name PITCAIRN Island type Volcanic island (extinct)<br />
Location 25°04’S, 130°06’W Distance/bearing from<br />
nearest island(s)<br />
Dimensions 3.2 km (2 miles) long by<br />
1.6 km (1 mile) wide<br />
Oeno is 120 km to <strong>the</strong> NW.<br />
Henderson is 200 km to <strong>the</strong> ENE.<br />
Land area 4.5 km 2 (450 ha)<br />
Altitude Sea level to 347 m Length <strong>of</strong> coastline ~ 9.5 km long<br />
Origin <strong>of</strong> name First discovered by Europeans in 1767 by Capt. Philip Carteret onboard HMS Swallow, who<br />
named it after <strong>the</strong> look-out who had first sighted <strong>the</strong> island. Occupied by Polynesians from<br />
~900 to ~1450 AD.<br />
Population/visitors 2011 population: 65 (56 native residents and 9 non-residents). Max. population <strong>of</strong> 250 in 1936.<br />
Status Nearest inhabited island: Mangareva, Gambier <strong>Islands</strong>, French Polynesia (480 km away).<br />
Important Bird Area (2010). Proposed Ramsar Site – ‘Coastal Waters’ and ‘Brown’s Water’<br />
(2005)<br />
Overview A small, isolated rocky island, being <strong>the</strong> emergent tip <strong>of</strong> a volcano thought to be < 1 million<br />
years old. Has one endemic bird species (<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> warbler), a number <strong>of</strong> endemic plant<br />
species and two endemic fishes. <strong>The</strong> island’s waters have recently (since <strong>the</strong> early 1990s)<br />
become a regular haunt <strong>of</strong> small numbers <strong>of</strong> humpback whales during <strong>the</strong> austral winter.<br />
(Information extracted from various sources including <strong>the</strong> RSPB’s A Directory <strong>of</strong> Wetlands in Oceania<br />
http://www.wetlands.org/RSIS/WKBASE/OceaniaDir/<strong>Pitcairn</strong>.htm)<br />
Figure 6. Map <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island.<br />
(Illustration: R.A. Irving)<br />
Plate 6. Aerial view <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> from <strong>the</strong> west.<br />
(Photo: A. McDonald, 2011)<br />
10 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
11
Plate 7. Sea-level view <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> from <strong>the</strong> east.<br />
(Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
Plate 8. <strong>The</strong> jetty and boat shed, Bounty Bay, <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
2011. (Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
3.1.1 Introduction<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> is a rugged island with steep cliffs forming much<br />
<strong>of</strong> its coastline. <strong>The</strong> only two places on <strong>the</strong> island which<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer a reasonably safe landing are Bounty Bay (on <strong>the</strong><br />
north-east coast) and Tedside (on <strong>the</strong> north-west coast)<br />
(Figure 6; Plate 8).<br />
At 24° south, <strong>the</strong> subtropical nearshore waters around<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> lack <strong>the</strong> typical coral reef formations found on<br />
most Pacific islands. Annual sea surface temperatures<br />
taken from an area to <strong>the</strong> north-east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (23.5°S,<br />
128.0°W) show <strong>the</strong> monthly mean surface temperature<br />
to range from 22.5°C (Aug/Sept) to 26.3°C (Feb/Mar)<br />
(Streten & Zillman, 1984). This is just above <strong>the</strong> lower<br />
limit for structural coral reef construction which is<br />
typically taken as 20°C in <strong>the</strong> coldest month <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> year<br />
(Stoddart, 1969).<br />
Plate 9. Rockpools at Down Isaacs, <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
(Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
Plate 10. St Paul’s Pool, <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
(Photo: T.P. Dawson)<br />
3.1.2 Intertidal zone – habitats and species<br />
Accessible intertidal habitats are few and far between on<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong>. Five which can be reached without too much<br />
difficulty are: Down Rope (largely consisting <strong>of</strong> a coarse<br />
sand beach with low-lying bedrock platforms ei<strong>the</strong>r<br />
side and surrounded by very high vertical cliffs); Tedside<br />
(fissured bedrock platforms with shallow pools and large<br />
angular boulders); Down Isaacs, to <strong>the</strong> west <strong>of</strong> Bounty Bay<br />
(bedrock platforms with shallow pools); Bounty Bay (large<br />
and small boulders to <strong>the</strong> east <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> jetty); and St Paul’s<br />
Pool (a large pool with a maximum depth <strong>of</strong> 3 m at <strong>the</strong><br />
eastern extremity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> island) (Plate 10).<br />
<strong>The</strong> pools at Down Isaacs as well as <strong>the</strong> large one at St<br />
Paul’s feature a number <strong>of</strong> macroalgal species including<br />
Sargassum obtusifolium and Caulerpa racemosa (Plates 15<br />
& 16). <strong>The</strong>y also support a number <strong>of</strong> winkles and limpets,<br />
electric blue hermit crabs Calcinus elegans, Sally Lightfoot<br />
crabs Grapsus tenuicrustatus, and various fishes within<br />
<strong>the</strong>m, such as blennies, damselfishes, mullets, goatfishes<br />
and wrasses.<br />
Plate 11. Shallow vertical rock face, Adam’s Rock, east <strong>of</strong><br />
Bounty Bay, <strong>Pitcairn</strong>. (Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
Plate 12. 100 percent coral cover evident at 18–22 m<br />
depth <strong>of</strong>f Down Isaacs, north-east coast <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
(Photo: R.A. Irving).<br />
3.1.3 Bathymetry and marine habitats<br />
One might imagine that, as <strong>Pitcairn</strong> is just <strong>the</strong> tip <strong>of</strong> a<br />
submarine volcano which rises from <strong>the</strong> surrounding<br />
seafloor at a depth <strong>of</strong> some 2,500 to 3,750 m, <strong>the</strong>re<br />
would be dramatic drop-<strong>of</strong>fs and near-vertical cliffs close<br />
to low water mark all around <strong>the</strong> island. But this is not <strong>the</strong><br />
case. <strong>The</strong> seabed appears to shelve very gradually from 10<br />
m to 30 m in depth for approximately 300–500 m all <strong>the</strong><br />
way round <strong>the</strong> island. In places, a level terrace-like seabed<br />
exists, with very little discernable difference in depth for<br />
stretches <strong>of</strong> 150–200 m perpendicular to <strong>the</strong> shoreline.<br />
It is likely that, over tens <strong>of</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> years, <strong>the</strong><br />
pounding surf affecting <strong>the</strong> nearshore zone has created a<br />
wave-cut platform as <strong>the</strong> volcanic sand has scoured away<br />
<strong>the</strong> underlying bedrock to a uniform depth.<br />
Cover <strong>of</strong> live coral varies from 5 percent to 80 percent<br />
depending on <strong>the</strong> depth and <strong>the</strong> location around <strong>the</strong><br />
island. Coral growth seemed most prolific in <strong>the</strong> 12–22 m<br />
range. However, in 1971, Randall (1999) undertook some<br />
<strong>of</strong> his fish collecting dives in deep water. On one such<br />
occasion, when diving a feature known as ‘<strong>The</strong> Bear’ <strong>of</strong>f<br />
<strong>the</strong> north-east coast, which rises about 9 m above <strong>the</strong><br />
seabed at 45 m, he recorded <strong>the</strong> live coral cover as being<br />
almost 100 percent. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most extensive areas <strong>of</strong><br />
12 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
Plate 13 Coral monitoring studies at 13 m depth <strong>of</strong>f <strong>Pitcairn</strong>’s<br />
north-west coast. (Photo C. Rives &Y. Chancerelle, CRIOBE).<br />
Plate 14. Automatic data recorder set at 36 m depth<br />
<strong>of</strong>f <strong>Pitcairn</strong>’s north-west coast.<br />
(Photo: C. Rives & Y. Chancerelle, CRIOBE)<br />
live coral growth is present <strong>of</strong>f Adamstown at a depth <strong>of</strong><br />
18–30 m, covering an area <strong>of</strong> about 2 km 2 .<br />
In 2009 a reef monitoring programme <strong>of</strong>f <strong>Pitcairn</strong>’s<br />
north-west coast was initiated by <strong>the</strong> Institut des Récifs<br />
Coralliens du Pacifique / Centre de Recherches Insulaires<br />
et Observatoire de l’Environnement (Institute for Pacific<br />
Coral Reefs / Centre for Island Research and Observatory<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>, or IRCP / CRIOBE), based in Moorea,<br />
French Polynesia. <strong>The</strong> programme is part <strong>of</strong> an ongoing<br />
16-year long-term project monitoring <strong>the</strong> outer reef slopes<br />
<strong>of</strong> 20 islands spread over <strong>the</strong> four French Polynesian<br />
archipelagos (Australs; Marquesas; Society; Tuamotu) and<br />
six Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) (Cook<br />
<strong>Islands</strong>; Niue; Kiribati; Tokelau; Kingdom <strong>of</strong> Tonga; Wallis<br />
and Futuna). <strong>The</strong> project focuses on <strong>the</strong> effects <strong>of</strong> natural<br />
disturbances on coral reef ecosystems.<br />
At <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, monitoring will be <strong>of</strong> fish populations (species<br />
richness, sizes and abundance) and <strong>of</strong> Scleractinia coral<br />
populations (photo surveys <strong>of</strong> genus richness, coverage<br />
percentages, landforms) at a location <strong>of</strong> 25°3.821’S,<br />
130°7.254’W. At a second survey site (25° 03.361’ S,<br />
130° 07.596’ W) certain hydrological parameters will<br />
be continuously recorded (temperatures to <strong>the</strong> nearest<br />
milli-degree, swell heights and frequencies, and sea<br />
13
level heights). A Memorandum <strong>of</strong> Understanding was<br />
signed to facilitate cooperation for this project in June<br />
2011 between <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island Government’s Natural<br />
Resources Division and IRCP / CRIOBE (Chancerelle & Lison<br />
de Loma, 2009).<br />
3.1.4 <strong>Marine</strong> species<br />
Those groups <strong>of</strong> marine taxa which have been investigated<br />
at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> are commented on below, toge<strong>the</strong>r with any<br />
noteworthy species.<br />
SEAwEEDS<br />
Several species <strong>of</strong> macroalgae (seaweeds) occur in<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong>’s nearshore waters, whereas <strong>the</strong>re is a noticeable<br />
lack <strong>of</strong> macroalgae at Henderson, Oeno and Ducie. Why<br />
this should be so is unclear, but it may be to do with<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong>’s position (it is <strong>the</strong> most sou<strong>the</strong>rly <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four<br />
islands) and <strong>the</strong> slightly lower temperature <strong>of</strong> its waters.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is also likely to be a higher nutrient input to <strong>the</strong><br />
waters around <strong>Pitcairn</strong> accompanying rainwater run-<strong>of</strong>f,<br />
compared with <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r islands. <strong>The</strong> only published<br />
work on <strong>the</strong> island’s marine algae which <strong>the</strong> authors have<br />
come across (Tsuda, 1976) is based on samples collected<br />
during <strong>the</strong> 1970/71 expedition. As just five samples<br />
were collected at <strong>the</strong> time (three from <strong>the</strong> intertidal<br />
and two from <strong>the</strong> subtidal), it is likely that more species<br />
<strong>of</strong> macroalgae will be added to <strong>the</strong> current total <strong>of</strong> 13<br />
species. Some notes on <strong>the</strong> distribution <strong>of</strong> dominant<br />
species were made by <strong>the</strong> authors during <strong>the</strong>ir visits to<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> in 2003 (RI) and 2011 (RI & TD) and, as this report<br />
was going to press, some initial findings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National<br />
Geographical Society’s 2012 Pristine Seas expedition to <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> announced a fur<strong>the</strong>r eight algal records via<br />
its website, bringing <strong>the</strong> total number <strong>of</strong> species to 24.<br />
Bushy brown algae (Sargassum odontocarpum 18 ) dominate<br />
<strong>the</strong> upward-facing surfaces <strong>of</strong> bedrock outcrops which are<br />
present between 14 m to 22 m depth around much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
island, with local variations in percentage cover (10 to 70<br />
percent) depending on local sediment smo<strong>the</strong>ring, scour<br />
and grazing by sea urchins. Also present on <strong>the</strong>se outcrops<br />
are clumps <strong>of</strong> Lobophora variegata and a Padina-like<br />
alga too. <strong>The</strong>re are a number <strong>of</strong> encrusting coralline algal<br />
species too, which are both prolific in <strong>the</strong>ir coverage and<br />
Plate 15. Sargassum obtusifolium. Intertidal pool,<br />
Down Isaacs, <strong>Pitcairn</strong>. (Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
widespread around <strong>the</strong> island, but <strong>the</strong>se have yet to be<br />
studied.<br />
FORAMS 19<br />
In 1991 a number <strong>of</strong> sediment and seaweed samples,<br />
collected by Richard Preece <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sir Peter Scott<br />
Commemorative Expedition, were later analysed for<br />
Foraminifera (forams) by John Whittaker and Richard<br />
Hodgkinson <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Natural History Museum, London<br />
(Whittaker & Hodgkinson, 1995). Note that no<br />
Foraminifera were found in <strong>the</strong> sediment samples taken.<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 11 species 20 <strong>of</strong> Foraminifera have been recorded<br />
from <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, although this is by no means a complete<br />
record (see Appendix 5).<br />
SPONGES<br />
As far as can be determined, no sponges have been<br />
collected from <strong>the</strong> intertidal nor from <strong>the</strong> subtidal at<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong>. However, small and cryptic encrusting forms are<br />
known to exist, though <strong>the</strong>y are rare (R.A. Irving, pers.<br />
obs.).<br />
CORALS, etc.<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 15 species <strong>of</strong> scleractinian (stony) coral are listed<br />
from <strong>Pitcairn</strong> by Paulay (1989), based on collections made<br />
from three expeditions: in 1967 (by H.A. Rehder, D.M.<br />
Devaney and B.R. Wilson using a dredge); in 1970–71 (by<br />
J.E. Randall and H.A. Rehder using scuba); and in 1987<br />
(by G. Paulay using scuba). However, as Paulay only spent<br />
four days at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> with specimens being brought to him<br />
by divers, he does not consider his list for <strong>Pitcairn</strong> to be<br />
comprehensive.<br />
A number <strong>of</strong> s<strong>of</strong>t coral species (Order Alcyonarea) are<br />
present in <strong>the</strong> subtidal around <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, though <strong>the</strong>se<br />
have yet to be identified. <strong>The</strong>re are very few anemones<br />
(Order Actinaria) and those that are present are <strong>of</strong>ten well<br />
hidden (cryptic). <strong>The</strong> few species that are present have yet<br />
to be identified. Similarly, hydroids (Order Lepto<strong>the</strong>cata)<br />
are small and sparse. It is likely that most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se forms<br />
struggle to become established as a result <strong>of</strong> grazing<br />
pressure from sea urchins and certain fish species. Fire<br />
coral (Order Milleporidae) Millepora sp. is also present<br />
at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, but in much smaller abundances than at<br />
Henderson (R.A. Irving, pers. obs.).<br />
Plate 16. Caulerpa racemosa. Intertidal pool, Down Isaacs,<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong>. (Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
CRUSTACEANS<br />
While <strong>the</strong>re are a number <strong>of</strong> different crustacean families<br />
represented both intertidally and subtidally at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>,<br />
<strong>the</strong>se have yet to be studied in any detail. A total <strong>of</strong> 29<br />
non-ostracod species has so far been recorded, toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
with 47 ostracod 21 22 species.<br />
Of <strong>the</strong> larger decapods, two species <strong>of</strong> spiny lobster occur<br />
at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> – <strong>the</strong> pronghorn or red spiny lobster Panulirus<br />
penicillatus (Plate 17) and <strong>the</strong> Easter Island spiny lobster<br />
Panulirus pascuensis (Plate 18). <strong>The</strong> former species has<br />
white stripes along its legs and <strong>the</strong> latter has blue stripes.<br />
Individuals <strong>of</strong> both species are caught by divers on a<br />
regular basis, ei<strong>the</strong>r for sharing with o<strong>the</strong>r islanders on<br />
‘feast days’, selling to <strong>the</strong> local restaurant when open, or<br />
for selling to chefs onboard visiting cruise ships. <strong>The</strong> Aesop<br />
slipper lobster Scyllarides haanii (Plate 19) is ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
commercially important crustacean which is caught using<br />
baited pots – see also section 3.1.5.<br />
Recently, <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> a small population <strong>of</strong> a caridean<br />
shrimp Macrobrachium latimanus (von Martens, 1868)<br />
has been confirmed in an isolated freshwater pond on<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island (Plate 20). It is intriguing to think how<br />
<strong>the</strong> population might have got <strong>the</strong>re – by deliberate<br />
introduction or possibly as larval stages attached to <strong>the</strong><br />
muddy feet <strong>of</strong> migrant birds? In fact, nei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se is<br />
<strong>the</strong> case. It turns out that this shrimp has an intriguing<br />
life cycle: although <strong>the</strong> adults live in freshwater pools, its<br />
larvae must develop in a saline environment in <strong>the</strong> open<br />
sea (known as obligate amphidromous migration). <strong>The</strong><br />
adults have to journey to <strong>the</strong> sea in order to shed <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
eggs. After a period <strong>of</strong> some months passing through<br />
several larval development phases, <strong>the</strong> juveniles <strong>the</strong>n<br />
migrate back upstream to <strong>the</strong> adult freshwater habitat.<br />
<strong>The</strong> population must have become established at <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
from larvae that had got to <strong>the</strong> island from Mangareva in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Gambier <strong>Islands</strong> (or possibly o<strong>the</strong>r islands to <strong>the</strong> west),<br />
where <strong>the</strong> species has also been recorded.<br />
MOLLUSCS<br />
Over 80 marine molluscan taxa have been recorded from<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong>, although <strong>the</strong> molluscan fauna is still poorly<br />
known (Preece, 1995a).<br />
14 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
Table 4. Species <strong>of</strong> scleractinian coral recorded from <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (after Paulay, 1989) which are <strong>of</strong> conservation concern,<br />
with IUCN conservation status from Palomares et al. (2011) (excludes categories: LR, LC, DD & NE).<br />
Species IUCN<br />
Code*<br />
Notes<br />
Acropora acuminate (Verrill 1864) VU Presence at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> queried by Paulay. Also recorded from Ducie & Oeno.<br />
Acropora secale (Studer 1878) NT Presence at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> queried by Paulay. Also recorded from Oeno.<br />
Porites cf. lobata (Dana 1846) NT Also recorded from Henderson & Ducie.<br />
Favia mathaii (Vaughan 1918) NT Also recorded from Henderson.<br />
* IUCN’s Red List categories (IUCN, 2012): VU = Vulnerable; NT = Near Threatened<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> was <strong>the</strong> first place where <strong>the</strong> gastropod Fusinus<br />
gala<strong>the</strong>ae bountyi (Plate 21) was found in depths <strong>of</strong><br />
40–100 m (Rehder & Wilson, 1975). It is believed to still<br />
be a subspecies endemic to <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, although it may occur<br />
at neighbouring localities. It is a predatory gastropod and<br />
is frequently found in <strong>the</strong> baited pots set out around <strong>the</strong><br />
island to catch slipper lobsters.<br />
A species <strong>of</strong> octopus, ‘Octopus’ oliveri, is regularly caught<br />
in shallow rocky areas around Bounty Bay (Plate 22). It<br />
is also found in <strong>the</strong> intertidal at Henderson, particularly<br />
around <strong>the</strong> north-west point. <strong>The</strong> octopus was thought to<br />
have been an undescribed species when encountered on<br />
Henderson in 1991 (Preece, 1995a), but it has since been<br />
found to be <strong>the</strong> same species as is found elsewhere in <strong>the</strong><br />
Pacific – in <strong>the</strong> Kermadec <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>of</strong>f New Zealand and also<br />
at Hawai’i (F.G. Hochberg, pers. comm.). However, it is still<br />
not clear as to whe<strong>the</strong>r it belongs to <strong>the</strong> genus Octopus<br />
(Norman & Hochberg, 2005), hence <strong>the</strong> inverted commas.<br />
Its population size at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> appears to be able to sustain<br />
<strong>the</strong> numbers which are fished <strong>the</strong>re.<br />
STARFISH, SEA URCHINS & SEA CUCUMBERS<br />
(Echinodermata)<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 23+ species <strong>of</strong> echinoderms (sea urchins [2+<br />
spp]; starfish/sea stars [7 spp]; brittlestars [12 spp]; sea<br />
cucumbers [2+ spp]) are listed from <strong>Pitcairn</strong> by Paulay<br />
(1989). <strong>The</strong> number <strong>of</strong> brittlestar species is relatively high<br />
as most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se were collected by dredge (Devaney,<br />
1974). <strong>The</strong>se species, toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong>ir IUCN Red List<br />
status (all <strong>of</strong> which are ‘Not Evaluated’) are set out in<br />
Appendix 5.<br />
REEF FISHES<br />
From <strong>the</strong> literature searches carried out for this report,<br />
a total <strong>of</strong> 270 species <strong>of</strong> reef fishes have been recorded<br />
from <strong>Pitcairn</strong>. This equates to 77 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total<br />
number <strong>of</strong> reef fishes (352) recorded from all four islands.<br />
Randall (1999) gave <strong>the</strong> figure <strong>of</strong> 271, which has been<br />
updated here to include some newly described species<br />
as well as discounting some dubious records. Many more<br />
species have been recorded from <strong>Pitcairn</strong> than from<br />
<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r three islands in <strong>the</strong> group, which reflects <strong>the</strong><br />
greater number <strong>of</strong> habitats available at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>. A total <strong>of</strong><br />
15
Plate 17. Pronghorn or red spiny lobster Panulirus<br />
penicillatus. (Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
Plate 19. Aesop slipper lobster Scyllarides haanii. (Photo:<br />
T.P. Dawson)<br />
Plate 21. <strong>The</strong> shell <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gastropod Fusinus gala<strong>the</strong>ae<br />
bountyi, a subspecies believed to be endemic to <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
(Photo: R.C. Preece)<br />
33 species (all collected by Dr J.E. Randall) were new to<br />
science when first discovered at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> in 1971 (Randall,<br />
1999), although several <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se have now been found<br />
elsewhere. <strong>The</strong>se are listed below in Table 5, toge<strong>the</strong>r with<br />
those species regarded as being <strong>of</strong> conservation concern.<br />
<strong>The</strong> most common fishes observed at diving depths <strong>of</strong><br />
about 10–20 m at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> are <strong>the</strong> wrasses Thalasoma<br />
lutescens and Coris sp., <strong>the</strong> surgeonfish Acanthurus<br />
leucopareius, <strong>the</strong> damselfishes Chrysiptera galba and<br />
Stegastes fasicolatus, and drummer/nanwi Kyphosus<br />
bigibbus (Randall, 1999; R.A. Irving, pers. obs.). Nanwi<br />
(<strong>the</strong> local vernacular name) occur in very large shoals<br />
(up to 300 or so) near rocky outcrops, upon which tens<br />
<strong>of</strong> individuals may suddenly swoop and feed voraciously<br />
Plate 18. Easter Island spiny lobster Panulirus pascuensis.<br />
(Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
Plate 20. <strong>The</strong> ‘freshwater’ shrimp Macrobrachium<br />
latimanus. (Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
Plate 22. <strong>The</strong> octopus ‘Octopus’ oliveri is <strong>of</strong>ten caught in<br />
shallow rocky areas around Bounty Bay.<br />
(Photo: T.P. Dawson)<br />
before being moved on by a dominant individual (which<br />
may well display different colouration). This species is<br />
an important food fish for <strong>the</strong> islanders (see also section<br />
3.1.5).<br />
<strong>The</strong> two shark species which are most likely to be<br />
seen at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> are <strong>the</strong> Galapagos shark Carcharhinus<br />
galapagensis and <strong>the</strong> whitetip reef shark Triaenodon<br />
obesus. <strong>The</strong> teeth <strong>of</strong> a caught shark will be used as teeth<br />
in hand-carved wooden sharks which are crafted for sale.<br />
To date, two tiger sharks Galeocerdo cuvier have been<br />
reported from <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, one in 1980 and one in 1985. In<br />
addition, a spotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari, with a<br />
disc width <strong>of</strong> 1.5 m, was caught <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> jetty in Bounty Bay<br />
in 1974.<br />
Table 5. Noteworthy reef fishes occurring at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
Species IUCN<br />
Code*<br />
Notes<br />
Many-spined<br />
butterflyfish<br />
Hemitaurichthys<br />
multispinosus<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> angelfish<br />
Genicanthus spinus<br />
Hotumatua’s angelfish<br />
Centropyge hotumatua<br />
Smith’s butterflyfish<br />
Chaetodon smithi<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> parrotfish<br />
Scarus longipinnis<br />
Species IUCN<br />
Code*<br />
Giant grouper<br />
Epinephalus lanceolatus<br />
Surge grouper<br />
Epinephalus socialis<br />
Moray eel<br />
Gymnothorax australicola<br />
Moray eel<br />
Uropterygius kamar<br />
Lizardfish<br />
Synodus capricornis<br />
Flyingfish<br />
Cypselurus pitcairnensis<br />
Squirrelfish<br />
Sargocentron hormion<br />
Doublespot perchlet<br />
Plectranthias<br />
fourmanoiri<br />
Dwarf perchlet<br />
Plectranthias nanus<br />
Redblotch perchlet<br />
Plectranthias winniensis<br />
Longfin anthias<br />
Pseudanthias ventralis<br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn anthias<br />
Pseudogramma australis<br />
Cardinalfish<br />
Apogon caudicinctus<br />
Damselfish<br />
Chromis pamae<br />
Damselfish<br />
Chrysiptera galba<br />
Damselfish<br />
Dascyllus flavicaudus<br />
16 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
LC New species (first discovered at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> in 1971 by J.E. Randall)<br />
and endemic to <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island. Depth range 40–44 m. Inhabits<br />
seaward reefs; apparently a deep dweller. Ref. Allen, G.R. (1985).<br />
(Photo: J.E. Randall)<br />
LC New species, first discovered at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> in 1971 by J.E. Randall.<br />
Depth range 30–60 m. Max. length: 35 cm. Distribution: Eastern<br />
Pacific, Cook <strong>Islands</strong> to Ducie Atoll (<strong>Pitcairn</strong>).<br />
(Photo: J.E. Randall)<br />
LC New species, first discovered at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> in 1971 by J.E. Randall.<br />
Depth range 30–60 m. Max. length 35 cm. Distribution: All four<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>, <strong>the</strong> Australs, and Rapa.<br />
(Photo: J.E. Randall)<br />
LC New species, first discovered at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> in 1971 by J.E. Randall.<br />
Depth range: 10-30 m. Max. length 17 cm. Distribution: <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
Island, Rapa & Ilots de Bass. (Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
LC New species, first discovered at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> in 1971. Depth range:<br />
10-55 m. Max. length 40 cm. Distribution: <strong>Pitcairn</strong> & Henderson;<br />
Great Barrier Reef and sou<strong>the</strong>rn Pacific islands. (Photo: J.E. Randall)<br />
Notes Species IUCN<br />
Code*<br />
VU Also recorded from<br />
Henderson. Vulnerable<br />
status due to overfishing<br />
elsewhere.<br />
NT Typically present in<br />
surge zone, 1–4 m. Near<br />
Threatened status due to<br />
overfishing elsewhere.<br />
White-tip reef shark<br />
Triaenodon obesus<br />
Spotted eagle ray<br />
Aetobatus narinari<br />
NE New species Tahiti damselfish<br />
Pomachromis fuscidorsalis<br />
NE New species Emery’s gregory<br />
Stegastes emeryi<br />
NE New species Feminine wrasse<br />
Anampses femininus<br />
NE New species Scott’s wrasse<br />
Cirrhlabrus scottorum<br />
Notes<br />
NT Present at all four islands.<br />
Near Threatened status due to<br />
practice <strong>of</strong> finning worldwide.<br />
NT Only recorded from <strong>Pitcairn</strong>,<br />
though has circumtropical<br />
distribution. Near Threatened<br />
status due to overfishing<br />
elsewhere.<br />
NE New species<br />
NE New species<br />
NE New species<br />
NE New species<br />
NE New species Wrasse Coris sp. NE New species<br />
NE New species Black-ear wrasse<br />
Halichoeres<br />
melasmapomus<br />
NE New species<br />
NE New species Wrasse<br />
Pseudocheilinus citrinus<br />
NE New species<br />
NE New species Tailspot wrasse<br />
Pseudocheilinus ocellatus<br />
NE New species<br />
NE New species Polynesian wrasse<br />
Pseudojuloides atavai<br />
NE New species<br />
NE New species Wrasse Thalassoma<br />
heiseri<br />
NE New species<br />
NE New species Blenny Alticus sp. NE New species<br />
NE New species Eyebar goby<br />
Gnatholepis cauerensis<br />
NE New subspecies<br />
NE New species Goby Trimmatom sp. NE New species<br />
NE New species <strong>Pitcairn</strong> sandlance<br />
Ammodytoides leptus<br />
NE New species<br />
* IUCN’s Red List categories (IUCN, 2012): VU = Vulnerable; NT = Near Threatened; LC = Least Concern; NE = Not Evaluated<br />
17
TURTLES<br />
Two species <strong>of</strong> turtles are likely to be seen in <strong>the</strong> waters<br />
surrounding <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, <strong>the</strong> hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata<br />
and <strong>the</strong> green turtle Chelonia mydas. During 1983 (one<br />
particular year when sightings were recorded) <strong>the</strong>re were<br />
eight sightings <strong>of</strong> green turtles and six <strong>of</strong> hawksbill turtles<br />
(Groombridge & Luxmoore 1989). Nei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se species<br />
nest at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, however, as <strong>the</strong>re are no suitable sandy<br />
beaches.<br />
SEABIRDS<br />
Compared with <strong>the</strong> three uninhabited islands within <strong>the</strong><br />
group, <strong>Pitcairn</strong>’s seabirds are relatively few in number.<br />
<strong>The</strong> likely reasons why this should be so are humans, feral<br />
cats and introduced rats. Prehistoric breeding seabird<br />
populations were likely to have been substantially higher.<br />
Those species presently breeding on <strong>the</strong> island include<br />
black noddy Anous minutus (20 pairs), brown noddy<br />
Anous stolidus (100 pairs), blue-grey noddy Procelsterna<br />
cerulea (10 pairs), red-tailed tropicbird Phaethon<br />
rubricauda (30-50 pairs) and Christmas shearwater<br />
Puffinus nativitatis (probably
Head 1<br />
body text<br />
Plate 27. <strong>The</strong> ‘Ocean Fish’ <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> stamp issue<br />
from 2007 depicting six species <strong>of</strong> open-water fish<br />
regularly caught <strong>of</strong>f <strong>Pitcairn</strong>. Top row, from left to<br />
right: dogtooth tuna Gymnosarda unicolor; wahoo<br />
Acanthocybium solandri; mahi-mahi Coryphaena<br />
hippurus; bottom row, from left to right: yellowfin tuna<br />
Thunnus albacares; giant trevally Caranx ignobilis; bonito<br />
Sarda chiliensis lineolata.<br />
array <strong>of</strong> gastrointestinal, neurological and cardiological<br />
symptoms with treatment options being ineffective or<br />
very limited (Dickey and Plakas, 2009). In particular, <strong>the</strong><br />
coral reefs <strong>of</strong> Mangareva in <strong>the</strong> Gambier <strong>Islands</strong> hold<br />
large amounts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> din<strong>of</strong>lagellate Gambierdiscus<br />
toxicus, a ciguatoxin precursor which attaches itself to<br />
algae and traverses <strong>the</strong> food chain bioaccumulating in<br />
carnivorous fin fish. High subsequent and ongoing rates<br />
<strong>of</strong> intoxications by ciguatera recorded in <strong>the</strong> Gambier<br />
<strong>Islands</strong> have been associated with French nuclear testing<br />
in <strong>the</strong> area around Moruroa Atoll and associated military<br />
infrastructure development on Mangareva conducted<br />
during <strong>the</strong> period 1968 to <strong>the</strong> mid-1970s, although <strong>the</strong><br />
environmental pathways to <strong>the</strong> outbreak have not been<br />
established. While <strong>the</strong> existing presence <strong>of</strong> ciguatera<br />
is a potential barrier to <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> small-scale<br />
commercial fisheries in <strong>the</strong> Pacific <strong>Islands</strong> more generally,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Secretariat <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pacific Community has proposed<br />
that <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> community may be in a good position to<br />
develop <strong>the</strong>ir inshore reef fisheries commercially for export<br />
to Mangareva (Michel Blanc, pers. comm., Nov. 2011),<br />
although <strong>the</strong> purchase and installation <strong>of</strong> a blast freezer<br />
will be necessary to ensure production meets food safety<br />
regulation standards. However, as yet no assessment <strong>of</strong><br />
stocks has been undertaken and <strong>the</strong> economics <strong>of</strong> such a<br />
venture have to be studied in detail.<br />
20<br />
17. ‘Nearshore waters’ here are defined as extending to<br />
approximately 2 km from low water mark or shallower<br />
than <strong>the</strong> 100 m depth contour.<br />
18. Note that Sargassum odontocarpum was originally<br />
recorded as Sargassum coriifolium by Tsuda (1976).<br />
<strong>The</strong> taxonomy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> genus Sargassum in French<br />
Polynesia was revised in 2008 (Mattio et al., 2008).<br />
19. <strong>The</strong> Foraminifera (“hole bearers”), or forams for short,<br />
are a large group <strong>of</strong> amoeboid protists which are<br />
among <strong>the</strong> commonest plankton species. <strong>The</strong>y have<br />
reticulating pseudopods, fine strands <strong>of</strong> cytoplasm<br />
that branch and merge to form a dynamic net. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
typically produce a test, or shell, which can have<br />
ei<strong>the</strong>r one or multiple chambers, some becoming<br />
quite elaborate in structure. <strong>The</strong>se shells are made <strong>of</strong><br />
calcium carbonate (CaCO3) or agglutinated sediment<br />
particles. About 275,000 species are recognised,<br />
both living and fossil. <strong>The</strong>y are usually less than 1 mm<br />
in size, but some are much larger, with <strong>the</strong> largest<br />
species reaching up to 20 cm. [Wikipedia entry,<br />
24Nov11. URL: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foraminifera].<br />
20. Note that only eight species <strong>of</strong> Foraminifera were listed<br />
from all four <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> by Palomares et al., 2011.<br />
21. Ostracoda is a class <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Crustacea, whose members<br />
are sometimes known as seed shrimps because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
appearance. Some 65,000 species (13,000 <strong>of</strong> which are<br />
extant taxa) have been identified, grouped into several<br />
orders. Ostracods are small crustaceans, typically around<br />
1 millimetre in size. <strong>The</strong>ir bodies are flattened from<br />
side to side and protected by a bivalve-like, chitinous<br />
or calcareous carapace or ‘shell’. Ecologically, marine<br />
ostracods can be part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> zooplankton or (most<br />
commonly) <strong>the</strong>y are part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> benthos, living on or<br />
inside <strong>the</strong> upper layer <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seafloor.<br />
22. <strong>The</strong> figure <strong>of</strong> 47 species consists <strong>of</strong> 28 named species, three<br />
new genera and 16 new species (Whatley et al. 2004).<br />
23. (http://library.puc.edu/pitcairn/studycenter/<br />
cruiseship.shtml, last accessed 7/12/2011).<br />
3.2 Henderson<br />
KEY FACTS<br />
Name HENDERSON Island type Elevated coral atoll<br />
Location 24°21’S, 128°19’W Distance/bearing from<br />
nearest island(s)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Henderson<br />
Approx. 200 km ENE <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>; and<br />
approx. 360 km W <strong>of</strong> Ducie<br />
Dimensions 9.6 km long x 5.1 km wide Land area 43 km 2 (4,310 ha)*<br />
Altitude Sea level to approx. 33 m Length <strong>of</strong> coastline 26.4 km<br />
Origin <strong>of</strong> name European discovery by Pedro Fernandez de Quiros, who passed without landing in 1606 and<br />
named it San João Baptista. Received current name in 1831 after it was visited by <strong>the</strong> British ship<br />
Hercules in 1819 under Capt. Henderson. From 1819–1831, however, it was known as Elizabeth<br />
Island.<br />
Population/visitors Uninhabited. Occasional 2–3 day visits by <strong>Pitcairn</strong>ers to harvest miro wood for carving. A stop<strong>of</strong>f<br />
for a few cruise ships (e.g. World Discoverer), whose passengers land for 2–3 hours on North<br />
Beach.<br />
Status World Heritage Site (1988); Endemic Bird Area; Important Bird Area; Alliance for Zero Extinction<br />
site (Brooke, 2010). Proposed Ramsar site (2005).<br />
Overview One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> least disturbed raised coral atolls in <strong>the</strong> world, with its terrestrial ecosystems largely<br />
intact. <strong>The</strong> island supports a large breeding population <strong>of</strong> seabirds, including <strong>the</strong> endemic<br />
Henderson petrel Pterodroma atrata and also has four endemic landbirds, one <strong>of</strong> which is a<br />
flightless rail. <strong>The</strong> beaches and reef flats are important for wintering bristle-thighed curlews<br />
Numenius tahitiensis. An attempt was made to eradicate rats from <strong>the</strong> island in 2011 but this<br />
was unsuccessful.<br />
(Information extracted from various sources including <strong>the</strong> RSPB’s A Directory <strong>of</strong> Wetlands in Oceania:<br />
http://www.wetlands.org/RSIS/WKBASE/OceaniaDir/<strong>Pitcairn</strong>.htm)<br />
* Updated figure for land area obtained in 2011 using GPS. Previously, <strong>the</strong> figure was 37 km2 (3,700 ha)<br />
(RSPB, Henderson Island Restoration Project).<br />
Figure 8. Henderson Island (after Irving, 1995).<br />
Plate 29. (right) East Beach, Henderson.<br />
(Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
