The Southwestern Pacific OBIS Node site is a gateway to marine biodiversity data from the Ross Sea (Antarctica), the Southern Ocean south of New Zealand, the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone, and surrounding seas, including those to the north as far as Fiji. As they become available, more new data sets will be added to this site and to the main OBIS site. More than 20 OBIS nodes around the world connect 500 institutions from 56 countries. Collectively, they have provided over 45 million observations of nearly 120 000 marine species, from Bacteria to Whales, from the surface to 10 900 meters depth, and from the Tropics to the Poles. The datasets are integrated so you can search and map them all seamlessly by species name, higher taxonomic level, geographic area, depth, time and environmental parameters. OBIS emanates from the Census of Marine Life (2000-2010) and was adopted as a project under IOC-UNESCO’s International Oceanographic Data and Information (IODE) programme in 2009.
biodiversity
Fangauta Lagoon Fisheries Species, Tonga
This is the fisheries species observed here at Fanga'uta Lagoon.
Darwin Core Archive of Fangauta Lagoon Fisheries Species, Tonga
The Real Bounty: Marine Biodiversity in the Pitcairn Islands
In 2012 we conducted an integrated ecological assessment of the marine environment of the Pitcairn Islands, which are four of the most remote islands in the world. The islands and atolls (Ducie, Henderson, Oeno, and Pitcairn) are situated in the central South Pacific, halfway between New Zealand and South America. We surveyed algae, corals, mobile invertebrates, and fishes at 97 sites between 5 and 30 m depth, and found 51 new records for algae, 23 for corals, and 15 for fishes. The structure of the ecological communities was correlated with age, isolation, and geomorphology of the four islands. Coral and algal assemblages were significantly different among islands with Ducie having the highest coral cover (56%) and Pitcairn dominated by erect macroalgae (42%). Fish biomass was dominated by top predators at Ducie (62% of total fish biomass) and at Henderson (35%). Herbivorous fishes dominated at Pitcairn, while Oeno showed a balanced fish trophic structure. We found high levels of regional endemism in the fish assemblages across the islands (45%), with the highest level observed at Ducie (56% by number). We conducted the first surveys of the deep habitats around the Pitcairn Islands using drop-cameras at 21 sites from depths of 78 to 1,585 m. We observed 57 fish species from the drop-cams, including rare species such as the false catshark (Pseudotriakis microdon) and several new undescribed species. In addition, we made observations of typically shallow reef sharks and other reef fishes at depths down to 300 m. Our findings highlight the uniqueness and high biodiversity value of the Pitcairn Islands as one of the least impacted in the Pacific, and suggest the need for immediate protection.
Darwin Core Archive of The Real Bounty: Marine Biodiversity in the Pitcairn Islands
The marine isopod family Stenetriidae from coral reefs at Bora Bora and Moorea, Society Islands, with descriptions of four species (Crustacea)
This dataset is from a paper that reports on a collection of five species of littoral to shallow water isopods from the Society Islands, French Polynesia. The material has been collected along the reefs surrounding the islands Bora Bora and Moorea. There has been no previous work published on Stenetriidae from the Society Islands, therefore it is not surprising that four of the five species obtained were undescribed. Up to now there are only two other reports on Stenetriidae from French Polynesia, dealing with three species of Stenetrium Haswell, 1881 from the Tuamotu Archipelago (Nobili 1906, 1907). One of these poorly described species, Stenetrium hanseni Nobili, 1906 has been rediscovered after more than eighty years and will be redescribed herein. It became obvious that all species involved in that report mainly have been found in more or less exposed locations near the reef slope, not a single specimen has been collected in sheltered places in the lagoons of fringing reefs.
Darwin Core Archive of The marine isopod family Stenetriidae from coral reefs at Bora Bora and Moorea, Society Islands, with descriptions of four species (Crustacea)
Contributions to the knowledge of the alpheid Shrimp of the Pacific Ocean: Collections from Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.
