Microphis cruentus, a freshwater doryrhamphine (trunk-pouch) pipefish, is described from the Dumbea River. This apparent New Caledonian endemic is characterized by having a single opercular ridge, the lateral trunk ridge confluent with the inferior tail ridge, a modal count of 17 trunk rings and by the presence of ocelli on the lateral trunk ridge.

A short series of earthworms secured by Dr. Y. Kondo enables correction of an important error in previous accounts of an unusual species, a better characterization of the taxon, as well as a preliminary contribution toward recognition of an unanticipated species group. The new data herein contained provide further proof of the etymological inappropriateness of certain terms long used by oligochaetologists. (Explanations of various terms and conventions may be found in Gates, 1956).

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

Analyses of reproductive histories from a family record register for 5,193 Chamorro women living in 1897 indicate that less than 7.5 percent of premenopausal married women at risk failed to produce offspring by 1942. Since up to one-third of all Chamorro females died before reaching an age of reproductive maturity and even more would never marry, population growth was only made possible by high levels of fertility in extramarital relationships and among married women who produced an average of nearly 8 children each during their reproductive lifespans. Sociocultural patterns surrounding marital and sexual practices played an important part in reducing effective population size to such a limited number of ancestors of the modern Chamorro population.

Current discussions of sea law have centered largely around the rights of different countries in offshore waters. Here I want to talk about another branch of law of the sea-that which deals with the rights of people to coastal marine resources within single countries. A low priority has generally been given to this branch by legislators and legal experts in the Pacific islands. In Micronesia, for example, the law governing the allocation of coastal marine resources is ambiguous and therefore weak. I want to try to explain briefly why potentially serious environmental and economic problems are not being dealt with adequately as a result.

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

A new species of pomacentrid fish Pomachromis guamensis is described from two specimens taken off Tanguisson Point, Guam, Mariana Islands. In contrast to the other members of the genus, this species lacks distinctive markings on the caudal fin or caudal peduncle. A key to the species of Pomachromis is also included.

When the  relative  susceptibility  of  tomato  cultivars  to Epilachna  vigintioctopunctata was investigated in  a  randomized  block design experiment  at Alafua campus,  Western Samoa,  the results showed that  the  tall, bushy varieties: Alafua winner (AW), Fire ball (FB), Nuu (NU), Sugar pearl (SP) and  Season red (SR) attracted  more beetles than Alafua large (AL) which although  tall  had  small,  less compact  canopy or  Alafua  early  (AE) which  branched  heavily  but  was  comparatively shorter.  However, irrespective of whether the cultivar  was more or less attractive,  the larvae and  adults predominantly  fed on apical main  leaflets  3  to  9  of  the  cultivars.  Both  the  reproductive  biology and  food ecology of E. vigintioctopunctata were apparently  not  affected by  any of the  cultivars,  suggesting that  all of them  were suitable  host  plants. 

The gobioid fishes allied to Taenioides were recognized by Koumans (1953) as constituting a distinct family, the Taenioididae, distinguished from the Gobiidae by the presence of a single long dorsal fin and small to indistinct eyes. Although its rank may be questioned, it appears that this is a natural group of closely related genera . Koumans recognized two subgroups, the Trypaucheninae, which have a small cavity above the gill chamber, and the Taenioinae, which do not . Taenioidid gobys are elongate, nearly blind fishes that live in the lower reaches of streams. The form described here appears to be the first known from the Marianas Islands since Taenioides gertrudae Fowler from Guam is not a goby according to Koumans (1940, p. 157).
(This is the first paragraph. There is no abstract.)