Plate 28. Aerial view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> north end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> East Beach,<br />
Henderson. (Photo: SPSCEPI)<br />
21
3.2.1 Introduction<br />
Henderson Island is a raised coral atoll composed <strong>of</strong><br />
coralline limestone (makatea). <strong>The</strong> island consists <strong>of</strong> a flat<br />
plateau, some 30 m above sea level, densely covered by<br />
6 m-high scrub with a slight depression in <strong>the</strong> centre<br />
where <strong>the</strong>re was once a lagoon. <strong>The</strong> island is surrounded<br />
by steep bare limestone cliffs, with sandy beaches present<br />
<strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> north, east and north-west coasts.<br />
<strong>The</strong> island has no surface freshwater except for some<br />
droplets which occur in caves. Fresh or brackish springs<br />
have been located below high tide level at North Beach<br />
and North-West Beach. No readily available source <strong>of</strong><br />
groundwater has yet been located. <strong>The</strong> surface <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
island is largely reef rubble, with some areas <strong>of</strong> dissected<br />
limestone, especially around <strong>the</strong> periphery.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is a fringing reef averaging 50–100 m in width<br />
around most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> island except in <strong>the</strong> south and west.<br />
In three places, North Beach, North-West Beach and<br />
East Beach, <strong>the</strong> reef extends up to 200 m <strong>of</strong>fshore and<br />
is backed by a wide, gently shelving coral sand beach<br />
over bedrock which is partly exposed. <strong>The</strong> reef <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong><br />
East Beach has a poorly developed lagoon; those <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong><br />
North and North-West beaches are seawardly sloping reef<br />
platforms without a well-defined reef crest. <strong>The</strong>re are two<br />
narrow channels through <strong>the</strong> reef on <strong>the</strong> north and northwest<br />
coasts. Tides are semi-diurnal, with a tidal range at<br />
spring tides <strong>of</strong> approximately 1.5 m.<br />
On 1 January 1989 Henderson Island was inscribed<br />
into <strong>the</strong> UNESCO World Heritage List under <strong>the</strong> 1972<br />
Convention concerning <strong>the</strong> Protection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> World’s<br />
Cultural and Natural Heritage.<br />
3.2.2 Intertidal zone – habitats and species<br />
Henderson has a reef platform adjacent to its North and<br />
East Beaches and, to a lesser extent, <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> North-West<br />
Beach. <strong>The</strong> near-horizontal platform ranges from<br />
20–40 m wide at <strong>the</strong> North-West beach; 40–75 m wide<br />
at <strong>the</strong> North Beach; and 40–90 m wide at <strong>the</strong> East Beach<br />
(Irving, 1995). At low water on spring tides, large areas<br />
<strong>of</strong> smooth horizontal rock are exposed at <strong>the</strong>se beaches.<br />
Narrow (
Table 7. Specimens <strong>of</strong> Crustacea collected from<br />
Henderson by R.A. Irving and J. Jamieson in 1991;<br />
<strong>the</strong>se still have to be identified to species.<br />
Taxon Probable no. <strong>of</strong> species<br />
Majinae 1<br />
Xanthidae 9<br />
Grapsidae 4<br />
Portunidae 2<br />
Ocypodidae 1<br />
Scyllaridae 1<br />
Palinuridae 1<br />
Anomura (hermit crabs) 4<br />
Thalassinidae (lobsterlike)<br />
1<br />
Natantia (shrimp-like) 1<br />
Alphaeidae 1<br />
Stomatopoda 1<br />
Hapalocarcinidae<br />
(gall crab)<br />
1<br />
Cirrepedia: Thoracica 2<br />
Cirrepedia:<br />
1<br />
Acrothoracica<br />
Total probable<br />
no. <strong>of</strong> species: 31<br />
CRUSTACEANS<br />
Collections <strong>of</strong> crustaceans were made from Henderson<br />
by R.A. Irving and J. Jamieson in 1991. However, many <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>se specimens have still to be identified to species (<strong>the</strong>y<br />
currently reside at <strong>the</strong> Natural History Museum, London).<br />
Table 7 sets out <strong>the</strong> probable number <strong>of</strong> species within this<br />
collection, all <strong>of</strong> which were collected from Henderson.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r crustaceans which have been identified from<br />
Henderson are included in Appendix 5. <strong>The</strong> marine<br />
Ostracoda have been examined by Whatley & Roberts<br />
(1995) who identified 33 species from Henderson (seven<br />
samples), <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (one sample) and Oeno (one sample),<br />
though more recent work by Whatley et al. (2004) has<br />
increased <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> species from <strong>the</strong>se three islands<br />
to 47. Whatley & Roberts (1995) report that 25 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
species are likely to be endemic.<br />
MOLLUSCA<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 326 taxa <strong>of</strong> marine molluscs have been recorded<br />
from Henderson Island (out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 502 taxa recorded for<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> as a whole). Preece (1995a), as part<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sir Peter Scott Commemorative Expedition to <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> in 1991/92, made considerable additions<br />
to <strong>the</strong> earlier collections <strong>of</strong> Harald Rehder (in Rehder &<br />
Randall, 1975; Rehder & Wilson, 1975; Rehder in Fosberg,<br />
Sachet & Stoddart, 1983) and Gustav Paulay (Paulay,<br />
1989).<br />
Plate 31 (top) & 32 (above). Two species <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hermit<br />
crab family Paguridae which spend most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir time on<br />
land at Henderson but still need to shed <strong>the</strong>ir eggs in <strong>the</strong><br />
sea. (top) <strong>The</strong> strawberry hermit crab Coenobita perlatus<br />
(Photo: J. Jamieson); and (above) <strong>the</strong> coconut crab Birgus<br />
latro (Photo: M. Brooke).<br />
Preece (1995a) added considerably to <strong>the</strong> known<br />
molluscan fauna by searching for and collecting many<br />
small gastropod species in particular. <strong>The</strong> figure <strong>of</strong> 502<br />
is by no means comprehensive. Indeed, Preece (1995a)<br />
estimates <strong>the</strong> shallow-water marine molluscan fauna <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> toge<strong>the</strong>r to be composed <strong>of</strong> about 700<br />
species. A list <strong>of</strong> all molluscs recorded from Henderson<br />
(and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r islands in <strong>the</strong> group) is included in<br />
Appendix 5.<br />
<strong>The</strong> gastropod Engina rosacea was first described from<br />
Henderson by Smith (1913) and has yet to be reported at<br />
any o<strong>the</strong>r locations. A species <strong>of</strong> octopus ‘Octopus’ oliveri,<br />
thought to have been a new species when found at<br />
Henderson in 1991, has also been recorded from <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
(Plate 22). However, it is still not clear as to whe<strong>the</strong>r it<br />
belongs to <strong>the</strong> genus Octopus (Norman & Hochberg,<br />
2005) – hence <strong>the</strong> inverted commas.<br />
STARFISH, SEA URCHINS AND<br />
SEA CUCUMBERS (Echinodermata)<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 32 species <strong>of</strong> echinoderms (sea urchins [12<br />
spp], starfish/sea stars [4 spp], brittlestars [6 spp] and sea<br />
cucumbers [10 spp]) are listed from Henderson by Paulay<br />
(1989). <strong>The</strong>se species, toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong>ir IUCN Red<br />
List status (all <strong>of</strong> which are ‘Not Evaluated’), are set out<br />
in Appendix 5. Noteworthy species are commented on<br />
below.<br />
Plate 33. <strong>The</strong> nudibranch Dendrodoris tuberculosa, <strong>of</strong>f<br />
North-West Beach, Henderson. This is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest<br />
species <strong>of</strong> nudibranch in <strong>the</strong> world and this particular<br />
specimen (at ~25 cm long) was almost twice <strong>the</strong> size<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> previous largest recorded individual (Edmunds &<br />
Preece, 1996). (Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
Plate 34. <strong>The</strong> purple slate pencil urchin (Pitkern: fetuei)<br />
Heterocentrotus trigonarius in among various corals.<br />
North end <strong>of</strong> East Beach, Henderson. (Photo: M. Brooke)<br />
Plate 35. <strong>The</strong> red slate pencil urchin Heterocentrotus<br />
mammillatus. Intertidal pool, Down Isaacs, <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
(Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
24 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Henderson<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Henderson<br />
Slate pencil urchins Heterocentrotus trigonarius<br />
and H. mammillatus<br />
<strong>The</strong> distribution <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> purple slate pencil urchin<br />
H. trigonarius (Plate 34) is widespread throughout<br />
Polynesia where it is found in <strong>the</strong> surf zone on reef fronts<br />
and on outer reef flats (Paulay, 1989). At Henderson,<br />
Oeno and Ducie populations are unusually dense (up to<br />
one to two individuals per square metre in places) and<br />
consist <strong>of</strong> very large individuals which have a different<br />
colour pattern (uniformly dark blue violet) and shape to<br />
those in central Polynesia. <strong>The</strong>y occur in waters up to 3 m<br />
deep in <strong>the</strong> surf zone and on <strong>the</strong> fore-reef. Paulay (1989)<br />
suggests that <strong>the</strong>ir abundance within <strong>the</strong>se <strong>Islands</strong> is at<br />
least in part <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> human predation, as <strong>the</strong><br />
species is frequently harvested by Polynesians elsewhere.<br />
Interestingly, H. trigonarius is not found at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> red slate pencil urchin H. mammillatus (Plate 35) has<br />
a much more limited distribution than H. trigonarius,<br />
extending from Ducie westwards to Raroia in <strong>the</strong><br />
Tuamotus (Paulay, 1989). Typically, it lives in crevices on<br />
fore-reef from 10 to 20+ m depth at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, Henderson<br />
and Ducie, though on occasion it may be found in<br />
shallower depths.<br />
<strong>The</strong> washed-up spines <strong>of</strong> both <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se urchins on <strong>the</strong><br />
strandline <strong>of</strong> Henderson’s beaches have recently started to<br />
be collected by <strong>Pitcairn</strong>ers and made into jewellery for sale<br />
locally and for export.<br />
Long-spined sea urchin Diadema savignyi<br />
Sea urchins are <strong>of</strong>ten nocturnal (<strong>the</strong>y may be preyed upon<br />
by triggerfish and pufferfish in particular, despite <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
protective spines) and usually hide away during daylight<br />
hours, tightly wedged under rocks or in crevices. However,<br />
in exposed situations, such as at Henderson, where <strong>the</strong>re<br />
are insufficient hiding places, <strong>the</strong>y cluster toge<strong>the</strong>r to form<br />
large aggregations. <strong>The</strong>se aggregations may consist <strong>of</strong><br />
as many as 2,000 individual D. savignyi, spine to spine,<br />
covering areas up to 100 m 2 in depths <strong>of</strong> about 8–30 m<br />
(Plate 36). D. savignyi is also found at Ducie and Oeno.<br />
Crown-<strong>of</strong>-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci<br />
In general, asteroids (starfish) and ophiuroids (brittlestars)<br />
are rare at Henderson. Prior to 1991, <strong>the</strong> only record <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> crown-<strong>of</strong>-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci within <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> was from <strong>the</strong> lagoon at Ducie in 1970/71,<br />
where Rehder and Randall (1975) reported encountering<br />
just one individual. In December 1991, however, Irving<br />
(1995) found it at Henderson and counted 150 individuals<br />
in an area <strong>of</strong> approximately 100 m 2 within <strong>the</strong> depth<br />
range <strong>of</strong> 32–38 m <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> North-West Beach (Plate 37).<br />
Acanthaster planci is known to be a voracious predator<br />
<strong>of</strong> corals and its presence at Henderson was a cause for<br />
concern. Large numbers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> starfish are known to<br />
suddenly appear on a reef, gorge <strong>the</strong>mselves on live coral<br />
polyps – which <strong>the</strong>n leaves <strong>the</strong> coral dead – and <strong>the</strong>n<br />
disappear as mysteriously and rapidly as <strong>the</strong>y arrived. Mass<br />
coral mortality events, such as was reported by Rehder<br />
& Randall (1975) at Ducie in 1971, may well have been<br />
caused by outbreaks <strong>of</strong> A. planci in <strong>the</strong> past.<br />
25
Head 1<br />
body text<br />
Plate 36. An aggregation <strong>of</strong> long-spined sea urchins<br />
Diadema savignyi on Henderson’s fore-reef.<br />
(Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
Plate 38. Whitetip reef shark Triaenodon obesus being<br />
followed by a grey reef shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos<br />
<strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> south-west coast <strong>of</strong> Henderson. (Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
Table 8. Noteworthy reef fishes occuring at Henderson.<br />
Species IUCN<br />
Code*<br />
Notes<br />
Squirrelfish<br />
Sargocentron<br />
megalops<br />
Henderson triplefin<br />
Enneapterygius<br />
ornatus<br />
Humphead wrasse<br />
Cheilinus undulatus<br />
Giant grouper<br />
Epinephalus<br />
lanceolatus<br />
Surge grouper<br />
Epinephalus socialis<br />
Grey reef shark<br />
Carcharhinus<br />
amblyrhynchos<br />
White-tip reef shark<br />
Triaenodon obesus<br />
Black-tip reef shark<br />
Carcharhinus<br />
melanopterus<br />
26<br />
NE Endemic to Henderson Island. Found at 49 m<br />
depth, which may be near <strong>the</strong> upper limit <strong>of</strong> its<br />
depth range.<br />
Ref. Randall (1998)<br />
NE Endemic to Henderson Island. Depth range 0–1 m.<br />
Found on rocky shores.<br />
Ref. Fricke (1997)<br />
Plate 37. Crown-<strong>of</strong>-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci at<br />
34 m depth <strong>of</strong>f North-West Beach, Henderson in 1991.<br />
(Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
Plate 39. A female green turtle Chelonia mydas making<br />
her way up Henderson’s East Beach prior to laying. (Photo:<br />
S. Waldren)<br />
EN Solitary individual observed at Henderson in 30 m depth (Irving, 1995).<br />
Endangered status due to overfishing elsewhere.<br />
VU Also recorded from <strong>Pitcairn</strong>. Vulnerable status due to overfishing elsewhere.<br />
NT Typically present in surge zone, 1–4 m. Near Threatened status due to<br />
overfishing elsewhere.<br />
NT <strong>The</strong> commonest shark species at Henderson. Present all round <strong>the</strong> island, though<br />
fewer encounters <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> east coast. Near Threatened status due to practice <strong>of</strong><br />
finning worldwide.<br />
NT Tends to stay around <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> island. Near Threatened status due<br />
to practice <strong>of</strong> finning worldwide.<br />
NT Present all round <strong>the</strong> island, though fewer encounters <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> east coast. Near<br />
Threatened status due to practice <strong>of</strong> finning worldwide.<br />
* IUCN’s Red List categories (IUCN, 2012): EN = Endangered; VU = Vulnerable; NT = Near Threatened;<br />
NE = Not Evaluated.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Henderson<br />
REEF FISHES<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 173 species <strong>of</strong> reef fishes has been recorded<br />
from Henderson (49 percent), out <strong>of</strong> a total for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
group as a whole <strong>of</strong> 352 species (Randall, 1999; Irving<br />
et al., 1995). Many more species have been recorded<br />
from <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (270), which reflects <strong>the</strong> greater number <strong>of</strong><br />
habitats available <strong>the</strong>re.<br />
<strong>The</strong> commonest shark encountered at Henderson is <strong>the</strong><br />
grey reef shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, typically<br />
as singles or in small groups in open water or on <strong>the</strong><br />
fore-reef. This species, however, has yet to be recorded<br />
at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, and <strong>the</strong> Galapagos shark Carcharhinus<br />
galapagensis, present at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, has only been recorded<br />
on one occasion in 2008 from Henderson (G. Wragg, pers.<br />
comm.). Whitetip reef sharks Triaenodon obesus, however,<br />
are found at both islands (Plate 38).<br />
TURTLES<br />
Green turtles Chelonia mydas (Plate 39) nest on<br />
Henderson’s East Beach. <strong>The</strong> main nesting season is<br />
around January to March. Observations in 1991–1992<br />
Breeding<br />
Non-breeding<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Henderson<br />
suggested about 10 females may be using <strong>the</strong> island.<br />
Individuals were seen, some in mating pairs, in <strong>the</strong><br />
shallows <strong>of</strong>f East Beach, as well as on <strong>the</strong> beach itself.<br />
While 10 is a low number in global terms, it is a total<br />
that represents about 1 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> French Polynesian<br />
population (Brooke, 1995c). In addition to activity on <strong>the</strong><br />
East Beach, Brooke (1995c) also recorded one laying on<br />
North Beach (29 April 1991); one landing, but not digging,<br />
on <strong>the</strong> North-West Beach (late April/early May 1991); and,<br />
more recently, <strong>the</strong>re were signs <strong>of</strong> two separate diggings<br />
on North Beach in July 2011 (M. Brooke, pers. comm.).<br />
Chelonia mydas is listed as Endangered on <strong>the</strong> IUCN’s<br />
Red List (IUCN, 2012). Very little is known about <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
migratory movements in this part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world once <strong>the</strong>y<br />
return to <strong>the</strong> sea from a nesting beach. <strong>The</strong> green turtle<br />
has a circumglobal distribution, occurring throughout<br />
tropical and, to a lesser extent, subtropical waters. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
are highly migratory and undertake complex migrations<br />
through geographically disparate habitats. Nesting is<br />
known to occur in more than 80 countries worldwide<br />
(Hirth, 1997).<br />
Table 9. Seabirds noted at Henderson (all information taken from Brooke 1995a & b and Brooke et al., 2010a).<br />
Species IUCN<br />
Code*<br />
Notes<br />
Great frigatebird Fregata minor LC Breeding population estimated to be 100 pairs.<br />
Black noddy Anous minutus LC Breeding population estimated to be 100 pairs.<br />
Brown noddy Anous stolidus LC Breeding population estimated to be 100 pairs.<br />
Fairy tern Gygis alba LC Breeding population estimated to be 5,000–10,000<br />
pairs.<br />
Blue-grey ternlet Procelsterna cerulea LC Breeding population estimated to be 10 pairs.<br />
Red-tailed tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda LC Breeding population estimated to be 250 pairs.<br />
Henderson petrel Pterodroma atrata EN Breeding population estimated to be 16,000 pairs<br />
(>95% <strong>of</strong> world population).<br />
Herald petrel Pterodroma heraldica LC Breeding population estimated to be 11,100 pairs<br />
(20% <strong>of</strong> world population).<br />
Kermadec petrel Pterodroma neglecta LC Breeding population estimated to be 10,000 pairs<br />
(20% <strong>of</strong> world population).<br />
Murphy’s petrel Pterodroma ultima NT Breeding population estimated to be 2,500 pairs.<br />
Masked booby Sula dactylactra LC Breeding population estimated to be 50 pairs.<br />
Red-footed booby Sula sula LC Breeding population estimated to be 100–200 pairs.<br />
Christmas shearwater Puffinus nativitatis LC Present but not breeding.<br />
White-tailed tropicbird Phaethon lepturus LC A rare visitor.<br />
Sanderling Calidris alba NE Two birds visited from late-Nov 1991 to mid-Jan 1992.<br />
Bristle-thighed curlew Numenius tahitiensis VU Nor<strong>the</strong>rn winter maximum <strong>of</strong> 40–50 birds.<br />
Wandering tattler Tringa incana24 NE Max. no. at any one time <strong>of</strong> 30 birds during <strong>the</strong><br />
nor<strong>the</strong>rn winter.<br />
* IUCN’s Red List categories (IUCN, 2012): EN = Endangered; VU = Vulnerable; NT = Near Threatened; LC = Least<br />
Concern; NE = Not Evaluated.<br />
27
SEABIRDS<br />
Being uninhabited, seldom visited and ecologically<br />
undisturbed, Henderson hosts large breeding populations<br />
<strong>of</strong> seabirds. <strong>The</strong> island is <strong>the</strong> only known breeding site<br />
in <strong>the</strong> world for <strong>the</strong> Henderson petrel Pterodroma atrata<br />
(although <strong>the</strong>re may be o<strong>the</strong>r sites in French Polynesia<br />
[M. Brooke, pers. comm.]) and, toge<strong>the</strong>r with Oeno,<br />
<strong>the</strong> two islands have an internationally significant overwintering<br />
(Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Hemisphere) population <strong>of</strong> bristlethighed<br />
curlews Numenius tahitiensis. A summary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
island’s seabird importance is given in Table 9.<br />
Henderson is, without question, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> petrel capitals<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world (Brooke, 2010). <strong>The</strong> island is <strong>the</strong> only known<br />
site where <strong>the</strong> Henderson petrel Pterodroma atrata breeds<br />
(16,000 pairs), and significant numbers <strong>of</strong> Herald petrels<br />
Pterodroma heraldica (11,100 pairs), Kermadec petrels<br />
Pterodroma neglecta (10,000 pairs) and Murphy’s petrels<br />
Pterodroma ultima (2,500 pairs) are also present (numbers<br />
given are breeding maxima in 1991).<br />
Of <strong>the</strong> migratory population <strong>of</strong> bristle-thighed curlew<br />
Numenius tahitiensis, 40–50 individuals have been<br />
recorded on Henderson as a maximum number over<br />
<strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn winter (Brooke, 2010). Toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong><br />
numbers spending time on Oeno (approximately 100<br />
birds), this constitutes an internationally significant<br />
population (i.e. almost 2 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world population<br />
<strong>of</strong> approximately 7,000).<br />
Before <strong>the</strong> arrival <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Polynesians to Henderson (and<br />
<strong>the</strong> rats <strong>the</strong>y brought with <strong>the</strong>m), seabird numbers on <strong>the</strong><br />
island have been estimated to have been in <strong>the</strong> region <strong>of</strong><br />
6 million pairs. This number has fallen to just 40,000 pairs<br />
today (Brooke, 1995b & Table 9 above).<br />
CETACEANS<br />
No published data on cetaceans are available for<br />
Henderson. However, humpback whales are known to be<br />
regular visitors, with four or five individuals being noted<br />
between July and September in 2003, 2009 and 2011 (M.<br />
Brooke, pers. comm.).<br />
3.2.5 Nearshore fisheries<br />
As Henderson is uninhabited, no nearshore fishing is done<br />
on a regular basis. <strong>Pitcairn</strong>ers are likely to catch a few<br />
fish for eating during <strong>the</strong>ir infrequent visits to <strong>the</strong> island,<br />
although no records exist <strong>of</strong> catches. <strong>The</strong> range <strong>of</strong> species<br />
which might be targeted is likely to be similar to those<br />
caught at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
Figure 9. Around 50 pairs <strong>of</strong> masked booby Sula<br />
dactylatra nest on <strong>the</strong> North and East Beaches <strong>of</strong><br />
Henderson. (Illustration: R.A. Irving)<br />
24. <strong>The</strong>re is currently some confusion as to <strong>the</strong><br />
accepted scientific name <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wandering tattler.<br />
Some authorities (such as BirdLife International) use<br />
<strong>the</strong> synonym <strong>of</strong> Heteroscelus incanus but <strong>the</strong> World<br />
Register <strong>of</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> Species (used in this report<br />
as <strong>the</strong> lead taxonomic authority) only recognises<br />
Tringa incana.<br />
3.3 Oeno<br />
KEY FACTS<br />
Name OENO Island type Atoll<br />
Location 23°56’S, 130°45’W<br />
Central South Pacific<br />
Dimensions Approx. 4 km in diameter<br />
(to perimeter reef)<br />
28 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Henderson<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Oeno<br />
Distance/bearing from<br />
nearest island(s)<br />
Land area<br />
Land, reef & lagoon<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> is 120 km to <strong>the</strong> SE.<br />
Henderson is 235 km to <strong>the</strong> E.<br />
65 ha;<br />
1,600 ha.<br />
Altitude Sea level to 3.6 m. Length <strong>of</strong> perimeter reef Approximately 11 km<br />
Origin <strong>of</strong> name First European sighting by Capt. Henderson <strong>of</strong> HMS Hercules in 1819, but actually named after<br />
an American whaler which sighted <strong>the</strong> island in 1824.<br />
Population/visitors Uninhabited. A ‘holiday resort’ for <strong>Pitcairn</strong> islanders, who may visit for 1–2 weeks at a time. Up<br />
to 5 passing yachts per year.<br />
Status Important Bird Area (Brooke 2010). Proposed Ramsar site (2005).<br />
Overview A low coral atoll comprising a central islet surrounded by a lagoon, mostly 3–6 m in depth,<br />
which in turn is surrounded by a fringing reef. Seldom visited and relatively ecologically<br />
undisturbed, it has an internationally significant wintering population <strong>of</strong> bristle-thighed curlews<br />
Numenius tahitiensis and large breeding populations <strong>of</strong> seabirds. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> atoll’s most striking<br />
features is <strong>the</strong> large number <strong>of</strong> giant clams embedded within coral outcrops within <strong>the</strong> lagoon.<br />
(Information extracted from various sources including <strong>the</strong> RSPB’s A Directory <strong>of</strong> Wetlands in Oceania:<br />
http:// www.wetlands.org/RSIS/WKBASE/OceaniaDir/<strong>Pitcairn</strong>.htm)<br />
Figure 10. Oeno atoll (from Spencer, 1995 – re-mapped<br />
using GPS in 1991).<br />
Plate 40. Black-and-white aerial photograph <strong>of</strong> Oeno<br />
atoll, date uncertain. (Courtesy <strong>of</strong> Olive Christian, <strong>Pitcairn</strong>)<br />
Plate 41. Aerial photograph <strong>of</strong> Oeno atoll, August 2011.<br />
(Photo: K. Garcia)<br />
29
3.3.1 Introduction<br />
Oeno consists <strong>of</strong> a central, low-lying island surrounded<br />
by a shallow lagoon and a fringing reef. In 1991 a sand<br />
spit extended from <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> main island,<br />
though this is known to have changed in shape over<br />
time as a result <strong>of</strong> water movements within <strong>the</strong> lagoon<br />
leading to sand accretion/erosion (Figure 10 and Plates<br />
40 & 41). Around 1990, <strong>Pitcairn</strong>ers planted a number <strong>of</strong><br />
young trees to help stabilise <strong>the</strong> sand spit. However, it can<br />
be seen in Plate 41 (taken in 2011) that <strong>the</strong> sand bar has<br />
been breached and a small sandy islet has been formed.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main island, covered by a mix <strong>of</strong> trees and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
vegetation, is fringed by a narrow beach <strong>of</strong> sand with<br />
bedrock apparent on <strong>the</strong> north-west side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> island.<br />
3.3.2 Lagoon – habitats and species<br />
<strong>The</strong> shallow lagoon surrounding <strong>the</strong> central island is about<br />
3 m deep and has an undulating bottom <strong>of</strong> sand and coral<br />
rubble (60 percent), reef pavement (20 percent) and patch<br />
reefs (20 percent) (Irving, 1995). <strong>The</strong>se patch reefs have<br />
near-vertical sides, with some undercut at <strong>the</strong>ir bases to<br />
form small caves and overhangs. <strong>The</strong> most striking feature<br />
is <strong>the</strong> large number <strong>of</strong> giant clams Tridacna maxima<br />
(see Plate 45) embedded in <strong>the</strong>se reefs, at an estimated<br />
maximum density <strong>of</strong> 8–10/m 2 . Paulay (1989) reported<br />
that several Montipora species dominated <strong>the</strong> coral fauna<br />
within <strong>the</strong> lagoon, with Acropora humilis, Acropora secale,<br />
Pavona varians, Montastrea curta and Cyphastrea cf.<br />
serailia also being common. Pandolfi (1995) reported large<br />
stands <strong>of</strong> monospecific coral rubble within <strong>the</strong> lagoon,<br />
upon which smaller corals were growing. Various species<br />
<strong>of</strong> wrasse were <strong>the</strong> commonest fish seen in <strong>the</strong> lagoon in<br />
November 1991 (R.A. Irving, pers. obs.).<br />
3.3.3 Bathymetry and marine habitats<br />
Outside <strong>the</strong> margin <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fringing reef, <strong>the</strong> fore-reef<br />
slopes gradually into deeper water, steepening beyond <strong>the</strong><br />
30 m depth contour. <strong>The</strong> percentage <strong>of</strong> live coral cover on<br />
<strong>the</strong> fore-reef is greatest within <strong>the</strong> 11–20 m depth band<br />
(at a mean <strong>of</strong> 60 percent) and within <strong>the</strong> 21–30 m depth<br />
band (55 percent), decreasing to 10 percent cover within<br />
<strong>the</strong> 31–40 m depth band. <strong>The</strong> overall live coral cover<br />
recorded in 1991 was greater than that at Henderson but<br />
less than that at Ducie (Irving, 1995). In contrast to Ducie,<br />
large areas <strong>of</strong> sand were present, toge<strong>the</strong>r with extensive<br />
areas <strong>of</strong> coral rubble. A series <strong>of</strong> sand channels, up to<br />
3 m wide, were found to run perpendicular to <strong>the</strong> reef<br />
between 5–20 m depth.<br />
3.3.4 <strong>Marine</strong> species<br />
SPONGES<br />
Just four sponge species have been recorded from Oeno’s<br />
nearshore waters during a five-day visit to <strong>the</strong> island by<br />
Irving in 1991 (Irving, 1995): Ascaltis sp. (a lime-green<br />
sponge); Batzella sp. (an orange sponge); Cliona sp. aff.<br />
vastifica (a black sponge); and Spirastrella decumbens<br />
(a rust-brown sponge). <strong>The</strong> conservation status <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
species (as with most sponges) has yet to be assessed by<br />
<strong>the</strong> IUCN.<br />
CORALS, etc.<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 17 species <strong>of</strong> scleractinian (stony) coral have<br />
been recorded from Oeno, which is a relatively low<br />
diversity and puts it on a par with <strong>Pitcairn</strong>’s coral fauna<br />
(15 species), but far fewer than ei<strong>the</strong>r Ducie’s (27 species)<br />
or Henderson’s (59 species). Within <strong>the</strong> IUCN Red List<br />
(2012), one species (Acropora acuminata) is listed as<br />
Vulnerable; four species (Montipora foveolata, Montipora<br />
incrassata, Acropora humilis and Acropora secale) as<br />
Near Threatened; and eight as being <strong>of</strong> Least Concern<br />
(Montipora grisea, Montipora tuberculosa, Acropora<br />
cy<strong>the</strong>rea, Psammocora haimeana, Pavona varians,<br />
Montastrea curta, Plesiastrea versipora and Leptastrea<br />
purpurea). <strong>The</strong> remaining four species are not considered<br />
to be <strong>of</strong> conservation concern.<br />
CRUSTACEANS<br />
Collections <strong>of</strong> crustaceans were made from Oeno by R.A.<br />
Irving and J. Jamieson in 1991. However, many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
specimens have still to be identified to species level (<strong>the</strong>y<br />
currently reside at <strong>the</strong> Natural History Museum, London).<br />
Table 10 sets out <strong>the</strong> probable number <strong>of</strong> species within<br />
this collection which were collected from Oeno.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r crustaceans that have been identified from Oeno<br />
are included in Appendix 5.<br />
Table 10. Specimens <strong>of</strong> Crustacea collected from<br />
Oeno by R.A. Irving and J. Jamieson in 1991; <strong>the</strong>se<br />
still have to be identified to species level.<br />
Taxon Probable no. <strong>of</strong> species<br />
Xanthidae 6<br />
Grapsidae 3<br />
Portunidae 2<br />
Calappidae 1<br />
Anomura (hermit crabs) 3<br />
Natantia (shrimp-like) 1<br />
Alphaeidae 1<br />
Cirrepedia: Thoracica 1<br />
Total probable<br />
no. <strong>of</strong> species: 18<br />
MOLLUSCS<br />
Approximately 255 species <strong>of</strong> marine molluscs have now<br />
been recorded from Oeno. During <strong>the</strong> present review a<br />
fur<strong>the</strong>r 15 species have been added to <strong>the</strong> figure <strong>of</strong> 240<br />
given by Preece (1995a). Collections <strong>of</strong> molluscs were<br />
made by Rehder in 1970/71 (Rehder, 1974; Rehder &<br />
Wilson, 1975 – making use <strong>of</strong> a dredge), Paulay in 1987<br />
(Paulay, 1989 – only from <strong>the</strong> lagoon), and Preece in 1991<br />
(Preece, 1995a – only from <strong>the</strong> lagoon and <strong>the</strong> sand spit).<br />
A new genus and species <strong>of</strong> a prosobranch gastropod <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Family Liotininae (due to be described by J.H. McLean<br />
<strong>of</strong> Los Angeles) was found by Preece (1995a) during<br />
his visit to Oeno in 1991. Ano<strong>the</strong>r new species Rissoina<br />
schubelae, also found by Preece in 1991, is believed to be<br />
endemic to Oeno (Sleurs & Preece, 1994; Preece, 1995a).<br />
<strong>The</strong> s<strong>of</strong>t sediments present in <strong>the</strong> shallow lagoon are<br />
particularly favourable for bivalves, and <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four islands<br />
Oeno supports <strong>the</strong> largest number <strong>of</strong> bivalve species (45)<br />
(Preece, 1995a).<br />
STARFISH, SEA URCHINS AND SEA CUCUMBERS<br />
(Echinodermata)<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 19 species <strong>of</strong> echinoderms have been recorded<br />
from Oeno to date, consisting <strong>of</strong> five sea urchins,<br />
one starfish, six brittlestars (five <strong>of</strong> which are from<br />
deeper water and were collected by dredge) and seven<br />
holothurians (Paulay, 1989; Devaney, 1974).<br />
REEF FISHES<br />
<strong>The</strong>re have been 165 species <strong>of</strong> reef fishes recorded from<br />
Oeno (Randall, 1999), which amounts to 46 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
total number recorded from all four islands (352 species).<br />
Of <strong>the</strong> 165 species, 20 have been recorded from Oeno<br />
alone. Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> species only recorded from Oeno are<br />
commented on below.<br />
l <strong>The</strong> black-saddled coral grouper Plectropomus laevis<br />
is found throughout <strong>the</strong> Indo-Pacific. Its Red List<br />
conservation status is Vulnerable because <strong>of</strong> its natural<br />
rarity, <strong>the</strong> heavy fishing pressure being experienced<br />
throughout its range (particularly <strong>the</strong> targeting <strong>of</strong><br />
juveniles), and because it has shown declines in<br />
abundance <strong>of</strong> at least 30 percent (mature individuals).<br />
This trend is expected to continue into <strong>the</strong> future<br />
(IUCN, 2012).<br />
l Two species <strong>of</strong> frogfish have been recorded from Oeno:<br />
<strong>the</strong> freckled frogfish Antennarius coccineus and <strong>the</strong><br />
tuberculated frogfish Antennarius tuberosus. Frogfishes<br />
are peculiarly shaped fish, <strong>of</strong>ten very well camouflaged,<br />
which stay motionless on <strong>the</strong> seabed and use a small<br />
lure to entice fish close to <strong>the</strong>ir mouths.<br />
l <strong>The</strong> rockmover wrasse Novaculichthys taeniourus is<br />
found throughout <strong>the</strong> Indo-Pacific. It feeds on a variety<br />
<strong>of</strong> small invertebrates by physically moving small rocks<br />
to expose <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
TURTLES<br />
No recorded data exist for turtles seen ei<strong>the</strong>r on <strong>the</strong><br />
fore-reef or within <strong>the</strong> lagoon at Oeno. It would not be<br />
surprising, however, to find turtles within <strong>the</strong> lagoon here,<br />
though we are not aware <strong>of</strong> any nesting taking place. In<br />
a Secretariat <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pacific Community report dating from<br />
1987 it states that “…Oeno Island is a turtle nursery <strong>of</strong><br />
international interest”. This is clearly not substantiated by<br />
<strong>the</strong> evidence to date.<br />
SEABIRDS<br />
Being uninhabited, seldom visited and relatively<br />
ecologically undisturbed, Oeno hosts large breeding<br />
populations <strong>of</strong> seabirds and has an internationally<br />
significant wintering population <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bristle-thighed<br />
curlew Numenius tahitiensis. Note that <strong>the</strong> Pacific rat<br />
Rattus exulans was eradicated from <strong>the</strong> island in 1997<br />
(M. Brooke, pers. comm.). A summary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> island’s<br />
avian importance is given in Table 11.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> order <strong>of</strong> 12,500 pairs <strong>of</strong> Murphy’s petrel Pterodroma<br />
ultima (1991/92 estimates) may breed on Oeno in any one<br />
season. (Note that <strong>the</strong> breeding population may well have<br />
30 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Oeno<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Oeno<br />
increased since <strong>the</strong> 1997 rat eradication). This is some way<br />
short <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 250,000 pairs on Ducie, but is still impressive<br />
none<strong>the</strong>less. <strong>The</strong> worldwide population <strong>of</strong> Murphy’s petrel<br />
is estimated at 800,000 to one million individuals, though<br />
apart from Oeno and Ducie it is only known to breed in<br />
French Polynesia (Birdlife International Factsheet, 2012).<br />
<strong>The</strong> species was only described in 1949 (Murphy, 1949).<br />
Although <strong>the</strong>re is now confirmation that breeding has<br />
taken place by Phoenix petrels Pterodroma alba on Oeno<br />
(H. Shirihai, pers. comm.), <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> breeding pairs is<br />
uncertain.<br />
In January 1990, Brooke (1995a) recorded a maximum <strong>of</strong><br />
100 bristle-thighed curlew Numenius tahitiensis individuals<br />
on Oeno (Plate 42). With a world population believed<br />
to be around 7,000 birds (BirdLife International, 2012),<br />
<strong>the</strong> population here is <strong>of</strong> international significance (> 1<br />
percent <strong>of</strong> world population).<br />
CETACEANS<br />
No recorded data on cetaceans are available for Oeno.<br />
However, it is likely that <strong>the</strong> humpback whales which are<br />
known to visit both <strong>Pitcairn</strong> and Henderson may well visit<br />
Oeno too from July to September.<br />
3.3.5 Nearshore fisheries<br />
Fishing pressure at Oeno is negligible and is only likely to<br />
be undertaken by <strong>Pitcairn</strong>ers during <strong>the</strong>ir annual holidays<br />
to <strong>the</strong> island. No written records are available to determine<br />
which species (and in what quantity) are taken, but it is<br />
likely to be a similar range <strong>of</strong> species to those caught<br />
at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
Plate 42. Bristle-thighed curlew Numenius tahitiensis.<br />