This dataset comes from a series of collections made by Albert H. Banner in 1954 while on a Yale University-University of Hawaii-Bishop Museum Grant; it deals with those shrimps collected in the Fiji, Tonga , and Samoa archipelagoes. The original paper describing this collection was prepared in final form in December 1961, complete with plates, maps, locality records, etc., but it was destroyed in the fire at the Hawaii Marine Laboratory. Lost also in the fire were the specimens in .the collection and the field notes. The sections of the paper dealing with Fiji, Tonga, and Western Samoa were salvaged in part from the partially burned original study notes and in part from the first draft of the text: for American Samoa we were able to make another collection which partially replaced the lost collection. Certain ambiguities in the preliminary notes could not be resolved for this final completed paper by reference to the original specimens, as is normally done.
Darwin Core Archive of Contributions to the knowledge of the alpheid Shrimp of the Pacific Ocean: Collections from Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.
Pasua (Tridacna maxima) size and abundance in Tongareva Lagoon, Cook Islands
Pasua (Tridacna maxima), also known as pa’ua, are one of two species of giant clams native to the Cook Islands. Pasua are a culturally significant food item throughout the Cook Islands, and in the Northern Cooks remain a staple food source. Pasua are rare in the southern Cook Islands as a consequence of previous overharvesting but increasing numbers of pasua from the northern Cook Islands, especially Tongareva, are available for sale in Rarotonga. In response to declining numbers in the southern Cook Islands, a giant clam hatchery was established on Aitutaki in 1990 by the Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) to help reintroduce clams to the lagoon. The specific aims of the survey were to assess the size distribution, abundance and density of pasua in Tongareva Lagoon. In addition, this survey aimed to provide baseline information for the Island Council regarding the establishment of specific size limits, the possible need for a rahui (harvest closure), and the ideal location of such a rahui if required.
Darwin Core Archive of Pasua (Tridacna maxima) size and abundance in Tongareva Lagoon, Cook Islands
Some littoral barnacles from the Tuamotu, Marshall and Caroline Islands
This dataset is from a paper by Dora P. Henry (1957) about some littoral barnacles from the Tuamotu, Marshall and Caroline Islands. A small number of barnacles collected by the Pacific Science Board expeditions at three localities - Ngarumaoa, Tuamotu Islands; South Loi Island, Marshall Islands; and Ifaluk Atoll, Caroline Islands - was sent to the author for identification. In all, there are seven species: three from the Caroline Islands, one from the Marshall Islands, and four, including one new species, from the Tuamotu Islands. In addition, a few barnacles collected by the Albatross at Makemo, Tuamotu Islands, were borrowed from the U.S. National Museum (USNM) to compare with the new material.
Darwin Core Archive of Some littoral barnacles from the Tuamotu, Marshall and Caroline Islands
The molluscs collection (IM) of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris) in the southwest Pacific region
This dataset is a subset of the mollusc collection of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris) extracted from GBIF and filtered for the southwest Pacific region and for marine species only. The full collection of marine, terrestrial and freshwater molluscs is primarily a scientific but also a historical and museological collection. It includes about 800 000 lots, totaling approximately 5 million specimens from around the world. These specimens are preserved as either dry collection (dried animals, shells) or in alcohol. The type collection contains 11 000 types of nominal species. The collection dates back to Michel Adanson (shells of Senegal, 1757) and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. It then increased through donations of amateur collectors, institutional legacies and purchases, and the activity of scientists from both the Museum and other institutions. This diversity of sources continues today, but large expeditions have been very important from the late eighteenth century through to the colonial era, a role they continue to play to this day. The "Tropical Deep-Sea benthos" oceanographic expeditions (formerly MUSORSTOM), launched in the early 1980s to sample the benthos of the tropical South and West-Pacific, have resulted in the collection becoming the best in the world for deep-sea faunas (100-1.500 m bathymetric zone). It is particularly rich in micromolluscs. Historical sections of the collection contain representatives of terrestrial and freshwater molluscs that are now extinct.
