Pacific Science, Volume 60, Numbers 1-4, 2006

Index to Volume 60 : Subject Index

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Index to Volume 60 : Author Index

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Association Affairs

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

First Record of the Labrid Fish Cymolutes praetextatus from the Hawaiian Islands.

Randall, John E.; Langston, Ross C.; Severns, Mike — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The labrid fish Cymolutes praetextatus, previously known from East Africa to the Society Islands but not east of the Marshall Islands in the North Pacific, is reported from the Hawaiian Islands from two specimens collected in 18 m and an underwater photograph taken in 27 m. One of the color descriptions by Jordan and Evermann in 1905 in their species account of C. lecluse indicates that they had a specimen of praetextatus. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

Evidence for Sequential Hermaphroditism in Sabellastarte spectabilis (Polychaeta: Sabellidae) in Hawai‘i.

Bybee, David R.; Bailey-Brock, Julie H.; Tamaru, Clyde S. — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Understanding the reproductive characteristics of Sabellastarte spectabilis (Grube, 1878), an economically important polychaete worm collected forthe aquarium trade, is essential to the development of artificial propagation and conservation of coral reefs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether S. spectabilis is hermaphroditic. Using histological techniques, 180 individuals were examined for gametes. Gametes were present only in abdominal segments. Primary oocytes were 7–8 mm in diameter in histologically prepared sections. Sperm appeared as round black dots about 2 mm in diameter on histologically prepared slides. Most individuals sampled had only one type of gamete in the coelom, but both eggs and sperm were seen in the coelom of 15% of individuals, demonstrating the occurrence of hermaphroditism in Hawaiian populations of S. spectabilis. The sex ratio of males to females was skewed significantly toward males in both the small (6–8 mm diameter) and medium (9–10 mm diameter) sized worms. Among the largest worms (11–13 mm diameter), the sex ratio did not diverge significantly from 1: 1. There was a significantly higher proportion of hermaphrodites (30%) in the large size class. Worms of unknown gender, although present in all size classes examined, were most frequent (33%) in the medium size class. These v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

Janeke D. Impact of Post-typhoon Hunting on Mariana Fruit Bats (Pteropus mariannus).

Esselstyn, Jacob A.; Amar, Arjun; Janeke, Dustin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

We examined the abundance of Mariana fruit bats (Pteropus mariannus Desmarest) on the Pacific islands of Rota and Guam before and after a severe typhoon in December 2002. After the typhoon, bat abundance declined by 70% on Rota. On Guam, bat abundance initially increased by ca. 100 individuals (103%), perhaps due to immigration from Rota, but then declined an average of 32% from pretyphoon levels for the remainder of 2003. An increase in posttyphoon hunting pressure represents at least a partial cause for the decline observed on Rota. Interviews with 29 suspected poachers on the island revealed a 34% increase in bat harvest from 2002 to 2003. Hunting of bats is rare on Guam because access to their remaining habitat is restricted by the U.S. military. However, juvenile bats are preyed on by introduced brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis Bechstein) on Guam to such an extent that little to no withinisland recruitment occurs. We therefore suggest that the brief increase and subsequent decrease in bat abundance on Guam was due to interisland movements, a reduction in the source population (Rota), and/or changes in roosting patterns on Guam. Rota is vital to recovery prospects for P. mariannus in the southern Mariana Islands because it holds the only viable population in this part of the archipelago. If the species is not conserved, forest ecosystems may suffer because P. mariannus is almost certainly an important seed disperser and pollinator on these depauparate islands. We recommend that agencies responsible for managing hunted fruit bat populations make special efforts to prevent illegal hunting after severe typhoons. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

Killer Whales in Hawaiian Waters: Information on Population Identity and Feeding Habits