(Photo: M. Brooke)<br />
31
Table 11. Seabirds noted at Oeno (all information taken from Brooke [1995a & b])<br />
Breeding<br />
Species IUCN<br />
Code*<br />
Notes<br />
Great frigatebird<br />
Fregata minor<br />
LC Breeding population estimated to be 100 pairs.<br />
Black noddy<br />
Anous minutus<br />
LC Breeding population estimated to be 100 pairs.<br />
Brown noddy<br />
Anous stolidus<br />
LC Breeding population estimated to be 800 pairs.<br />
Fairy tern Gygis alba LC Breeding population estimated to be 500–1,000 pairs.<br />
Sooty tern<br />
Onychoprion fuscatus<br />
LC Likely to be breeding but only 2 nest sites counted.<br />
Red-tailed tropicbird<br />
Phaethon rubricauda<br />
LC Breeding population estimated to be 500–1,000 pairs.<br />
Kermadec petrel<br />
Pterodroma neglecta<br />
LC Breeding population estimated to be
3.4.1 Introduction<br />
Ducie is a small coral atoll, <strong>the</strong> easternmost island on <strong>the</strong><br />
Pacific plate and also <strong>the</strong> most sou<strong>the</strong>rly atoll in <strong>the</strong> world<br />
(UKOTCF, 2004). It comprises a main island (Acadia) and<br />
three smaller islets or ‘motus’ (Edwards/Te Manu, Pandora<br />
and Westward) encircling a central lagoon. <strong>The</strong> islets for<br />
<strong>the</strong> most part are composed <strong>of</strong> coral rubble, echinoid<br />
remains and dead shells. Acadia is largely surrounded by<br />
reef flats, <strong>the</strong> reef to <strong>the</strong> north-west consisting for <strong>the</strong><br />
most part <strong>of</strong> a somewhat uneven reef pavement flat. Most<br />
water exchange into and out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lagoon takes place<br />
via a shallow channel between Westward and Pandora<br />
islets (Figure 11). Small channels between <strong>the</strong> lagoon<br />
and <strong>the</strong> ocean are found at <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rnmost extension<br />
<strong>of</strong> Westward and western end <strong>of</strong> Acadia, but <strong>the</strong>se have<br />
little influence on water exchange within <strong>the</strong> lagoon. <strong>The</strong><br />
greatest seaward extension <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reef is at <strong>the</strong> southwest,<br />
where <strong>the</strong> shelf extends 270 m <strong>of</strong>fshore to a depth<br />
<strong>of</strong> 30 m. <strong>The</strong>re is a regular semi-diurnal tide, measured<br />
accurately in January 1971 as being 0.4 m (spring tide)<br />
(Rehder & Randall, 1975).<br />
In 1969, Ducie was proposed for listing as an ‘Island for<br />
Science’ (Elliot, 1973). This proposal has not effectively<br />
been taken up, although <strong>the</strong> island was visited on several<br />
occasions during 1991/92 by members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sir Peter<br />
Scott Commemorative Expedition to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>.<br />
Hepburn et al. (1992) recommended that <strong>the</strong> entire<br />
atoll be designated a Ramsar Site. This is still under<br />
consideration, as it is for Oeno.<br />
In 1970 <strong>the</strong>re was evidence <strong>of</strong> a relatively recent mass<br />
mortality <strong>of</strong> corals, <strong>the</strong> cause <strong>of</strong> which was not identified,<br />
although a sudden drop in water temperature was<br />
postulated (Rehder & Randall, 1975). This may well have<br />
come about due to a temporary northwards shift <strong>of</strong> cooler<br />
sou<strong>the</strong>rn ocean water. By 1987, Paulay (1989) reported<br />
considerable recovery <strong>of</strong> live coral cover (58 percent at 17 m<br />
depth), and by 1991 this had increased to 100 percent at<br />
17 m depth at <strong>the</strong> same location (Irving, 1995).<br />
3.4.2 Lagoon – habitats and species<br />
<strong>The</strong> lagoon has a maximum depth <strong>of</strong> about 16 m, though<br />
for <strong>the</strong> most part <strong>the</strong> floor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lagoon lies between<br />
8 m and 12 m. <strong>The</strong>re are a large number <strong>of</strong> coral heads,<br />
some nearly reaching <strong>the</strong> surface, with sandy channels<br />
and scoured flat bedrock in between. In 1971, salinity<br />
(measured from a water sample taken at <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> lagoon) was about 38 ppt (oceanic seawater salinity<br />
is typically 34–36 ppt), and <strong>the</strong> water temperature taken<br />
from shallow and deep sites within <strong>the</strong> lagoon was 26.5°C<br />
(Rehder & Randall, 1975). <strong>The</strong> water temperature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
oceanic water outside <strong>the</strong> lagoon was estimated to be a<br />
few degrees cooler than this (but was not measured).<br />
Water exchange with <strong>the</strong> open sea is thought to be quite<br />
limited, with most taking place via <strong>the</strong> shallow channel<br />
between Westward and Pandora. Irving (1995) made<br />
mention <strong>of</strong> two small ‘tidal holes’ (1.5 m in diameter) at<br />
<strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lagoon. <strong>The</strong> water temperature<br />
in <strong>the</strong>se holes was noticeably cooler (by an estimated<br />
2°C) than <strong>the</strong> surrounding lagoonal water, and it was<br />
suggested that subterranean channels through Acadia<br />
may link to <strong>the</strong> open ocean.<br />
Rehder & Randall (1975) commented on <strong>the</strong> dearth <strong>of</strong><br />
species present within <strong>the</strong> lagoon, especially <strong>of</strong> corals,<br />
molluscs and fishes: “<strong>The</strong> most striking thing about <strong>the</strong><br />
lagoon is <strong>the</strong> paucity <strong>of</strong> life.” Just 47 species <strong>of</strong> fishes<br />
were seen, which disappointed Randall considerably. <strong>The</strong><br />
most common species were drummer (nanwi) Kyphosus<br />
bigibbus, whitebar surgeonfish Acanthurus leucopareius,<br />
parrotfish Scarus sp. and sunset wrasse Thalassoma<br />
lutescens. Although most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coral heads consisted <strong>of</strong><br />
dead coral rock, some small live corals (Montipora spp.)<br />
were encountered (Rehder & Randall, 1975).<br />
3.4.3 Bathymetry and marine habitats<br />
A well-developed reef encircles <strong>the</strong> whole <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> atoll,<br />
with an extensive fore-reef projecting around <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
half. <strong>The</strong> fore-reef gradually slopes from <strong>the</strong> shore to 25-<br />
30 m, whereafter it steepens sharply. Coral growth can<br />
be seen extending beyond 40 m in places. Irving (1995)<br />
found <strong>the</strong> cover <strong>of</strong> live coral to be considerably greater<br />
than at neighbouring Henderson Island, with mean values<br />
<strong>of</strong> 90 percent at 11–20 m, 70 percent at 21–30 m, and<br />
70 percent at 31–40 m. This is <strong>the</strong> highest percentage<br />
<strong>of</strong> live coral cover <strong>of</strong> all four <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>. While small<br />
patches <strong>of</strong> coral rubble were reported in 1991, no areas<br />
<strong>of</strong> sand were seen. This had also been <strong>the</strong> case in 1971<br />
(Rehder & Randall, 1975) and in 1987 (Paulay, 1989). Off<br />
<strong>the</strong> south-east side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> atoll, where 100 percent live<br />
coral cover was reported, <strong>the</strong> predominant coral species<br />
was Montipora aequituberculata, a species that is rare at<br />
Henderson and has not been recorded from ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
or Oeno.<br />
3.4.4 <strong>Marine</strong> species<br />
<strong>The</strong> following marine taxa have not been fully studied<br />
at Ducie: Algae and Foraminifera (beach sediment was<br />
collected and analysed in 1991, but no Foraminifera were<br />
found to be present).<br />
SPONGES<br />
Six sponge species have been recorded from Ducie, all<br />
from within <strong>the</strong> lagoon, during a short visit to <strong>the</strong> island<br />
by Irving in 1991 (Irving 1995): Ascaltis sp. (a lime-green<br />
sponge); Darwinella sp. aff. gardineri (a pink-red sponge);<br />
Lamellodysidea herbacea (a yellow-cream sponge);<br />
Jaspis sp. aff. tuberculata (various dark colours); Spongia<br />
magallonica (a black sponge); and Tethya seychellensis (an<br />
orange sponge). <strong>The</strong> conservation status <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se species<br />
(as with most sponges) has yet to be assessed by <strong>the</strong><br />
IUCN.<br />
CORALS, etc.<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 27 species <strong>of</strong> scleractinian (stony) coral has<br />
been recorded from Ducie, which is noticeably fewer than<br />
Henderson’s coral fauna (59 species) though considerably<br />
more than both Oeno’s (17 species) and <strong>Pitcairn</strong>’s (15<br />
species). Much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> information on <strong>the</strong> scleractinian<br />
corals has come from Paulay (1989), based on collections<br />
made in 1967 (by H.A. Rehder, D.M. Devaney and B.R.<br />
Wilson using a dredge); in 1970–71 (by J.E. Randall and<br />
H.A. Rehder using scuba); and in 1987 (by G. Paulay<br />
himself using scuba).<br />
Of <strong>the</strong> 27 scleractinian coral species, <strong>the</strong> IUCN Red List lists<br />
three species as Vulnerable (VU) and eight species as Near<br />
Threatened (NT) (Table 12).<br />
CRUSTACEANS<br />
Collections <strong>of</strong> crustaceans were made from Ducie by<br />
R.A. Irving and J. Jamieson in 1991. However, many <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>se specimens have still to be identified to species (<strong>the</strong>y<br />
currently reside at <strong>the</strong> Natural History Museum, London).<br />
Table 13 sets out <strong>the</strong> probable number <strong>of</strong> species within<br />
this collection which were collected from Ducie.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r crustaceans which have been identified from Ducie<br />
are included in Appendix 5.<br />
34 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Ducie<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Ducie<br />
Table 12. Species <strong>of</strong> scleractinian coral recorded from Ducie (after Paulay, 1989) with IUCN Red List<br />
conservation status (IUCN, 2012).<br />
Species IUCN Code* Notes<br />
Montipora caliculata (Dana 1846) VU Also recorded from Henderson.<br />
Acropora acuminata (Verril, 1864) VU Also recorded from Oeno & <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (although dubious<br />
ID at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>).<br />
Leptoseris incrustans (Quelch 1886) VU Also recorded from Henderson.<br />
Pocillopora cf. eydouxi<br />
(Edwards & Haime 1860)<br />
NT Identification uncertain by Paulay. Note that <strong>the</strong> ‘NT’<br />
status is for P. eydouxi. Also recorded from Henderson.<br />
Montipora foveolata (Dana 1846) NT Also recorded from Oeno & Henderson.<br />
Montipora incrassata (Dana 1846) NT Also recorded from Oeno.<br />
Acropora humilis (Dana 1846) NT Also recorded from Oeno & Henderson.<br />
Acropora nasuta (Dana 1846) NT Also recorded from Henderson.<br />
Porites cf. lobata (Dana 1846) NT Also recorded from <strong>Pitcairn</strong> & Henderson.<br />
Psammocora obtusangula<br />
(Lamarck 1816)<br />
NT Also recorded from Henderson.<br />
Favia stelligera (Vaughan 1918) NT Only recorded at Ducie.<br />
* IUCN’s Red List categories (IUCN, 2012): VU = Vulnerable; NT = Near Threatened<br />
Table 13. Specimens <strong>of</strong> Crustacea collected from Ducie<br />
by R. Irving and J. Jamieson in 1991; <strong>the</strong>se still have to<br />
be identified to species.<br />
Taxon Probable no. <strong>of</strong> species<br />
Xanthidae 3<br />
Grapsidae 1<br />
Atelecyclidae 1<br />
Stomatopoda 1<br />
Anomura (hermit crabs) 5<br />
Total probable<br />
no. <strong>of</strong> species: 11<br />
Plate 45. <strong>The</strong> giant clam Tridacna maxima embedded<br />
in corals, Ducie fore-reef. This species is rare at Ducie,<br />
though abundant in <strong>the</strong> lagoon on Oeno.<br />
(Photo: R.A. Irving)<br />
Plate 46. <strong>The</strong> type specimens <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nudibranch Bornella<br />
irvingi, found at Ducie in 1991 and described by Edmunds<br />
& Preece (1996). <strong>The</strong>se remain <strong>the</strong> only known examples.<br />
(Photo: J. Jamieson)<br />
35
MOLLUSCA<br />
To date, a total <strong>of</strong> about 80 species <strong>of</strong> molluscs have<br />
been recorded from Ducie (Preece, 1995a). Collections<br />
have been made primarily by Rehder in 1970/71 (Rehder<br />
& Randall, 1975 – making use <strong>of</strong> a dredge); by Paulay<br />
in 1987 (Paulay, 1989); and by Preece in 1991 from <strong>the</strong><br />
lagoon and beach sediments.<br />
Ducie is <strong>the</strong> type locality for a number <strong>of</strong> molluscan<br />
species. In 1991, a new species <strong>of</strong> nudibranch Bornella<br />
irvingi (Plate 46) was collected on <strong>the</strong> fore-reef at Ducie<br />
by J. Jamieson and R.A. Irving during <strong>the</strong> 1991/92<br />
expedition (Edmunds & Preece, 1996). Preece (1995a) was<br />
disappointed by <strong>the</strong> number and quality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> species<br />
present within <strong>the</strong> shore sediments at Ducie, with many<br />
having very worn shells.<br />
STARFISH, SEA URCHINS AND SEA CUCUMBERS<br />
(Echinodermata)<br />
To date, a total <strong>of</strong> 12 species <strong>of</strong> echinoderm have been<br />
recorded from Ducie: six sea urchins (Echinoidea);<br />
one brittlestar (Ophiuroidea); and five sea cucumbers<br />
(Holothuria). <strong>The</strong> long-spined sea urchin Diadema savignyi<br />
was found to be abundant on <strong>the</strong> fore-reef in both 1987<br />
(Paulay, 1989) and in 1991 (Irving, 1995). Paulay (1989)<br />
noted that those individuals present in <strong>the</strong> lagoon were<br />
noticeably larger (20–25 cm) than those on <strong>the</strong> fore-reef<br />
(15 cm). Paulay (1989) also reported <strong>the</strong> purple sea urchin<br />
Table 14. Noteworthy reef fishes occuring at Ducie (after Randall, 1999).<br />
Species IUCN<br />
Code*<br />
Galapagos reef shark Carcharhinus galapagensis NT<br />
Whitetip reef shark Triaenodon obesus NT<br />
Heterocentrotus trigonarius (Plate 34) to be abundant in<br />
<strong>the</strong> surf zone. <strong>The</strong> closely related H. mammillatus (Plate<br />
35) was also very common in deeper water (10–20 m<br />
depth).<br />
REEF FISHES<br />
To date, a total <strong>of</strong> 127 species <strong>of</strong> reef fishes have been<br />
recorded from Ducie (Randall 1999), out <strong>of</strong> a total <strong>of</strong><br />
352 species for all four islands (or 28 percent). <strong>The</strong> most<br />
common species observed at Ducie were drummer/<br />
nanwi Kyphosus bigibbus, sunset wrasse Thalassoma<br />
lutescens, wrasse Thalassoma heiseri, steephead parrotfish<br />
Chlorurus microrhinus, whitebar surgeonfish Acanthurus<br />
leucopareius, damselfish Chrysiptera galba, Emery’s<br />
Gregory Stegastes emeryi and black jack Caranx lugubris.<br />
<strong>The</strong> double-saddled butterflyfish Chaetodon ulietiensis was<br />
<strong>the</strong> most commonly seen butterflyfish, yet interestingly<br />
this species is not present at any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r three islands.<br />
Blacktip grouper Epinephelus fasciatus and greasy grouper<br />
E. tauvina were <strong>the</strong> most commonly seen groupers;<br />
and two-barred goatfish Parupeneus bifasciatus and<br />
yellowsaddle goatfish P. cyclostomus <strong>the</strong> most common <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> goatfishes (Randall, 1999; R.A. Irving, pers. obs.).<br />
TURTLES<br />
<strong>The</strong> substrate on Ducie probably precludes nesting<br />
<strong>of</strong> green turtles Chelonia mydas, though immature<br />
individuals (probably Chelonia mydas) were occasionally<br />
Notes<br />
Redblotch perchlet Plectranthias winniensis NE New species in 1971 (also found at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>).<br />
Longfin anthias Pseudanthias ventralis NE New species in 1971 (also found at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> &<br />
Henderson).<br />
Pacific double-saddled butterflyfish<br />
Chaetodon ulietensis<br />
Hotumatua’s angelfish<br />
Centropyge hotumatua<br />
NE <strong>The</strong> most common butterflyfish at Ducie, but not<br />
recorded from any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r islands.<br />
NE New species in 1971 (also found at Oeno, <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
& Henderson).<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> angelfish Genicanthus spinus NE New species in 1971 (also found at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>).<br />
Damselfish Chrysiptera galba NE New species in 1971 (also found at Oeno, <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
& Henderson).<br />
Tahiti damselfish Pomachromis fuscadorsalis NE New species in 1971 (also found at Oeno, <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
& Henderson).<br />
Emery’s gregory Stegastes emeryi NE New species in 1971 (also found at Oeno, <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
& Henderson).<br />
Polynesian wrasse Pseudojuloides atavai NE New species in 1971 (also found at Oeno &<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong>).<br />
Wrasse Thalassoma heiseri NE New species in 1971 (also found at Oeno, <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
& Henderson).<br />
Goby Trimmatom sp. NE New species in 1971 (also found at Oeno, <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
& Henderson).<br />
Halfmoon picass<strong>of</strong>ish Rhinecanthus lunula NE New species in 1971 (also found at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> &<br />
Henderson).<br />
* IUCN’s Red List categories (IUCN, 2012): NT = Near Threatened; NE = Not Evaluated.<br />
Table 15. Seabirds noted at Ducie (all information taken from Brooke (1995a & b).<br />
Species IUCN<br />
Code*<br />
seen within <strong>the</strong> lagoon during 1991 (Brooke, 1995c). It is<br />
believed <strong>the</strong>se records may well be <strong>the</strong> first from <strong>the</strong> atoll,<br />
as <strong>the</strong>re is no record <strong>of</strong> turtles being sighted by previous<br />
expeditions (Rehder & Randall, 1975).<br />
SEABIRDS<br />
Being uninhabited, rarely visited and ecologically<br />
undisturbed, Ducie hosts very large and important<br />
breeding populations <strong>of</strong> seabirds. <strong>The</strong> island supports<br />
particularly large numbers <strong>of</strong> Murphy’s petrels Pterodroma<br />
ultima with around 250,000 pairs, estimated as being<br />
90 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world’s population (UKOTCF, 2004).<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are also in <strong>the</strong> region <strong>of</strong> 30,000 pairs <strong>of</strong> Kermadec<br />
petrels P. neglecta and 20,000 pairs <strong>of</strong> Herald petrels P.<br />
heraldica. O<strong>the</strong>r breeding seabirds whose numbers are <strong>of</strong><br />
international importance include Christmas shearwater<br />
Puffinus nativitatis (minimum population size estimated<br />
at 3,000 pairs or approximately 5 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world’s<br />
population – UKOTCF, 2004); red-tailed tropicbird<br />
Phaethon rubricauda (breeding population <strong>of</strong> 500–1,000<br />
pairs, or approximately 1 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world’s population<br />
– UKOTCF, 2004); and fairy tern Gygis alba (breeding<br />
population <strong>of</strong> 5,000 pairs, or approximately 1 percent <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> world’s population – UKOTCF, 2004).<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r breeding seabird species include boobies Sula<br />
spp., great frigatebird Fregata minor, sooty tern Sterna<br />
fuscata, brown noddy Anous stolidus and blue-grey noddy<br />
Procelsterna cerulea. Two species <strong>of</strong> migrant shorebirds<br />
have been reported: wandering tattler Tringa incana<br />
(also known as Heteroscelus incanus – see footnote 24)<br />
36 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Ducie<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Ducie<br />
Breeding<br />
Notes<br />
Great frigatebird Fregata minor LC Breeding population estimated to be 10–20 pairs.<br />
Blue-grey noddy Procelsterna cerulea LC Breeding population estimated to be 10–20 pairs.<br />
Brown noddy Anous stolidus LC Breeding population estimated to be 200 pairs.<br />
Fairy tern Gygis alba LC Breeding population estimated to be 5,000 pairs.<br />
Sooty tern Onychoprion fuscatus LC Breeding population estimated to be 100–200 pairs.<br />
Red-tailed tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda LC Breeding population estimated to be 500–1,000 pairs.<br />
Kermadec petrel Pterodroma neglecta LC Breeding population estimated to be 30,000 pairs.<br />
Murphy’s petrel Pterodroma ultima NT Breeding population estimated to be 250,000 pairs.<br />
Herald petrel Pterodroma heraldica LC Breeding population estimated to be 10,000–99,999<br />
pairs.<br />
Christmas shearwater Puffinus nativitatis LC Breeding population estimated to be 3,000 pairs.<br />
Masked booby Sula dactylactra LC Breeding population estimated to be 80–100 pairs.<br />
Red-footed booby Sula sula LC Breeding population estimated to be
Offshore waters 25 4<br />
4.1 Introduction<br />
Far less is known about <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EEZ<br />
than is known for <strong>the</strong> nearshore waters. Sightings <strong>of</strong><br />
marine species, typically cetaceans and seabirds, have<br />
originated from those on board vessels <strong>of</strong> one sort or<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r, be <strong>the</strong>y charter vessels (including <strong>the</strong> Claymore<br />
II), cruise ships or ocean-going cargo vessels. Additionally,<br />
within <strong>the</strong> past 25 years, a considerable amount <strong>of</strong> effort<br />
has been put into obtaining data from <strong>the</strong> seafloor using<br />
remote methods.<br />
4.2 Geology/geomorphology<br />
A number <strong>of</strong> large volcanic structures were discovered<br />
in December 1989 in a virtually uncharted region <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Pacific Ocean some 60–100 km east-south-east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
Island (St<strong>of</strong>fers et al., 1990). Three <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se structures<br />
were composed <strong>of</strong> fresh volcanic rocks, glass and<br />
hydro<strong>the</strong>rmal deposits with little, if any, sediment cover;<br />
in addition, methane anomalies in <strong>the</strong> surrounding water<br />
column suggested that at least one had a currently active<br />
hydro<strong>the</strong>rmal circulation system. <strong>The</strong>se undersea volcanoes<br />
are thought to represent <strong>the</strong> present-day expression <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> ‘hotspot’, which formed during <strong>the</strong> last 8 million<br />
years <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>-Gambier-Mururoa-Duke <strong>of</strong> Gloucester<br />
linear island chain (Woodhead & Devey, 1993).<br />
More recent studies using satellite altimetry 26 (Smith &<br />
Sandwell, 1997) and multibeam bathymetry 27 (Hekinian<br />
et al., 2003) have revealed that <strong>the</strong> submarine hotspot<br />
activity extends over an area <strong>of</strong> about 7,022 km 2 . This area<br />
has a high density <strong>of</strong> volcanic cones rising from a seafloor<br />
at 3,500–3,800 m depth. <strong>The</strong>re are two large edifices<br />
(> 2,000 m high), five intermediate (500–2,000 m high)<br />
and about 90 small (500 m high) edifices. <strong>The</strong> largest<br />
two edifices, known as Bounty Seamount and Adams<br />
Seamount (90 to 110 km east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island) (Figure<br />
12) are still active with steep scarps and fresh lava flows<br />
observed on <strong>the</strong>ir flanks during submersible diving surveys<br />
(Hekinian et al., 2003). <strong>The</strong> Bounty and Adams seamounts<br />
respectively rise to within about 450 m and 55 m <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
ocean surface. O<strong>the</strong>r smaller edifices in <strong>the</strong> same locality<br />
have been named Christian, Young and McCoy, after<br />
some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> original mutineers from HMS Bounty.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Adams Seamount, located at 25° 23’ S, 129°<br />
15’ W, is referred to locally as ’40-mile Reef’ as it<br />
lies approximately 40 miles from <strong>Pitcairn</strong>. <strong>The</strong> reef is<br />
occasionally visited by <strong>Pitcairn</strong>ers (<strong>the</strong>ir last visit was in<br />
2003/04) and by charter boats (G. Wragg, pers. comm.).<br />
It takes about five hours to reach <strong>the</strong> reef from <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
by longboat.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are several o<strong>the</strong>r seamounts within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong> EEZ, such as to <strong>the</strong> north-west <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, to <strong>the</strong><br />
north-west <strong>of</strong> Henderson and to <strong>the</strong> south, east and west<br />
<strong>of</strong> Ducie, although few <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se areas rise to a depth less<br />
than 200 m.<br />
Figure 12. Bathymetric map <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seafloor in <strong>the</strong> vicinity<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>, showing <strong>the</strong> location <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two<br />
seamounts closest to <strong>Pitcairn</strong>. (Adapted from satellite<br />
altimetry data [Smith & Sandwell, 1997])<br />
4.3 <strong>Marine</strong> species<br />
MOLLUSCS<br />
<strong>The</strong> only information <strong>the</strong> authors have been able to source<br />
on oceanic cephalopod species has come indirectly from a<br />
study assessing <strong>the</strong> food items <strong>of</strong> gadfly petrels breeding<br />
on <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> following data (Table 16) have been extracted from<br />
Imber et al.’s 1995 paper on <strong>the</strong> stomach contents <strong>of</strong><br />
29 Herald petrels Pterodroma heraldica, 27 Kermadec<br />
petrels P. neglecta and 37 Murphy’s petrels P. ultima on<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> during 1991. Ninety-two percent <strong>of</strong><br />
samples were from chicks and samples were obtained<br />
from Henderson, Oeno and Ducie. <strong>The</strong>re is a very strong<br />
probability that <strong>the</strong> parent birds would have been feeding<br />
somewhere within <strong>the</strong> boundary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
EEZ, so <strong>the</strong> taxa listed provide a crude indication <strong>of</strong> some<br />
oceanic species which are present near <strong>the</strong> sea’s surface<br />
ei<strong>the</strong>r during <strong>the</strong> day or at night (Murphy’s petrels were<br />
found to favour certain bioluminescent squid species).<br />
Cephalopods, which provided by far <strong>the</strong> greatest<br />
proportion <strong>of</strong> food items, can be identified to species level<br />
in most cases by <strong>the</strong>ir beaks.<br />
Interestingly, Imber et al. (1995) point out that <strong>the</strong>re<br />
is no evidence that, while feeding <strong>the</strong>ir chicks, any <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> three petrel species forages fur<strong>the</strong>r than 1,200 km<br />
southwards <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>, as this is where certain<br />
cooler water cephalopods would be encountered and<br />
<strong>the</strong>se are missing from <strong>the</strong> list. Linked with this has been<br />
speculation by Brooke (2010), who has considered how<br />
far Murphy’s petrels may travel from a base at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong> “during <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>of</strong>f-duty periods”, as he puts it. He<br />
says: “A conservative flying speed <strong>of</strong> 40 kph and 12 hours<br />
<strong>of</strong> straight-line flying per day would give a bird, <strong>of</strong>f-duty<br />
for 19 days, a potential foraging radius <strong>of</strong> 4,600 km. This<br />
would certainly bring <strong>the</strong> highly productive Antarctic Polar<br />
Front, 3,260 km to <strong>the</strong> south, within range. Even <strong>the</strong> rich<br />
Table 16. <strong>The</strong> range <strong>of</strong> taxa (as food items) found in samples <strong>of</strong> stomach contents from three species <strong>of</strong> gadfly<br />
petrel from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> during 1991 (after Imber et al., 1995).<br />
Cephalopoda O<strong>the</strong>r taxa<br />
Squids Squids (cont.) Fish<br />
Ancistrocheirus lesueuri Cranchia scabra Sternoptychidae<br />
Octopoteuthis sp. Leachia sp. Myctophidae<br />
Onychoteuthis banksii Taonius cf. belone Gadiformes<br />
Onychoteuthis sp.2 Megalocranchia sp. Exocoetidae<br />
Discoteuthis sp. Heliocranchia sp. Crustacea<br />
Pholidoteuthis boschmai Galiteuthis sp. Lophogastridae (Mysidacea)<br />
Histioteuthis d<strong>of</strong>leini Bathothauma sp. Lysianassidae (Amphipoda)<br />
H. meleagroteuthis Unidentified squids Anuropodidae (Isopoda)<br />
Ctenopteryx sicula Vampyromorph Decapoda indet.<br />
Ommastrephes bartramii Vampyroteuthis infernalis<br />
Chiroteuthis cf. capensis Octopus<br />
Mastigoteuthis dentata<br />
Mastigoteuthis sp.2<br />
Japetella sp.<br />
Table 17. Seabirds recorded within <strong>the</strong> waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> EEZ by: (A) members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Kent<br />
Ornithological Society (UK), 11 September–1 October 2010, while onboard <strong>the</strong> Claymore II by Don Taylor and<br />
posted on <strong>the</strong> Society’s website (www.kentos.org.uk/Trip Reports/DonsList.htm); (B) Chris Gaskin <strong>of</strong> Pterodroma<br />
Pelagics (www.nzseabirds.com) on a bird-watching expedition to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> in June 2006; and (C) by Mike<br />
Brooke in 1991/92 (Brooke, 1995a).<br />
Species IUCN<br />
Code*<br />
Wandering albatross Diomedea exulans<br />
(B) & (C)<br />
38 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Offshore waters<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Offshore waters<br />
Species IUCN<br />
Code*<br />
VU Parkinson’s petrel Procellaria parkinsoni (B) VU<br />
Buller’s albatross Thalassarche bulleri (A) NT White-chinned petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis<br />
(A)<br />
VU<br />
Black-browed albatross Thalassarche<br />
melanophris (C)<br />
EN Westland petrel Procellaria westlandica (A) VU<br />
Nor<strong>the</strong>rn giant petrel Macronectes halli (B) LC Sooty shearwater Puffinus griseus (B) NT<br />
Cape petrel Daption capense (A) LC White-faced storm petrel Pelagodroma marina<br />
(A)<br />
LC<br />
Tahiti petrel Pseudobulweria rostrata (B) NT Polynesian storm petrel Nes<strong>of</strong>regetta fuliginosa<br />
(A) & (B)<br />
EN<br />
Murphy’s petrel Pterodroma ultima (A) & (B) NT White-bellied storm petrel Fregetta grallaria (B) LC<br />
Kermadec petrel Pterodroma neglecta<br />
(A) & (B)<br />
Herald petrel Pterodroma heraldica<br />
(A) & (B)<br />
Henderson petrel Pterodroma atrata<br />
(A) & (B)<br />
Juan Fernandez petrel Pterodroma externa<br />
(C)<br />
LC Red-tailed tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda (A)<br />
& (B)<br />
LC<br />
LC White-tailed tropicbird Phaethon lepturus (B) LC<br />
EN Greater frigatebird Fregata minor (A) & (B) LC<br />
VU Masked booby Sula dactylatra (A) & (B) LC<br />
Phoenix petrel Pterodroma alba (A) EN Red-footed booby Sula sula (A) & (B) LC<br />
White-necked petrel Pterodroma cervicalis<br />
(B)<br />
VU Blue-grey noddy Procelsterna cerulea (A) LC<br />
Collared petrel Pterodroma brevipes (A) VU<br />
* IUCN’s Red List categories (IUCN, 2012): EN = Endangered; VU = Vulnerable; NT = Near Threatened;<br />
LC = Least Concern; NE = Not Evaluated.<br />
39
Table 18. Cetacean species recorded from <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> EEZ. Species from: (A)<br />
Palomares et al., 2011, believed to be derived from species ranges/known migration routes ra<strong>the</strong>r than from<br />
actual sightings; and (B) Chris Gaskin <strong>of</strong> Pterodroma Pelagics (www.nzseabirds.com) on a bird-watching<br />
expedition to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> in June 2006. Status and notes from IUCN Red List (2012).<br />
Species IUCN Notes<br />
Code*<br />
Common or dwarf<br />
minke whale<br />
Balaenoptera acutorostrata<br />
Sei whale<br />
Balaenoptera borealis<br />
Blue whale<br />
Balaenoptera musculus<br />
Fin whale<br />
Balaenoptera physalus<br />
Humpback whale<br />
Megaptera novaeangliae<br />
Bryde’s whale<br />
Balaenoptera edeni<br />
Minke whale<br />
Balaenoptera acutorostrata<br />
(Short-nosed)<br />
common dolphin<br />
Delphinus delphis<br />
Pygmy killer whale<br />
Feresa attenuata<br />
Short-finned pilot whale<br />
Globicephala<br />
macrorhynchus<br />
Cuvier’s beaked whale<br />
Ziphius cavirostris<br />
Risso’s dolphin<br />
Grampus griseus<br />
Fraser’s dolphin<br />
Lagenodelphis hosei<br />
Killer whale<br />
Orcinus orca<br />
False killer whale<br />
Pseudorca crassidens<br />
Pantropical spotted dolphin<br />
Stenella attenuata<br />
Striped dolphin<br />
Stenella coeruleoalba<br />
Spinner dolphin<br />
Stenella longirostris<br />
Rough-too<strong>the</strong>d dolphin<br />
Steno bredanensis<br />
LC<br />
EN<br />
EN<br />
EN<br />
EN<br />
DD<br />
LC<br />
LC<br />
DD<br />
DD<br />
LC<br />
LC<br />
LC<br />
DD<br />
DD<br />
LC<br />
LC<br />
DD<br />
LC<br />
Occurs in both coastal and <strong>of</strong>fshore waters. High abundance <strong>of</strong> minke whales reported<br />
in November between 10° and 30°S in <strong>the</strong> central South Pacific. (A)<br />
Populations in <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn hemisphere are listed as CITES Appendix I, indicating <strong>the</strong>y<br />
are threatened with extinction if hunting (for ‘scientific’ purposes) is not halted. (A)<br />
Occurs in <strong>the</strong> eastern Pacific from around 44°S in sou<strong>the</strong>rn Chile as far north as Costa<br />
Rica. Numbers severely depleted in <strong>the</strong> past by direct exploitation. However, <strong>the</strong>re<br />
appear to be no major threats to blue whales at present. (A)<br />
Occurs worldwide in <strong>of</strong>fshore waters, but typically confined to 50°–65°S in <strong>the</strong> South<br />
Pacific. Depleted worldwide by commercial whaling in <strong>the</strong> 20th century. Protected in <strong>the</strong><br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Hemisphere since 1975. (A)<br />
Those within EEZ waters likely to belong to a sub-stock which includes <strong>the</strong> waters<br />
<strong>of</strong> Franch Polynesia (sub-stock F). Humpbacks have been protected from commercial<br />
whaling in <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Hemisphere since 1963. (A)<br />
Within <strong>the</strong> past 20 years this species <strong>of</strong> baleen whale has been classified as a ‘complex’<br />
<strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> species, as <strong>the</strong>re has been confusion regarding its true identification by<br />
taxonomists. <strong>The</strong> ‘ordinary’ Bryde’s whale (<strong>the</strong> species given here) is known to have a<br />
distribution throughout <strong>the</strong> eastern tropical Pacific and across <strong>the</strong> South Pacific down to<br />
about 35°S. (B)<br />
This species is likely to be <strong>the</strong> ‘dwarf’ minke whale which taxonomists have only<br />
regarded as being separate from <strong>the</strong> Antarctic minke whale B. bonaerensis within <strong>the</strong><br />
past 15 years. Its distribution in <strong>the</strong> South Pacific is uncertain. (B)<br />
An oceanic species that is widely distributed in tropical to cool temperate waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, from nearshore waters to thousands <strong>of</strong> kilometres <strong>of</strong>fshore.<br />
(A)<br />
A tropical/subtropical species that inhabits oceanic waters around <strong>the</strong> globe generally<br />
between 40°N and 35°S. Little is known about this species. (A)<br />
Found in warm temperate to tropical waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world, generally in deep <strong>of</strong>fshore<br />
areas. Feeds on vertically migrating prey. (A)<br />
Decaying carcass found on Edwards/Te Manu islet, Ducie in October 1991 by members<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sir Peter Scott Commemorative Expedition. (A)<br />
A widely-distributed species, inhabiting primarily deep waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> continental slope<br />
and outer shelf (especially with steep bottom topography), from <strong>the</strong> tropics through <strong>the</strong><br />
temperate regions in both hemispheres. It also occurs in some oceanic areas, beyond<br />
<strong>the</strong> continental slope, such as in <strong>the</strong> eastern tropical Pacific. (A)<br />
Exact distribution <strong>of</strong> this species is poorly known. Has a pantropical distribution, largely<br />
between 30°N and 30°S in all three major oceans. (A)<br />
<strong>The</strong> most cosmopolitan <strong>of</strong> all cetaceans and may be <strong>the</strong> second most widely ranging<br />
mammal species on <strong>the</strong> planet, after humans. (A)<br />
Found in tropical to warm temperate zones, generally in relatively deep, <strong>of</strong>fshore waters<br />
<strong>of</strong> all three major oceans. Feeds primarily on fish and cephalopods, but has also been<br />
known to attack small cetaceans, humpback whales, and sperm whales. (A)<br />
Presence in <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> EEZ waters uncertain. (A)<br />
A widely-distributed species, found in tropical and warm-temperate waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. (A)<br />
<strong>The</strong> association <strong>of</strong> spinner dolphins with spotted dolphins and yellowfin tuna results in<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir entanglement in tuna purse seines in <strong>the</strong> eastern tropical Pacific. (A)<br />
A tropical to subtropical species which generally inhabits deep, oceanic waters <strong>of</strong> all<br />
three major oceans, rarely ranging north <strong>of</strong> 40°N or south <strong>of</strong> 35°S. In <strong>the</strong> eastern<br />
tropical Pacific it tends to associate with o<strong>the</strong>r cetaceans (especially pilot whales and<br />
Fraser’s dolphins). (A)<br />
* IUCN’s Red List categories (IUCN, 2012): EN = Endangered; LC = Least Concern; NE = Not Evaluated;<br />
DD = Data Deficient.<br />
waters <strong>of</strong>f California, 6,500 km to <strong>the</strong> north, could be<br />
reached if <strong>the</strong> birds flew for more than 12 hours a day,<br />
and Murphy’s petrels are seen most <strong>of</strong>ten in those waters<br />
during <strong>the</strong> incubation months <strong>of</strong> June and July.” (Brooke,<br />
2010).<br />
SEABIRDS<br />
<strong>The</strong> seabirds <strong>of</strong> particular conservation interest listed in<br />
Table 17 have been observed at sea within <strong>the</strong> EEZ, in<br />
addition to those species already listed for <strong>the</strong> nearshore<br />
waters <strong>of</strong> each island.<br />
CETACEANS<br />
Several species <strong>of</strong> whales and dolphins have been<br />
recorded from <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore waters within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong> EEZ. <strong>The</strong>se are listed in Table 18.<br />
TURTLES AND NON-COMMERCIAL FISH SPECIES<br />
See Table 19.<br />
40 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Offshore waters<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Offshore waters<br />
4.4 Fisheries<br />
4.4.1 Non-commercial<br />
A New Zealand fishing expedition to 40-mile Reef (<strong>the</strong><br />
apex <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Adam’s Seamount, lying to <strong>the</strong> east-sou<strong>the</strong>ast<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>) took place in August 1994 (Sharples,<br />
1994). Using droplines, bottom longlines and handjigging<br />
methods, abundant catches <strong>of</strong> reticulate grouper<br />
Epinephelus tuamotuensis, coral trout Variola louti,<br />
blacktip grouper Epinephelus fasciatus and yellowtail<br />
kingfish Seriola lalandi were achieved fishing at depths <strong>of</strong><br />