Darwin Core Archive of The molluscs collection (IM) of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris) in the southwest Pacific region
New species of deep water muricids (Gastropoda: Muricidae) from Papua New Guinea
This dataset is from a paper by Houart & Héros (2016) that examined species of Muricidae from Papua New Guinea. Six new deep-water species are described: Conchatalos samadiae spec. nov., Nipponotrophon barbarae spec. nov., Scabrotrophon manai spec. nov., Scabrotrophon maranii spec. nov., Scabrotrophon puillandrei spec. nov., and Scabrotrophon maestratii spec. nov.
Darwin Core Archive of New species of deep water muricids (Gastropoda: Muricidae) from Papua New Guinea
Experimental trawling off New Zealand, 1901
The object of the 1901 expedition was to continue the experimental survey of the coasts of New Zealand which was commenced the previous year, with the object of ascertaining what extent of trawling grounds exist in certain localities off the coast of the North Island, and to acquire information on the distribution of food-fishes, and assist the fishing industry by placing the information gained on record for the guidance of those interested. The expedition took place from February to May 1901 and covered the North Island and the northern part of the South Island. The steam-trawler "Doto" (C. A. Nielsen, captain and trawling-master), which had been used for similar experiments in 1900, was chartered from the Nelson Fishing Company for a period of eight weeks initially, but extended to four months. The "Doto" was originally built for a steam-yacht, but was subsequently bought by Captain Nielsen, for Messrs. Petersen and Co., in Sydney and taken over to Napier, where she was fitted out and used as a trawler. She is a composite vessel of 28 tons gross register, 66 ft. in length, 12 ft. beam, draught 6 ft. 6 in., and fifteen horse power nominal. The vessel was fitted with the otter-trawl, which while quite as effective can be much more easily and quickly put down and picked up than the beam trawl, and is therefore altogether better suited for the short tows required for experimental work. Fishing gear carried onboard included: trawl-nets—one manila-twine net, 60 ft. head-line, 45 ft. spread, and 65 ft. length; two cotton nets, 70 ft. head-line, 60 ft. spread, and 85 ft. depth; one pair of spare otter boards; one purse Seine net; one bottom dredge; hooks and lines.
Darwin Core Archive of Experimental trawling off New Zealand, 1901
A survey of pocilloporid corals and their endosymbiotic dinoflagellate communities in the Austral and Cook Islands of the South Pacific
It has recently been uncovered that the model reef coral Pocillopora damicornis is actually a taxonomic complex comprised of multiple species that are difficult to differentiate in situ. However, little is known about the distribution of these species across or within reef ecosystems. To better understand the spatial partitioning between the morphologically-similar sister species P. damicornis and P. acuta, 88 Pocillopora colonies were genotyped across five and three islands/atolls within the Austral and Cook Islands, respectively. A mix of newly described pocilloporid types was found across the two archipelagos, with nearly 33% of the specimens being identified not as the more commonly referenced a genotype of P. damicornis, but instead as P. acuta. Furthermore, P. damicornis was more likely to be found at depths greater than 15 m and in higher coral cover areas relative to P. acuta, suggesting that these closely-related species display distinct habitat preferences.
Darwin Core Archive of A survey of pocilloporid corals and their endosymbiotic dinoflagellate communities in the Austral and Cook Islands of the South Pacific
Experimental trawling off New Zealand, 1900
A trawling expedition undertaken on behalf of the Government during the autumn and early winter months of 1900. The object of the expedition was to make an experimental survey of the coasts of the New Zealand, especially in the neighbourhood of the more thickly populated centres, to ascertain what extent of trawling-grounds existed, what varieties of marketable fish were obtainable in the different localities, to prove whether the conditions necessary for carrying on successful trawling existed in certain localities within workable distance of the best markets; and, if so, to place the information on record for the guidance of those interested in the trawling industry; and generally to acquire information on the distribution of food-fishes, etc., in the sea surrounding these Islands. To carry out the experimental trawling operations the Government chartered the steam-trawler "Doto" owned by B. A. Petersen and Co., of Napier. The "Doto" was originally built for a steam-yacht, but was subsequently bought by Captain Nielsen, for Messrs. Petersen and Co., in Sydney and taken over to Napier, where she was fitted out and used as a trawler. She is a composite vessel of 28 tons gross register, 66 ft. in length, 12 ft. beam, draught 6 ft. 6 in., and fifteen horse power nominal. The vessel was fitted with the otter-trawl, which while quite as effective can be much more easily and quickly put down and picked up than the beam trawl, and is therefore altogether better suited for the short tows required for experimental work.
