Mangrove fishes from the South-West Lagoon of New Caledonia were sampled using gill nets, fyke nets and rotenone poisonings from 1987 to 1990. A total of 262 species, distributed among 64 families, were recorded with 3 new records. The most speciose families are Gobiidae (31 spp.), Apogonidae (17 spp.), Serranidae (13 spp.), Carangidae (11spp.), Muraenidae and Lethrinidae (10spp.). Estuarine families, such as Elopidae, Kuhliidae, Cichlidae, Chandidae and Microdesmidae, are also present together with reef or soft bottom associated species (including Serranidae, Lutjanidae, Carangidae and Lethrinidae). Sciaenidae and Ariidae were not censused and freshwater species were scarce.

Thirteen species of reptiles, 25 birds, and seven mammals are recorded from Ant Atoll, five of the reptiles, nine birds, and two mammals for the first time. None is endemic to the atoll. All occur on Pohnpei, the nearest high island, and most are widely distributed in Oceania. Established introductions include the Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) and at least four mammals (Rattus rattus, R. exulans, Felis catus, Sus scrofa). The Micronesian Starling (Aplonis opaca) is the most numerous land bird, followed closely by the Micronesian Honeyeater (Myzomela rubratra). Wolouna Island is an important seabird nesting area, hosting about 6,000 pairs of Black Noddies (Anous minutus) and smaller numbers of at least five other species. Subsistance hunting may have minimal impact on these seabird populations, but an increasing number of recreational visitors and exploitive hunters may present a future threat to populations.

Fifteen species of reptiles, 18 birds, and five mammals are recorded from Pakin Atoll. None is endemic to Pakin and all of the residents tend to be widely distributed throughout Micronesia. Introduced species include four mammals (Rattus exulans, Canis familiaris, Felis catus, Sus scrofa), the Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) among birds, and at least one lizard (Varanus indicus). Of the 17 indigenous birds, ten are presumed or documented breeding residents, including four land birds, a heron, and five terns. The Micronesian Honeyeater (Myzomela rubratra) is the most common land bird, followed closely by the Micronesian Starling (Aplonis opaca). The vegetation is mainly Cocos forest, considerably modified by periodic cutting of the undergrowth, deliberately set fires, and the rooting of pigs. Most of the present vertebrate species do not appear to be seriously endangered by present levels of human activity. But the Micronesian Pigeon (Ducula oceanica) is less numerous on the settled islands, probably reflecting increased hunting pressure, and sea turtles (especially Chelonia mydas) and their eggs are harvested indiscriminately .

A revised checklist of 422 taxa of benthic marine algae is provided for the Fiji Islands, South Pacific, including the island of Rotuma. The list comprises 39 Cyanophyceae, 113 Chlorophyceae, 42 Phaeophyceae and 228 Rhodophyceae. Included are all previously published records and some yet unpublished additions, with the systematic arrangement and nomenclature brought up to date. A preliminary revision of the crustose coralline algae known from Fiji is included. The flora still remains relatively poorly known, and many areas have yet to be phycologically studied, such as much of the Lau Group, and most of Vanua Levu.

Protozoans, which are unicellular or form small colonies, can rarely be observed with the naked eye. Except for some foraminifera that are large (up to 10 mm diameter) or abundant (star sand; see Lee 1995) protozoans are only evident when present en masse. We chanced to observe a remarkable "bloom" of black Stentor, a unicellular ciliate, on the brown seaweed Padina about 20 m deep at a commercial dive site on Guam, July 23 1995. This marine record is interesting because most Stentor live in freshwater or brackish water. The site was "Pete's Reef', at the southern end of Agat Bay, by Facpi Point. Extensive reef areas on the sea bed below the mooring buoy were carpeted with Padina sp., a fan-shaped seaweed that has distinctive concentric bands of hairs and reproductive structures. The reproductive structures (sori) form brown bands on the upper surface of the blades. At first glance, some clumps of Padina appeared to be reproductive, however on closer inspection the black bands were thicker than would be expected (more like the external gametangia of Halimeda). More telling, they retracted when touched, suggesting that this was an epiphytic animal or protist. We collected specimens for live observation and documented them on video and still film (Figure 1). We did not attempt to preserve or identify them to species, but they clearly belong to the genus Stentor, which is named for its trumpet shape (when extended). Stentor, in Greek mythology, was a herald "with brazen voice, who could shout as loud as fifty other men" (Homer, Iliad, bk. V, 1, 785). These ciliates have a vortical pattern of cilia at the anterior end with which they collect food particles (Anderson 1988).

A mosaic disease of Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (asparagus bean or yard-long bean) was determined via host range studies, ring interface and PAS-ELISA tests to be consistent with the blackeye cowpea mosaic virus (B1CMV). Sap inoculations of 39 legumes resulted in 31 becoming infected, as did 9 of 24 non-legume species. Seed transmission occurred in 37% of yard-long bean seeds tested. The virus was transmitted by apterous Aphis craccivora in a non-persistent fashion. Seed and aphid transmission are consistent with B1CMV. Other important crop plants infected included snap beans, winged bean, and yam beans (jicama). This is the first report of B1CMV on winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus). Other less important crop plants infected were mung bean and sunnhemp . Of eleven yard-long bean cultivars tested with sap-inoculation, none showed resistance. Cultivar Green Arrow (Known-You Seed Co.) performed well with low disease incidence and high yields in field tests over 2 seasons.