70 to 185 m (Sharples, 1994).<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> Islanders also visit 40-mile Reef, though<br />
infrequently (<strong>the</strong>ir last visit was in 2003/04). <strong>The</strong>ir catches<br />
have included various grouper species, coral trout Variola<br />
louti and trevally (probably Caranx ignobilis) (M. Christian,<br />
pers. comm.). Large numbers <strong>of</strong> sharks are known to<br />
frequent <strong>the</strong> reef and it also provides a feeding area for<br />
several species <strong>of</strong> seabird (G. Wragg, pers. comm.).<br />
Table 19. Oceanic turtle and non-commercial fish species recorded from within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> EEZ.<br />
Species from Palomares et al., 2011 believed to be derived from species ranges/known migration routes<br />
ra<strong>the</strong>r than from actual sightings.<br />
Species IUCN<br />
Code*<br />
Notes<br />
Hawksbill turtle<br />
Eretmochelys imbricata<br />
Green turtle<br />
Chelonia mydas<br />
Oceanic whitetip shark<br />
Carcharhinus longimanus<br />
Blue shark<br />
Prionace glauca<br />
Whale shark<br />
Rhincodon typus<br />
CR Has a circumglobal distribution throughout tropical and, to a lesser extent,<br />
subtropical waters including <strong>the</strong> Pacific Ocean. Hawksbills are migratory<br />
and individuals undertake complex movements through geographically<br />
disparate habitats during <strong>the</strong>ir lifetimes.<br />
EN Very little is known about <strong>the</strong>ir migratory movements in this part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
world once <strong>the</strong>y return to <strong>the</strong> sea from a nesting beach. Has a circumglobal<br />
distribution, occurring throughout tropical and, to a lesser extent,<br />
subtropical waters. Highly migratory and undertakes complex migrations<br />
through geographically disparate habitats.<br />
VU This is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most widespread sharks, ranging across entire oceans in<br />
tropical and subtropical waters. It is caught in large numbers as a bycatch<br />
<strong>of</strong> pelagic fisheries. Listed as a highly migratory species under <strong>the</strong> 1995<br />
UN Agreement on <strong>the</strong> Conservation and Management <strong>of</strong> Straddling Fish<br />
Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (UNFSA).<br />
NT One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most wide-ranging <strong>of</strong> all sharks, being found throughout<br />
tropical and temperate seas from latitudes <strong>of</strong> about 60° N to 50°S. It is<br />
oceanic and pelagic, found from <strong>the</strong> surface to about 350 m depth. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
are a major bycatch <strong>of</strong> longline and driftnet fisheries.<br />
VU A cosmopolitan tropical and warm temperate species and <strong>the</strong> world’s<br />
largest living fish. Known to migrate over extremely large distances.<br />
Populations appear to have been depleted by harpoon fisheries in South-<br />
East Asia and perhaps incidental capture in o<strong>the</strong>r fisheries.<br />
* IUCN’s Red List categories (IUCN, 2012): CR = Critically Endangered; EN = Endangered; VU = Vulnerable;<br />
NT = Near Threatened;<br />
41
4.4.2 Commercial<br />
Since 1993 <strong>the</strong>re have been no significant <strong>of</strong>fshore<br />
industrial fishing activities being undertaken in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
Island EEZ, except for a few exploratory expeditions and<br />
possible illegal incursions. <strong>The</strong> UK Government has issued<br />
permits to fish in <strong>the</strong> waters surrounding <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong> since <strong>the</strong> mid-1950s, initially to Japanese longline<br />
fishing fleets, which were mainly targeting tuna species.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> 1960s and 1970s, Korean and Taiwanese fishing<br />
vessels were also operating in <strong>the</strong> region, but all <strong>the</strong> Asian<br />
industrial fleets essentially withdrew activities by <strong>the</strong> late-<br />
1970s (Adams & Langley, 2005). <strong>The</strong> most recent industrial<br />
longline fishing efforts were conducted by <strong>the</strong> Japanese<br />
under an annual renewable licence agreement from <strong>the</strong><br />
UK Government between 1987 and 1992, although<br />
all Asian fleets continue to operate in <strong>the</strong> international<br />
waters outside <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> EEZ.<br />
<strong>The</strong> proclaimation for establishing <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> EEZ<br />
based upon <strong>the</strong> 200 nm limit (total area 836,108 km 2 ) was<br />
made in 1997, which updates earlier legislation given<br />
in three documents: Fisheries Zone Ordinance (1980);<br />
Fisheries Zone (amendment) Ordinance (1982 & 1986);<br />
and Foreign Fisheries Regulations (1982) (as amended).<br />
In December 2006, a single one-<strong>of</strong>f licensing agreement<br />
was made to a Spanish-registered longliner by <strong>the</strong><br />
Commissioner for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> for a flat fee <strong>of</strong><br />
US$1,000, although only a few days <strong>of</strong> fishing took place<br />
due to a poor harvest 28 . Sporadic illegal fishing within<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> waters is suspected by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>ers, who have<br />
sighted foreign vessels in <strong>the</strong> vicinity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> islands that do<br />
not respond to any radio contact. However, without an<br />
airstrip or access to a fast patrol boat, <strong>the</strong>y currently have<br />
no means <strong>of</strong> policing <strong>the</strong>ir territorial waters effectively.<br />
Catch records from regulated fishing around <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong> EEZ, drawn from logsheets <strong>of</strong> commercial tuna<br />
fishing vessels held by <strong>the</strong> Secretariat <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pacific<br />
Community (SPC), show that <strong>the</strong> dominant fish caught<br />
were <strong>the</strong> migratory tuna species, including yellowfin<br />
(Thunnus albacares), bigeye (Thunnus obesus), skipjack<br />
(Katsuwonus pelamis) and albacore (Thunnus alalunga),<br />
along with smaller quantities <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r billfish, such as <strong>the</strong><br />
blue and striped marlin (Figure 13, data from Sea Around<br />
Us Project, 2010).<br />
<strong>The</strong> main reason for <strong>the</strong> recent lack <strong>of</strong> interest in <strong>the</strong><br />
commercial exploitation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> fisheries by <strong>the</strong><br />
longline fleets <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> distant-water fishing nations (DWFN)<br />
is probably because, even during <strong>the</strong> peak <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fishery<br />
in <strong>the</strong> early-1970s, <strong>the</strong> annual reported catches <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
species were relatively minor compared to o<strong>the</strong>r regions in<br />
<strong>the</strong> south-western and Central Pacific (Figure 14, adapted<br />
from Adams & Langley, 2005). For example, during 2005<br />
reported catches <strong>of</strong> albacore tuna species in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
EEZ amounted to 5 tonnes (t) in total. In comparison,<br />
records from <strong>the</strong> locally based longliner fleet in French<br />
Polynesia for 2005 reported catch weights <strong>of</strong> albacore<br />
tuna to be 2,426 t; although it is a much larger area, with<br />
an EEZ <strong>of</strong> 5,030,000 km 2 , it is six times larger than <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> EEZ <strong>of</strong> 836,108 km 2 . Due to its remote location,<br />
lack <strong>of</strong> processing facilities, increasing fuel costs and<br />
marginal returns from fishing <strong>the</strong>se waters, <strong>the</strong> economic<br />
development <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>’s <strong>of</strong>fshore fisheries is not currently<br />
attractive for DWFN.<br />
In 2008 <strong>the</strong> Government <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> signed a Joint<br />
Country Strategy (JCS) with <strong>the</strong> Secretariat <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pacific<br />
Community (SPC) to provide SPC technical assistance<br />
and o<strong>the</strong>r support services to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> over <strong>the</strong><br />
period 2009 to 2013. In support <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
development strategies, <strong>the</strong> JCS includes <strong>the</strong> provision <strong>of</strong><br />
advice, training and services in managing and developing<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir fisheries and marine resources.<br />
Figure 13. Fish catch landings by species in <strong>the</strong> waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (from Sea Around Us Project, 2010).<br />
Figure 14. Cumulative longline catch <strong>of</strong> yellowfin (yellow), bigeye (red) and albacore (blue) from 1990–2003 by<br />
5 degrees <strong>of</strong> latitude and longitude. <strong>The</strong> area <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> symbol is proportional to <strong>the</strong> cumulative catch, with <strong>the</strong><br />
maximum circle size representing 20,000 tonnes. <strong>The</strong> red square depicts <strong>the</strong> area used to approximate <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> EEZ (adopted from Adams & Langley, 2005).<br />
42 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Offshore waters <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>: Offshore waters<br />
25. ‘Offshore waters’ are defined here as extending<br />
beyond 2 km from low water mark for each island or<br />
deeper than 100 m depth, out to <strong>the</strong> 200 nm limit <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> EEZ.<br />
26. Altimetry satellites determine <strong>the</strong> height <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ocean<br />
surface by measuring <strong>the</strong> time it takes a radar pulse to<br />
travel from <strong>the</strong> satellite to <strong>the</strong> surface and back.<br />
27. Multibeam bathymetry is a means by which <strong>the</strong><br />
topography <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seafloor can be measured remotely<br />
from a vessel on <strong>the</strong> ocean’s surface. Many beams<br />
<strong>of</strong> sound are emitted simultaneously to get a series<br />
<strong>of</strong> water depth readings along <strong>the</strong> line <strong>of</strong> a moving<br />
vessel. Multibeam bathymetry systems are now<br />
routinely used during research cruises to map areas <strong>of</strong><br />
seafloor as large as thousands <strong>of</strong> square kilometers.<br />
28. Information obtained from a fishers meeting in<br />
Adamstown, September 2011 attended by <strong>the</strong><br />
authors.<br />
43
Squirrelfish Sargocentron sp. and<br />
goatfish Parupeneus sp. sheltering within<br />
a shallow cave at Henderson.<br />
Photo: Enric Sala/National Geographic.<br />
44<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
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South Pacific Commission. 1987. Country statement (Fisheries): <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong>. 19th Regional Technical Meeting on Fisheries, SPC,<br />
Noumea, New Caledonia, 3–7 August 1987.<br />
Spencer, T. 1989a. Tectonic and environmental histories in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
Group, Palaeogene to present: Reconstructions and<br />
speculations. Atoll Research Bulletin, No. 322.<br />
Spencer, T. 1989b. Sediments and sedimentary environments <strong>of</strong><br />
Henderson Island. Atoll Research Bulletin, No. 324: 1–6.<br />
Spencer, T. 1995. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>, South Pacific Ocean: plate tectonic<br />
and climatic contexts. Biological Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Linnean<br />
Society, 56: 13–42.<br />
Spencer, T. & Paulay, G. 1989. Geology and geomorphology <strong>of</strong><br />
Henderson Island. Atoll Research Bulletin, No. 323, 1–18.<br />
Spencer, T., Stoddart, T.R. & Woodr<strong>of</strong>fe, C.D. 1987. Island uplift and<br />
lithospheric flexure; observations and cautions from <strong>the</strong> South<br />
Pacific. Zeitschrift för Geomorphologie, Supplementband 63: 87–102.<br />
Stoddart, D.R. 1969. Ecology and morphology <strong>of</strong> Recent coral reefs.<br />
Biological Review 44: 433–498.<br />
Stoddart, D.R. 1992. Biogeography <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tropical Pacific. Pacific Science,<br />
46: 276–293.<br />
St<strong>of</strong>fers, P., Hekinian, R., Ackermand, D., Binard, N., Botz, R.,<br />
Devey, C.W., Hansen, D., Hodkinson, R.A., Jeschke, G., Lange, J.,<br />
von der Perre, E., Scholten, J., Schmitt, M., Sedwick, P. and<br />
Woodhead, J.D. 1990. Active <strong>Pitcairn</strong> hotspot found. <strong>Marine</strong> Geology<br />
95(1): 51-55.<br />
Streten, N.A. & Zillman, J.W. 1984. Climate <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> South Pacific Ocean.<br />
In: Van Loon, H. (ed.). Climates <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> World (World Survey <strong>of</strong><br />
Climatology Volume 15). Amsterdam: Elsevier, 263–429.<br />
Tsuda, R.T. 1976. Some marine benthic algae from <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island.<br />
Revue Algologique (N.S.) 11: 325–331.<br />
UKOTCF, 2004. Ramsar information sheet, 62001 (JNCC). United<br />
Kingdom Overseas Territories Conservation Forum. 13<br />
November 2004.<br />
Viduka, A. & Ness, S. 2004. Analysis <strong>of</strong> some copper-alloy items from<br />
HMAV Bounty wrecked at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island in 1790. Proceedings<br />
<strong>of</strong> Metal 2004, National Museum <strong>of</strong> Australia Canberra ACT, 160–172.<br />
Weisler, M.I. 1994. <strong>The</strong> settlement <strong>of</strong> marginal Polynesia: new evidence<br />
from Henderson Island. Journal <strong>of</strong> Field Archaeology, 24:<br />
83–102.<br />
48<br />
Weisler, M.I. 1995. Henderson Island prehistory: colonization and<br />
extinction on a remote Polynesian island. Biological Journal <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Linnean Society, 56: 377–404.<br />
Whatley, R.C. & Roberts, R. 1995. <strong>Marine</strong> Ostracoda from <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, Oeno<br />
and Henderson <strong>Islands</strong>. Biological Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Linnean<br />
Society, 56: 359–364.<br />
Whatley, R.C., Jones, R. & Roberts, R. 2004. <strong>The</strong> marine podocopid<br />
Ostracoda <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, Oeno and Henderson <strong>Islands</strong>, Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
Pacific. Revista Española de Micropaleontologia 36(3), 493–528.<br />
Whiting, R. 1981. <strong>Pitcairn</strong> population poll. <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Miscellany, 23 (12):<br />
1. 2 pp.<br />
Whittaker, J.E. & Hodgkinson, R.L. 1995. <strong>The</strong> Foraminifera <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
<strong>Islands</strong>. Biological Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Linnean Society, 56: 365–371.<br />
Williams, G.R. 1960. <strong>The</strong> birds <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>, Central South<br />
Pacific Ocean. Ibis 102: 58–70.<br />
Woodhead, J.D. & McCullock, M.T. 1989. Ancient seafloor signals in<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island lavas and evidence for large amplitude, small<br />
length-scale mantle heterogeneities. Earth and Planetary Science Letters<br />
94: 257–273.<br />
Woodhead, J.D., Scientific Party. 1990. Active <strong>Pitcairn</strong> hotspot found.<br />
<strong>Marine</strong> Geology, Letter Section, 95: 51–55.<br />
Woodhead, J.D. & Devey, C.W. 1993. Geochemistry <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
seamounts, 1: source character and temporal trends. Earth<br />
and Planetary Science Letters 116: 81–99.<br />
Woodr<strong>of</strong>fe, C.D. 1992. Oceanic <strong>Islands</strong>, Atolls, and Seamounts.<br />
Encyclopedia <strong>of</strong> Earth System Science 3: 435–443.<br />
Wragg, G.M. 1994. A vagrant Laughing Gull Larus atricilla from <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
Island: a new record for sou<strong>the</strong>rn and eastern Polynesia.<br />
Notornis 41: 295–296.<br />
Appendix 2: Additional data sources<br />
Databases<br />
Froese, R. and Pauly, D. (eds) 2011. FishBase. World Wide Web<br />
electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (10/2011).<br />
SeaLifeBase (http://www.sealifebase.org).<br />
(While searches for individual species were undertaken using <strong>the</strong> above<br />
databases, use was also made in <strong>the</strong> latter stages <strong>of</strong> preparing this report<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> work undertaken by Deng Palomares and colleagues [referenced<br />
below] utilising both FishBase and SeaLifeBase databases. Ms Palomares<br />
very kindly allowed <strong>the</strong> authors use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> digitised spreadsheets<br />
produced from her study.)<br />
Palomares, M.L.D., Sorongon, P.M., Pan, M., Espedido, J.C., Chon, A. &<br />
Amarga, A. 2011. Documenting <strong>the</strong> marine biodiversity <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> through FishBase and SeaLifeBase. In: Palomares,<br />
M.L.D., Chaitanya, D., Harper, S., Zeller, D. & Pauly, D. (eds.). 2011.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> Biodiversity and Fisheries Catches <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>, pp.<br />
10-22. A report prepared for <strong>the</strong> Global Ocean Legacy project <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Pew</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> Group. <strong>The</strong> Sea Around Us project, Fisheries Centre,<br />
UBC, Vancouver, Canada.<br />
Poupin, J. 2011 (Online) Database <strong>of</strong> Crustacea (Decapoda &<br />
Stomatopoda) from central Pacific <strong>Islands</strong> (French Polynesia,<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island, Easter Island and Clipperton) (http://decapoda.free.fr).<br />
WoRMS database (World Register <strong>of</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> Species)<br />
(http://www.marinespecies.org).<br />
IUCN Red List (http://www.iucnredlist.org) (International Union for <strong>the</strong><br />
Conservation <strong>of</strong> Nature).<br />
Birdlife International (http://www.birdlife.org).<br />
Institutes<br />
<strong>Marine</strong> Biological Association Library, <strong>The</strong> Laboratory, Citadel Hill,<br />
Plymouth (particular thanks to <strong>the</strong> Head Librarian, Linda Noble).<br />
IUCN-World Conservation Monitoring Centre,<br />
Cambridge (Alison Rosser & Siobhan Kenney).<br />
Individuals<br />
Elisabeth Whitebread, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pew</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> Group’s Global Ocean<br />
Legacy Project, <strong>The</strong> <strong>Pew</strong> Charitable Trusts (London Office).<br />
Dr Richard Preece, University Museum <strong>of</strong> Zoology, Cambridge.<br />
Dr Michael Brooke, Zoology Dept, University <strong>of</strong> Cambridge.<br />
Craig Hilton-Taylor, Red List Unit Manager, IUCN Species Programme,<br />
Cambridge.<br />
Dr Enric Sala, Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic Society,<br />
Washington D.C., USA.<br />
Dr Graham Wragg, Pacific Expeditions, Cook <strong>Islands</strong>.<br />
Hadoram Shirihai, Tubenoses Project.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
49
Appendix 3: IUCN Red List Species<br />
Table 20. IUCN Red List codes* and <strong>the</strong> categories <strong>the</strong>y represent. (Note colours have been added by <strong>the</strong> authors).<br />
IUCN Code Category IUCN Code Category<br />
CR Critically Endangered LR/cd Low Risk/conservation dependent<br />
EN Endangered LR Low Risk<br />
VU Vulnerable LC Least Concern<br />
NT Near Threatened DD Data Deficient<br />
NE Not Evaluated<br />
* For fur<strong>the</strong>r information about how <strong>the</strong>se categories are decided upon for each species, <strong>the</strong> reader is refered to<br />
<strong>the</strong> following publication: IUCN (2001). IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. IUCN Species Survival<br />
Commission. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. ii + 30 pp<br />
<strong>The</strong> SeaLifeBase database lists 107 non-fish marine species<br />
from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> whose conservation status has<br />
been assessed by <strong>the</strong> IUCN. Of <strong>the</strong>se, <strong>the</strong> hawksbill<br />
turtle Eretmochelys imbricata is <strong>the</strong> only species listed as<br />
being Critically Endangered (CR). Those non-fish marine<br />
species listed as being Endangered (EN) include <strong>the</strong> Sei<br />
whale Balanoptera borealis, <strong>the</strong> blue whale Balaenoptera<br />
musculus, <strong>the</strong> fin whale Balaenoptera physalus and<br />
<strong>the</strong> humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae (distinct<br />
Oceania subpopulation breeding stock F2); <strong>the</strong> Phoenix<br />
petrel Pterodroma alba, <strong>the</strong> Henderson petrel Pterodroma<br />
atrata, <strong>the</strong> black-browed albatross Thalassarche<br />
melanophrys, and <strong>the</strong> green turtle Chelonia mydas. Of<br />
<strong>the</strong>se, <strong>the</strong> black-browed albatross is not known to nest on<br />
any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> islands.<br />
<strong>The</strong> FishBase database lists 108 marine fish species whose<br />
conservation status has been assessed by <strong>the</strong> IUCN,<br />
although for four <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se <strong>the</strong>re were insufficient data<br />
available (DD). Of <strong>the</strong> remaining 104 species, two (<strong>the</strong><br />
humphead wrasse Cheilinus undulatus and <strong>the</strong> great<br />
hammerhead shark Sphyrma mokarran) are listed as<br />
Endangered (EN).<br />
In addition, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 72 species <strong>of</strong> scleractinian coral<br />
recorded from all four islands, <strong>the</strong> SeaLifeBase database<br />
lists eight species as being Vulnerable (VU) and 14 species<br />
as Near Threatened (NT).<br />
50<br />
Table 21. Numbers <strong>of</strong> species <strong>of</strong> conservation concern as grouped by taxa.<br />
Taxon No. <strong>of</strong> species within each IUCN Red List category<br />
CR EN VU NT LC NE DD O<strong>the</strong>r*<br />
Cetaceans - 4 1 - 8 - - -<br />
<strong>Marine</strong> birds<br />
(breeding)<br />
- 1 - 1 12 - - -<br />
<strong>Marine</strong> birds<br />
(non-breeding)<br />
- 3 8 3 11 4 - -<br />
Turtles 1 1 - - - - - -<br />
Pelagic fishes - - 3 2 5 3 - -<br />
Reef fishes - 2 5 14 63 263 3 2<br />
Echinoderms - - - - - 60 - -<br />
Molluscs - - - - - 499 - 2<br />
Crustacea<br />
(except<br />
Ostracods)<br />
- - - - 2 25 2 1<br />
Ostracods - - - - - 47 - -<br />
Hard corals - - 9 20 39 3 1 13<br />
Hydroids - - - - - 8 - -<br />
Sponges - - - - - 12 - -<br />
Forams - - - - - 32 - -<br />
Algae - - - - - 1 28 -<br />
Blue-green algae - - - - - - - 4<br />
TOTALS 1 11 26 40 140 957 34 22<br />
* ‘O<strong>the</strong>r’ includes those species where positive ID has yet to be confirmed.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
51
Table 22. IUCN Red List <strong>of</strong> species (2012) recorded within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> EEZ, listed by conservation status<br />
categories (http://www.iucnredlist.org).<br />
Scientific name Common name Comment<br />
Critically Endangered (CR)<br />
Eretmochelys imbricata hawksbill turtle pelagic-oceanic<br />
Endangered (EN)<br />
Megaptera novaeangliae humpback whale specifically, <strong>the</strong> distinct Oceania subpopulation breeding<br />
stock F2<br />
Balaenoptera borealis sei whale pelagic-oceanic<br />
Balaenoptera musculus blue whale pelagic-oceanic<br />
Balaeoptera physalus fin whale pelagic-oceanic<br />
Pterodroma alba Phoenix petrel known to nest on Oeno (H. Shirihai, pers. comm.)<br />
Pterodroma atrata Henderson petrel known to nest on Henderson (Brooke 1995b)<br />
Nes<strong>of</strong>regetta fuliginosa Tahiti storm petrel pelagic-oceanic<br />
Thalassarche melanophrys black-browed albatross pelagic-oceanic<br />
Chelonia mydas green turtle known to nest on Henderson (Brooke 1995c).<br />
Sphyrna mokarran great hammerhead shark pelagic-oceanic<br />
Cheilinus undulatus humphead wrasse reef-associated – only recorded from Henderson and<br />
rarely seen (Irving et al., 1995)<br />
Vulnerable (VU)<br />
Physeter macrocephalus sperm whale pelagic-oceanic<br />
Procellaria aequinoctialis white-chinned petrel pelagic-oceanic<br />
Pterodroma cervicalis white-necked petrel pelagic-oceanic<br />
Pterodroma brevipes collared petrel pelagic-oceanic<br />
Procellaria parkinsoni Parkinson’s petrel pelagic-oceanic<br />
Procellaria westlandica Westland petrel pelagic-oceanic<br />
Pterodroma externa Juan Fernandez petrel pelagic-oceanic<br />
Nuamensis tahitiensis bristle-thighed curlew pelagic-oceanic<br />
Diomedea exulans wandering albatross pelagic-oceanic<br />
Carcharhinus longimanus oceanic whitetip shark pelagic-oceanic<br />
Rhincodon typus whale shark pelagic-oceanic<br />
Thunnus obesus bigeye tuna pelagic-oceanic<br />
Epinephelus lanceolatus giant grouper reef-associated – recorded from <strong>Pitcairn</strong> and Henderson<br />
(Randall & Heemstra, 1991)<br />
Acropora acuminata hard coral reef-associated – recorded from Oeno, Ducie and <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
(ID in doubt for <strong>Pitcairn</strong>) (Paulay 1989)<br />
Acropora globiceps hard coral reef-associated<br />
Acropora listeri hard coral reef-associated<br />
Acropora striata hard coral reef-associated<br />
Acropora vaughani hard coral reef-associated<br />
Montipora australiensis hard coral reef-associated – this species is widespread and naturally<br />
rare throughout its range; however, it is susceptible to<br />
bleaching, disease, crown-<strong>of</strong>-thorns starfish predation,<br />
and extensive reduction <strong>of</strong> coral reef habitat due to a<br />
combination <strong>of</strong> threats<br />
Montipora caliculata hard coral reef-associated<br />
Montipora crassituberculata hard coral reef-associated<br />
52<br />
Scientific name Common name Comment<br />
Montipora lobulata hard coral reef-associated<br />
Leptoseris incrustans hard coral reef-associated – recorded from Henderson and Ducie<br />
(Paulay, 1989)<br />
Pocillopora elegans hard coral reef-associated<br />
Near Threatened (NT)<br />
Thalassarche bulleri Buller’s albatross pelagic-oceanic<br />
Pseudobulweria rostrata Tahiti petrel pelagic-oceanic<br />
Pterodroma ultima Murphy’s petrel pelagic-oceanic<br />
Puffinus griseus sooty shearwater pelagic-oceanic<br />
Epinephelus socialis surge grouper reef-associated<br />
Thunnus alalunga albacore tuna pelagic-oceanic<br />
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos grey reef shark reef-associated<br />
Carcharhinus galapagensis Galapagos shark reef-associated<br />
Carcharhinus melanopterus blacktip reef shark reef-associated<br />
Prionace glauca blue shark pelagic-oceanic<br />
Triaenodon obesus whitetip reef shark reef-associated<br />
Acropora austera hard coral reef-associated<br />
Acropora digitifera hard coral reef-associated<br />
Acropora glauca hard coral reef-associated<br />
Acropora humilis hard coral reef-associated<br />
Acropora hyacinthus hard coral reef-associated<br />
Acropora loripes hard coral reef-associated<br />
Acropora lutkeni hard coral reef-associated<br />
Acropora nasuta hard coral reef-associated<br />
Acropora secale hard coral reef-associated<br />
Montipora foveolata hard coral reef-associated<br />
Montipora incrassata hard coral reef-associated<br />
Montipora nodosa hard coral reef-associated<br />
Montipora venosa hard coral reef-associated<br />
Favia mathaii hard coral reef-associated<br />
Favia rotumana hard coral reef-associated<br />
Favia stelligera hard coral reef-associated<br />
Pocillopora eydouxi hard coral reef-associated<br />
Porites lobata hard coral reef-associated<br />
Psammocora obtusangula hard coral reef-associated<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
53
Appendix 4: Scientific research expeditions<br />
to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
Dates Title Organising<br />
institution &<br />
name <strong>of</strong><br />
expedition<br />
leader(s)<br />
54<br />
Duration / overall purpose / islands visited /<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r notes<br />
1825 Visit by HMS Blossom Capt. F.W. Beechey Included <strong>the</strong> first full description <strong>of</strong> Ducie’s Island.<br />
1827 &<br />
1828<br />
Private expedition Hugh Cuming 11 days in total. Collected several new species <strong>of</strong> mollusc. Visited<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong>, Henderson & Ducie.<br />
1912 Private expedition J.R. Jamieson & D.R.<br />
Tait<br />
March 1922 Whitney South Sea<br />
Expedition<br />
1934 Mangarevan<br />
Expedition<br />
1935 Templeton-Crocker<br />
Expedition<br />
American Museum <strong>of</strong><br />
Natural History (Rollo<br />
H. Beck)<br />
Mollusca collections. Collections described by E.A. Smith (1913).<br />
Primarily an ornithological expedition. 11 days spent at Ducie, but<br />
also visited <strong>Pitcairn</strong> & Henderson. Concentrated mostly on <strong>the</strong><br />
terrestrial biota.<br />
Concentrated mostly on <strong>the</strong> terrestrial biota.<br />
Concentrated mostly on <strong>the</strong> terrestrial biota.<br />
1964 Private expedition Harald A. Rehder Collection <strong>of</strong> molluscs from <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
1967 Aboard <strong>the</strong> vessel<br />
Pele<br />
1970–71 Aboard <strong>the</strong> vessel<br />
Westward<br />
H.A. Rehder, D.M.<br />
Devaney & B.R.<br />
Wilson<br />
National Geographic<br />
Society/ Oceanic<br />
Institute expedition to<br />
SE Oceania.<br />
J. E. Randall & H.A.<br />
Rehder<br />
Collections <strong>of</strong> molluscs and echinoderms, particularly by using a<br />
dredge. (see Rehder, 1974 & Devaney, 1974). Visited <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (5<br />
days) and Oeno (2 days).<br />
Concentrated on molluscs and reef fishes, though also collected<br />
algae at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>. Spent most <strong>of</strong> one month staying on <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, but<br />
also visited Oeno (3 days), Henderson (3 days) & Ducie (2.5 days).<br />
Diving (fishes) and some dredging (molluscs).<br />
June 1986 Operation Raleigh Brief visits to Henderson (~16–22 June) and <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (~23–25 June).<br />
M. Richmond did some collecting <strong>of</strong> small marine intertidal fauna<br />
at both islands. Two pages <strong>of</strong> a subsequent expedition report seen<br />
by <strong>the</strong> authors.<br />
1987 Smithsonian<br />
Expedition<br />
January<br />
1991 –<br />
March 1992<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sir Peter Scott<br />
Commemorative<br />
Expedition to <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>,<br />
1991–1992<br />
Smithsonian<br />
Institution,<br />
Washington.<br />
(incl. Gustav Paulay<br />
and Tom Spencer)<br />
University <strong>of</strong><br />
Cambridge, UK<br />
Dr Mike Brooke, Dept<br />
<strong>of</strong> Zoology, University<br />
<strong>of</strong> Cambridge<br />
Dr Tom Spencer,<br />
Dept <strong>of</strong> Geography,<br />
University <strong>of</strong><br />
Cambridge<br />
Dr Graham Wragg,<br />
Dept <strong>of</strong> Zoology,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Oxford,<br />
UK<br />
Visited Ducie on 10 May 1987; Henderson on 12–21 May; <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
on 22–26 May; and Oeno on 28 May (for 2 hours only). Collected<br />
by scuba diving on Henderson & Ducie. Collections made <strong>of</strong><br />
corals, molluscs and echinoderms (Paulay). Studies <strong>of</strong> geology/<br />
geomorphology on Henderson (Spencer).<br />
14 months in total, with groups <strong>of</strong> scientists visiting for 3–4<br />
months at a time. Most time spent on Henderson, but also with<br />
visits to Oeno, <strong>Pitcairn</strong> and Ducie.<br />
Primary objective:<br />
· to create a detailed geological and biological inventory <strong>of</strong><br />
Henderson Island.<br />
Accompanying aims:<br />
· geomorphological studies to date <strong>the</strong> island’s elevational<br />
history<br />
· meteorological monitoring<br />
· inventory <strong>of</strong> Henderson’s fauna and flora<br />
· ecology and status <strong>of</strong> Henderson’s endemic species<br />
· magnitude, duration and cultural links <strong>of</strong> Polynesian<br />
settlement<br />
· detailed studies <strong>of</strong> sub-fossil deposits to understand<br />
Henderson’s palaeobiology<br />
· study <strong>of</strong> marine biota and nearshore habitats<br />
· preliminary studies <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> biota <strong>of</strong> Oeno and Ducie<br />
· detailed mapping <strong>of</strong> Oeno and Ducie.<br />
Dates Title Organising<br />
institution &<br />
name <strong>of</strong><br />
expedition<br />
leader(s)<br />
July–Sept<br />
1997<br />
Dr Steve Waldren,<br />
Trinity College, Dublin,<br />
Eire<br />
1997 Dr Graham Wragg<br />
and o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
Jan–Feb<br />
2003<br />
Operation Bounty Bay<br />
– a UK Joint Services<br />
Diving Expedition to<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
Leader: Lieutenant<br />
Rod Penrose (RN)<br />
Scientific adviser:<br />
Robert Irving<br />
Boat skipper: Dr<br />
Graham Wragg<br />
Duration / overall purpose / islands visited /<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r notes<br />
Vegetation surveys – mostly on <strong>Pitcairn</strong> with four days on<br />
Henderson. Also follow-up visit in July/August 2003, accompanied<br />
by a PhD student, who also visited in 2004 and 2005.<br />
Rat eradication projects on <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (unsuccessful), Ducie and Oeno<br />
(both successful).<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> time (3 weeks) spent diving at sites around <strong>Pitcairn</strong>,<br />
though two days were also spent at Henderson. Centred on<br />
marine archaeology and recreational diving. No collection <strong>of</strong><br />
specimens, but many underwater photographs taken.<br />
2003 Dr Steve Blake Geological studies <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> and Henderson.<br />
July/Aug<br />
Dr Mike Brooke and Assessment <strong>of</strong> rat predation <strong>of</strong> petrel chicks.<br />
2003<br />
Alve Henricson<br />
Aug/Sept<br />
Dr Mike Brooke, Dr Rat eradication preparatory trip to Henderson.<br />
2009<br />
Richard Cuthbert<br />
(RSPB) and o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
September<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>. Terry Dawson Short visit to <strong>Pitcairn</strong> – investigating management <strong>of</strong> inshore<br />
2010<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Dundee, waters around <strong>the</strong> island (Darwin Initiative Overseas Territories<br />
UK<br />
Challenge Fund).<br />
July–Nov<br />
Derek Brown & Nick Joint RSPB/<strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> Government rat eradication operation<br />
2011<br />
Torr (Operational<br />
Managers), Dr Richard<br />
Cuthbert (RSPB) and<br />
Dr Mike Brooke<br />
on Henderson Island.<br />
September<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>. Terry Dawson Short visit to <strong>Pitcairn</strong> – follow-up visit investigating management<br />
2011<br />
and Robert Irving <strong>of</strong> inshore waters around <strong>the</strong> island (Darwin Initiative Overseas<br />
Territories Challenge Fund).<br />
March- National Geographic National Geographic 3-4 weeks visiting all four islands aboard <strong>the</strong> Claymore II. Main<br />
April 2012 ‘Pristine Seas’ Society<br />
purpose was to make a film documentary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> natural history <strong>of</strong><br />
expedition to <strong>the</strong> Enric Sala<br />
<strong>the</strong> islands, particularly underwater. Also to catalogue previously<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> (Explorer-in-Residence) unrecorded species <strong>of</strong> fish, coral and algae.<br />
In association with <strong>Pew</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> Group, Spain’s National<br />
Research Council, US Geological Survey, University <strong>of</strong> Hawaii, US<br />
National Park Service & University <strong>of</strong> California Santa Barbara.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
55
St Paul’s Pool, <strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island<br />
© Enric Sala/ National Geographic<br />
56<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
Appendix 5: <strong>Marine</strong> species recorded<br />
from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
Species Authority* Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
MACROALGAE (Seaweeds) Ref. Tsuda, 1976.<br />
Division Cyanophyta<br />
Microcoleus<br />
lyngbyaceus<br />
Hormothamnion<br />
enteromorphoides<br />
Grunow, ex<br />
Bornet &<br />
Flahault, 1888<br />
Brachytrichia quoyi (C. Agardh)<br />
Bornet &<br />
Flahault, 1886<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> 57<br />
Notes<br />
(Kütz) Crouan • From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour.<br />
• From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour.<br />
• From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour.<br />
Calothrix pilosa<br />
Division Chlorophyta<br />
Harvey • From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour.<br />
Cladophora<br />
coelothrix<br />
Bryopsis<br />
pennata<br />
Caulerpa pickeringii Harvey &<br />
Bailey, 1851<br />
Caulerpa racemosa (Forsskål) J.<br />
Agardh, 1873<br />
Halimeda incrassata (J.Ellis) J.V.<br />
Lamouroux,<br />
1816<br />
Kützing, 1843 • From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour.<br />
J.V.<br />
Lamouroux,<br />
1809<br />
• From 13 m depth <strong>of</strong>f Gudgeon Harbour.<br />
• From 13 m depth <strong>of</strong>f Gudgeon Harbour.<br />
Also recorded by Nat. Geog. Soc. Expedition<br />
2012 at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
Sea grapes • • From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour. Also from large tidepool,<br />
Christian’s Point. Noted as present on Ducie<br />
by Rehder & Randall (1975) (see Plate 16).<br />
• • From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour. Also from large pool, 5 m<br />
deep, St John. Halimeda sp. recorded from<br />
Henderson in 1991 (Irving, 1995).<br />
Halimeda samoense ? • Recorded by Nat. Geog. Soc. Expedition<br />
2012 at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, but not recognised as<br />
a species by <strong>the</strong> WoRMS marine species<br />
database.<br />
Halimeda minima (W.R. Taylor)<br />
Hillis-Colinvaux<br />
1968<br />
Verdigellas peltata D.L. Ballantine<br />
& J.N. Norris,<br />
1994<br />
Cladophoropsis<br />
gracillima<br />
Dictyosphaeria<br />
cavernosa<br />
Microdictyon<br />
boergesenii<br />
Division Phaeophyta<br />
Asteronema<br />
breviarticulatum<br />
Sphacelaria<br />
tribuloides<br />
Dictyota<br />
acutiloba<br />
E.Y.Dawson,<br />
1950<br />
(Forsskål)<br />
Børgesen,<br />
1932<br />
• Recorded by Nat. Geog. Soc. Expedition<br />
2012 at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
• Recorded by Nat. Geog. Soc. Expedition<br />
2012 at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
• From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour.<br />
• From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour.<br />
Setchell, 1925 • • Present on fore-reef at Henderson (Paulay,<br />
1989). Noted as present on Ducie by Rehder<br />
& Randall (1975).<br />
(J. Agardh)<br />
Ouriques &<br />
Bouzon, 2000<br />
Meneghini,<br />
1840<br />
J. Agardh,<br />
1848<br />
• Originally recorded by Tsuda (1976) as<br />
Ectocarpus breviarticulatus. From tidepools<br />
and rocks awash on shore, West Harbour.<br />
• From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour.<br />
• From large tidepool, Christian’s Point.<br />
* <strong>The</strong> citing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> naming authority here follows <strong>the</strong> International Code <strong>of</strong> Zoological Nomenclature, 4th edition, 1999.<br />
(http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted-sites/iczn/code). <strong>The</strong> World Register <strong>of</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> Species (WoRMS) has been used to verify species<br />
names and authorities (http://www.marinespecies.org).