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) have only infrequently been reported from Hawaiian waters, and most of what is known about killer whales worldwide comes from studies in coastal temperate waters. Here we present 21 records of killer whales from within the Hawaiian Exclusive Economic Zone between 1994 and 2004. Killer whales were recorded nine months of the year, most around the main Hawaiian Islands. Although there were more records than expected during the period when humpback whales are abundant around the Islands, there is likely an increase in sighting effort during that period. Killer whales were documented feeding on both a humpback whale and cephalopods, and two species of small cetaceans were observed fleeing from killer whales. Although it is possible that there are both marine mammal–eating and cephalopod-eating populations within Hawaiian waters, it seems more likely that Hawaiian killer whales may not exhibit foraging specializations as documented for coastal temperate populations. Saddle patch pigmentation patterns were generally fainter and narrower than those seen in killer whales from the temperate coastal North Pacific. Analysis of skin samples from two animals indicated two mitochondrial haplotypes, one identical to the ‘‘Gulf of Alaska transient 2’’ haplotype (a mammal eating form), and the other a new haplotype one base different from haplotypes found for mammal-eating killer whales in coastal Alaskan waters. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

Nearshore Distribution and an Abundance Estimate for Green Sea Turtles, Chelonia mydas, at Rota Island, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Seventy-three green turtles, Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758), were observed in 84 sightings along 28 transects covering 67% of Rota’s shoreline and outer reef perimeter in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. No other sea turtle species were encountered. Juvenile turtles of various sizes dominated in all surveyed environments, and observations of turtles with estimated straight carapace lengthsa40 cm suggested recent and continuing recruitment at Rota. Distribution of turtles appeared temporally stable when compared with previously reported observations and data, with turtle concentrations highest along northeast, east, and southeast coasts of the island. Approximately 118 turtles were projected to inhabit nearshore habitats at Rota. Although this population may appear minor and indistinct compared with those at nearby Tinian and Saipan, continued monitoring would be useful for comparison of Mariana Islands trends. Thirty-five species of cyanophytes, algae, and a sea grass noted as green turtle forage in other world regions were identified at Rota in this and previous surveys. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

Rapid Assessment of Nonindigenous Marine Species on Coral Reefs in the Main Hawaiian Islands

Coles, S. L.; Kandel, F. L. M.; Reath, P. A.; Longenecker, K.; Eldredge, L. G. — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Coral reefs at Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i were surveyed using a rapid assessment method for marine nonindigenous and cryptogenic species commonly found in Hawaiian harbors and embayments with restricted circulation. In 41 sites surveyed by rapid assessment 26 nonindigenous and cryptogenic species (three algae, 19 invertebrates, and four fishes) were recorded from a total of 486 total taxa identified, and 17 of the nonindigenous and cryptogenic species occurred at only one or two sites. No more than six nonindigenous and cryptogenic species were recorded at any one site, and 21 of the 41 sites had fewer than three. By comparison, laboratory identification of samples collected from seven of the sites closest to harbors found 6–23 nonindigenous and cryptogenic species per site. Values for nonindigenous and cryptogenic species from rapid assessment were compared with factors potentially influencing spread and proliferation of introduced marine species. These factors included distances from harbors, boat-launching ramps, stream mouths, and shorelines; degree of shoreline urbanization; quantity of artificial surfaces in the water; reef condition and isolation from the open ocean; and native species richness. A best subsets regression model explained over 65% of the variance in nonindigenous and cryptogenic species from two predictor variables and their interaction: isolation from the open ocean and number of native taxa, with most of the variance explained by a highly significant relationship of nonindigenous and cryptogenic species with isolation from open-ocean conditions. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Effects on Growth of Two Hawaiian Species:Indigenous Osteomeles anthyllidifolia (Rosaceae) and Invasive Psidium cattleianum (Myrtaceae).

