Micronesica was put back on track by the last editor, Dr. Robert Richmond, who, in becoming Director of the Marine Laboratory of U.O.G., has passed the editorship to me. My most important task is to continue rebuilding and fully restore the professional reputation of the journal, and I think that putting the journal back on a regular schedule is a key component of that mission. Micronesica will normally be published in June and December. June issues will go to press in January, December issues in July. You will have noticed that this issue is thin. It could have been thicker had I waited for several manuscripts that are in review or being revised, but I have made a commitment to the deadlines.

A special number will be published in this volume, containing reports from the Micronesican Archeological Conference held at the University of Guam in Sept. 1987.

The journal can only continue to function if you, as authors, have the faith in it to submit your manuscripts. My commitment therefore is not to the journal but to you: to process and publish manuscripts promptly and professionally.

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Available records relating to Nauruan population attributes are critically evaluated to develop a reconstructed population history of this native Micronesian people. Historical evidence consists of documentation of the effects of diseases and modern warfare and more recent behavioral changes traceable to altered economic conditions. Unpredictable and dramatic fluctuations in population characteristics throughout the historic period are revealed, precluding the use of standard population models. Even structural similarities at widely separated time periods are shown to be insufficient evidence of stable population conditions, a cautionary finding for paleodemographers, archaeologists, and others working throughout the Pacific.

Previous botanical research on Puluwat Atoll (Truk, Federated States of Micronesia) indicated a vascular flora of no more than 46 species. A total of 184 vascular species is reported, the majority of which may be classified as new records. Eighty seven species are introduced plants found mainly on inhabited Puluwat Islet. Four other islets are uninhabited and contain fewer native and introduced species than Puluwat Islet. Native species comprise more than 90% of the flora of these latter islets. Most of the locally-named species are either native to the atoll or are culturally useful introduced plants. Twenty eight species are cultivated as food plants most of which are important staples like Colocasia esculenta, Cyrtosperma chamissonis, Artocarpus altilis, A. mariannensis, Musa sp., and Cocos nucifera and are represented by many cultivars. While some cultivars previously recorded are no longer present on the atoll, others are being introduced. The research suggests a high rate of species and cultivar turnover and an erosion of traditional knowledge. The present distribution of species is partly related to islet size, the extent of human habitation and cultivation practices, and environmental modification, particularly during World War II.

Biological control started in the Marianas in 1911. Biocontrol agents have been introduced to control herbivorous insects, weeds, dung, molluscs, livestock pests, mosquitoes, and household pests. In all, 104 species of insects, two predatory mites, three snails, one nematode, and four vertebrates have been intentionally introduced to Guam for the purposes of controlling 41 pest species. Of the insect species, 34 established, 48 did not establish, 5 established temporarily, and the status of the rest is not known. Additional introductions were made to other islands in the Marianas. Among the pests most successfully controlled by biological agents were Achatina fulica, Aleurocanthus spiniferus, Aleurothrixus floccosus, Aspidiotus destructor, Brontispa mariana, B. palauensis, Epilachna vigintisexpunctata philippinensis, Nipaecoccus viridis, Erionota thrax, Penicillaria jocosatrix, and Spodoptera litura. Two weeds, Lantana camara and Chromolaena odorata have been successfully controlled by herbivorous insects. Most attempts at biological control in the Marianas have been transfers of species successfully introduced elsewhere. Most species introduced from temperate climatic zones failed to establish. Species which established on Hawaii, frequently established on Guam as well. Reasons for failure to establish are varied. Against Homopteran pests, 58% of the introduced natural enemies established. The establishment rate against Lepidoptera and Diptera was low.

Sixteen species of reptiles and amphibians are known from Tinian, Mariana Islands and include Bufo marinus, Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata, Gehyra oceanica, G. mutilata, Perochirus ateles, Hemidactylus frenatus, Lepidodactylus lugubris, Nactus pelagicus, Carlia fusca, Emoia caeruleocauda, E. slevini, Cryptoblepharus poecilopleurus, Lamprolepis smaragdina, Varanus indicus, and Ramphotyphlops braminus. Twelve of these species were found during a field survey in 1984 and 1985. Historic evidence indicates that at least six species have been introduced to the island.

"Taxonomy of Economic Seaweeds with reference to some Pacific and Caribbean species" is a series of Sea Grant -sponsored workshops aimed at reducing the confusion in nomenclature that "remains the single greatest obstacle to progress in Pacific seaweed aquaculture and marine natural products chemistry." Two workshops have been held so far, and a third is planned for autumn 1989.

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The identification and nomenclature of seaweeds in the western tropical Pacific has been hampered by the lack of either a catalog or a handbook. Now, fortunately we have both. Although both books concern the Philippines, they are very relevant to neighboring areas, including Guam and Micronesia.

(This is the first pararaph. There is no abstract.)