Species Authority* Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Lobophora variegata (J.V.<br />
Lamouroux)<br />
Womersley ex<br />
E.C. Oliveira,<br />
1977<br />
Sargassum<br />
odontocarpum<br />
Sargassum<br />
obtusifolium<br />
58<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
• • From large tidepool, Christian’s Point; from<br />
13 m depth <strong>of</strong>f Gudgeon Harbour; from<br />
large pool, 5 m deep, St John; & from 21 m<br />
depth <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> south coast, with a boulder<br />
seabed with some sand and live corals. Also<br />
recorded by Paulay (1989) on fore-reef at<br />
Henderson.<br />
Sonder, 1871 • Originally recorded by Tsuda (1976) as<br />
Sargassum coriifolium. From tidepools and<br />
rocks awash on shore, West Harbour; from<br />
large tidepool, Christian’s Point; from 13 m<br />
depth <strong>of</strong>f Gudgeon Harbour; and from<br />
large pool, 5 m deep, St John.<br />
J. Agardh,<br />
1848<br />
Stypopodium zonale (J.V.<br />
Lamouroux)<br />
Papenfuss,<br />
1940<br />
Zonaria<br />
stipitata<br />
Division Rhodophyta<br />
Tanaka & K.<br />
Nozawa, 1962<br />
Gelidiopsis intricata (C. Agardh)<br />
Vickers, 1905<br />
Corallina cuvieri J.V.Lamouroux,<br />
1816<br />
• Present in rockpool at Down Isaacs, <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
(see Plate 15).<br />
NE • • Recorded by Tsuda (1976) at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> and by<br />
Paulay (1989) at Henderson.<br />
• Recorded by Nat. Geog. Soc. Expedition<br />
2012 at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
• From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour; and from 13 m depth <strong>of</strong>f<br />
Gudgeon Harbour.<br />
• From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour; and from 13 m depth <strong>of</strong>f<br />
Gudgeon Harbour.<br />
Porolithon spp. • • Recorded by Paulay (1989) on fore-reef at<br />
Henderson. Tentative IDs <strong>of</strong> P. onkodes and<br />
P. gardineri in Ducie’s lagoon by Rehder &<br />
Randall (1975).<br />
Hydrolithon onkodes (Heydrich)<br />
D. Penrose &<br />
Woelkerling,<br />
1992<br />
Lithophyllum<br />
kotschyanum<br />
Neogoniolithon<br />
brassica-florida<br />
Botryocladia<br />
skottsbergii<br />
Centroceras<br />
clavulatum<br />
• Recorded by Nat. Geog. Soc. Expedition<br />
2012 at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
Unger, 1858 • Recorded by Nat. Geog. Soc. Expedition<br />
2012 at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
(Harvey)<br />
Satchell & L.R.<br />
Mason, 1943<br />
(Børgesen)<br />
Levring, 1941<br />
(C. Agardh)<br />
Montagne,<br />
1846<br />
Chondria intertexta P.C. Silva,<br />
1972<br />
• Recorded as N. frutescens by Nat. Geog.<br />
Soc. Expedition 2012 at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
• From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour.<br />
• From tidepools and rocks awash on shore,<br />
West Harbour.<br />
• Originally recorded by Tsuda (1976) as<br />
Chondria intricata. From large tidepool,<br />
Christian’s Point.<br />
FORAMINIFERA (Forams) Refs. Whittaker & Hodgkinson, 1995; Palomares et al., 2011.<br />
Amphistegina<br />
lobifera<br />
Amphistegina lessonii d’Orbigny<br />
in Guerin-<br />
Meneville,<br />
1843<br />
Asterigerina carinata d’Orbigny,<br />
1839<br />
Larsen, 1976 NE • • Present in samples <strong>of</strong> beach sediment,<br />
NW Beach and N Beach (Henderson); and<br />
from seaweed sample (green clumped<br />
weed) collected in 1 m depth and sample<br />
<strong>of</strong> ‘yellow fucoid weed’, (<strong>Pitcairn</strong>: Tedside);<br />
and from beach sediment (Oeno).<br />
NE • • Present in samples <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, NW<br />
Beach and N Beach (Henderson). From<br />
seaweed sample (‘yellow fucoid weed’)<br />
(<strong>Pitcairn</strong>: Tedside); and from beach sediment<br />
(Oeno).<br />
NE • Recorded by O. Green in sand from <strong>the</strong><br />
North Beach at Henderson (results included<br />
in Spencer, 1989b).<br />
Species Authority* Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
59<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Hauerina sp. - NE • • From seaweed sample (green clumped<br />
weed) collected in 1 m depth in high energy<br />
environment (<strong>Pitcairn</strong>: Tedside). Also from<br />
dried seaweed sample; and from sediments<br />
collected at 23 m and 33 m depth<br />
(Henderson); and from beach sediment<br />
(Oeno).<br />
Bolivina sp. - NE • From seaweed sample (green clumped<br />
weed) collected in 1 m depth in high energy<br />
environment (<strong>Pitcairn</strong>: Tedside).<br />
Heterostegina<br />
depressa<br />
d’Orbigny,<br />
1826<br />
Notes<br />
NE • • Present in sample <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, N<br />
Beach; and from sediment collected at<br />
33 m depth (Henderson). From seaweed<br />
sample (loose ‘strandy’ and attached weed)<br />
and from sample <strong>of</strong> ‘yellow fucoid weed’<br />
(<strong>Pitcairn</strong>: Tedside).<br />
Peneroplis sp. - NE • • From seaweed sample (loose ‘strandy’ and<br />
attached weed) (<strong>Pitcairn</strong>: Tedside). Also<br />
from dried seaweed sample (Henderson).<br />
Spirillina sp. - NE • From seaweed sample (loose ‘strandy’ and<br />
attached weed) (<strong>Pitcairn</strong>: Tedside).<br />
Miliolinella sp. - NE • • From seaweed sample (loose ‘strandy’ and<br />
attached weed) (<strong>Pitcairn</strong>: Tedside). Present<br />
in sample <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, N Beach; and<br />
from sediment at 33 m depth (Henderson).<br />
Acervulina sp. - NE • Present in sample <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, N<br />
Beach; and from seaweed sample from<br />
1 m depth (Henderson). From seaweed<br />
sample (loose ‘strandy’ and attached weed)<br />
and from sample <strong>of</strong> ‘yellow fucoid weed’<br />
(<strong>Pitcairn</strong>: Tedside).<br />
Discorbids - NE • From seaweed sample (loose ‘strandy’ and<br />
attached weed) (<strong>Pitcairn</strong>: Tedside).<br />
Small miliolids - NE • From seaweed sample (‘yellow fucoid<br />
weed’) (<strong>Pitcairn</strong>: Tedside).<br />
Pyrgo sp. - NE • Present in sample <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, N<br />
Beach; and from sediment sample collected<br />
at 33 m depth (Henderson).<br />
Spiroloculina sp. - NE • Present in sample <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, N<br />
Beach; and from seaweed sample from 1 m<br />
depth; and from sediment at 33 m depth<br />
(Henderson); and from beach sediment<br />
(Oeno).<br />
Spirosigmoilina sp - NE • Present in seaweed sample from 1 m depth,<br />
reef flat (Henderson).<br />
Schlumbergerina sp. - NE • Present in sample <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, N<br />
Beach (Henderson).<br />
Quinqueloculina sp. - NE • Present in sample <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, N<br />
Beach; and in sediment from 33 m depth<br />
(Henderson).<br />
Pseudolachlanella sp. - NE • Present in sample <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, N<br />
Beach; and in sediment from 23 m depth<br />
(Henderson).<br />
Amphisorus<br />
hemprichii<br />
Marginopora<br />
vertebralis<br />
Sphaerogypsina<br />
globula<br />
Ehrenberg,<br />
1839<br />
Quoy &<br />
Gaimard, 1830<br />
NE • • Present in samples <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, NW<br />
Beach and N Beach; and from seaweed<br />
sample from 1 m depth (Henderson). From<br />
beach sediment (Oeno).<br />
NE • • Present in samples <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, NW<br />
Beach and N Beach (Henderson); and from<br />
beach sediment (Oeno).<br />
(Reuss, 1848) NE • • Present in samples <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, NW<br />
Beach & N Beach (Henderson); and in beach<br />
sediment (Oeno).<br />
Triloculina sp. - NE • Present in sample <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, NW<br />
Beach (Henderson).
Species Authority* Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Borelis pulchra (d’Orbigny,<br />
1839)<br />
Sorites<br />
marginalis<br />
60<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1816)<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
NE • Present in sample <strong>of</strong> beach sediment, N<br />
Beach; and from sediment sample from<br />
33 m depth (Henderson). Not found in<br />
WoRMS database.<br />
NE • Present in sample <strong>of</strong> beach sediment,<br />
N Beach (Henderson); and from beach<br />
sediment (Oeno).<br />
Anomalinoides sp. - NE • Present in sample <strong>of</strong> beach sediment,<br />
N Beach; and also from dried seaweed<br />
sample; and from sediment sample from<br />
23 m depth (Henderson).<br />
Scutuloris sp. - NE • Present in seaweed sample from 1 m depth,<br />
reef flat; and in sediment samples from<br />
23 m and 33 m depth (Henderson).<br />
Cymbaloporetta sp. - NE • Present in seaweed sample from 1 m depth,<br />
reef flat; and in sediment sample from<br />
33 m depth (Henderson); and from beach<br />
sediment (Oeno).<br />
Rugobolivinella sp. - NE • From dried seaweed sample; and from<br />
sediments collected at 23 m and 33 m<br />
depth (Henderson).<br />
Fischerinella sp. - NE • From sediment collected at 23 m depth<br />
(Henderson).<br />
Anomalinella sp. - NE • From sediment collected at 33 m depth<br />
(Henderson).<br />
Homotrema rubrum (Lamarck,<br />
1816)<br />
NE • From sediment collected at 12 m depth<br />
(Henderson).<br />
Phylum PORIFERA (Sponges) Ref. Irving, 1995.<br />
Ascaltis sp. - NE • • Lime-green sponge. W end <strong>of</strong> lagoon,<br />
Ducie. Also found at Oeno.<br />
Batzella sp. - NE • Orange sponge. Reef crest, NW Oeno.<br />
Chondrosia chucalla de Laubenfels,<br />
1954<br />
Cliona sp. aff.<br />
vastifica<br />
Darwinella sp. aff.<br />
gardineri<br />
Lamellodysidea<br />
herbacea<br />
Jaspis sp. aff.<br />
tuberculata<br />
Scopalina sp. aff.<br />
australiensis<br />
Spirastrella<br />
decumbens<br />
Spheciospongia<br />
solida<br />
NE • Black encrusting sponge. In among coral<br />
rubble at 15 m depth <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> NW <strong>of</strong><br />
Henderson.<br />
- NE • Black sponge. At 22m depth, outer reef,<br />
Oeno.<br />
- NE • Red-pink sponge. E end <strong>of</strong> lagoon, Ducie.<br />
(Keller, 1889) NE • Originally identified as Dysidea herbacea.<br />
Yellow/cream sponge. E end <strong>of</strong> lagoon,<br />
Ducie.<br />
- NE • • Dark green/brown/black. From reef flat<br />
to 16 m depth at Henderson. Toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
with Spirastrella decumbens, this is <strong>the</strong><br />
commonest sponge at Henderson. Also<br />
present at E end <strong>of</strong> lagoon, Ducie.<br />
- NE • Very thin orange encrusting sponge. At<br />
30 m depth <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> NW and E coasts <strong>of</strong><br />
Henderson.<br />
Ridley, 1884 NE • • Thin rust-brown/red/orange sponge. Reef<br />
flat, E end <strong>of</strong> N. Beach and from NW Point,<br />
down to 13 m <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> SW and NW coasts,<br />
Henderson. Also W end <strong>of</strong> lagoon, Oeno.<br />
Also recorded intertidally by M. Richmond<br />
(Operation Raleigh) in 1986.<br />
(Ridley &<br />
Dendy, 1886)<br />
NE • Originally identified as Spirastrella solida.<br />
Thin, orangey-brown sponge. Reef flat, N<br />
Beach, Henderson.<br />
Spongia magallonica - NE • • Black encrusting sponge. On wave-cut<br />
ledge, NW Point, Henderson; and at E end<br />
<strong>of</strong> lagoon, Ducie.<br />
Tethya<br />
seychellensis<br />
(Wright, 1881) NE • Orange sponge. W end <strong>of</strong> lagoon, Ducie.<br />
Species Authority* Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Phylum CNIDARIA (hydroids, corals, anemones, etc.)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
61<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Class Hydrozoa - hydroids Ref. Irving, 1995).<br />
Aglaophenia<br />
postdentata<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
Billard, 1913 NE • Recorded from several Indo-West Pacific<br />
localities, including Fiji. Probably distributed<br />
over whole <strong>of</strong> tropical Pacific.<br />
Gymnangium hians (Busk, 1852) NE • • Also recorded from Oeno. Widely<br />
distributed reef species from tropical and<br />
subtropical Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, S. Africa<br />
and Caribbean.<br />
Lytocarpia brevirostris (Busk, 1852) NE • Recorded from <strong>the</strong> tropical Indo-West<br />
Pacific, including Fiji. Probably with wider<br />
distribution in tropical Pacific.<br />
Macrorhynchia<br />
phoenicea<br />
Plumularia<br />
strobilophora<br />
(Busk, 1852) NE • Reef species <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tropical Indo-Pacific,<br />
including Fiji. Probably distributed over<br />
whole <strong>of</strong> tropical Pacific.<br />
Billard, 1913 NE • • Also recorded from Oeno. Recorded from<br />
Malaysia, French Polynesia and Trinidad.<br />
Recently described from Fiji.<br />
Sertularia loculosa (Busk, 1852) NE • Originally identified as Sertularia ligulata.<br />
Widely distributed in <strong>the</strong> tropical Indo-<br />
Pacific and Indo-West Pacific. Found in<br />
French Polynesia and also Fiji.<br />
Sertularella ?simplex (Hutton, 1873) NE • Identification uncertain. May possibly be S.<br />
robusta or an undescribed species. (Status<br />
<strong>of</strong> ‘NE’ given for S. ligulata by Palomares et<br />
al., 2011).<br />
Millepora spp. Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
fire coral NE • • • Widespread around each island and<br />
particularly abundant at Henderson, with<br />
some individual colonies up to 2 m tall.<br />
Class Anthozoa / Order Scleractinia (stony corals) Ref. Paulay, 1989); Palomares et al., 2011); personal notes from John Pandolfi.<br />
Stylocoeniella<br />
guen<strong>the</strong>ri<br />
Pocillopora<br />
damicornis<br />
Bassett-Smith,<br />
1890<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
LC • • Paulay (1989): A large clump <strong>of</strong> arborescent<br />
S. guen<strong>the</strong>ri was dredged from 37 m <strong>of</strong>f<br />
Henderson; and similar colonies were<br />
dredged from 47-63 m and 72-108 m <strong>of</strong>f<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> in 1967. This is an unusual growth<br />
form <strong>of</strong> this species.<br />
LC • • Original record by Paulay (1989). Specimens<br />
collected from Henderson by Blake and/or<br />
Pandolfi in 1991.<br />
[Pocillopora elegans] Dana, 1846 [VU] Paulay (1989): “This species was originally<br />
recorded from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> by<br />
Rehder & Randall (1975), but was a<br />
misidentification.”<br />
Pocillopora eydouxi (Milne<br />
Edwards &<br />
Haime, 1860)<br />
Pocillopora<br />
meandrina<br />
Pocillopora verrucosa (Ellis &<br />
Solander,<br />
1786)<br />
Pocillopora<br />
woodjonesi<br />
Montipora<br />
aequituberculata<br />
NT • •? Original record by Paulay (1989). Also<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson.<br />
Dana, 1846 LC • Not listed by Paulay (1989), but specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson and subsequently listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Vaughan,<br />
1918<br />
LC Paulay (1989) identified “Pocilliopora sp. 1”<br />
as being similar to P. verrucosa but differing<br />
in having hood-like ramifications over <strong>the</strong><br />
calices, as in Stylophora. It is not known<br />
if he subsequently identified “sp.1” any<br />
fur<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
LC •? Paulay (1989): “P. woodjonesi is fairly<br />
common at Henderson.” Specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson could not be ID’d for<br />
certain by J.E. Veron.<br />
Bernard, 1897 LC •? • One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most common corals on<br />
<strong>the</strong> Ducie fore-reef, but uncommon on<br />
Henderson (Paulay 1989).
Species Authority* Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Montipora<br />
australiensis<br />
Montipora aff.<br />
bilaminata<br />
62<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
Bernard, 1897 VU • Specimens collected by Blake and/or<br />
Pandolfi in 1991 from Henderson, with IDs<br />
confirmed by J.E. Veron.<br />
Bernard, 1897 • Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Montipora caliculata (Dana, 1846) VU • • Specimens collected by Blake and/or<br />
Pandolfi in 1991 from Henderson, with IDs<br />
confirmed by J.E. Veron.<br />
Montipora cf.<br />
capitata<br />
[Montipora<br />
composita]<br />
Montipora<br />
crassituberculata<br />
(Dana, 1846) • Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Not known [NE] Paulay (1989): This species was originally<br />
recorded from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> by<br />
Rehder & Randall (1975), but was a<br />
misidentification.<br />
Bernard, 1897 VU • Not listed by Paulay (1989). Specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson, with IDs confirmed by J.E.<br />
Veron. Subsequently listed by Palomares et<br />
al. (2011).<br />
Montipora foveolata (Dana, 1846) NT • • • Specimens collected by Blake and/or<br />
Pandolfi in 1991 from Henderson, with IDs<br />
confirmed by J.E. Veron.<br />
Montipora grisea Bernard, 1897 LC •<br />
Montipora incrassata (Dana, 1846) NT • •<br />
Montipora lobulata Bernard VU Not listed by Paulay (1989), but listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Montipora nodosa (Dana, 1846) NT • Specimens collected by Blake and/or<br />
Pandolfi in 1991 from Henderson, with IDs<br />
confirmed by J.E. Veron.<br />
Montipora<br />
tuberculosa<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1816)<br />
LC •<br />
[Montipora venosa] (Ehrenberg) [NT] Paulay (1989): This species was originally<br />
recorded from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> by<br />
Rehder & Randall (1975), but was a<br />
misidentification.<br />
Montipora cf.<br />
verrucosa<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1816)<br />
Acropora acuminata (Verrill, 1864) VU • •? •<br />
•? • Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Acropora austera (Dana, 1846) NT • Not listed by Paulay (1989), but listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011). Specimens collected<br />
by J. Pandolfi from Henderson in 1991 with<br />
ID confirmed by J. Wolstenholme.<br />
Acropora cerealis (Dana, 1846) LC • Not listed by Paulay (1989) or Palomares<br />
et al. (2011). Specimen(s) collected by J.<br />
Pandolfi from Henderson in 1991 with ID<br />
confirmed by J. Wolstenholme.<br />
Acropora cy<strong>the</strong>rea (Dana, 1846) LC •<br />
Acropora<br />
abrotanoides<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1816)<br />
LC • Not listed by Paulay (1989) or Palomares<br />
et al. (2011). Specimens collected by J.<br />
Pandolfi from Henderson in 1991 with ID<br />
confirmed by J. Wolstenholme. (Synonym:<br />
A. danai).<br />
Acropora digitifera (Dana, 1846) NT • Specimens collected in 1991 from<br />
Henderson by Blake and/or Pandolfi could<br />
not be ID’d with certainty by J.E. Veron.<br />
Acropora divaricata (Dana, 1846) NT • Not listed by Paulay (1989) or Palomares<br />
et al. (2011). Specimens collected by J.<br />
Pandolfi from Henderson in 1991 with ID<br />
confirmed by J. Wolstenholme.<br />
Species Authority* Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
63<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Acropora gemmifera (Brook, 1892) LC • Not listed by Paulay (1989). Specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson, with IDs confirmed by J.E.<br />
Veron. Subsequently listed by Palomares et<br />
al. (2011).<br />
Acropora glauca (Brook, 1893) NT • Listed by Paulay (1989) as A. cf. glauca.<br />
ID confirmed by J. Wolstenholme from<br />
specimens collected by J. Pandolfi from<br />
Henderson in 1991. However, not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Acropora globiceps (Dana, 1846) VU Not listed by Paulay (1989), but listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Acropora humilis (Dana, 1846) NT • • • Positive ID by J. Wolstenholme from<br />
specimens collected by J. Pandolfi from<br />
Henderson in 1991.<br />
Acropora hyacinthus (Dana, 1846) NT • Not listed by Paulay (1989). Specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson, with IDs confirmed by J.E.<br />
Veron. Subsequently listed by Palomares et<br />
al. (2011).<br />
Acropora latistella (Brook, 1891) LC • • Paulay (1989) lists A. latistellata (Brook,<br />
1892) which no longer exists (if indeed it<br />
ever did) and is presumed to be <strong>the</strong> same<br />
as A. latistella listed by Palomares et al.<br />
(2011). Specimens collected by Blake and/or<br />
Pandolfi in 1991 from Henderson, with IDs<br />
confirmed by J.E. Veron.<br />
Acropora listeri (Brook, 1893) VU • Not listed by Paulay (1989). Specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson, with ID confirmed by J.E.<br />
Veron. Subsequently listed by Palomares et<br />
al. (2011).<br />
Acropora loripes (Brook, 1892) NT • Not listed by Paulay (1989) or Palomares<br />
et al. (2011). Specimens collected by J.<br />
Pandolfi from Henderson in 1991 with ID<br />
confirmed by J. Wolstenholme.<br />
Acropora lutkeni Crossland,<br />
1952<br />
Acropora cf.<br />
microclados<br />
Acropora<br />
microphthalma<br />
(Ehrenberg,<br />
1834)<br />
Notes<br />
NT • Listed by Paulay (1989) as A. cf. lutkeni.<br />
ID subsequently confirmed by J.E. Veron.<br />
However, not listed by Palomares et al.<br />
(2011).<br />
• Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Verrill, 1859) LC • Not listed by Paulay (1989). Specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson, with IDs confirmed by J.E.<br />
Veron. Subsequently listed by Palomares et<br />
al. (2011).<br />
Acropora nasuta (Dana, 1846) NT • • Not listed by Paulay (1989) or by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011). Specimens collected by Blake<br />
and/or Pandolfi in 1991 from Henderson,<br />
with IDs confirmed by J.E. Veron.<br />
Acropora<br />
pocilloporina<br />
Wallace, 1994 NE Not listed by Paulay (1989), but listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Acropora robusta (Dana, 1846) LC • Not listed by Paulay (1989) or by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011). However, specimen collected<br />
by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991 from<br />
Henderson, with ID confirmed by J.E. Veron.<br />
Acropora samoensis (Brook, 1891) LC • Not listed by Paulay (1989). Specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson, with IDs confirmed by J.E.<br />
Veron. Subsequently listed by Palomares et<br />
al. (2011).
Species Authority* Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
64<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Acropora secale (Studer, 1878) NT • •? • Not listed by Paulay (1989) or by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011). However,<br />
specimen(s) collected by Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson, with ID confirmed by<br />
J.Wolstenholme.<br />
Acropora cf.<br />
solitaryensis<br />
Veron &<br />
Wallace, 1984<br />
Notes<br />
• Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Acropora striata (Verrill, 1866) VU Not listed by Paulay (1989) or by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011). However,<br />
specimen(s) collected by Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson, with ID confirmed by<br />
J.Wolstenholme.<br />
Acropora subulata (Dana, 1846) LC Not listed by Paulay (1989). Specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson, with IDs confirmed by J.E.<br />
Veron. Subsequently listed by Palomares et<br />
al. (2011).<br />
Acropora tortuosa (Dana, 1846) LC • Not listed by Paulay (1989) or by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011). However, specimen collected<br />
by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991 from<br />
Henderson, with ID confirmed by J.<br />
Wolstenholme.<br />
Acropora valida (Dana, 1846) LC • • Not listed by Paulay (1989) or by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011). However, specimen(s)<br />
collected by Pandolfi in 1991 from<br />
Henderson, with ID confirmed by J.<br />
Wolstenholme.<br />
Acropora vaughani Wells, 1954 VU • Not listed by Paulay (1989) or by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011). However, specimen collected<br />
by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991 from<br />
Henderson, with ID confirmed by J.<br />
Wolstenholme.<br />
Astreopora<br />
myriophthalma<br />
Astreopora cf.<br />
moretonensis<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1816)<br />
Veron &<br />
Wallace, 1984<br />
Porites aff. annae Crossland,<br />
1952<br />
Porites australiensis Vaughan,<br />
1918<br />
LC • • •? Probable ID by J.E. Veron <strong>of</strong> two specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson.<br />
• Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
• • • • Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011). Some differences in<br />
growth form from P. annae.<br />
LC • •<br />
Porites lobata Dana, 1846 NT • • • Listed as Porites cf. lobata by Paulay (1989),<br />
mentioning differences in growth form<br />
with P. lobata. Recorded as common at<br />
Henderson and occasional at Ducie. Positive<br />
ID by J.E. Veron from specimens collected<br />
by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991 from<br />
Henderson.<br />
Porites lutea Milne Edwards<br />
& Haime,<br />
1851<br />
Psammocora<br />
haimeana<br />
Psammocora<br />
obtusangula<br />
(Milne<br />
Edwards &<br />
Haime, 1851)<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1816)<br />
Alveopora tizardi Bassett-Smith,<br />
1890<br />
LC • Positive ID by J.E. Veron from specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson.<br />
LC • • •<br />
NT • •<br />
LC • Positive ID by J.E. Veron from single<br />
specimen collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi<br />
in 1991 from Henderson.<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
65<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Pavona sp. 1 • • Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011). Paulay (1989)<br />
states that it is intermediate in form<br />
between P. maldivensis and P. clavus/P.<br />
minuta. Specimens collected by Blake<br />
and/or Pandolfi in 1991 from Henderson<br />
have led J.E. Veron to think this might be<br />
a new species.<br />
[Pavona sp. cf.<br />
pollicata]<br />
Pavona<br />
maldivensis<br />
(Wells, 1954) Paulay (1989): This species was originally<br />
recorded from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> by<br />
Rehder & Randall (1975), but was a<br />
misidentification.<br />
(Gardiner,<br />
1905)<br />
LC<br />
•<br />
Pavona varians Verrill, 1864 LC • • Positive ID by J.E. Veron from specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson.<br />
Leptoseris<br />
hawaiiensis<br />
Leptoseris<br />
incrustans<br />
Leptoseris<br />
solida<br />
Cycloseris<br />
vaughani<br />
Psammocora<br />
albopicta<br />
Psammocora<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>undacella<br />
Coscinaraea<br />
columna<br />
Fungia<br />
paumotensis<br />
Fungia<br />
scutaria<br />
Fungia<br />
vaughani<br />
Lobophyllia<br />
hemprichii<br />
Scolymia cf.<br />
vitiensis<br />
Caulastrea cf.<br />
furcata<br />
Vaughan,<br />
1907<br />
•<br />
(Quelch) VU • •<br />
LC<br />
(Quelch, 1886) LC Not listed by Paulay (1989). Specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson, with IDs confirmed by<br />
J.E. Veron (checking against holotype<br />
from Tahiti). Subsequently listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Boschma,<br />
1923)<br />
NE<br />
•<br />
Benzoni, 2006 DD • Positive ID by J.E. Veron from specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson. (Synonym: Psammocora<br />
superficialis).<br />
Gardiner, 1898 LC • Positive ID by J.E. Veron from specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson.<br />
Dana, 1846 LC • Positive ID by J.E. Veron from specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson.<br />
Stuchbury,<br />
1833<br />
NE<br />
Notes<br />
Originally identified as Fungia danai by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011). Not listed by<br />
Paulay (1989), however.<br />
Lamarck, 1801 LC • • Positive ID by J.E. Veron from specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson.<br />
Boschma,<br />
1923<br />
(Ehrenberg,<br />
1834)<br />
Bruggemann,<br />
1877<br />
Favia matthaii Vaughan,<br />
1918<br />
Favia<br />
rotumana<br />
LC<br />
LC •<br />
Not listed by Paulay (1989), but listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Positive ID by J.E. Veron from specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson.<br />
• • Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Dana, 1846 • Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Gardiner,<br />
1899)<br />
NT • • Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011). Positive ID by J.E.<br />
Veron from specimens collected by Blake<br />
and/or Pandolfi in 1991 from Henderson.<br />
NT • Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011). Positive ID by J.E.<br />
Veron from specimens collected by Blake<br />
and/or Pandolfi in 1991 from Henderson.<br />
Favia stelligera (Dana, 1846) NT • • Positive ID by J.E. Veron from specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson.