Koske, R. E.; Gemma, J. N. — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Two important plant species of Hawai‘i, the indigenous Osteomeles anthyllidifolia (Sm.) Lindl., a component of Hawai‘i’s most endangered habitat, and the highly invasive Psidium cattleianum Sabine were grown with or without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a soilless mix at different soil solution phosphorus (P) levels. At P levels similar to those in the field (0.007 mg P/liter), shoot biomass of inoculated plants of O. anthyllidifolia was 189% greater than that of controls, and that of P. cattleianum was 93% greater. Root weight of O. anthyllidifolia and leaf-tissue P of both species also were significantly higher in inoculated plants. At a higher concentration of soil-solution P (0.020 mg P/liter), inoculated plants of O. anthyllidifolia had 176% more biomass than controls, and those of P. cattleianum had 49% more. In a growth medium with soilsolution P equivalent to that of good agricultural soil (0.200 mg P/liter), inoculated plants of O. anthyllidifolia were 101% larger than controls. Results suggest that presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is of vital importance to establishment of O. anthyllidifolia in Hawaiian soils and that their absence may limit P. cattleianum invasion of sites that are highly deficient in available P. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

A 19-Year Study of the Dynamics of an Invasive Alien Tree, Bischofia javanica, on a Subtropical Oceanic Island.

Hata, Kenji; Suzuki, Jun-Ichirou; Kachi, Naoki; Yamamura, Yasuo — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

A 19-yr study of the dynamics of an invasive alien species, Bischofia javanica Blume, in a secondary forest was conducted in the Bonin Islands, Japan. The study was begun in 1984 when another alien species, Pinus luchuensis Mayer, had begun to die because of infection by a pine nematode as well as typhoon damage in 1983. Diameters at breast height (DBHs) of all trees in a 20 by 20 m plot and heights of all saplings (<1.3 m, b0.3 m in height) were measured almost every 3 yr. The total basal area of P. luchuensis decreased over time, and all trees had fallen over by 1998. The total basal area of B. javanica increased more than 10-fold over 19 yr without changes in tree or sapling density. Up to 1990, growth rates of trees of B. javanica were higher than those of two native canopy trees (Pouteria obovata and Machilus kobu), but a third native canopy tree (Schima mertensiana) had growth rates comparable with those of B. javanica. After 1990, there were few differences between growth rates of B. javanica and native species. However, mortality and recruitment of B. javanica were lower than those of native species of canopy trees during the survey period. The higher growth rate, lower mortality, and lower recruitment led to a shift from a skewed size distribution of the individuals of B. javanica toward a more bellshaped size distribution. Our results suggest that regeneration and maintenance of B. javanica populations in the secondary forests depend on canopy gaps occasionally created by disturbances. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

Historical Review of Control Programs for Levuana iridescens (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae) in Fiji and Examination of Possible Extinction of This Moth by Bessa remota (Diptera: Tachinidae).

Hoddle, Mark S. — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Coconut production in Fiji was a mainstay of the economy and indigenous culture in the late 1800s to early 1900s. From around 1877 coconut production on Viti Levu was severely affected by Levuana iridescens Betheune- Baker, a small purple moth, whose larvae trenched the underside of coconut leaves. A variety of cultural and chemical control strategies over approximately a 16-yr period failed to bring this pest under effective control. A biological control program initiated in 1925 resulted in importation and release of a parasitic fly, Bessa remota (Aldrich), which provided immediate and effective control of L. iridescens. This well-documented classical biological control program has subsequently become highly controversial with regard to arguments over endemicism of L. iridescens to the Fijian archipelago and the possibility that B. remota has caused the extirpation of L. iridescens and the endemic Heteropan dolens Druce in Fiji. A synopsis is provided of the cultural, chemical, and biological control programs for L. iridescens in Fiji. In addition, evidence for extinction of L. iridescens and H. dolens is examined through an analysis of little-known literature and neglected museum records. It is suggested that the reason for lack of reports of L. iridescens after 1956 was due to the declining value of copra, which resulted in less research on coconuts; the recall from Fiji of entomologists that worked on the L. iridescens control program by the Imperial Bureau of Entomology; and the subsequent increased abundance of another leaf-trenching lepidopteran, Agonoxena argaula Meyrick, which would have made easy detection of low-density L. iridescens populations difficult. To verify the continued presence of L. iridescens and H. dolens in Fiji will require a comprehensive campaign employing visual searches of coconut palm fronds, the use of ground and aerial malaise traps, canopy fogging, and perhaps chemical analysis of unidentified lepidopteran pupal cocoons found on the thatch of coconut fronds for comparison with chemical profiles of known L. iridescens cocoons. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

Invasion of French Polynesia by the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae): A New Threat to the South Pacific.