Leachate samples taken from the perimeter of the Ordot Landfill, in central Guam, were screened for priority pollutants listed under Section 307(a) of the Clean Water Act. Identified contaminants of concern were the fecal indicator bacteria, Enterococci and E. coli, inorganic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and several heavy metals. These contaminants were monitored in surface and subsurface waters down gradient of the landfill at monthly intervals for one year. Fecal indicator bacteria MPN counts in receiving surface waters dropped sharply within a few hundred meters downstream of leachate stream impaction points. However, values often exceeded the U.S. EPA recreational water quality standards all the way to the coast. Inorganic N was dominated by ammonium in the leachate stream and nitrate in the river. Occasional exceedences of the U.S. EPA surface water quality standard for nitrate (as NOx) were observed at all downstream sites. Inorganic (reactive) P was mostly undetectable in surface waters despite relatively high levels in the leachate stream. Likewise, heavy metal contaminants that were enriched in the leachate stream were mostly close to the limits of analytical detection in the river. Soil pore waters collected at various depths (0.61-1.83 m) ~100 m down gradient of the landfill were comparatively free of fecal indicator bacteria. Inorganic nitrogen levels, though enriched, were appreciably lower than those in the leachate stream, suggesting either denitrification, high assimilation by soil microbes, and/or high sorption by clays. Average P levels were also low suggesting removal by oxidic iron in surface layers. Neither inorganic N nor P concentrations varied significantly with soil depth. In contrast, mean pore water concentrations of aluminum, cadmium, iron and zinc were generally more concentrated at the shallowest soil level. Inorganic N enrichment, and its effect on plant and algae growth in the lower reaches of the Lonfit River, was considered to be the most significant ecological impact of the landfill on the watershed. The transmission of human pathogens from the landfill into the river, in leachate streams and surface runoff, and the incorporation of potentially toxic metals into food chains ultimately leading to man, are likely the most important issues from a human health perspective.

On 26 October, and again on 17 November 1990, at the edge of a limestone forest between the Salisbury and Mataguac areas north of Yigo, Guam, vines of Strongylodon lucidus were photographed and leaves and flowers collected and pressed.

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

Rotuma is an island situated at the intersection of Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia. The physical characteristics, language, and culture of its inhabitants reflect the influences of all those regions. These islanders are Polynesian in physical characteristics; their language seems to be a fusion of several languages, but their culture is distinctively Rotuman.

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

Galls on leaves of native yoga trees have been identified as due to the psylloid Trioza suavis. The insect is not a serious threat to the trees.

Comments on Dalebout et al. (2008) “DNA Identification and the impact of illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing on rare whales in Micronesian waters.” Micronesica 40: 139-147.
 

In a recent paper, Dalebout et al. (2008) reported the molecular detection of a rare ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) after it was discovered onboard a Taiwanese-registered longlining vessel (docked in Guam) by the US Coast Guard during a routine inspection. They labeled this vessel ‘illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU)’. Their work clearly showed how molecular techniques can used in identification of difficult-to-identify species; however, their claim that the vessel was IUU needs to be revisited. To be clear, I fully support any and much increased monitoring and enforcement globally of fishing vessel operations. However, mislabeling of vessels as IUU can have a negative outcome as it can detract attention from areas where improvements in management are required. In this case, the claim that this vessel was IUU probably misdirected focus to the Taiwanese vessel and Taiwan (as the flagging nation) as lawless exploiters of another nation’s resources (in this case that of the Federal States of Micronesia - FSM). However, more attention should have been given to the regulations and laws of FSM and the conditions on the fishing permit that was issued to this (and possibly other) foreign vessels.
 

Based on the information that was provided in Dalebout et al. (2008), the Taiwanese-registered vessel was fishing with a valid permit within the FSM and did not violate FSM law when it caught and retained the juvenile ginkgo-toothed beaked whale. Furthermore, no information was provided as to whether or not the practice of shark-finning (although unethical to many) was illegal in the waters of the FSM. If so, this information should have been presented, along with the discovery of shark fins onboard, as evidence of illegal activities. As present- ed, the only certain illegal activity was the ‘importation’ of the whale carcass into US territory when the vessel carrying the whale entered Guam. Whether this was an intentional gamble by the captain (hoping to escaping discovery by local inspection agents) or an accidental oversight will never be known. If the captain actually succeeded in accomplishing his stated intentions (i.e., bringing the carcass back to sell in Taipei), he would have done so illegally under Taiwan’s Wildlife Conservation Act. However, with inadequate inspections, minimal consequences and loop-holes (e.g., the penalty for those found in possession of cetacean parts have been confiscation of the parts, unless there is evidence that they had killed the animals or were selling the parts; this often results in increased trade to compensate for the loss), this legislation clearly has not stopped the trade of cetacean meat in Taiwan (and still at the same ports and markets as they did before the law was enacted) but rather has pushed the trade ‘underground’ where it is less visible to enforcement.