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Goniastrea<br />
australensis<br />
Montastrea<br />
curta<br />
Plesiastrea<br />
versipora<br />
Leptastrea<br />
pruinosa<br />
Leptastrea<br />
purpurea<br />
Leptastrea<br />
?transversa<br />
Cyphastrea cf.<br />
serailia<br />
Platygyra<br />
daedalea<br />
66<br />
(Milne<br />
Edwards &<br />
Haime, 1857)<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
LC • • Not recognised by WoRMS database.<br />
Positive ID by J.E. Veron from specimen<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson.<br />
(Dana, 1846) LC • • • Positive ID by J.E. Veron from specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson.<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1816)<br />
LC • • • Listed by Paulay (1989).<br />
Crossland,<br />
1952<br />
LC • Positive ID by J.E. Veron from specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in<br />
1991 from Henderson. “Very distinct<br />
from L. purpurea.”<br />
(Dana, 1846) LC • •? • Positive ID by J.E. Veron from specimens<br />
collected by Blake and/or Pandolfi in 1991<br />
from Henderson.<br />
Klunzinger,<br />
1879<br />
• • Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Forskal, 1775) • • • Listed by Paulay (1989) but not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Ellis &<br />
Solander,<br />
1786)<br />
Class Anthozoa /Order Alcyonacea (s<strong>of</strong>t corals)<br />
Unidentified<br />
species<br />
S<strong>of</strong>t or<br />
lea<strong>the</strong>r corals<br />
LC Not listed by Paulay (1989), but listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
• • • Several species known to occur but as yet<br />
not studied/identified.<br />
Phylum ARTHROPODA Superclass CRUSTACEA<br />
Class Malacostraca<br />
Refs. Palomares et al., 2011; J. Poupin, 2011; Internet Database <strong>of</strong> Crustacea.<br />
Albunea bulla Boyko, 2002 NE J. Poupin, 2011.<br />
Calappa gallus (Herbst, 1803) box crab NE<br />
Calcinus (H. Milne electric blue NE J. Poupin, 2011.<br />
elegans Edwards,<br />
1836)<br />
hermit crab<br />
Calcinus Forest, 1951 white-banded NE J. Poupin, 2011.<br />
seurati<br />
hermit crab<br />
Coenobita H. Milne<br />
strawberry NE • • Mentioned by Rehder & Randall (1975).<br />
perlatus Edwards, 1837 hermit crab<br />
(terrestrial)<br />
Coenobita H. Milne purple hermit NE • • • Large numbers on Ducie, Oeno and on<br />
spinosa Edwards, 1837 crab (terrestrial)<br />
Henderson (R.A. Irving, pers. obs.).<br />
Birgus latro (Linnaeus, coconut crab DD • • • Larvae spend first 2–3 months in shallow<br />
1767)<br />
(terrestrial)<br />
seawater.<br />
Carpilius (Forsskål, red reef crab NE<br />
convexus 1775)<br />
Carpilius (Linnaeus, spotted reef NE<br />
maculates 1758)<br />
crab<br />
Cardisoma<br />
carnifex<br />
(Herbst, 1796) crab (terrestrial) NE<br />
Macrobrachium (von Martens, ‘freshwater’ NE •<br />
latimanus 1868)<br />
pool shrimp<br />
Jasus<br />
Webber & rock lobster NE<br />
caveorum Booth, 1995<br />
Panulirus (Olivier, 1791) pronghorn or LC • •? Occurs at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> and possibly at<br />
penicillatus<br />
red spiny lobster<br />
Henderson (uncertain which species is<br />
present at Henderson).<br />
Panulirus Reed, 1954 spiny lobster DD • •? Poupin, J., 2011 and Palomares et al.,<br />
pascuensis<br />
2011. Besides <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (and possibly<br />
Henderson), known only from Easter<br />
Island and Austral <strong>Islands</strong> (French<br />
Polynesia).<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Scyllarides<br />
haanii<br />
Metapenaeopsis<br />
velutina<br />
Carupa<br />
tenuipes<br />
Thalamita<br />
admete<br />
Thalamita<br />
auauensis<br />
Notopoides<br />
latus<br />
Trapezia<br />
areolata<br />
Trapezia<br />
tigrina<br />
Etisus<br />
laevimanus<br />
de Haan, 1841 Aesop slipper<br />
lobster<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> 67<br />
Notes<br />
LC • Caught at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> using baited traps<br />
(T. Dawson, pers. obs.). Possibly S.<br />
squammosus (Götesson, 2012)<br />
(Dana, 1852) velvet shrimp NE J. Poupin, 2011 & Palomares et al., 2011.<br />
Dana, 1852 violet-eyed<br />
swimming crab<br />
NE J. Poupin, 2011.<br />
(Herbst, 1803) swimming crab NE J. Poupin (2011) & Palomares et al.<br />
(2011).<br />
Rathburn,<br />
1906<br />
swimming crab NE J. Poupin, 2011.<br />
Henderson,<br />
1888<br />
spanner crab NE J. Poupin, 2011 & Palomares et al., 2011;<br />
Dawson & Yaldwyn, 2002. Recorded from<br />
Ducie.<br />
Dana, 1852 guard crab NE J. Poupin, 2011.<br />
Eydoux &<br />
Souleyet, 1842<br />
red-spotted<br />
guard crab<br />
Randall, 1840 smooth spooner<br />
crab<br />
NE J. Poupin, 2011 & Palomares et al., 2011.<br />
NE Palomares et al., 2011.<br />
Ocypode sp. ghost crab NE • R.A. Irving, pers. obs.<br />
Grapsus<br />
tenuicrustatus<br />
Class Maxillopoda<br />
Euraphia<br />
hembeli<br />
Nesochthamalus<br />
intertextus<br />
Rehderella<br />
belyaevi<br />
Tetraclitella<br />
divisa<br />
(Herbst, 1783) Sally Lightfoot<br />
crab<br />
NE • • • Rehder & Randall, 1975 – Ducie records;<br />
R.A. Irving – Henderson and <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
records (pers. obs. from 1991).<br />
Conrad, 1837 Hembel’s rock<br />
barnacle<br />
NE<br />
(Darwin, 1854) purple rock<br />
barnacle<br />
NE<br />
barnacle NE Name not recognised by WoRMS<br />
database.<br />
(Nilsson-<br />
Cantell, 1921)<br />
barnacle NE<br />
goose barnacle<br />
indet.<br />
• • R.A. Irving, pers. obs.<br />
Class Ostracoda<br />
Macrocyprina<br />
maculata<br />
NE<br />
Cy<strong>the</strong>relloidea<br />
fijiensis<br />
(Brady) 1880 NE<br />
Neonesidea<br />
apostasies<br />
NE Endemic<br />
Neonesidea<br />
blighi<br />
NE<br />
Neonesidea<br />
supercaudata<br />
NE<br />
Neonesidea<br />
tenera<br />
(Brady) 1886 NE<br />
Triebelina<br />
sertata<br />
(Triebel) 1948 NE<br />
Anchistrocheles<br />
fumata<br />
(Brady) 1890 NE<br />
Cy<strong>the</strong>roma<br />
aphanes<br />
NE<br />
Tenedocy<strong>the</strong>re<br />
apios<br />
NE<br />
Tenedocy<strong>the</strong>re<br />
stasiotes<br />
NE<br />
Tenedocy<strong>the</strong>re<br />
transoceanica<br />
(Teeter) 1975 NE
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
68<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
<strong>The</strong>sceloscy<strong>the</strong>re labyrinthos NE<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore Notes<br />
Loxoconcha dictyoklostos NE Endemic<br />
Loxoconcha<br />
NE<br />
hendersonislandensis<br />
Loxochonchella<br />
NE<br />
catarrhopos<br />
Loxocorniculum<br />
NE<br />
mayburyae<br />
Keijia demissa NE<br />
Kotoracy<strong>the</strong>re<br />
inconspicua<br />
(Brady) 1880 NE<br />
Peripontocypris<br />
magnafurcata<br />
NE<br />
Cletocy<strong>the</strong>reis<br />
rastromarginata<br />
(Brady) 1880 NE<br />
Cletocy<strong>the</strong>reis watsonae NE<br />
Xestoleberis entrichos NE<br />
Xestoleberis insolanos NE<br />
Xestoleberis kyrtonos NE<br />
Xestoleberis<br />
macrocicatrigosa<br />
(Titterton)<br />
1984<br />
Xestoleberis macrorhinos NE<br />
Xestoleberis polys NE<br />
NE<br />
Ambostracon sp. nov. NE New genus<br />
Loxocorniculum sp. nov. NE New genus<br />
Pseudocaudites sp. nov. NE New genus<br />
Australimoosella sp. NE New species<br />
Chejudocy<strong>the</strong>re sp. NE New species<br />
Cyprideis sp. NE New species<br />
Cy<strong>the</strong>relloidea sp. 1 NE New species<br />
Cy<strong>the</strong>relloidea sp. 2 NE New species<br />
Cy<strong>the</strong>rois sp. NE New species<br />
Loxoconcha sp. NE New species<br />
Neonesidea sp. 1 NE New species<br />
Neonesidea sp. 2 NE New species<br />
Neonesidea sp. 3 NE New species<br />
Paracy<strong>the</strong>ridea sp. NE New species<br />
Paradoxostoma sp. 1 NE New species<br />
Paradoxostoma sp. 2 NE New species<br />
Pellucistoma sp. NE New species<br />
Xestoleberis sp. 1 NE New species<br />
Xestoleberis sp. 2 NE New species<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Phylum BRACHIOPODA Refs.<br />
Terebratella<br />
crenulata<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> 69<br />
Notes<br />
NE Palomares et al. (2011)<br />
Phylum MOLLUSCA Refs. Preece, 1995a; SeaLifeBase, 2011; Paulay, 1989.<br />
Class: Bivalvia – Order: Mytiloida<br />
Botula fusca (Gmelin, 1791) NE •<br />
Modiolus<br />
auriculatus<br />
Krauss, 1848 NE •<br />
Modiolus matris Pilsbry, 1921 NE • •<br />
Septifer bryanae (Pilsbry, 1921) NE •<br />
Class: Bivalvia – Order: Arcoida<br />
Acar plicata (Dillwyn, 1817) NE • •<br />
Arca patriarchalis Röding, 1798 NE • • Originally recorded by Preece (1995a)<br />
as Arca avellana Lamarck, 1819.<br />
Barbatia parva (Sowerby, 1833) NE • • • •<br />
Barbatia plicata (Dillwyn, 1817) NE Recorded as Acar plicata by Preece<br />
(1995a).<br />
Cosa n. sp. Recorded by Preece (1995a). Still<br />
undescribed so far as is known.<br />
Class: Bivalvia – Order: Pterioida<br />
Atrina vexillum NE Not listed by Preece (1995a).<br />
Pinna muricata NE Not listed by Preece (1995a).<br />
Streptopinna<br />
saccata<br />
Pinctada<br />
maculata<br />
Pinctada<br />
margaritifera<br />
Isognomon<br />
anomioides<br />
Isognomon<br />
perna<br />
Isognomon<br />
rupella<br />
Class: Bivalvia – Order: Ostreoida<br />
(Linnaeus, 1758) NE •<br />
(Gould, 1850) NE • • •<br />
(Linnaeus, 1758) pearl oyster NE • • •<br />
(Reeve, 1858) NE •<br />
(Linnaeus, 1758) NE • • •<br />
(Dufo, 1840) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Chlamys<br />
coruscans<br />
(Hinds, 1845) NE • • • •<br />
Chlamys sp. - NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Excellichlamys<br />
spectabilis<br />
parva<br />
Gloripallium<br />
pallium<br />
Gloripallium<br />
spiniferum<br />
Mirapecten<br />
mirificus<br />
Mirapecten<br />
sp.<br />
Semipallium<br />
sp.<br />
Chlamydella<br />
cf. incubata<br />
Spondylus<br />
nicobaricus<br />
Spondylus<br />
violascens<br />
70<br />
(Sowerby I,<br />
1835)<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
NE •<br />
(Sowerby I,<br />
1835)<br />
NE •<br />
(Reeve, 1853) NE •<br />
Notes<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
- NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Hayami &<br />
Kase, 1993<br />
Schriebers,<br />
1793<br />
Lamarck, 1819 NE • •<br />
NE Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE •<br />
Spondylus sp. - NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Class: Bivalvia – Order: Limoida<br />
Lima bullifera Deshayes,<br />
1863<br />
NE • •<br />
Lima lima NE Not listed by Preece (1995a).<br />
Lima vulgaris (Link, 1807) NE • •<br />
Limatula sp. - • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Ostrea sp. NE Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Hyotissa hyotis (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
NE •<br />
Dimyella n. sp.<br />
Class: Bivalvia – Order: Veneroida<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Chama<br />
asperella<br />
Lamarck, 1819 NE • •<br />
Chama<br />
iostoma<br />
NE Not listed by Preece (1995a).<br />
Chama<br />
limbula<br />
Lamarck, 1819 NE • • •<br />
Chama<br />
spinosa<br />
Broderip, 1835 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011)<br />
Chama sp. - NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011)<br />
Ctena bella (Conrad,<br />
1837)<br />
NE • • • •<br />
Codakia<br />
punctata<br />
Codakia<br />
tigerina<br />
Anodontia<br />
hawaiensis<br />
‘Parvilucina’ n.<br />
gen. in prep.<br />
Pillucina<br />
pacifica<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
(Dall, Bartsch<br />
& Rehder,<br />
1938)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011)<br />
NE • • •<br />
NE • • • • Formerly A. edentula.<br />
- NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011). New genus to be<br />
described.<br />
Glover &<br />
Taylor, 2005<br />
NE •<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Pillucina sp. - NE •<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Funafutia<br />
levnkana<br />
(Smith, 1885) NE •<br />
Lasaea sp. NE • •<br />
Marikellia cf.<br />
solida<br />
Montacuta<br />
spp.<br />
Galeomma cf.<br />
macrochisma<br />
Trachycardium<br />
orbitum<br />
Fragum<br />
mundum<br />
Fragum<br />
fragum<br />
Corculum<br />
cardissum<br />
Corculum<br />
dionaeum<br />
Tridacna<br />
maxima<br />
Tridacna<br />
squamosa<br />
Tellina<br />
scobinata<br />
Tellinella<br />
crucigera<br />
Tellina<br />
?bougei<br />
Tellina<br />
euglypta<br />
Tellina<br />
(Pinguitellina)<br />
sp.<br />
Loxoglypta<br />
rhomboides<br />
Angas, 1877 NE •<br />
Deshayes,<br />
1856<br />
(Sowerby,<br />
1833)<br />
NE • •<br />
NE •<br />
(Reeve, 1845) NE • •<br />
(Broderip<br />
& Sowerby,<br />
1829)<br />
(Röding, 1798) LR/<br />
CD<br />
• • •<br />
Lamarck, 1819 LR/<br />
CD<br />
• • •<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
NE • •<br />
Lamarck, 1818 NE •<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> 71<br />
Notes<br />
NE • Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as T.<br />
orbita.<br />
NE Not listed by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE Not listed by Preece (1995a) but listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • • Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(G.B. Sowerby<br />
III, 1909)<br />
NE • Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Gould, 1861 NE • • Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
- NE • Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Quoy &<br />
Gaimard,<br />
1835)<br />
NE • Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Cadella semen Hanley, 1844 NE • Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Asaphis<br />
violascens<br />
Semele<br />
australis<br />
Semelangulus<br />
crebrimaculata<br />
Ervilia<br />
bisculpta<br />
Rochefortina<br />
sandwichensis<br />
Lonoa<br />
hawaiensis<br />
Trapezium<br />
oblongum<br />
Globivenus<br />
toreuma<br />
Periglypta<br />
reticulata<br />
(Forsskåll,<br />
1775)<br />
NE • Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Sowerby,<br />
1832)<br />
NE • • •<br />
(Sowerby,<br />
1868)<br />
NE • •<br />
(Gould, 1861) NE • •<br />
(Smith, 1885) NE • • Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Dall, Bartsch &<br />
Rehder, 1938<br />
NE • Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
NE • • •<br />
(Gould, 1850) NE • Used to be known as Venus toreuma.<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
NE • •
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Dorisca cf.<br />
cookei<br />
72<br />
Dall, Bartsch &<br />
Rehder, 1938<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
NE •<br />
Hiatella arctica (Linnaeus,<br />
1767)<br />
NE •<br />
Quidnipagus<br />
palatam<br />
(Iredale, 1929) NE Not listed by Preece (1995a).<br />
Class: Bivalvia – Order: Myoida<br />
Martesia<br />
striata<br />
NE Not listed by Preece (1995a).<br />
Lyrodus<br />
pedicellatus<br />
Class: Cephalopoda – Order: Octopoda<br />
NE Not listed by Preece (1995a).<br />
‘Octopus’<br />
oliveri<br />
Argonauta<br />
argo<br />
(Berry, 1914) <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>’<br />
octopus<br />
(Pitkern: catfish,<br />
though<br />
known as pulu<br />
when used as<br />
bait)<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
Class: Cephalopoda – Order: Teuthida<br />
S<strong>the</strong>noteuthis<br />
oualaniensis<br />
Onychoteuthis<br />
banksii<br />
Thysanoteuthis<br />
rhombus<br />
Class: Polyplacophora<br />
Onithochiton<br />
lyellii<br />
greater<br />
argonaut<br />
Lesson, 1830 purpleback<br />
flying squid<br />
Lichtenstein,<br />
1818<br />
common<br />
clubhook squid<br />
Troschel, 1857 diamondback<br />
squid<br />
(Sowerby<br />
in Broderip<br />
& Sowerby,<br />
1832)<br />
Class: Gastropoda – Superorder: Archaeogastropoda<br />
Patella<br />
flexuosa<br />
Cellana<br />
taitensis<br />
Scutellastra<br />
flexuosa<br />
Patelloida aff.<br />
chamorrorum<br />
Patelloida<br />
conoidalis<br />
Haliotis<br />
pulcherrima<br />
Sinezona<br />
plicata<br />
Sinezona<br />
“micr<strong>of</strong>erriezi”<br />
n. sp.<br />
Quoy &<br />
Gaimard, 1834<br />
(Röding, 1798) NE •<br />
(Quoy &<br />
Gaimard,<br />
1834)<br />
Lindberg &<br />
Vermeij, 1985<br />
Notes<br />
NE • • Thought to have been a new species<br />
in 1991 (see Preece, 1995) but which<br />
has since been determined, though <strong>the</strong><br />
genus still remains in doubt. Not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Not listed by Preece (1995a). A species <strong>of</strong><br />
pelagic octopus.<br />
NE • Not listed by Preece (1995a). <strong>The</strong> most<br />
abundant large squid in <strong>the</strong> tropical and<br />
subtropical waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Indo-Pacific<br />
region.<br />
NE • Not listed by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE • Not listed by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE • Not listed by Preece (1995a) who lists<br />
O. cf. societatis Thiele, 1910.<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Pease, 1868) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Gmelin, 1791 NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Hedley, 1899) NE • Added by R. Preece (pers. comm.).<br />
Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
- NE • Added by R. Preece (pers. comm.).<br />
Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Sinezona sp. - NE • Added by R. Preece (pers. comm.).<br />
Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Sinezona cf.<br />
zimmeri<br />
Emarginula cf.<br />
dilecta<br />
Diodora<br />
granifera<br />
Geiger, 2003 NE • Added by R. Preece (pers. comm.).<br />
Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
A. Adams,<br />
1852<br />
NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Pease, 1861) NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Species<br />
Broderipia<br />
iridescens<br />
Cantharidus<br />
marmoreus<br />
Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Euchelus cf.<br />
atratus<br />
Pseudostomatella<br />
speciosa<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
73<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
(Broderip, 1834) NE •<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
(Pease, 1867) NE • • •<br />
Notes<br />
(Gmelin, 1791) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(A.Adams, 1850) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Stomatella auricula (Lamarck, 1816) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Stomatella<br />
tuberculata<br />
(A.Adams, 1850) NE Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Stomatia sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Synaptocochlea<br />
concinna<br />
Turbo<br />
argyrostomus<br />
(Gould, 1845) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Linnaeus, 1758 NE • • • •<br />
Turbo petholatus Linnaeus, 1758 NE • • •<br />
Astralium<br />
confragosum<br />
Collonista<br />
maculosus<br />
(Gould, 1849) NE • •<br />
(Pease, 1863) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Collonista sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
New genus and<br />
species<br />
NE • Belonging to <strong>the</strong> family Liotininae.<br />
Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Tricolia variabilis (Pease, 1861) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Cyclostremiscus<br />
emeryi<br />
Leucorhynchia cf.<br />
rotatum<br />
(Ladd, 1966) NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Hedley, 1899 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Leucorhynchia sp.<br />
Class: Gastropoda – Superorder: Neritopsina<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Neritopsis radula (Linnaeus, 1758) NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Nerita lirellata Rehder, 1980 NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
not by Preece (1995a).<br />
Nerita morio (Sowerby, 1833) NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Nerita plicata Linnaeus, 1758 NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Nerita polita Linnaeus, 1758 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Phenacolepas<br />
scobinata<br />
(Gould, 1859) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Phenacolepas sp.<br />
Class: Gastropoda – Superorder: Caenogastropoda<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Littoraria coccinea (Gmelin, 1791) NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Echinolittorina<br />
pascua<br />
(Rosewater,<br />
1970)<br />
NE • • • Nodilittorina pascua listed by Preece<br />
(1995a); not listed by Palomares et al.<br />
(2011).
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
74<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Eatonina sp. NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Eatoniella sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Alvinia isolata (Laseron,<br />
1956)<br />
Notes<br />
NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Stosicia chiltoni (Oliver, 1914) NE • •? • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Stosicia sp. cf.<br />
hiloense<br />
Merelina<br />
wanawana<br />
(Pilsbry &<br />
Vanatta, 1908)<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Kay, 1979) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Rissoina ambigua (Gould, 1849) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Rissoina<br />
cerithiiformis<br />
Rissoina costata A. Adams,<br />
1851<br />
Rissoina<br />
fratercula<br />
Rissoina<br />
heroensis<br />
Rissoina<br />
tenuistriata<br />
Rissoina<br />
schubelae<br />
Tryon, 1887 NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Sleurs &<br />
Preece, 1994<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Laseron, 1956 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Pease, 1867 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Sleurs &<br />
Preece, 1994<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Zebina bidentata (Philippi, 1845) NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Zebina sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Parashiela sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Pusillina<br />
marmorata<br />
Astrosansonia<br />
dautzenbergi<br />
Lophocochlias<br />
minutissimus<br />
Lophocochlias<br />
sp.<br />
Sansonia cf.<br />
halligani<br />
(Hedley, 1907) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Bavay, 1917) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Pilsbry, 1921) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE •? • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Hadley, 1899) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Sansonia n. sp. 1 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Sansonia n. sp. 2 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Caecum<br />
maculata<br />
Caecum<br />
attenuatum<br />
Caecum<br />
glabellum<br />
Caecum<br />
glabriformis<br />
Habe, 1963 NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Folin, 1879 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Carpenter in<br />
Adams, 1868<br />
Carpenter,<br />
1857<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Caecum gulosum Hedley, 1899 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Caecum<br />
cf. trachea<br />
obsoletum<br />
Carpenter,<br />
1858<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Caecum sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
75<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Parastrophia sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Hinea brasiliana Lamarck, 1822 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Hinea niger Quoy &<br />
Gaimard, 1834<br />
Notes<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Angiola fasciata (Pease, 1868) NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Fossarus cumingii (A.Adams,<br />
1855)<br />
Fossarus cf.<br />
garretti<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Pease, 1868 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Fossarus sp. NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
cf. Bittium<br />
impendens<br />
(Hedley, 1899) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Bittium zebrum (Kiener, 1841) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Pseudovertagus<br />
clava<br />
Rhinoclavis<br />
articulata<br />
Rhinoclavis<br />
gemmatus<br />
Rhinoclavis<br />
sinensis<br />
Cerithium<br />
punctatum<br />
Cerithium<br />
atromarginatum<br />
Cerithium<br />
columna<br />
Cerithium cf.<br />
dialeucum<br />
Cerithium<br />
echinatum<br />
Cerithium<br />
egenum<br />
Cerithium<br />
interstriatum<br />
Cerithium<br />
nesioticum<br />
(Adams &<br />
Reeve, 1850)<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Hinds, 1844) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Gmelin, 1791) NE Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Bruguière,<br />
1792)<br />
Dautzenberg<br />
& Bouge,<br />
1933<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Sowerby, 1834 NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Philippi, 1849) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1822)<br />
NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Gould, 1849 NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Sowerby, 1855 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Pilsbry &<br />
Vanatta, 1906<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Royella sinon (Bayle, 1880) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Cerithidium cf.<br />
perparvulum<br />
(Watson,<br />
1886)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Finella sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Plesiotrochus cf.<br />
unicinctus<br />
Dendropoma<br />
maxima<br />
Petaloconchus<br />
sp.<br />
cf. Thylaeodus<br />
sp.<br />
cf. Serpulorbis<br />
sp.<br />
(A. Adams,<br />
1853)<br />
(Sowerby,<br />
1825)<br />
tubicolous<br />
vermetid<br />
NE • •? Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Tridentarius<br />
dentatus<br />
Gibberulus<br />
gibberulus<br />
Canarium<br />
maculatum<br />
Strombus<br />
mutabilis<br />
Harpago<br />
chiragra<br />
Lambis<br />
chiragra<br />
Lambis<br />
truncata<br />
Cheilea<br />
equestris<br />
Vanikoro<br />
?acuta<br />
Vanikoro<br />
cancellata<br />
Vanikoro<br />
plicata<br />
76<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
(G.B. Sowerby<br />
II, 1842)<br />
Swainson,<br />
1821<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
(Humphrey,<br />
1786)<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as<br />
Strombus dentatus, but not listed by<br />
Preece (1995a).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as<br />
Strombus gibberulus but not listed by<br />
Preece (1995a).<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) as Strombus<br />
maculatus and by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Recluz, 1844) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1822)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Recluz, 1844) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Vanikoro sp. NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Sabia conica (Schumacher,<br />
1817)<br />
Hipponix<br />
conicus<br />
Cypraea<br />
annulus<br />
Maurita<br />
arabica<br />
Arestorides<br />
argus<br />
Erosaria<br />
bernardi<br />
Cypraea<br />
bistrinotata<br />
Lyncina<br />
leviathan<br />
bouteti<br />
Cypraea<br />
caputserpentis<br />
Lyncina<br />
carneola<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
(Richard,<br />
1974)<br />
(Schilder &<br />
Schilder, 1937)<br />
(Burgess &<br />
Arnette, 1981)<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Lyncina lynx (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Lyncina vitellus (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Cypraea<br />
childreni<br />
Cypraea<br />
cicercula<br />
Cypraea<br />
cumingii<br />
Cypraea<br />
dillwyni<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • • Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) and<br />
listed by Preece (1995a) as Hipponix spp.<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as<br />
Cypraea arabica but not listed by Preece<br />
(1995a).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as<br />
Cypraea argus but not listed by Preece<br />
(1995a).<br />
NE • Listed by Palomares et al. (2011). Listed by<br />
Preece (1995a) as Cypraea bernardi<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as<br />
Cypraea bouteti but not listed by Preece<br />
(1995a).<br />
NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as<br />
Cypraea carneola but not listed by Preece<br />
(1995a).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
Gray, 1825 NE • • Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Sowerby, 1832 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Schilder, 1922 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Erosaria erosa (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Cypraea<br />
fimbriata<br />
Cypraea<br />
globulus<br />
Cypraea<br />
goodalli<br />
Cypraea<br />
helvola<br />
Cypraea<br />
irrorata<br />
Cypraea<br />
isabella<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
77<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as<br />
Cypraea erosa but not listed by Preece<br />
(1995a).<br />
Gmelin, 1791 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Sowerby, 1832 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Gray, 1828 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
Cypraea lynx Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
Cypraea<br />
maculifera<br />
Cypraea<br />
mappa<br />
Cypraea<br />
moneta<br />
Cypraea<br />
poraria<br />
Cypraea<br />
schilderorum<br />
Cypraea<br />
scurra<br />
Cypraea<br />
subterres<br />
Cypraea<br />
testudinaria<br />
(Schilder,<br />
1932)<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Iredale, 1939 NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Gmelin, 1791 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Weinkauff,<br />
1881<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
Cypraea tigris Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
Cypraea<br />
ventriculus<br />
Cypraea<br />
vitellus<br />
Talostolida<br />
subteres<br />
Cribrarula<br />
cumingii<br />
Mauritia<br />
depressa<br />
Pustularia<br />
cicercula<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
Lamarck, 1810 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
(Weinkauff,<br />
1881)<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
Sowerby, 1832 NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
(J.E. Gray,<br />
1824)<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Talparia talpa (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
Trivia edgari Shaw, 1990 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Trivia<br />
hordacea<br />
Kiener, 1845 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Trivia spp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Trivirostra<br />
exigua<br />
cf. Erato<br />
sandwicensis<br />
Mammilla<br />
simiae<br />
(Gray, 1831) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Pease, 1860 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Deshayes,<br />
1838)<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Mammilla<br />
melanostoma<br />
Natica<br />
gualteriana<br />
Natica cernica Jousseaume,<br />
1874<br />
Natica cf.<br />
arachnoidea<br />
Tectonatica<br />
bougei<br />
Notocochlis<br />
cernica<br />
Notocochlis<br />
gualteriana<br />
Polinices<br />
mammilla<br />
78<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
(Gmelin, 1791) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Recluz, 1844 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE •? • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Gmelin, 1791) NE • •? Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Sowerby,<br />
1908)<br />
(Jousseaume,<br />
1874)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
(Récluz, 1844) NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Tonna perdix (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Malea pomum (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Casmaria<br />
erinaceus<br />
Charonia<br />
tritonis<br />
Cymatium<br />
aquatile<br />
Cymatium<br />
muricinum<br />
Cymatium<br />
nicobaricum<br />
Monoplex<br />
pilearis<br />
Distorsio<br />
pusilla<br />
Bursa<br />
cruentata<br />
Bursa<br />
granularis<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1767<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
(Reeve, 1844) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Röding, 1798) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Röding, 1798) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as<br />
Cymatium pileare but not listed by Preece<br />
(1995a).<br />
Pease, 1861 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Sowerby,<br />
1841)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Röding, 1798) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Bursa latituda Garrard, 1961 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
‘Cerithiopsis’<br />
spp.<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Metaxia spp. NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Liniphora spp. NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Janthina<br />
janthina<br />
Janthina<br />
prolongata<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
(de Blainville,<br />
1822)<br />
NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Recluzia johnii (Holten, 1802) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Epitonium<br />
replicatum<br />
Gyroscala<br />
lamellosa<br />
Melanella<br />
cumingii<br />
Pyramidelloides<br />
spp.<br />
(Sowerby,<br />
1844)<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1822)<br />
(A.Adams,<br />
1854)<br />
NE • •? Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
79<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Balcis spp. NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Cronia<br />
margariticola<br />
Maculotriton<br />
bracteatus<br />
Maculotriton<br />
serriale<br />
Phyllocoma<br />
convoluta<br />
Drupa<br />
clathrata<br />
(Broderip,<br />
1833)<br />
Notes<br />
NE • •? • •? Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Hinds, 1844) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Deshayes,<br />
1834)<br />
(Broderip,<br />
1833)<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1816)<br />
Drupa elegans (Broderip<br />
& Sowerby,<br />
1829)<br />
Drupa<br />
grossularia<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Röding, 1798 NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Drupa morum Röding, 1798 NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Drupa ricinus (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Drupa<br />
speciosa<br />
Drupella<br />
cornus<br />
Drupella<br />
ochrostoma<br />
Morula<br />
dealbata<br />
Morula<br />
granulata<br />
Morula<br />
nodicostata<br />
NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
(Dunker, 1867) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
(Röding, 1798) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
(Blainville,<br />
1832)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Reeve, 1846) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Duclos, 1832) NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
(Pease, 1868) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Morula parva (Reeve, 1846) NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
Morula<br />
parvissima<br />
Cernohorsky,<br />
1987<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Morula uva Röding, 1798 NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Morula<br />
oparense<br />
Thais aculeata Deshayes<br />
& Milne-<br />
Edwards, 1844<br />
(Melvill, 1912) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
Thais armigera Link, 1807 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Thais<br />
intermedia<br />
(Kiener, 1835) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Thais tuberosa (Röding, 1798) NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
Nassa serta (Bruguière,<br />
1789)<br />
Vexilla<br />
vexillum<br />
Vexilla lineata A.Adams,<br />
1853<br />
Coralliophila<br />
latilirata<br />
Coralliophila<br />
violacea<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
(Gmelin, 1791) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Rehder, 1985 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
(Kiener, 1836) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Quoyula<br />
monodonta<br />
Magilopsis cf.<br />
lamarckii<br />
80<br />
(Blainville,<br />
1832)<br />
(Deshayes,<br />
1863)<br />
Rapa rapa (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Vasum<br />
armatum<br />
Engina cf.<br />
alveolata<br />
Engina<br />
fuscolineata<br />
Engina<br />
rosacea<br />
Prodotia<br />
iostoma<br />
Pisania<br />
decollata<br />
cf. Pisania<br />
gracilis<br />
Caducifer<br />
decapitata<br />
Nassarius<br />
gaudiosus<br />
Nassarius<br />
papillosus<br />
Nassarius<br />
pauperus<br />
Fusinus<br />
gala<strong>the</strong>ae<br />
bountyi<br />
Fusinus<br />
genticus<br />
Latirus<br />
nodatus<br />
Peristernia<br />
nassatula<br />
(Broderip,<br />
1833)<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Kiener, 1836) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
E.A.Smith,<br />
1913<br />
(E.A.Smith,<br />
1913)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Gray, 1834) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Sowerby,<br />