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (Say), is a major pest of agricultural, ornamental, and native plants. It is native to the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico. Homalodisca coagulata was first recorded in Tahiti (French Polynesia) in 1999. It reproduced and spread rapidly in French Polynesia and is currently found in almost all islands in the Society Islands group (Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine, Bora Bora, Tahaa, Maupiti), in Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas, and in Tubuai and Rurutu in the Australs. Tahiti and Moorea are the most heavily infested islands, where H. coagulata populations have reached densities far exceeding those observed in California (this pest invaded California in the late 1980s) or in its native range. Major factors responsible for high population densities of H. coagulata in French Polynesia are permissive environmental conditions (mild climate and abundant year-round feeding and oviposition substrates), absence of host-specific natural enemies, intoxication of generalist predators that attack nymphal and adult stages, and limited competition for resources. Homalodisca coagulata causes several problems in French Polynesia: dripping excreta from high densities of feeding adults and nymphs affect outdoor recreation under trees and create a social nuisance, attraction of large numbers of flying adults to lights at night and collisions with people are severe annoyances, and large numbers of H. coagulata feeding on plants can cause impaired growth. The major concern for French Polynesia is the possibility of this pest acquiring and vectoring the lethal plant bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which could have a disastrous impact on ornamental, agricultural, and native plants. Surveys are currently under way to detect X. fastidiosa in French Polynesia. Presence of large populations of H. coagulata in French Polynesia presents a major threat to agriculture and the biodiversity of South Pacific countries because this insect has clearly demonstrated a high invasion potential. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

Association Affairs

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

First Record of Brachiopods from the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, South Central Pacific.

Bitner, Maria Aleksandra — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Two species of Recent brachiopods, Eucalathis cf. murrayi and Frenulina sanguinolenta, have been identified in the collection from the Musorstom 9 Expedition to the Marquesas Islands in 1997. They represent the first record of brachiopods from the Marquesas Islands. Both species previously have been reported from the western Pacific, and F. sanguinolenta is also known from Hawai‘i in the North Central Pacific. Presence of these species in the Marquesas extends the eastern boundary of their biogeographic range. The brachiopods from the Marquesas show very low diversity when compared with the fauna from the western Pacific, as well as with that from the Hawaiian Islands. This decrease in number of species in the Pacific from west to east is also observed in other benthic invertebrate groups. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Niue, Polynesia

Wetterer, James K. — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Niue is a single isolated island in Polynesia. Based on reexamination of specimens from an earlier study and unpublished specimen data, I removed three erroneous records from the list of known ants from Niue (Paratrechina flavipes, Pheidole mus, and Tetramorium bicarinatum), corrected one name (Monomorium liliuokalanii instead of Monomorium monomorium), and added one new species record (Vollenhovia samoensis). Of the 33 ant species I report from Niue, 18 are Indo-Pacific natives and 15 are exotics. The ant fauna of Niue is almost entirely a subset of the fauna of neighboring Tonga and Samoa. Of the ant species native to the Indo-Pacific region found in Niue, only one was not also known from both Tonga and Samoa. Most or all of the other 17 species seem likely to be native to Niue (i.e., predating human arrival). This is particularly apparent for a local endemic species, V. samoensis, which was once considered to be a Samoan endemic but is now also known from Tonga and Niue. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

A New Eastern Limit of the Pacific Flying Fox, Pteropus tonganus (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae), in Prehistoric Polynesia: A Case of Possible Human Transport and Extirpation.