If the Taiwanese-registered vessel did not violate their FSM permit or break any local fishing laws, then at least part of the responsibility has to lie with the FSM government to pass legislation to better protect their resources. Attention to this matter is required and would empower the people of FSM to take responsibility and control of their own resources. Attention should also be placed on amendments to Taiwan’s Wildlife Conservation Act to eliminate loop-holes that presently exist and increase the consequences for Taiwanese citizens who violate this law anywhere in the world (the Wildlife Conservation Act does not appear to apply to Taiwanese citizens outside Taiwanese jurisdiction).

Finally, the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale reported in Dalebout et al. (2008) should not be taken as the first record of the species in Micronesian waters. Taiwanese vessels fish waters throughout the world. Because there are great consequences for killing marine mammals within certain territorial waters (e.g., US) and less to none in others (e.g., Federal States of Micronesia), there is an obvious incentive for captains to provide statements that would result in the least negative outcome and the least amount of information about other activities (e.g., possible trade) that are occurring at sea. Therefore, the actual origin of this whale has to be considered unknown and should not be considered a record for the waters of the FSM.

The ant fauna of Micronesia as determined from museum specimens and from collections mainly on Pohnpei Island is presented here. Around 111 species are found in the region, many of which appear to be island endemics. Palau, Pohnpei, and the Marianas rank the highest in species diversity, with Pohnpei and Palau being especially rich in apparent endemics. The Bonin Islands and Kiribati are poorly sampled, and our understanding of the ant fauna in the whole of Micronesia could benefit greatly from additional collections. Many new and interesting species are known from single collections or single specimens, even on Pohnpei, which is perhaps now the most thoroughly sampled large island in the region. The Marshall Islands contain mostly pan-Pacific and pantropical tramp species, but there do exist collections from the Marshalls (such as a series of Pheidole minors) that can only be clarified through further fieldwork. All data on specimens examined, collected, and reported, as well as a key to their identification and maps of their distributions are provided.

A new sesarmine crab, Sesarmoides novabritannia, new species, is described from New Britain, Papua New Guinea, in the Solomon Sea. The species is closely related to S. cerberus (Holthuis) from the Moluccas and S. jacobsoni (lhle) from Java, Indonesia, but can be separated by the presence of a distinct epibranchial tooth, less protruding external orbital angle, more pronounced postorbital crista, longer seventh male abdominal segment, and the structure of its male first pleopod. The taxonomy of the genus Sesarmoides is also discussed.

We record 68 species of polyclad flatworms from new material (all photo-documented) and 28 species from literature records, for a total diversity of 88 species for Micronesia. Up to 60% of the encountered species may be undescribed. Guam has the largest recorded fauna with 59 species, followed by 28 species known from Palau. Pseudocerotidae comprise 58% of documented species, and more than 3 times as many cotyleans than acotyleans are documented. This study shows that the polyclad fauna of Micronesia is diverse yet poorly known, and highlights the need for further work.

A bioarchaeological study is presented for a chronometrically-dated human burial from the Marshall Islands. Associated with 151 grave goods, the artifacts imply the individual’s relatively high status and point to prehistoric long-distance contacts between the Kwajalein community and distant island groups. The burial is a male, about 30 to 40 years of age at time of death, and in generally good health. There is no evidence for cause of death. MtDNA analysis, applied to prehistoric human remains from the Marshalls for the first time, raises the possibility that lineages similar to the dominant one from the Marianas may have been more widespread in other parts of Micronesia. This may indicate a recent expansion of Lineage Group I, currently the most common throughout Micronesia, and confirms the complexity of Micronesian colonization and post-settlement histories.