The literature of the anthiine fish genus Plectranthias is reviewed. P. maculatus Fourmanoir, 1982 is a junior synonym of Selenanthias analis Tanaka, and P. barroi Fourmanoir, 1982 is reclassified in Selenanthias. Lee (1990) was mistaken in placing P. kamii Randall in the synonymy of P. anthioides Günther. Two new species of Plectranthias are described: P. jothyi from two specimens taken in 180-400 m off the west coast of the peninsula of Malaysia, and P. knappi from one specimen collected in the Philippines in 90 m. Distinctive characters of P. jothyi are: 17-18 soft dorsal rays, 14-15 pectoral rays, 34 lateral-line scales, two antrorse spines on ventral margin of preopercle, third dorsal spine longest, caudal fin nearly truncate with a slightly prolonged upper lobe, and upper half of body with six oblique dark bands, the last two on caudal peduncle narrow, joined basally, and connected to third band. P. knappi is distinct in 16 dorsal soft rays, 14 pectoral rays, 29 lateralline scales, two antrorse spines on ventral margin of preopercle, third dorsal spine longest, caudal fin slightly emarginate and no dark markings in preservative. Range extensions are given for P. inermis, P. kamii, P. longimanus, P. nanus, P. parini, P. rubrifasciatus, and P. winniensis. A key to the species of the genus is provided.

Recent collections of ascidians from several western Pacific and southeast Asian islands have significantly increased the number of species known from the Inda-West Pacific region. We examined specimens from Palau, Chuuk, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. A large part of them were collected by the Coral Reef Research Foundation, based in Palau. Descriptions and figures are given for 99 species, 34 of which are new. Colonial forms predominate with a peculiar abundance of the Didemnidae family. The geographical distribution is indicated for each species, but the sampling is not sufficient to allow general statements, and presently it is not possible to delimit faunistic provinces in this large region.

A protocol is introduced and illustrated for the systematic scoring of three sets of cranial superstructures: (1) tubercle on the occipital torus (TOT); (2) retromastoid process (PR); and (3) posterior supramastoid tubercle (TSP). These hyperostotic traits, associated with attachments for neck, shoulder girdle and thoracic cage muscles, are distinctive in their relatively high frequencies and remarkable in their strong degrees of development in archaeologically-recovered Mariana Islander skeletal remains. This is noteworthy, as very few morphological traits of the human skeleton are population- or population group-specific. Currently, these superstructures are enigmatic in origin and somewhat obscure in geographic patterning, though markedly strong expression of them appears to be virtually restricted to Oceania. In order for rigorous inquiry into the etiology, development and meaning of these superstructures to proceed, further understanding of their spatial and temporal distribution is needed. Adoption of the present protocol will facilitate the production of morphologically-equivalent comparative data for populations inside and outside of Oceania.

From 1992 to 1994 we measured dimensions of 11 Mariana crow (Corvus kubaryi) nests on Rota. The mean nest diameter, nest height, inner cup diameter, and cup depth were 37.2 cm, 15.4 cm, 13.3 cm, and 6.9 cm, respectively. These nests consisted of an outer platform and intermediate cup primarily composed Jasminum marianum, and an inner cup mainly of Cocos nucifera frond fibers and Ficus prolixa rootlets. The platforms of two nests contained an average of 200 twigs, with most being 2.1-4.0 mm in diameter and 201-250 mm long. The intermediate cups averaged 93 components, with most twigs measuring 0.0- 2.0 mm in diameter and 101-150 mm long. Total weight of the two nests averaged 347.5 g, with the following breakdown: platform 284.1 g, intermediate cup 42.1 g, and inner cup 21.3 g.

Fifty-six species of Bryozoa are listed from the western Pacific near-atoll of Chuuk, almost all from coral rubble. Fifty-one (91%) are cheilostomes, including 39 (70%) ascophorans and 12 (20%) anascans. There were 4 (7%) stenolaemates and one (2%) ctenostome. Thirty-three (59%) belong to undescribed taxa.

WAYSIDE PLANTS OF THE ISLANDS. Whistler, W. Arthur. 1995. Isle Botanica, Honolulu, Hi. 202p. ISBN 0-9645426-1-7 Hardbound; 0-9645426-0-09 pb. $27.00 Hardbound . This is another of a series of plants of the Pacific Islands authored by Art Whistler, and this covers weeds, which for better or worse are being transported to the most distant places of the Pacific. There are 169 plant species illustrated by very clear, useful color photographs taken by the author; closely related species are often discussed in the text even if they are not pictured. There is one page of appropriate references, an 8-page glossary and 7 pages of index materials; one set for scientific names and another for common names. As this book covers Polynesian and Micronesian plants, the number of local names is particularly noteworthy , although it is somewhat surprising that plants of such fairly recent introduction have any local names! A species list showing distribution over the island groups occupies 8 pages following the 8 page Introduction, and a map showing the "culture areas of the Pacific" occupies the inside front and back covers. As with all Whistler's books, a metric scale is placed on the back cover, so that plant dimensions can be checked on the spot. The book is "field-friendly" and can be taken along on hikes as well as being used in libraries or homes. The only negative about the book is that Whistler does not cite the authorities for the scientific names [the "namer(s)"], but this is a complaint that would be made by the professional botanist, and not by most people, who want to know the name of a plant and something about its characteristics, distribution and usual habitat. This book will be a useful addition to the traveller's library, as well as to the residents of Pacific islands.