Weisler, Marshall I.; Bollt, Robert; Findlater, Amy — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Five bones, representing one adult of the Pacific Flying Fox, Pteropus tonganus, were recovered from an archaeological site on Rurutu (151_ 210 W, 22_ 270 S), Austral Islands, French Polynesia, making this the most eastern extension of the species. For the first time, flying fox bones from cultural deposits were directly dated by accelerator mass spectrometry, yielding an age of death between A.D. 1064 and 1155. Their stratigraphic position in an Archaic period archaeological site and the absence of bones in the late prehistoric to historic layers point to extirpation of the species. No flying fox bones were found in prehuman deposits and human transport of the species cannot be ruled out. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

Population Dynamics of Marsilea villosa (Marsileaceae) on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Marsilea villosa Kaulfuss is an endemic Hawaiian fern with a very small, fragmented natural range and an ephemeral habit that makes it difficult to assess population health. Its sporocarps are presumed to remain viable for many years, allowing it to survive periods of drought and then sexually reproduce when there is sufficient precipitation to cause them to be submerged in standing water. Surveys of plant cover at ‘Ihi‘ihilaua¯kea Crater, where the largest and best-protected stand was located, have shown that vigorous growth of the species occurs after the crater floor is flooded. This study documents dramatic decline over the last 8 yr, during which growth has been largely vegetative. Analyses of rainfall records suggest that events producing long-duration floods occur on average every 6.5 yr, yet 13 yr have elapsed since the last one. Although this may in part explain the poor condition of the population, other ecological changes have occurred including decline of the dominant trees and invasion of alien grasses that may influence flooding frequency. Marsilea villosa may be able to avoid extinction because flooding caused by rare climatic events will kill off the competitors that have encroached on its former ecological space. However, it is predicted to be a less-conspicuous part of the ecosystem most of the time unless management can effectively suppress invaders. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

Cormier N. Current Extent and Historical Expansion of Introduced Mangroves on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i.

Chimner, Rodney A.; Fry, Brian; Kaneshiro, Mahealani Y.; Cormier, Nicole — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In Hawai‘i, mangrove trees are introduced species that can rapidly colonize many nearshore environments. Mangroves have been introduced on O‘ahu, and Rhizophora mangle in particular has created numerous problems that have led to several mangrove removals and increased interest in long-term management of mangroves. The objective of this project was to quantify current locations of mangroves and their historical rate of expansion on O‘ahu. We used the Geographic Information System (GIS) to map mangroves from digitized air photographs from six time periods: 1951–1953, 1963–1965, 1978, 1982, 1991, and 2001. We found that mangroves are still expanding at a rapid rate on O‘ahu 80 yr after their introduction. Mangroves have colonized many different landforms, including tidal flats, riverbanks, fishponds, canals, protected reefs, embayments, lagoons, and other protected areas. Currently, mangroves are widely distributed and occur on all coasts except the dry leeward coast and occupy a total of 147 ha. Roughly 70% (102 ha) of all mangroves occur in Pearl Harbor. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly

Influence of Propagule Flotation Longevity and Light Availability on Establishment of Introduced Mangrove Species in Hawai‘i.

Allen, James A.; Krauss, Ken W. — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Although no mangrove species are native to the Hawaiian Archipelago, both Rhizophora mangle and Bruguiera sexangula were introduced and have become naturalized. Rhizophora mangle has spread to almost every major Hawaiian island, but B. sexangula has established only on O‘ahu, where it was intentionally introduced. To examine the possibility that differences in propagule characteristics maintain these patterns of distribution, we first reviewed the literature on surface currents around the Hawaiian Islands, which suggest that propagules ought to disperse frequently from one island to another within 60 days. We then tested the ability of propagules of the two species to float for periods of up to 63 days and to establish under two light intensities. On average, R. mangle propagules floated for longer periods than those of B. sexangula, but at least some propagules of both species floated for a full 60 days and then rooted and grew for 4 months under relatively dense shade. A large percentage (@83%) of R. mangle propagules would be expected to float beyond 60 days, and approximately 10% of B. sexangula propagules also would have remained afloat. Therefore, it seems likely that factors other than flotation ability are responsible for the failure of B. sexangula to become established on other Hawaiian islands. v. ill. 23 cm.; Quarterly