Juvenile  siganids  or padas were observed  in abundance  during  the months  of August and September,  1985 and  March  to  May,  1986. They  were  found  to  belong  to  three  species: S.fuscescens  (pino padas) and  S. spinus and  S. argenteus (collectively  called darigayos  padas). They  are caught  by bag nets  in deep  water,  by beach seine  and  fish corral  in shallow  water.
The three species of padas were caught in commercial  quantities  from March to May; however, only  S. fuscescens juveniles  were  caught  in  great  number  from  August  to  September.  The  greater abundance  of the latter species  might be because  of  its year-round  spawning  habit and  its very high fecundity.
The  dates  and  times  of  appearance  of padas seem  to  follow  a  semi-annual  pattern  correlated with a definite phase of the lunar cycle-one to four nights after the last quarter  in S. spinus and S. argenteus, and two to  five nights  after  the  last quarter in S. fuscescens. Padas runs  were observed when  the tidal fluctuations were at  a minimum,  most of  all in May. 

In a search of the literature of Micronesia it was noted that some areas had been reported on archaeologically and some areas had been either reported poorly or not at all. Truk, of the Caroline Islands, falls in the "not at all" category. As a result of this literary survey, it was felt that the islands of Truk deserved at least a site survey.

(This is the first paragraph. There is no abstract.

The 40 species of marine benthic algae represent specimens collected on eight occasions between December 1841 and June 1998 from isolated Wake Atoll located 546 km north of the nearest land mass, i.e., Taongi Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Thirty five of the 40 species are reported for the first time from Wake Atoll. The annotated listing includes 5 species of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), 11 species of green algae, 11 species of brown algae and 13 species of red algae. The marine algae from Wake Atoll are, for the most part, species common to both the Hawaiian Islands and Micronesia, but show a slightly closer affinity with algae from Hawaiian waters. Only the green algae Caulerpa urvilleana and Halimeda renschii, and the brown alga Padina minor have not been reported from the Hawaiian Islands.

Presented here is the first marine algal listing from Marcus Island based on collections made by Dr. John E. Randall, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, during August 30 to September 10, 1968. Heydrich (1894) and Okamura (1897) have previously reported on four and forty-five species, respectively, from islands in the Bonin Islands.

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

Since publication of our two previous papers on the smaller northern islands of the Marianas chain (Fosberg et al. 1975, pp. 1-45; 1977, pp. 27-31), a number of plants have been found on islands where they were not known before. These were collected by M.V.C. Falanruw on a trip to Pagan Island in April, 1979. The new island records are presented below, along with some nomenclatural and taxonomic corrections to our 1975 list. The places referred to in that list are given in parentheses with each correction.

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

Fifty-seven reefs were surveyed over 817 km of the Great Barrier Reef. Tridacna gigas abundance decreased southwards: it is rare south of 19°S while T. derasa was bimodal with peaks in the northernmost and southernmost areas. Distributions of T. gigas suggest that limiting factors may be temperature and seasonal currents, while salinity or turbidity may be factors which limit T. derasa.

We conducted a 3-week field study of ectoparasites of humans and domestic animals throughout Guam. Thirteen species of ectoparasitic arthropods were collected. Ectoparasites of medical or veterinary significance included the ticks Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rhipicephalus microplus, fleas Ctenocephalides felis and Xenopsylla cheopsis, and the head louse Pediculus humanus capitis. Polymerase chain reaction based screening for rickettsial and protozoan pathogens detected pathogens in eight arthropods. These included Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma marginale, Coxiella burnetii, Babesia canis vogeli, and Hepatozoon canis.

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.

Archaeological research has occurred for more than one century now in the Mariana Islands, and it naturally has undergone numerous changes in both thought and practice. A comprehensive historical view allows some insight into how archaeology has developed technically and theoretically, as well as how it has addressed various significant topics. The present overview intends to support intellectual contextualization of past, current, and future research.