1933)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Reeve, 1846 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Recluz, 1844) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Hinds, 1844) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Gould, 1850) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Rehder &<br />
Wilson, 1975<br />
NE • Carnivourous species present at<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong>, where it is frequenly found in<br />
lobster pots. Listed by Preece (1995a)<br />
and by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Iredale, 1936) NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
not by Preece (1995a).<br />
(Gmelin, 1791) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1822)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Euplica loisae Rehder, 1980 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Euplica turturina (Lamarck,<br />
1822)<br />
Euplica varians (Sowerby,<br />
1834)<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Mitrella rorida (Reeve, 1859) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Pyrene flava (Bruguière,<br />
1789)<br />
Pyrene obtusa (G.B. Sowerby<br />
I, 1832)<br />
Mitrella scripta (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Euplicata<br />
varians<br />
Seminella<br />
virginea<br />
(G.B. Sowerby<br />
I, 1832)<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
not by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as<br />
Pyrene scripta but not listed by Preece<br />
(1995a).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as<br />
Pyrene varians but not listed by Preece<br />
(1995a).<br />
(Gould, 1860) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Zafra spp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Colubraria<br />
nitidula<br />
(Sowerby,<br />
1833)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
81<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Colubraria sp. NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Harpa harpa (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Notes<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Harpa major Röding, 1798 NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
not by Preece (1995a).<br />
Morum<br />
ponderosum<br />
Granula<br />
sandwicensis<br />
Granula spp.<br />
(small)<br />
(Hanley, 1858) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Pease, 1860) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Cystiscus huna Kay, 1979 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Vexillum<br />
cancellarioides<br />
Vexillum<br />
moelleri<br />
Vexillum suavis (Souverbie,<br />
1875)<br />
Anton, 1838 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Kuster, 1840) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Vexillum piceum (Pease, 1860) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Mitra acuminata Swainson,<br />
1824<br />
Mitra<br />
auriculoides<br />
Mitra c<strong>of</strong>fea Schubert &<br />
Wagner, 1829<br />
Mitra<br />
colombelliformis<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Reeve, 1845 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Kiener, 1838 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Mitra coronata Lamarck, 1811 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Mitra<br />
cucumerina<br />
Lamarck, 1811 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Mitra litterata Lamarck, 1811 NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Mitra mitra NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
not by Preece (1995a).<br />
Mitra cf.<br />
lugubris<br />
Swainson,<br />
1821<br />
Mitra pele Cernohorsky,<br />
1970<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Mitra saltata Pease, 1865 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Mitra stictica (Link, 1807) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Mitra testacea Broderip, 1836 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Mitra<br />
pellisserpentis<br />
Ziba<br />
cernohorskyi<br />
Reeve, 1844 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Rehder &<br />
Wilson, 1975<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Iredalea sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Xenuroturris<br />
cingulifera<br />
Lovellona<br />
atramentosa<br />
Mitrolumna<br />
metula<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1822)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Reeve, 1849) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Hinds, 1843) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Mitrolumna<br />
stepheni<br />
Anacithara<br />
cf. decipiens<br />
nervilliana<br />
Anacithara cf.<br />
longispira<br />
Etrema cf.<br />
alphonsiana<br />
82<br />
(Melvill &<br />
Standen,<br />
1897)<br />
(Preston,<br />
1905)<br />
(E.A. Smith,<br />
1879)<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Hervier, 1895 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Etrema sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Eucithara cf.<br />
coronata<br />
Eucithara cf.<br />
dealbata<br />
Eucithara cf.<br />
debilis<br />
Lienardia<br />
apiculata<br />
(Hinds, 1843) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Hervier, 1897 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Pease, 1868) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Montrouzier,<br />
1864)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Lienardia caelata (Garrett, 1873) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Lienardia cf.<br />
compta<br />
Lienardia<br />
crassicostata<br />
Lienardia fallax G. & H. Nevill,<br />
1875<br />
Lienardia<br />
mighelsi<br />
Macteola<br />
interrupta<br />
cf. Daphnella<br />
olyra<br />
Daphnella<br />
flammea<br />
cf. Daphnella<br />
terina<br />
Eucyclotoma cf.<br />
bicarinata<br />
Eucyclotoma<br />
fusiformis<br />
(Reeve, 1845) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Pease, 1860) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Iredale &<br />
Tomlin, 1917<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Reeve, 1846) NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Reeve, 1845 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Hinds, 1843) NE •? • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Melvill &<br />
Standen, 1896<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Pease, 1862) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Garrett, 1873) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Kermia felina (Hinds, 1843) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
cf. Kermia hindsi Reeve, 1843 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Kermia cf. pumila (Mighels,<br />
1845)<br />
Kermia<br />
reeviana<br />
Deshayes,<br />
1863<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Kermia sp. 1 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Kermia sp. 2 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Kermia sp. 3 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Microdaphne<br />
morrisoni<br />
Pseudodaphnella<br />
cf. iospira<br />
Rehder, 1980 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Hervier, 1896 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Tritonoturris<br />
cumingi<br />
Tritonoturris cf.<br />
subrissoides<br />
cf. Elathurella<br />
edychroa<br />
cf. Mangelia<br />
nanisca<br />
Conus<br />
chaldaeus<br />
Conus<br />
coronatus<br />
Conus<br />
cylindraceus<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
83<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
(Powys, 1835) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Hervier, 1897) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Hervier, 1897 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Hervier, 1897 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Röding, 1798) NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Gmelin, 1791 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Broderip &<br />
Sowerby, 1830<br />
Conus ebraeus Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
Notes<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Conus flavidus Lamarck, 1810 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Conus<br />
geographus<br />
Conus<br />
leopardus<br />
Conus<br />
litoglyphus<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Röding, 1798 NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
Hwass, 1792 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Conus lividus Hwass, 1792 NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Conus<br />
magnificus<br />
Conus<br />
marmoreus<br />
Reeve, 1843 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
by Preece (1995a).<br />
Conus miliaris Hwass, 1792 NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Conus nanus Sowerby, 1833 NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Conus<br />
pennaceus<br />
Born, 1778 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Conus rattus Hwass, 1792 NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Conus retifer Menke, 1829 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Conus<br />
sanguinolentus<br />
Conus<br />
sponsalis<br />
Conus<br />
tenuistriatus<br />
Conus<br />
tessulatus<br />
Quoy &<br />
Gaimard, 1834<br />
Conus textile Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
Conus tulipa Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
Conus<br />
vitulinus<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Hwass, 1792 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Sowerby, 1856 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Born, 1778 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Hwass in<br />
Brugière, 1792<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Terebra affinis Gray, 1834 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Oxymeris<br />
areolata<br />
Terebra crenulata (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
(Link, 1807) NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as<br />
Terebra areolata, but not by Preece<br />
(1995a).<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Terebra<br />
maculata<br />
Terebra<br />
subulata<br />
84<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Impages hectica (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Hastula<br />
penicillata<br />
Cantharus<br />
iostomus<br />
Cantharus<br />
undosus<br />
Neocancilla<br />
takiisaoi<br />
Chicoreus<br />
ramosus<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as<br />
Hastula hectica, but not by Preece<br />
(1995a).<br />
(Hinds, 1844) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) and by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
not by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
not by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
not by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
not by Preece (1995a).<br />
Oliva annulata NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
not by Preece (1995a).<br />
Oliva caerulea<br />
Class: Gastropoda – Superorder: Heterostropha<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
not by Preece (1995a).<br />
Orbitestella spp. NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Architectonica<br />
perspectiva<br />
Heliacus<br />
trochoides<br />
Heliacus<br />
infundibuliformis<br />
Psilaxis<br />
radiatus<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Deshayes,<br />
1830<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
not by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Gmelin, 1791) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Röding, 1798) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Rissoella sp. NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Miralda sp. NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Herviera sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Syrnola sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Turbonilla<br />
cornelliana<br />
(Newcomb,<br />
1870)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Pyrgiscus sp. NE • R. Preece, pers. comm. Not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Evalea peasei NE • •? R. Preece, pers. comm. Not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Odostomia spp. NE • • R. Preece, pers. comm. Not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Odostomia (Islea)<br />
sp.<br />
NE • R. Preece, pers. comm. Not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Oscilla sp.<br />
Class: Gastropoda – Superorder: Opisthobranchia<br />
NE • R. Preece, pers. comm. Not listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Pupa cf. solidula Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Cylichna sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
cf. Philina sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
85<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Bulla orientalis Habe, 1950 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) as Bulla cf.<br />
punctulata. Not listed by Palomares<br />
et al. (2011).<br />
Smaragdinella<br />
calyculata<br />
Atys<br />
cylindricus<br />
Atys<br />
semistriata<br />
(Broderip<br />
& Sowerby,<br />
1829)<br />
Notes<br />
NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Helbling, 1779 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Pease, 1860 NE • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Haminoea sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Retusa sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Limacina<br />
bulimoides<br />
(d’Orbigny,<br />
1836)<br />
Limacina lesueuri (d’Orbigny,<br />
1836)<br />
Dolabrifera cf.<br />
fusca<br />
Dolabella<br />
auricularia<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Pease, 1868 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Lightfoot,<br />
1786<br />
Ber<strong>the</strong>llina citrina (Ruppell &<br />
Leuckort,<br />
1831)<br />
wedge sea hare NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
not by Preece (1995a).<br />
NE • Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) and<br />
also by R. Preece (pers. comm.).<br />
Julia exquisita Gould, 1862 NE • • • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Bornella irvingi Edmunds &<br />
Preece, 1996<br />
Phyllobranchillus<br />
orientalis<br />
Peltodoris<br />
fellowsi<br />
Dendrodoris<br />
tuberculosa<br />
Phyllidiella<br />
pustulosa<br />
Phyllidiella<br />
annulata<br />
Glaucus<br />
atlanticus<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) as Bornella<br />
sp., and named by Edmunds & Preece<br />
(1996).<br />
(Kelaart, 1858) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Kay & Young,<br />
1969<br />
(Quoy &<br />
Gaimard,<br />
1832)<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Cuvier, 1804) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Gray, 1853) NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Forster, 1777 NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Melampus flavus (Gmelin, 1791) NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) as<br />
Melampus luteus. Also listed by Preece<br />
(1995a).<br />
Allochroa layardi (H. & A.<br />
Adams, 1855)<br />
NE Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Oncidium sp. NE • Listed by Preece (1995a) but not by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Phylum ECHINODERMATA<br />
Class Echinoidea – sea urchins, etc.<br />
Refs. Paulay, 1989; Palomares et al., 2011; and additions from Irving (1995)<br />
Diadema savignyi (Audouin,<br />
1826)<br />
Diadema<br />
paucispinum<br />
Echinothrix<br />
calamaris<br />
Tripneustes<br />
gratilla<br />
long-spined sea<br />
urchin<br />
(Pallas, 1774) NE •<br />
(Linnaeus,,<br />
1758)<br />
NE • • • Abundant at Henderson, forming large<br />
aggregations between 8–30 m depth.<br />
NE Listed by Palomares et al., 2011.<br />
NE •
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Echinometra<br />
mathaei<br />
Echinometra<br />
oblonga<br />
Echinometra<br />
sp. 1<br />
Echinostrephus<br />
aciculatus<br />
Heterocentrotus<br />
mammillatus<br />
Heterocentrotus<br />
trigonarius<br />
Echinoeus<br />
cyclostomus<br />
Clypeaster sp.<br />
?reticulatus<br />
Mortonia<br />
australis<br />
Brissus<br />
latecarinatus<br />
Metalia<br />
spatangus<br />
86<br />
(de Blainville,<br />
1825)<br />
(de Blainville,<br />
1825)<br />
Matha’s sea<br />
urchin<br />
black oblong<br />
sea urchin<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
NE •<br />
- NE • •<br />
A. Agassiz,<br />
1863<br />
(Linnaeus,,<br />
1758)<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1816)<br />
red slate pencil<br />
urchin<br />
purple slate<br />
pencil urchin<br />
Notes<br />
NE • • Common on reef flat and shallow forereef<br />
(0–9 m) at Henderson.<br />
NE • •<br />
Leske, 1778 NE • •<br />
(Linnaeus,,<br />
1758)<br />
NE •<br />
(Desmoulins,<br />
1835)<br />
NE • •<br />
(Leske, 1778) NE •<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Class Asteroidea – starfish/sea stars, cushion stars, etc.<br />
Asteropecten<br />
polyacanthus<br />
Culcita<br />
novaeguineae<br />
Dactylosaster<br />
cylindricus<br />
Linckia<br />
guildingi<br />
Linckia<br />
laevigata<br />
Linckia<br />
multifora<br />
Ne<strong>of</strong>erdina<br />
cumingi<br />
Ophidiaster<br />
lorioli<br />
Acanthaster<br />
planci<br />
Allostichaster<br />
peleensis<br />
Mueller &<br />
Troschel, 1842<br />
NE • •<br />
Mueller &<br />
Troschel, 1842<br />
NE • •<br />
(Lamarck<br />
1816)<br />
NE •<br />
Gray, 1840 NE •<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
NE •<br />
(Lamarck,<br />
1816)<br />
NE • • •<br />
(Gray, 1840) NE •<br />
Fisher, 1906 NE •<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
NE •B •<br />
Marsh, 1974 NE • •<br />
Class Ophiuroidea – brittlestars, etc.<br />
Amphilimna<br />
tanyodes<br />
Devaney, 1974 NE •<br />
Amphiura<br />
bountyia<br />
Devaney, 1974 NE •<br />
Ophiactis sp. - NE •<br />
Macrophiothrix<br />
demessa<br />
Macrophiothrix<br />
sp.<br />
Ophiarachna<br />
megacantha<br />
Ophiothrix<br />
purpurea<br />
(Lyman, 1861) NE • •<br />
- NE •<br />
NE • • • Lives in crevices on fore-reef from<br />
10–20+ m depth.<br />
NE • • • Particularly abundant at Henderson,<br />
Oeno and Ducie on <strong>the</strong> fore-reef<br />
(0–3 m).<br />
NE • A relatively dense population found<br />
by Paulay on fore-reef at Henderson<br />
10–18 m depth.<br />
NE Not listed by Paulay (1989) but by<br />
Palomares et al., 2011<br />
Martens, 1867 NE •<br />
Species<br />
Ophiocoma<br />
brevipes<br />
Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Ophiocoma<br />
dentata<br />
Ophiocoma cf.<br />
doderleini<br />
Ophiocoma<br />
erinaceus<br />
Ophiocoma<br />
longispina<br />
Ophiocoma<br />
macroplaca<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
87<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Peters, 1851 NE • •<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Mueller &<br />
Troschel, 1842<br />
NE • •<br />
Loriol, 1899 NE •<br />
Mueller &<br />
Troschel, 1842<br />
H.L. Clark,<br />
1917<br />
(H.L. Clark,<br />
1915)<br />
NE • •<br />
NE •<br />
NE •<br />
Ophiocoma pica Mueller &<br />
Troschel, 1842<br />
NE • •<br />
Ophiocoma<br />
pusilla<br />
(Brock, 1888) NE •<br />
Ophiocomella<br />
sexradia<br />
Ophionereis aff.<br />
dubia<br />
Ophionereis<br />
porrecta<br />
Ophiarachna<br />
megacantha<br />
ery<strong>the</strong>ma<br />
Notes<br />
(Duncan,<br />
1887)<br />
NE • •<br />
Mueller &<br />
Troschel,<br />
1842)<br />
NE • Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Lyman, 1860 NE •<br />
Devaney, 1974 NE •<br />
Ophiopeza kingi Devaney, 1974 NE •<br />
Class Holothuroidea – sea cucumbers<br />
Actinopyga<br />
mauritiana<br />
Actinopyga<br />
palauensis<br />
Holothuria<br />
(Halodeima) atra<br />
Holothuria<br />
(Halodeima)<br />
signata<br />
Holothuria<br />
(Lessonothuria)<br />
sp.3<br />
Holothuria<br />
(Micro<strong>the</strong>le)<br />
nobilis<br />
Holothuria<br />
(Platyperona)<br />
difficilis<br />
Holothuria<br />
(Semperothuria)<br />
cinerascens<br />
Holothuria<br />
(Thymiosycia)<br />
arenicola<br />
Holothuria<br />
(Thymiosycia)<br />
hilla<br />
Holothuria<br />
(Thymiosycia)<br />
impatiens<br />
Labidodemas<br />
semperianum<br />
(Quoy &<br />
Gaimard,<br />
1833)<br />
NE •<br />
Panning, 1944 NE •<br />
Jaeger, 1833 NE • • •<br />
Ludwig, 1875 NE • • •<br />
(Selenka,<br />
1867)<br />
NE •<br />
NE • • • •<br />
Semper, 1878 NE • •<br />
(Brandt, 1835) NE •<br />
Semper, 1868 NE •<br />
Lesson, 1830 NE •<br />
(Forsskål,<br />
1775)<br />
NE •<br />
Selenka, 1867 NE •
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Euapta<br />
godeffroyi<br />
Chiridota<br />
hawaiiensis<br />
88<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
(Semper,<br />
1868)<br />
NE • •<br />
Fisher, 1907 NE •<br />
Chiridota sp. - NE •<br />
PISCES (cartilaginous & bony fishes) Refs. Irving et al., 1995; Randall, 1999; Palomares et al., 2011.<br />
Family Carcharhinidae (requiem sharks)<br />
Carcharhinus (Bleeker, 1856) grey reef shark NT • Götesson (2012) reports records <strong>of</strong> grey<br />
amblyrhynchos<br />
reef sharks at <strong>Pitcairn</strong> and Oeno.<br />
Carcharhinus (Snodgrass & Galapagos reef NT • • • Common at Ducie, infrequent at <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
galapagensis Heller, 1905) shark<br />
and rare at Henderson (one individual<br />
seen by G. Wragg in 2008 <strong>of</strong>f SE coast –<br />
G. Wragg, pers. comm.).<br />
Carcharhinus (Poey, 1861) oceanic whitetip VU • Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but<br />
longimanus<br />
shark<br />
not by Randall (1999). One individual<br />
observed by G. Wragg in 1991 2 km to E<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (G. Wragg, pers. comm.).<br />
Carcharhinus (Quoy & blacktip reef NT •<br />
melanopterus Gaimard,<br />
1824)<br />
shark<br />
Prionace (Linnaeus, blue shark NT • Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
glauca 1758)<br />
by Randall (1999).<br />
Galeocerdo (Péron &<br />
tiger shark NT • Listed by Randall (1999) but not by<br />
cuvier Lesueur, 1822)<br />
Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Triaenodon (Rüppell, whitetip reef NT • • • •<br />
obesus 1837)<br />
shark<br />
Family Sphyrnidae (hammerhead sharks)<br />
Sphyrna (Rüppell,<br />
great EN • Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
mokarran 1837)<br />
hammerhead<br />
shark<br />
by Randall (1999).<br />
Family Rhincodontidae (whale sharks)<br />
Rhincodon Smith, 1828 whale shark VU • Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
typus<br />
by Randall (1999).<br />
Family Myliobatidae (eagle rays)<br />
Aetobatus (Euphrasen, spotted eagle NT • Randall (1999) mistakenly lists this species<br />
narinari 1790)<br />
ray<br />
as Aetobatis narinari.<br />
Family Anguillidae (eels)<br />
Anguilla Kaup, 1856 Polynesian NE Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
megastoma<br />
longfinned eel<br />
by Randall (1999).<br />
Family Moringuidae (worm eels)<br />
Moringua - worm eel NE • • • • This species listed by Palomares et al.<br />
ferruginea<br />
(2011). Randall (1999) lists Moringua sp.<br />
Family Chlopsidae (false morays)<br />
Kaupichthys Schultz, 1943 common false NE • •<br />
diodontus<br />
moray<br />
Family Congridae (conger eels)<br />
Ariosoma sp. - • May turn out to be A. marginatum<br />
(Vaillant & Sauvage) (Randall, 1999).<br />
Conger Rüppell, 1830 moustache NE • Identified by Randall (1999) as Conger<br />
cinereus<br />
conger / longfin<br />
African conger<br />
cinereus cinereus.<br />
Family Ophichthidae (snake eels)<br />
Apterichtus - snake eel • Randall (1999) believes this to be an<br />
sp.<br />
undescribed species.<br />
Ichthyapus (Weber & vulture sand eel •<br />
vulturis de Beaufort,<br />
1916)<br />
Leiuranus (Lay &<br />
saddled snake<br />
•<br />
semicinctus Bennett, 1839) eel<br />
Notes<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Scolecenchelys<br />
gymnota<br />
Scolecenchelys<br />
laticaudata<br />
Myrichthys<br />
maculosus<br />
Family Muraenidae (moray eels)<br />
Anarchias<br />
exulatus<br />
Anarchias<br />
seychellensis<br />
Enchelynussa<br />
canina<br />
Gymnothorax<br />
australicola<br />
Gymnothorax<br />
buroensis<br />
Gymnothorax<br />
eurostus<br />
Gymnothorax<br />
fuscomaculatus<br />
Gymnothorax<br />
gracilicauda<br />
Gymnothorax<br />
javanicus<br />
Gymnothorax<br />
kidako<br />
Gymnothorax<br />
melatremus<br />
Gymnothorax<br />
meleagris<br />
Gymnothorax<br />
nasuta<br />
Gymnothorax<br />
pindae<br />
Uropterygius<br />
fuscoguttatus<br />
Uropterygius<br />
inornatus<br />
Uropterygius<br />
kamar<br />
Uropterygius<br />
macrocephalus<br />
Uropterygius<br />
supraforatus<br />
Uropterygius<br />
xanthopterus<br />
(Bleeker, 1857) Indo-Pacific<br />
slender worm<br />
eel<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
89<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
• Originally recorded by Randall (1999) as<br />
Muraenichthys gymnotus.<br />
(Ogilby, 1897) redfin worm eel • • • • Originally recorded by Randall (1999) as<br />
Muraenichthys laticaudata.<br />
(Cuvier, 1816) spotted snake<br />
eel<br />
Reece, Smith<br />
& Holm, 2010<br />
Smith, 1962 Seychelles<br />
moray<br />
(Quoy &<br />
Gaimard,<br />
1874)<br />
Lavenberg,<br />
1992<br />
•<br />
NE •? •? •? •? New species. This species listed by<br />
Palomares et al. (2011). Randall (1999)<br />
lists Anarchias sp.<br />
NE •? •? •? •? It is unclear from Randall (1999) from<br />
which island(s) this species was recorded.<br />
- NE •<br />
- NE • Misidentified as G. panamensis by Rehder<br />
& Randall (1975). New species.<br />
(Bleeker, 1857) latticetail moray • Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
(Abbott, 1861) salt and pepper<br />
moray<br />
NE • • • •<br />
(Schultz, 1953) freckled moray NE • •<br />
Jenkins, 1903 slendertail<br />
moray<br />
NE •<br />
(Bleeker, 1859) giant moray NE • •<br />
(Temminck<br />
& Schlegel,<br />
1846)<br />
Kidako moray • Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
Schultz, 1953 dirty yellow<br />
moray<br />
NE • •<br />
(Shaw, 1795) whitemouth<br />
moray<br />
de Buen, 1961 Easter Island<br />
moray<br />
NE • • •<br />
Smith, 1962 Pinda moray NE •<br />
Schultz, 1953 brown-spotted<br />
snake moray<br />
Gosline, 1958 drab snake<br />
moray<br />
McCosker &<br />
Randall, 1977<br />
Bleeker, 1864 needle-too<strong>the</strong>d<br />
moray<br />
(Regan, 1909) many-too<strong>the</strong>d<br />
snake moray<br />
Family Synodontidae (lizardfishes)<br />
Saurida<br />
flamma<br />
Bleeker, 1859 freckleface reef<br />
eel<br />
Waples, 1982 orangemouth<br />
lizardfish<br />
LC • •<br />
•<br />
• Not listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
barlip reef eel • • New species.<br />
• • •<br />
•<br />
• •<br />
•
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Saurida gracilis (Quoy &<br />
Gaimard,<br />
1824)<br />
Synodus<br />
capricornis<br />
Synodus<br />
variegatus<br />
90<br />
Cressey &<br />
Randall, 1978<br />
(Lacepède,<br />
1803)<br />
Family Antennariidae (frogfishes)<br />
Antennarius<br />
coccineus<br />
Antennatus<br />
tuberosus<br />
graceful<br />
lizardfish<br />
capricorn<br />
lizardfish<br />
variegated<br />
lizardfish<br />
(Lesson, 1831) freckled or<br />
scarlet frogfish<br />
(Cuvier, 1817) tuberculated<br />
frogfish<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
• • • •<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Notes<br />
• New species.<br />
Family Isonidae (surf fishes)<br />
Iso nesiotes Saeed,<br />
Samoan surf<br />
•<br />
Ivants<strong>of</strong>f &<br />
Crowley, 1993<br />
sardine<br />
Family Ophidiidae (cusk eels)<br />
Brotula<br />
Temminck & bearded brotula • •<br />
multibarbata Schlegel, 1846<br />
Family Bythitidae (viviparous brotulas)<br />
Brosmophyciops Schult, 1960 - • • Originally listed as Brosmophysiops<br />
pautzkei<br />
pautzkei by Randall (1999).<br />
Dinematicthys - - Specimens on loan to Yoshihiko<br />
sp.<br />
Machida (Randall, 1999).<br />
Family Carapidae (pearlfishes)<br />
Onuxodon (Smith, 1955) Fowler’s<br />
•<br />
fowleri<br />
pearlfish<br />
Family Belonidae (needlefishes)<br />
Platybelone (Bennett,<br />
keeltail<br />
• • •<br />
argalus platyura 1832)<br />
needlefish<br />
Tylosurus (Peron &<br />
hound<br />
•<br />
crocodilus<br />
crocodilus<br />
Lesueur, 1821) needlefish<br />
Family Hemiramphidae (halfbeaks)<br />
Euleptorhamphus (van Hesselt, ribbon halfbeak • •<br />
viridis<br />
1823)<br />
Hyporhamphus (Gün<strong>the</strong>r, Pacific halfbeak • •<br />
acutus acutus 1861)<br />
Family Exocoetidae (flyingfishes)<br />
Cheilopogon sp. - - •<br />
Cypselurus<br />
pitcairnensis<br />
Exocoetus<br />
obtusirostris<br />
Nichols &<br />
Breder, 1935<br />
Gün<strong>the</strong>r, 1866 blunt-snouted<br />
flyingfish<br />
Exocoetus sp. - - •<br />
•<br />
• First described from specimen caught<br />
at <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
• •<br />
Family Holocentridae (soldierfishes and squirrelfishes)<br />
Myripristis (Castlenau, brick soldierfish • • •<br />
amaena 1873)<br />
Myripristis Jordan &<br />
bigscale<br />
• • •<br />
berndti<br />
Evermann, soldierfish<br />
1903<br />
(Pitkern: ‘ihihi)<br />
Myripristis Greenfield, Randall’s<br />
• New species.<br />
randalli<br />
1974<br />
soldierfish<br />
Myripristis tiki Greenfield,<br />
1974<br />
- • • New species.<br />
Neoniphon (Forsskål,<br />
spotfin<br />
•<br />
sammara 1775)<br />
squirrelfish<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Plectrypops lima (Valenciennes,<br />
1831)<br />
Sargocentron<br />
diadema<br />
Sargocentron<br />
ensifer<br />
Sargocentron<br />
hormion<br />
Sargocentron<br />
lepros<br />
Sargocentron<br />
megalops<br />
Sargocentron<br />
punctatissimum<br />
Sargocentron<br />
spiniferum<br />
Sargocentron<br />
tiere<br />
(Lacepède,<br />
1801)<br />
Jordan &<br />
Evermann,<br />
1903<br />
cardinal<br />
soldierfish<br />
crown<br />
squirrelfish<br />
yellow-striped<br />
squirrelfish<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
91<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
• •<br />
• •<br />
•<br />
Notes<br />
Randall, 1998 - • New species.<br />
(Allen & Cross,<br />
1983)<br />
- • •<br />
Randall, 1998 - • Endemic to Henderson (Randall, 1998).<br />
(Cuvier, 1829) speckled<br />
squirrelfish<br />
(Forsskål,<br />
1775)<br />
sabre<br />
squirrelfish<br />
(Cuvier, 1829) blue-lined<br />
squirrelfish<br />
Family Aulostomidae (trumpetfishes)<br />
Aulostomus<br />
chinesis<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1766)<br />
Family Fistulariidae (cornetfishes)<br />
• • •<br />
• • •<br />
• • • •<br />
trumpetfish • •<br />
Fistularia<br />
commersonii<br />
Rüppel, 1838 cornetfish • • • •<br />
Family Syngnathidae (pipefishes and seahorses)<br />
Cosmocampus<br />
howensis<br />
(Whitley,<br />
1948)<br />
Family Scorpaenidae (scorpionfishes)<br />
Iracundus<br />
signifer<br />
Parascorpaena<br />
macadamsi<br />
Jordan &<br />
Evermann,<br />
1903<br />
Lord Howe’s<br />
pipefish<br />
decoy<br />
scorpionfish<br />
(Fowler, 1938) McAdam’s<br />
scorpionfish<br />
•<br />
• •<br />
Pontinus sp. - - •<br />
Pterois<br />
antennata<br />
Pterois<br />
volitans<br />
Scorpaenodes<br />
hirsutus<br />
Scorpaenopsis<br />
sp.<br />
Sebastapistes<br />
fowleri<br />
Sebastapistes<br />
galatacma<br />
Sebastapistes<br />
mauritiana<br />
Sebastapistes<br />
tinkhami<br />
• •<br />
(Bloch, 1787) spotfin lionfish • • •<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
lionfish • •<br />
(Smith, 1957) hairy<br />
scorpionfish<br />
• •<br />
- scorpionfish<br />
(indet.)<br />
• New species.<br />
(Pietschmann,<br />
1934)<br />
Family Platycephalidae (fla<strong>the</strong>ads)<br />
- • Originally Scorpaenopsis fowleri, but<br />
genus changed in 2002 (see Randall &<br />
Poss, 2002).<br />
Jenkins, 1903 - • •<br />
(Cuvier, 1829) Mauritius<br />
scorpionfish<br />
(Fowler, 1946) darkspotted<br />
scorpionfish<br />
• •<br />
• • •
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Sunagocia<br />
otaitensis<br />
92<br />
(Cuvier, 1829) fringelip<br />
fla<strong>the</strong>ad<br />
Family Caracanthidae (orbicular velvetfishes)<br />
Caracanthus<br />
maculatus<br />
Caracanthus<br />
unipinna<br />
(Gray, 1831) spotted<br />
croucher<br />
(Gray, 1831) pygmy coral<br />
croucher<br />
Family Dactylopteridae (helmet gurnards)<br />
Dactyloptena<br />
orientalis<br />
(Cuvier, 1829) common helmet<br />
gurnard<br />
Family Serranidae (groupers and seabasses)<br />
Cephalopholis<br />
argus<br />
Cephalopholis<br />
spiloparaea<br />
Cephalopholis<br />
urodeta<br />
Epinephelus<br />
fasciatus<br />
Epinephelus<br />
hexagonatus<br />
Bloch &<br />
Schneider,<br />
1801<br />
(Valenciennes,<br />
1828)<br />
(Forster in<br />
Bloch &<br />
Schneider,<br />
1801)<br />
(Forsskål,<br />
1775)<br />
(Forster in<br />
Bloch &<br />
Schneider,<br />
1801)<br />
peacock<br />
grouper<br />
strawberry<br />
grouper<br />
flagtail grouper<br />
/ darkfin<br />
hind (Pitkern:<br />
matapu’u)<br />
blacktip grouper<br />
(Pitkern: red<br />
snapper)<br />
hexagon<br />
grouper<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
• •<br />
Notes<br />
• Originally recorded by Randall (1999)<br />
as Eurycephalus otaitensis.<br />
• •<br />
•<br />
LC • • • •<br />
LC •<br />
LC • • •<br />
LC • • •<br />
LC • •<br />
Epinephelus<br />
lanceolatus<br />
(Bloch, 1790) giant grouper VU • •<br />
Epinephelus merra Bloch, 1793 honeycomb<br />
grouper<br />
LC •<br />
Epinephelus<br />
socialis<br />
Epinephelus<br />
tauvina<br />
Epinephelus<br />
tuamotuensis<br />
Liopropoma<br />
pallidum<br />
Plectranthias<br />
fourmanoiri<br />
Plectranthias<br />
nanus<br />
Plectranthias<br />
winniensis<br />
Plectropomus<br />
laevis<br />
Pseudanthias<br />
mooreanus<br />
Pseudanthias<br />
ventralis<br />
Pseudogramma<br />
australis<br />
Pseudogramma<br />
polyacanthum<br />
(Gün<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
1873)<br />
(Forsskål,<br />
1775)<br />
Fourmanoir,<br />
1971<br />
surge grouper NT • • •<br />
greasy grouper<br />
(Pitkern: fito<br />
cod)<br />
DD • • • •<br />
- LC •<br />
(Fowler, 1938) pallid basslet NE •<br />
Randall, 1980 doublespot<br />
perchlet<br />
NE • New species.<br />
Randall, 1980 dwarf perchlet NE • • New species.<br />
(Tyler, 1966) redblotch<br />
perchlet<br />
(Lacepède,<br />
1801)<br />
Variola louti (Forsskål,<br />
1775)<br />
black-saddled<br />
coral grouper<br />
(Herre, 1935) - • •<br />
NE • • New species.<br />
VU • Observed at Oeno by Randall in<br />
1970/71.<br />
(Randall,<br />
1979)<br />
longfin anthias NE • • • New species.<br />
Randall &<br />
Baldwin, 1997<br />
- • New species.<br />
(Bleeker, 1856) mottled<br />
soapfish<br />
NE • • •<br />
coral trout<br />
(Pitkern: fafaya)<br />
LC • • • •<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Family Kuhliidae (flagtails)<br />
Kulia<br />
marginata<br />
Family Pseudochromidae (dottybacks)<br />
Pseudoplesiops<br />
revellei<br />
Family Priacanthidae (bigeyes)<br />
Heteropriacanthus<br />
cruentatus<br />
(Cuvier, 1829) dark-margined<br />
flagtail<br />
Schultz, 1953 bearded<br />
dottyback<br />
(Lacepède,<br />
1801)<br />
Family Cirrhitidae (hawkfishes)<br />
Amblycirrhitus<br />
bimacula<br />
Amblycirrhitus<br />
wilhelmi<br />
Cirrhitops<br />
hubbardi<br />
Cirrhitus<br />
pinnulatus<br />
Neocirrhites<br />
armatus<br />
Paracirrhites<br />
arcatus<br />
Paracirrhites<br />
forsteri<br />
Paracirrhites<br />
hemistictus<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
93<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
LR/<br />
LC<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
•<br />
• • •<br />
glasseye • •<br />
(Jenkins, 1903) two-spotted<br />
hawkfish<br />
• •<br />
(Lavenberg &<br />
Yáñez, 1972)<br />
hawkfish indet. • • •<br />
(Schultz, 1943) hawkfish indet. • • •<br />
(Forster in<br />
Bloch &<br />
Schneider,<br />
1801)<br />
stocky hawkfish • •<br />
Castlenau,<br />
1873<br />
flame hawkfish • •<br />
(Cuvier, 1829) arc-eye<br />
hawkfish<br />
• • •<br />
(Bloch &<br />
Schneider,<br />
1801)<br />
(Gün<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
1874)<br />
freckled<br />
hawkfish<br />
Half-spotted<br />
hawkfish<br />
Paracirrhites nisus Randall, 1963 - •<br />
Family Apogonidae (cardinalfishes)<br />
Apogon<br />
angustatus<br />
Apogon<br />
caudicinctus<br />
Apogon<br />
kallopterus<br />
Apogon<br />
taeniophorus<br />
(Smith &<br />
Radcliffe,<br />
1911)<br />
Randall &<br />
Smith, 1988<br />
broadstripe<br />
cardinalfish<br />
cardinalfish<br />
indet.<br />
Bleeker, 1856 irridescent<br />
cardinalfish<br />
Regan, 1908 reef-flat<br />
cardinalfish<br />
Apogon sp. - cardinalfish<br />
indet.<br />
Apogon sp. - cardinalfish<br />
indet.<br />
Cercamia cladara Randall &<br />
Smith, 1988<br />
Cheilodipterus<br />
macrodon<br />
Cheilodipterus<br />
quinquelineatus<br />
Gymnapogon<br />
vanderbilti<br />
(Lacepède,<br />
1801)<br />
cardinalfish<br />
indet.<br />
large-too<strong>the</strong>d<br />
cardinalfish<br />
Cuvier, 1828 five-lined<br />
cardinalfish<br />
(Fowler, 1938) Vanderbilt’s<br />
cardinalfish<br />
• • •<br />
• • • •<br />
• •<br />
• •<br />
Notes<br />
• New species<br />
• • •<br />
Specimens passed to D.W. Greenfield<br />
for identification. No records given<br />
by Randall (1999) as to where this<br />
species was caught.<br />
• Undescribed species sent to T.H.<br />
Fraser (Randall, 1999).<br />
• •<br />
Gymnapogon sp. - - • Undescribed species.<br />
Pseudamiops<br />
gracilicauda<br />
(Lachner,<br />
1953)<br />
Family Echeneidae (remoras)<br />
graceful-tailed<br />
cardinafish<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Ph<strong>the</strong>irichthys<br />
lineatus<br />
94<br />
(Menzies,<br />
1791)<br />
Remora remora (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Family Carangidae (jacks)<br />
Carangoides<br />
ferdau<br />
Carangoides<br />
orthogrammus<br />
Caranx<br />
ignobilis<br />
Caranx<br />
lugubris<br />
Caranx<br />
melampygus<br />
(Forsskål,<br />
1775)<br />
(Jordan &<br />
Gilbert, 1881)<br />
slender<br />
suckerfish<br />
common<br />
remora<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
• •<br />
bar jack • • •<br />
yellow-spotted<br />
trevally (Pitkern:<br />
ulwa)<br />
• •<br />
Forsskål, 1775 giant trevally • • •<br />
Poey, 1860 black jack<br />
(Pitkern: ulwa)<br />
• • •<br />
(Cuvier, 1833) bluefin trevally • • • •<br />
Decapterus sp. - - •<br />
Pseudocaranx<br />
dentex<br />
(Bloch &<br />
Schneider,<br />
1801)<br />
Seriola lalandi Valenciennes,<br />
1833<br />
Seriola<br />
rivoliana<br />
Valenciennes,<br />
1833<br />
silver trevally<br />
(Pitkern: <strong>of</strong>e)<br />
yellowtail<br />
kingfish<br />
(Pitkern: kingie)<br />
Almaco jack<br />
/ longfin<br />
yellowtail<br />
• • •<br />
• • •<br />
•<br />
Notes<br />
• No record (from 1899) as to where this<br />
was caught.<br />
Uraspis sp. - jack, indet. • Specimen probably now lost, preidentification<br />
(Randall, 1999).<br />
Family Coryphaenidae (dolphinfishes)<br />
Coryphaena<br />
hippurus<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
Family Lutjanidae (snappers)<br />
Aphareus furca (Lacepède,<br />
1802)<br />
Lutjanus bohar (Forsskål,<br />
1775)<br />
Lutjanus<br />
kasmira<br />
Lutjanus<br />
monostigma<br />
Paracaesio<br />
sordidus<br />
(Forsskål,<br />
1775)<br />
common<br />
dolphinfish /<br />
mahi-mahi<br />
smalltooth<br />
jobfish<br />
twinspot<br />
snapper<br />
bluelined<br />
snapper<br />
(Cuvier, 1828) onespot<br />
snapper<br />
Abe &<br />
Shinohara,<br />
1962<br />
false fusilier<br />
snapper<br />
• • •<br />
• •<br />
• • • •<br />
• •<br />
Family Caesionidae (fusiliers)<br />
Pterocaesio tile (Cuvier, 1830) bluestreak<br />
fusilier<br />
• •<br />
Family Lethrinidae (emperors)<br />
Gnathodentex (Lacepède, yellowspot<br />
• • •<br />
aureolineatus 1802)<br />
emperor<br />
Lethrinus Valenciennes, longfaced<br />
•<br />
olivaceus 1830<br />
emperor<br />
Monotaxis (Forsskål, bigeye emperor • • • •<br />
grandoculis 1775)<br />
Family Mugilidae (mullets)<br />
Neomyxus (Gün<strong>the</strong>r, acute-jawed<br />
• • • •<br />
leuciscus 1871)<br />
mullet<br />
Family Polynemidae (threadfins)<br />
Polydactylus (Valenciennes, sixfeeler<br />
•<br />
sexfilis<br />
1831)<br />
threadfin<br />
(Pitkern: moi)<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
95<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Family Mullidae (goatfishes) (Note that <strong>the</strong> Pitkern name for all goatfishes is be’ard).<br />
Mulloidichthys (Lacepède, yellowstripe<br />
• • • •<br />
flavolineatus 1801)<br />
goatfish<br />
Mulloidichthys (Valenciennes, yellowfin<br />
• • •<br />
vanicolensis 1831)<br />
goatfish<br />
Parupeneus (Lacepède, two-barred<br />
• • • •<br />
bifasciatus 1801)<br />
goatfish<br />
Parupeneus (Lacepède, white-lined<br />
•<br />
ciliatus 1802)<br />
goatfish<br />
Parupeneus (Lacepède, yellowsaddle<br />
• • • •<br />
cyclostomus 1801)<br />
goatfish<br />
Parupeneus (Quoy & multibarred<br />
• • • •<br />
multifasciatus Gaimard,<br />
1825)<br />
goatfish<br />
Parupeneus (Bennett,<br />
sidespot<br />
• •<br />
pleurostigma 1831)<br />
goatfish<br />
Family Pempheridae (sweepers)<br />
Pempheris<br />
otaitensis<br />
(Cuvier, 1831) sweeper • •<br />
Family Kyphosidae (sea chubbs)<br />
Kyphosus Lacepède, drummer, chub<br />
• • • •<br />
bigibbus 1802<br />
(Pitkern: nanwi)<br />
Family Ephippidae (spadefishes)<br />
Platax sp. - • Probably P. orbicularis (Irving et al.,<br />
1995).<br />
Family Chaetodontidae (butterflyfishes)<br />
Chaetodon Forsskål, 1775 threadfin LC • • • •<br />
auriga<br />
butterflyfish<br />
Chaetodon Cuvier, 1831 bluelashed DD Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
bennetti<br />
butterflyfish<br />
by Randall (1999).<br />
Chaetodon Gün<strong>the</strong>r, 1874 black LC • • •<br />
flavirostris<br />
butterflyfish<br />
Chaetodon Cuvier, 1831 lined LC Listed by Palomares et al. (2011) but not<br />
lineolatus<br />
butterflyfish<br />
by Randall (1999).<br />
Chaetodon (Lacepède, racoon LC • • •<br />
lunula<br />
1802)<br />
butterflyfish<br />
Chaetodon Cuvier, 1831 Merten’s LC • • • •<br />
mertensii<br />
butterflyfish<br />
Chaetodon Cuvier, 1831 ornate LC • • • •<br />
ornatissimus<br />
butterflyfish<br />
Chaetodon Kner, 1868 dot-and-dash LC • • • •<br />
pelewensis<br />
butterflyfish<br />
Chaetodon Gray, 1831 fourspot LC • • • •<br />
quadrimaculatus<br />
butterflyfish<br />
Chaetodon Cuvier, 1831 reticulated DD • • •<br />
reticulatus<br />
butterflyfish<br />
Chaetodon Randall, 1975 Smith’s LC • New species. Due to its bold colouration,<br />
smithi<br />
butterflyfish<br />
limited distribution and <strong>the</strong> difficulty <strong>of</strong><br />
(Pitkern:<br />
acquiring live specimens, this species is<br />
Yellow latus)<br />
known to be a target for aquarium fish<br />
collectors.<br />
Chaetodon Cuvier, 1831 Pacific double- LC • Listed by Randall (1999) but not by<br />
ulietensis<br />
saddled<br />
Palomares et al. (2011). <strong>The</strong> commonest<br />
butterflyfish<br />
butterflyfish at Ducie.<br />
Chaetodon Bloch, 1787 teardrop LC • • •<br />
unimaculatus<br />
butterflyfish<br />
Forcipiger Jordan &<br />
long-nosed LC • • •<br />
flavissimus McGregor, 1898 butterflyfish<br />
Forcipiger (Broussonet, big long-nosed LC • •<br />
longirostris 1782)<br />
butterflyfish<br />
Notes
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Hemitaurichthys<br />
multispinosus<br />
Hemitaurichthys<br />
polylepis<br />
Heniochus<br />
chrysostomus<br />
Heniochus<br />
monoceros<br />
Family Pomacanthidae (angelfishes)<br />
Centropyge<br />
flavissima<br />
Centropyge heraldi Woods &<br />
Schultz, 1953<br />
Centropyge<br />
hotumatua<br />
96<br />
Randall, 1975 many-spined<br />
butterflyfish<br />
(Bleeker, 1857) pyramid<br />
butterflyfish<br />
Cuvier, 1831 pennant<br />
bannerfish<br />
Cuvier, 1831 masked<br />
bannerfish<br />
(Cuvier, 1831) lemonpeel<br />
angelfish<br />
Randall &<br />
Caldwell,<br />
1973<br />
Herald’s<br />
angelfish<br />
Hotumatua’s<br />
angelfish<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
LC • New species. Endemic.<br />
LC •<br />
LC • •<br />
LC • •<br />
LC • • • •<br />
LC • •<br />
LC • • • • New species.<br />
Centropyge loricula (Gün<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
1874)<br />
flame angelfish LC • • • •<br />
Genicanthus spinus Randall, 1975 <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
angelfish<br />
LC • • New species.<br />
Genicanthus<br />
watanabei<br />
Pomacanthus<br />
imperator<br />
(Yasuda &<br />
Tominaga,<br />
1970)<br />
Watanabe’s<br />
angelfish<br />
(Bloch, 1787) emperor<br />
angelfish<br />
LC • •<br />
LC • •<br />
Family Pomacentridae (damselfishes)<br />
Abudefduf sordidus Forsskål, 1775 black-spot<br />
sergeant<br />
(Pitkern:<br />
mummy)<br />
• •<br />
Chromis acares Randall &<br />
Swerdl<strong>of</strong>f,<br />
1973<br />
- •<br />
Chromis<br />
Smith, 1960 bronze reef<br />
• • • •<br />
agilis<br />
chromis<br />
Chromis<br />
Randall & Polynesian<br />
• • New species.<br />
bami<br />
McCosker,<br />
1992<br />
chromis<br />
Chromis pamae Randall &<br />
McCosker,<br />
1992<br />
chromis indet. • • • New species.<br />
Chromis vanderbilti (Fowler, 1941) Vanderbilt’s<br />
chromis<br />
• •<br />
Chromis<br />
xanthura<br />
(Bleeker, 1854) black chromis • •<br />
Chrysiptera galba (Allen &<br />
demoiselle<br />
• • • • New species.<br />
Randall, 1974) indet.<br />
Dascyllus flavicaudus H. Randall & yellow-tailed<br />
• • • New species.<br />
Allen, 1977 dascyllus<br />
Dascyllus reticulatus (Richardson, reticulated<br />
•<br />
1846)<br />
dascyllus<br />
Dascyllus<br />
(Rüppel, 1829) three-spot<br />
•<br />
trimaculatus<br />
dascyllus<br />
Plectroglyphidodon Valliant & brighteye<br />
• • •<br />
imparipennis Sauvage,<br />
1875)<br />
damsel<br />
Plectroglyphidodon Fowler & Ball, Johnston<br />
• • •<br />
johnstonianus 1924<br />
damsel<br />
Plectroglyphidodon (Bleeker, 1859) whiteband<br />
• •<br />
leucozona<br />
damsel<br />
Plectroglyphidodon<br />
Phoenixensis<br />
(Schultz, 1943) Phoenix damsel • •<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Pomachromis<br />
fuscidorsalis<br />
Allen &<br />
Randall, 1974<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
97<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
Tahiti damselfish • • • • New species.<br />
Stegastes emeryi (Allen &<br />
Randall, 1974)<br />
Emery’s gregory • • • • New species<br />
Stegastes fasciolatus (Ogilby, 1889) Pacific gregory • • • •<br />
Family Labridae (wrasses)<br />
Anampses<br />
caeruleopunctatus<br />
Rüppell, 1828 blue-spotted<br />
wrasse<br />
LC • • •<br />
Anampses femininus Randall, 1972 feminine wrasse LC • • New species<br />
Anampses twistii Bleeker, 1856 Yellow-breasted<br />
wrasse<br />
•<br />
Bodianus anthioides (Bennett,<br />
1832)<br />
lyretail hogfish LC •<br />
Bodianus<br />
axillaris<br />
(Bennett,<br />
1831)<br />
Bodianus bilunulatus (Lacepède,<br />
1801)<br />
axilspot hogfish LC • • •<br />
saddleback<br />
hogfish<br />
Cheilinus undulatus Rüppell, 1835 humphead<br />
wrasse<br />
Cheilio<br />
inermis<br />
Cirrhliabrus<br />
scottorum<br />
Coris<br />
aygula<br />
(Forsskål,<br />
1775)<br />
Randall & Pyle,<br />
1989<br />
Lacepède,<br />
1801<br />
LC • •<br />
EN • Endangered status worldwide due<br />
to overfishing. Only one individual<br />
seen by Irving et al. (1995) at 30 m<br />
depth at Henderson.<br />
cigar wrasse •<br />
Scott’s wrasse LC • • New species<br />
clown coris<br />
(Pitkern: miti)<br />
LC • • • •<br />
Coris sp. - coris • • A new species to be described by<br />
Randall (1999).<br />
Gomphosus varius Lacepède,<br />
1801<br />
bird wrasse LC • • • •<br />
Halichoeres<br />
margaritaceus<br />
Halichoeres<br />
marginatus<br />
Halichoeres<br />
melasmapomus<br />
Halichoeres<br />
trimaculatus<br />
Hemigymnus<br />
fasciatus<br />
Hologymnosus<br />
annulatus<br />
(Valenciennes,<br />
1839)<br />
weedy surge<br />
wrasse<br />
LC • •<br />
Rüppell, 1835 dusky wrasse LC •<br />
Randall, 1980 black-ear wrasse LC • New species<br />
(Quoy &<br />
Gaimard,<br />
1834)<br />
Labroides bicolor Fowler &<br />
Bean, 1928<br />
Labroides dimidiatus (Valenciennes,<br />
1839)<br />
Labroides<br />
rubrolabiatus<br />
Macropharyngodon<br />
meleagris<br />
Novaculichthys<br />
taeniourus<br />
Oxycheilinus<br />
unifasciatus<br />
three-spot<br />
wrasse<br />
LC •<br />
(Bloch, 1792) barred thicklip<br />
wrasse<br />
LC • • •<br />
(Lacepède,<br />
1801)<br />
ring wrasse LC •<br />
bicolor cleaner<br />
wrasse<br />
bluestreak<br />
cleaner wrasse<br />
LC • •<br />
LC • • • •<br />
Randall, 1958 redlip cleaner<br />
wrasse<br />
LC • • • •<br />
(Valenciennes,<br />
1839)<br />
leopard wrasse LC • • •<br />
(Lacepède,<br />
1801)<br />
rockmover<br />
wrasse<br />
LC •<br />
(Streets, 1877) ringtail wrasse LC • •
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
98<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Oxycheilinus sp. - • An undescribed species awaiting naming<br />
by J.E. Randall, M. Westneat and M.F.<br />
Gomon (Randall, 1999).<br />
Pseudocheilinus<br />
octotaenia<br />
Jenkins, 1901 eightline wrasse LC • • • •<br />
Pseudocheilinus<br />
tetrataenia<br />
Schultz, 1960 fourline wrasse LC • • • •<br />
Pseudocheilinus<br />
citrinus<br />
Randall, 1999 wrasse indet. LC • • <strong>Pitcairn</strong>: type locality<br />
Pseudocheilinus<br />
ocellatus<br />
Randall, 1999 tailspot wrasse LC • New species<br />
Pseudojuloides<br />
atavai<br />
Pseudolabrus<br />
fuentesi<br />
Stethojoulis<br />
bandanensis<br />
Thalassoma<br />
heiseri<br />
Thalassoma<br />
lutescens<br />
Thalassoma<br />
purpureum<br />
Thalassoma<br />
trilobatum<br />
Wetmorella<br />
nigropinnata<br />
Randall &<br />
Randall, 1981<br />
Polynesian<br />
wrasse<br />
Notes<br />
DD • • • New species<br />
(Regan, 1913) wrasse indet.<br />
(Pitkern: Archie)<br />
LC •<br />
(Bleeker, 1851) red-shoulder<br />
wrasse<br />
LC • • •<br />
Randall &<br />
Edwards, 1984<br />
wrasse indet. LC • • • • <strong>Pitcairn</strong>: type locality<br />
(Lay &<br />
Bennett, 1839)<br />
(Forsskål,<br />
1775)<br />
(Lacepède,<br />
1801)<br />
Xyrichthys pavo Valenciennes,<br />
1839<br />
Family Scaridae (parrotfishes)<br />
Calotomus<br />
carolinus<br />
Chlorurus<br />
frontalis<br />
Chlorurus<br />
microrhinus<br />
Chlorurus<br />
sordidus<br />
Leptoscarus<br />
vaigiensis<br />
Scarus<br />
altipinnis<br />
Scarus<br />
forsteni<br />
Scarus<br />
frenatus<br />
Scarus<br />
ghobban<br />
Scarus<br />
longipinnis<br />
sunset wrasse<br />
(Pitkern:<br />
whistling<br />
daughter)<br />
LC • • • •<br />
surge wrasse LC • • • •<br />
Christmas<br />
wrasse (Pitkern:<br />
hu’u’u)<br />
(Seale, 1901) sharpnose<br />
wrasse<br />
(Valenciennes,<br />
1839)<br />
(Valenciennes,<br />
1839)<br />
LC • • •<br />
LC •<br />
blue razorfish • •<br />
stareye<br />
parrotfish<br />
tan-faced<br />
parrotfish<br />
LC •<br />
LC • •<br />
(Bleeker, 1854) steephead<br />
parrotfish<br />
- • • • •<br />
(Forsskål,<br />
1775)<br />
daisy parrotfish LC • •<br />
(Quoy &<br />
Gaimard,<br />
1824)<br />
(Steindachner,<br />
1879)<br />
seagrass<br />
parrotfish<br />
filament-fin<br />
parrotfish<br />
(Bleeker, 1861) rainbow<br />
parrotfish<br />
Lacepède,<br />
1802<br />
bridled<br />
parrotfish<br />
Forsskål, 1775 bluebarred<br />
parrotfish<br />
Randall &<br />
Choat, 1980<br />
Family Pinguipedidae (Sand Perches)<br />
Parapercis<br />
millepunctata<br />
Parapercis<br />
multiplicata<br />
Parapercis<br />
schauinslandii<br />
(Gün<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
1860)<br />
highfin<br />
parrotfish<br />
(Pitkern: ‘uhu)<br />
black-dotted<br />
sandperch<br />
Randall, 1984 Multi-spotted<br />
sandperch<br />
(Steindachner,<br />
1900)<br />
Red-spotted<br />
sandperch<br />
LC •<br />
LC •<br />
LC • • • •<br />
LC •<br />
LC •<br />
LC • • New species. Now recognised as <strong>the</strong><br />
most abundant parrotfish on coral sea<br />
atolls.<br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Family Tripterygiidae (triplefins)<br />
Enneapterygius<br />
ornatus<br />
Enneapterygius<br />
pyramis<br />
Norfolkia<br />
thomasi<br />
Family Creediidae (sand burrowers)<br />
Chalixodytes<br />
tauensis<br />
Crystallodytes<br />
cookei<br />
enderburyensis<br />
Limnichthys<br />
donaldsoni<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
99<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Fricke, 1997 Henderson<br />
triplefin<br />
Fricke, 1994 pyramid triplefin • •<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
• New species. Endemic to <strong>Pitcairn</strong>.<br />
Whitley, 1964 ? • Not listed by Palomeres et al. (2011).<br />
Schultz, 1943 saddled sand<br />
burrower<br />
Schultz, 1943 Cookie’s sand<br />
burrower<br />
Family Ammodytiidae (sand lances)<br />
Ammodytoides<br />
leptus<br />
Schultz, 1940 Donaldson’s<br />
sand burrower<br />
Randall &<br />
Collette, 2000<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> sand<br />
lance<br />
LC •<br />
-<br />
-<br />
•<br />
•<br />
• New species, endemic to <strong>Pitcairn</strong>. Listed<br />
by Randall (1999) as Ammodytes sp.<br />
Family Blenniidae (blennies)<br />
Alticus sp. - - • • New species to be described by J.T.<br />
Williams (Randall, 1999).<br />
Blenniella (Quoy &<br />
picture<br />
• • •<br />
gibbifrons Gaimard,<br />
1824)<br />
rockskipper<br />
Blenniella paula (Bryan & Blue-dashed<br />
•<br />
Herre, 1903) rockskipper<br />
Cirripectes<br />
alboapicalis<br />
(Ogilby, 1899) blenny indet. • • • •<br />
Cirripectes (Fowler & Ball, squiggly blenny •<br />
quagga 1924)<br />
Cirripectes (Valenciennes, Red-speckled<br />
• • •<br />
variolosus 1836)<br />
blenny<br />
Entomacrodus (Regan, 1909) rockskipper<br />
• • •<br />
caud<strong>of</strong>asciatus<br />
indet.<br />
Entomacrodus (Fowler, 1932) tattoo-chin<br />
• •<br />
niuafoouensis<br />
rockskipper<br />
Entomacrodus<br />
r<strong>of</strong>eni<br />
Springer, 1967 - • •<br />
Entomacrodus Bryan & Herre, Seale’s<br />
• •<br />
sealei<br />
1903<br />
rockskipper<br />
Entomacrodus (Valenciennes, Black-spotted<br />
• • •<br />
striatus 1836)<br />
rockskipper<br />
Exallias brevis (Kner, 1968) leopard blenny •<br />
Istiblennius<br />
edentulus<br />
Plagiotremus<br />
tapeinosoma<br />
Praealticus<br />
caesius<br />
Rhabdoblennius<br />
ellipes<br />
Stanulus<br />
seychellensis<br />
(Bloch &<br />
Schneider,<br />
1801)<br />
rippled<br />
rockskipper<br />
(Bleeker, 1857) piano<br />
fangblenny<br />
• • •<br />
(Seale, 1906) - •<br />
(Jordan &<br />
Starks, 1906)<br />
barred-chin<br />
blaenny<br />
Smith, 1959 Seychelles<br />
blenny<br />
Family Gobiesocidae (clingfishes)<br />
Lepadichthys<br />
frenatus<br />
Waite, 1904 - • •<br />
•<br />
• • •<br />
•
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
100<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Pherallodus<br />
indicus<br />
(Weber, 1913) - •<br />
Family Callionymidae (dragonets)<br />
Synchiropus<br />
ocellatus<br />
(Pallas, 1770) ocellated<br />
dragonet<br />
• •<br />
Family Gobiidae (gobies)<br />
Bathygobius<br />
cocosensis<br />
(Bleeker, 1854) Cocos goby •<br />
Bathygobius (Steindachner, cheekscaled<br />
•<br />
cotticeps 1879)<br />
frill-goby<br />
Eviota<br />
Jewett &<br />
spotted<br />
•<br />
albolineata Lachner, 1983 fringefin goby<br />
Gnatholepis (Bleeker, 1853) eyebar goby • • Likely to be a new subspecies (Randall,<br />
cauerensis<br />
1999).<br />
Gobiodon sp. - - •<br />
Hetereleotris sp. - - •<br />
Paragobiodon<br />
sp.<br />
Priolepis<br />
squamogena<br />
Priolepis<br />
semidoliatus<br />
- goby indet. • •<br />
Winterbottom<br />
& Burridge,<br />
1989<br />
(Valenciennes,<br />
1830)<br />
Notes<br />
goby indet. • • Reported from Ducie by Rehder &<br />
Randall (1975) as Quisquilius cinctus.<br />
goby indet. • •<br />
Trimmatom sp. - goby indet. • • • • An undescribed species.<br />
Family Microdesmidae (dartfishes and wormfishes)<br />
Nemateleotris<br />
magnifica<br />
Fowler, 1938 fire dartfish • • •<br />
Ptereleotris (Jordan & scissortail<br />
•<br />
evides<br />
Hubbs, 1925) dartfish<br />
Family Acanthuridae (surgeonfishes)<br />
Acanthurus<br />
achilles<br />
(Shaw, 1803) Achilles tang • •<br />
Acanthurus Bloch & whitespotted<br />
• •<br />
guttatus Schneider,<br />
1801<br />
surgeonfish<br />
Acanthurus (Jenkins, 1903) whitebar<br />
• • • •<br />
leucopareius<br />
surgeonfish<br />
(Pitkern: Letas)<br />
Acanthurus (Forsskål,<br />
brown<br />
• •<br />
nigr<strong>of</strong>uscus 1775)<br />
surgeonfish<br />
Acanthurus Valenciennes, bluelined<br />
•<br />
nigroris 1835<br />
surgeonfish<br />
Acanthurus (Fowler & bluelined<br />
• • •<br />
nubilus Bean, 1929) surgeonfish<br />
Acanthurus (Fowler, 1923) Thompson’s<br />
• • • •<br />
thompsoni<br />
surgeonfish<br />
Acanthurus (Linnaeus,<br />
convict<br />
• • • •<br />
trigostegus 1758)<br />
surgeonfish<br />
Ctenochaetus Randall, 1955 Hawaiian<br />
• • •<br />
hawaiiensis<br />
surgeonfish<br />
Ctenochaetus (Quoy &<br />
striped<br />
• • •<br />
striatus Gaimard,<br />
1825)<br />
bristletooth<br />
Ctenochaetus (Bennett,<br />
goldring<br />
• • • •<br />
strigosus 1828)<br />
britletooth<br />
Naso<br />
(Cuvier, 1829) spotted<br />
• •<br />
brevirostris<br />
unicornfish<br />
Naso<br />
Randall & Bell, grey unicornfish • •<br />
caesius 1992<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Naso<br />
hexacanthus<br />
Naso<br />
lituratus<br />
Naso<br />
unicornis<br />
Zebrasoma<br />
rostratum<br />
Zebrasoma<br />
scopas<br />
Zebrasoma<br />
veliferum<br />
(Bleeker, 1855) blacktongue<br />
unicornfish<br />
(Forster in<br />
Bloch &<br />
Schneider,<br />
1801)<br />
(Forsskål,<br />
1775)<br />
(Gün<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
1873)<br />
orangespine<br />
unicornfish<br />
bluespine<br />
unicornfish<br />
longnose<br />
surgeonfish<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
101<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
• •<br />
• • •<br />
• • •<br />
• •<br />
(Cuvier, 1829) brushtail tang • •<br />
(Bloch, 1797) sailfin tang • •<br />
Family Zanclidae (Moorish idol family)<br />
Zanclus<br />
cornutus<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Family Siganidae (rabbitfishes)<br />
Siganus<br />
argenteus<br />
(Quoy &<br />
Gaimard,<br />
1825)<br />
Family Trichiuridae (cutlassfishes)<br />
Moorish idol • • • •<br />
forktail<br />
rabbitfish<br />
Benthodesmis<br />
sp.<br />
- - •<br />
Family Sphyraenidae (barracudas)<br />
Sphyraena<br />
helleri<br />
Jenkins, 1901 Heller’s<br />
barracuda<br />
Family Gempylidae (snake mackerels)<br />
•<br />
• • •<br />
Gempylus sp. - - •<br />
Family Scombridae (tunas and mackerels)<br />
Acanthocybium<br />
solandri<br />
Katsuwonus<br />
pelamis<br />
Gymnosarda<br />
unicolor<br />
Sarda<br />
chiliensis<br />
lineolata<br />
Thunnus<br />
albacares<br />
(Cuvier, 1831) wahoo<br />
(Pitkern: kuta)<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
(Rüppell,<br />
1836)<br />
Notes<br />
LC •? • •? •? • Reportedly occurs at each island (Steve<br />
Christian, pers. comm.) although<br />
no documented evidence at Oeno,<br />
Henderson or Ducie.<br />
skipjack tuna LC • •<br />
dogtooth tuna NE • • • •? • Reportedly occurs at each island (Steve<br />
Christian, pers. comm.), although no<br />
documented evidence at Ducie.<br />
(Girard, 1858) Pacific bonito LC •? •? •? •? •? Featured on <strong>the</strong> 2007 ‘Ocean Fish’<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> stamp issue and<br />
reportedly occurs at each island (Steve<br />
Christian, pers. comm.). Not listed by<br />
Randall (1999) or <strong>the</strong> SeaLifeBase list<br />
(Palomares et al., 2011).<br />
(Bonnaterre,<br />
1788)<br />
yellowfin tuna<br />
(Pitkern:<br />
yellow-tail)<br />
Thunnus obesus (Lowe, 1839) bigeye tuna VU • •<br />
Thunnus<br />
alalunga<br />
Family Xiphidae (swordfishes)<br />
Xiphias<br />
gladius<br />
Linneaus,<br />
1778<br />
Family Istiophoridae (billfishes)<br />
LR/<br />
LC<br />
•? • •? •? • Reportedly occurs at each island (Steve<br />
Christian, pers. comm.) although<br />
no documented evidence at Oeno,<br />
Henderson or Ducie.<br />
albacore NT • Sea Around Us Project, 2010. In <strong>the</strong><br />
Eastern Pacific, this species occurs as<br />
two populations: from British Columbia<br />
to <strong>the</strong> tip <strong>of</strong> Baja; and from sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
Peru to sou<strong>the</strong>rn Chile. Both <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
populations are trans-Pacific.<br />
swordfish LC • Record derived from 2012 <strong>of</strong>fshore<br />
fishery licence application.
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Makaira<br />
mazara<br />
Tetrapturus<br />
audax<br />
102<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
(Jordan &<br />
Snyder, 1901)<br />
blue marlin NE • Sea Around Us Project, 2010.<br />
(Philippi, 1887) striped marlin NE • Sea Around Us Project, 2010.<br />
Family Bothidae (left-eye flounders)<br />
Bothus<br />
mancus<br />
(Broussonet,<br />
1782)<br />
Family Samaridae (slender flounders)<br />
Samariscus<br />
triocellatus<br />
Family Ballistidae (triggerfishes)<br />
Balistoides<br />
viridescens<br />
Pseudobalistes<br />
fuscus<br />
Rhinecanthus<br />
aculeatus<br />
Rhinecanthus<br />
lunula<br />
Rhinecanthus<br />
rectangulus<br />
Sufflamen<br />
bursa<br />
Sufflamen<br />
fraenatus<br />
Xanthichthys<br />
mento<br />
peacock<br />
flounder<br />
Woods, 1960 three-spot<br />
righteye<br />
flounder<br />
(Bloch &<br />
Schneider,<br />
1801)<br />
(Bloch &<br />
Schneider,<br />
1801)<br />
(Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
Randall &<br />
Steene, 1983<br />
(Bloch &<br />
Schneider,<br />
1801)<br />
(Bloch &<br />
Schneider,<br />
1801)<br />
(Latreille,<br />
1804)<br />
(Jordan &<br />
Gilbert, 1882)<br />
Family Monacanthidae (filefishes)<br />
Aluterus<br />
scriptus<br />
Can<strong>the</strong>rines<br />
dumerilii<br />
Can<strong>the</strong>rines<br />
pardalis<br />
moustache<br />
triggerfish<br />
blue or rippled<br />
triggerfish<br />
Picasso<br />
triggerfish<br />
halfmoon<br />
picass<strong>of</strong>ish<br />
wedge<br />
picass<strong>of</strong>ish<br />
scy<strong>the</strong><br />
triggerfish<br />
masked<br />
triggerfish<br />
crosshatch<br />
triggerfish<br />
(Pitkern: pickpick)<br />
LC • • • •<br />
•<br />
• •<br />
• • •<br />
• •<br />
• • • New species.<br />
• • • •<br />
• • • •<br />
• •<br />
(Osbeck,<br />
1765)<br />
scribbled filefish • •<br />
(Hollard, 1854) barred filefish • • •<br />
(Rüppell,<br />
1837)<br />
Family Ostraciidae (trunkfishes)<br />
Ostracion<br />
meleagris<br />
Shaw, 1796 whitespotted<br />
boxfish<br />
Family Tetraodontidae (pufferfishes)<br />
Arothron<br />
meleagris<br />
Canthigaster<br />
janthinoptera<br />
(Lacepède,<br />
1798)<br />
wire-net filefish • • •<br />
guineafowl<br />
puffer<br />
(Bleeker, 1855) honeycomb<br />
toby<br />
•<br />
• • • •<br />
• •<br />
Family Diodontidae (porcupinefishes)<br />
Diodon Linnaeus, balloonfish • • •<br />
holocanthus 1758<br />
Diodon hystrix Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
porcupinefish • • •<br />
Family Molidae (molas)<br />
Ranzania (Pennant, slender sunfish • Dropped on land by fairy terns at<br />
laevis 1776)<br />
Henderson (Irving, 1995).<br />
•<br />
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
103<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
REPTILIA (Turtles)<br />
Family Cheloniidae<br />
Refs. Brooke, 1995c; Palomares et al., 2011.<br />
Chelonia (Linnaeus, green turtle EN • • Estimated breeding population <strong>of</strong> 10<br />
mydas 1758)<br />
individuals at Henderson in 1991/92<br />
(Brooke, 1995c).<br />
Eretmochelys (Linnaeus, hawksbill turtle CR • Listed by Palomares et al. (2011).<br />
imbricata 1766)<br />
AVES (Seabirds)<br />
Family Ardeidae<br />
Refs. Brooke, 1995a & b; Palomares et al., 2011; additional <strong>of</strong>fshore observations by Gaskin in 2006 & Taylor in<br />
2010 (see also Table 17).<br />
Egretta sacra (Gmelin, 1789) reef heron LC • • • Brooke (1995a) reports seeing a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> individuals at Oeno and Henderson,<br />
but with no evidence <strong>of</strong> breeding.<br />
Family Charadriidae<br />
Pluvialis fulva (Gmelin, 1789) Pacific golden NE • • • Brooke (1995a) reports a few non-<br />
plover<br />
breeding birds being seen at Oeno and<br />
Henderson.<br />
Pluvialis (Linnaeus, grey plover NE • • Brooke (1995a) reports a single bird being<br />
squatarola 1758)<br />
seen on Henderson in March 1991.<br />
Family Fregatidae<br />
Fregata minor (Gmelin, 1789) great frigatebird LC • • • • Brooke (1995a) estimated <strong>the</strong> breeding<br />
Family Laridae<br />
(Pitkern: hawk)<br />
population on Oeno to be about 100<br />
pairs; on Ducie 10–20 pairs; and on<br />
Henderson 100 pairs. <strong>The</strong> species does<br />
not breed on <strong>Pitcairn</strong>. Also observed<br />
<strong>of</strong>fshore.<br />
Anous Boie, 1844 black noddy LC • • • • • Brooke (1995a) reports that, although<br />
minutus<br />
small numbers are present on Ducie, <strong>the</strong><br />
species probably does not breed <strong>the</strong>re. For<br />
<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r three islands, he estimated <strong>the</strong><br />
numbers <strong>of</strong> breeding pairs to be: Oeno<br />
(100); Henderson (100); <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (20).<br />
Anous stolidus (Linnaeus, brown noddy LC • • • • • Williams (1960) reported that breeding<br />
1758)<br />
takes place on all four islands. Brooke<br />
(1995a) confirmed numbers <strong>of</strong> breeding<br />
pairs in 1991 to be: Ducie (200); Oeno<br />
(800); Henderson (100); <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (100).<br />
Gygis alba (Sparrman, fairy tern LC • • • • • Brooke (1995a) estimates <strong>the</strong> breeding<br />
1786)<br />
populations (pairs) among <strong>the</strong> four islands<br />
to be: <strong>Pitcairn</strong> (a few hundred); Oeno<br />
(several hundred and possibly above<br />
1,000); Ducie (about 5,000); Henderson<br />
(several thousands and possibly above<br />
10,000).<br />
Larus atricilla (Linnaeus, laughing gull LC • One found dead at Down Rope, <strong>Pitcairn</strong><br />
1758)<br />
in late March 1992 (Wragg, 1994).<br />
Onychoprion Linnaeus, sooty tern LC • • • Listed as Sterna fuscata by Brooke<br />
fuscatus 1766<br />
(1995a). Brooke (1995a) notes that<br />
breeding took place on Ducie (100 chicks<br />
observed in late October 1991) and Oeno<br />
(two nest sites found in September 1991).<br />
Procelsterna (Bennett, blue-grey noddy LC • • • • Brooke (1995a) supposes that around<br />
cerulea 1840)<br />
10 pairs nest on inaccessible ledges at<br />
Henderson and <strong>Pitcairn</strong>, but breeding not<br />
confirmed. At Ducie, 15 breeding pairs<br />
were noted in late-October 1991. Also<br />
observed <strong>of</strong>fshore.<br />
Family Phaethontidae<br />
Phaethon Daudin, 1802 white-tailed LC • • • Not seen during <strong>the</strong> 1991/2 expedition,<br />
lepturus<br />
tropicbird<br />
but reported by Williams (1960) as a rare<br />
visitor to Henderson and Oeno. Observed<br />
<strong>of</strong>fshore in June 2006.<br />
Notes
Species Authority Common<br />
name (if<br />
known)<br />
Balaenoptera<br />
acutorostrata<br />
Megaptera<br />
novaeangliae<br />
Balaenoptera<br />
edeni<br />
Family Delphinidae<br />
Delphinus<br />
delphis<br />
Grampus<br />
griseus<br />
Lagenodelphis<br />
hosei<br />
Stenella<br />
attenuata<br />
Stenella<br />
coeruleoalba<br />
Steno<br />
bredanensis<br />
Feresa<br />
attenuata<br />
Globicephala<br />
macrorhynchus<br />
104<br />
Lacépède,<br />
1804<br />
(Borowski,<br />
1781)<br />
Anderson,<br />
1879<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
(G. Cuvier,<br />
1812)<br />
common or<br />
dwarf minke<br />
whale<br />
humpback<br />
whale<br />
Bryde’s whale<br />
(also known as<br />
Eden’s whale)<br />
IUCN<br />
code<br />
Oen Pit Hen Duc Offshore<br />
Notes<br />
LC • This species has only been recognised as<br />
separate from <strong>the</strong> Antarctic minke whale<br />
B. bonaerensis in <strong>the</strong> past 15 years.<br />
EN • • While most humpback populations<br />
worldwide have been assessed as being<br />
<strong>of</strong> ‘least concern’, a distinct Oceania<br />
subpopulation (breeding stock F2) is<br />
now recognised, which is endangered.<br />
Regularly seen nearshore <strong>of</strong>f <strong>Pitcairn</strong> from<br />
June–September (Horswill 2007).<br />
DD • Within <strong>the</strong> past 20 years, this species<br />
<strong>of</strong> baleen whale has been classified as<br />
a ‘complex’ <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> species, as<br />
<strong>the</strong>re has been confusion regarding its<br />
true identification by taxonomists. <strong>The</strong><br />
‘ordinary’ Bryde’s whale (<strong>the</strong> species given<br />
here) is known to have a distribution<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> eastern tropical Pacific<br />
and across <strong>the</strong> South Pacific down to<br />
about 35°S.<br />
(short-nosed)<br />
common<br />
dolphin<br />
LC •<br />
Risso’s dolphin LC •<br />
Fraser, 1956 Fraser’s dolphin LC •<br />
(Gray, 1846) pantropical<br />
spotted dolphin<br />
LC •<br />
(Meyen, 1833) striped dolphin LC •<br />
(G. Cuvier in<br />
Lesson, 1828)<br />
rough-too<strong>the</strong>d<br />
dolphin<br />
Gray, 1874 pygmy killer<br />
whale<br />
Gray, 1846 short-finned<br />
pilot whale<br />
LC •<br />
DD •<br />
DD •<br />
Orcinus orca (Linnaeus,<br />
1758)<br />
killer whale DD •<br />
Pseudorca<br />
crassidens<br />
(Owen, 1846) false killer whale DD •<br />
Stenella<br />
longirostris<br />
Family Kogiidae<br />
(Gray, 1828) spinner dolphin DD •<br />
Kogia<br />
breviceps<br />
(de Blainville,<br />
1838)<br />
pygmy sperm<br />
whale<br />
Kogia sima (Owen, 1866) dwarf sperm<br />
whale<br />
Family Physeteridae<br />
Physeter<br />
macrocephalus<br />
Family Ziphiidae<br />
Mesoplodon<br />
densirostris<br />
Ziphius<br />
cavirostris<br />
Linnaeus,<br />
1758<br />
(de Blainville,<br />
1817)<br />
DD •<br />
DD •<br />
sperm whale VU •<br />
Blainville’s<br />
beaked whale<br />
Cuvier, 1823 Cuvier’s beaked<br />
whale<br />
DD •<br />
LC • • Carcass found on reef flat at Ducie, Nov<br />
1991 (R.A. Irving, pers. obs.)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> 105
Robert Irving Terry Dawson<br />
Robert is recognised as being <strong>the</strong> UK’s leading authority<br />
on <strong>the</strong> marine life <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>. His first visit to<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> was in 1991 when he took part in <strong>the</strong> Sir Peter<br />
Scott Commemorative Expedition to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> expedition centred on investigating <strong>the</strong> terrestrial<br />
and marine ecology <strong>of</strong> Henderson Island, with over 25<br />
scientists from all over <strong>the</strong> world taking part during its<br />
15 month lifespan. He and his colleague Jo Jamieson<br />
spent a very enjoyable 3½ months ‘marooned’ on<br />
Henderson (with five fellow scientists), diving all around<br />
<strong>the</strong> island and recording, collecting and taking over 2,500<br />
underwater photographs. <strong>The</strong>y also managed to dive<br />
around Oeno and Ducie. Although he spent a week on<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> too, it wasn’t until 2003 that he managed to dive<br />
around <strong>the</strong> island, when he acted as scientific advisor to a<br />
3-week long UK Joint Services diving expedition. His third<br />
visit to <strong>Pitcairn</strong> was in 2011 when he and Terry Dawson<br />
spent 10 days on <strong>the</strong> island as part <strong>of</strong> a UK Darwin<br />
Initiative project investigating <strong>the</strong> management <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
island’s nearshore waters.<br />
Robert is based in Devon in SW England where he runs his<br />
own marine environmental consultancy firm, Sea-Scope.<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> his time is spent on UK marine conservation<br />
projects, though over <strong>the</strong> years he has undertaken projects<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Turks & Caicos <strong>Islands</strong>, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia<br />
and <strong>the</strong> United Arab Emirates. He has also taken part in<br />
diving expeditions to Indonesia, Ascension Island and Sri<br />
Lanka. Robert has written numerous articles on marine<br />
conservation issues, over 40 scientific reports papers, as<br />
well as two books.<br />
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Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Terry Dawson holds <strong>the</strong> SAGES (Scottish Alliance<br />
for <strong>the</strong> Geosciences, <strong>Environment</strong> and Society) Chair<br />
in Global <strong>Environment</strong>al Change in <strong>the</strong> School <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Environment</strong>, University <strong>of</strong> Dundee. His earlier career<br />
included academic appointments at <strong>the</strong> Universities<br />
<strong>of</strong> Oxford (1998-2004), Edinburgh (2004-2007) and<br />
Southampton (2007-2011). His research interests are very<br />
broad, but <strong>the</strong>y mainly focus on environmental change,<br />
ecology and biodiversity conservation with a special<br />
interest in island biogeography. His passion for <strong>the</strong> marine<br />
environment began as a volunteer member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 1985<br />
underwater survey <strong>of</strong> Hong Kong shortly after qualifying<br />
as a British Sub-Aqua Club Advanced Diver whilst living<br />
<strong>the</strong>re. This was followed up with a diving expedition to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Solomon <strong>Islands</strong>, Papua New Guinea and Coral Sea<br />
in 1986. Since <strong>the</strong>n, Terry has undertaken a wide variety<br />
<strong>of</strong> projects in Borneo, Galapagos <strong>Islands</strong>, Seychelles,<br />
Mozambique, Madagascar and Cuba. His first visit to<br />
<strong>Pitcairn</strong> Island was in 2010 which was followed up with<br />
a second visit <strong>the</strong> following year as part <strong>of</strong> a UK Darwin<br />
Initiative project. He is a Fellow <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Royal Geographical<br />
Society and has published over 120 scientific manuscripts,<br />
books and reports to date.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pitcairn</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
107