Darwin Core Archive of Experimental trawling off New Zealand, 1900
Tagging programmes have been used to provide information on fish and fisheries to central government policy makers in New Zealand for many years. A wide variety of species have been the subject of such studies, including finfish, shellfish and rock lobsters. In New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries (formerly the Ministry of Fisheries) has funded these programmes to aid with fisheries research and stock assessment. Data from these programme are held in the "tag" database, from which the data in this dataset are sourced.
Darwin Core Archive of New Zealand research tagging database
An extreme wandering leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, at Pitcairn Island, central South Pacific
Leopard seals are distributed around the Antarctic continent principally between 50°S and 80°S though they are known to wander even farther north, particularly to Australia, New Zealand, South America, and South Africa, and several sub-Antarctic Islands. Seasonal movements of leopard seals have been correlated with seasonal changes in the distribution of sea ice with seals moving north as sea ice develops in spring and winter and southward toward the Antarctic continent as it melts in late autumn and winter. On August 9, 2013, an emaciated juvenile male leopard seal was observed swimming in Bounty Bay at Pitcairn Island (25°4′S, 130°6′W). It was found ashore at a boat ramp in the bay the next day. Because of the seal’s apparent distress, it was promptly shot and killed humanely by an island police officer and then dumped at sea before any measurements or additional observations could be made. We estimated the seal to be a 10-month-old pup, about 1.8–2 m long. The appearance of this leopard seal at Pitcairn Island is only slightly farther south than the most northern record (the Cook Islands, 21°25′S, 159°8′W) for the species, but it is the most remote occurrence yet documented worldwide and correlates with the all-time record for sea ice coverage in the Antarctic in winter 2013.
Darwin Core Archive of An extreme wandering leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, at Pitcairn Island, central South Pacific
Recent brachiopods from the Austral Islands, French Polynesia, South-Central Pacific
Four Recent brachiopod species, including one new, Acrobrochus marotiriensis n. sp., Dallithyrispacifica Bitner, 2006, Megerlia truncata (Linnaeus, 1767) and Thecidellinamaxilla (Hedley, 1899), have been recognised in the material collected during the French BENTHAUS Expedition to the Austral Islands (French Polynesia) in 2002. The Austral Islands are situated on the south-eastern limit of the Indo-West Pacific biogeographic Province. This is the first record of brachiopods from off the Australs. Dallithyris pacifica, M. truncata and T. maxilla have been already reported from the southern Pacific, while the genus Acrobrochus is noted for the first time from the Pacific. Acrobrochus marotiriensis n. sp. belongs to the short-looped brachiopods. Its loop is characterized by a very broad, gently folded transverse band. The triangular outer hinge plates are margined by a small elevation of the crural bases. This species differs from congeneric species in its smaller size, its less elongate outline and its greater convexity.
Darwin Core Archive of Recent brachiopods from the Austral Islands, French Polynesia, South-Central Pacific
Cnidaria Anthozoa: Azooxanthellate Scleractinia from the Philippine and Indonesian regions
Species of azooxanthellate Scleractinaia are listed from the Philippine-Indonesian region. The specimens originate primarily from the MUSORSTUM 1-3 and KARUBAR expeditions, but also include specimens collected by the "Albatross", Danish Expedition to the Kei Islands, SNELLIUS 2 Expedition, "Galathea", Mortensen's Java-South Africa Expedition, "Hakuho Maru", "Siboga", CORINDON 2, and ESTASE 2 expeditions.
Darwin Core Archive of Cnidaria Anthozoa: Azooxanthellate Scleractinia from the Philippine and Indonesian regions
Data from: Distribution Pattern of Bivalve in Littoral Zone Gisi Village, Bintan District,Riau Island Province
This study aims to determine the distribution pattern and type of bivalves in Littoral Zone Gisi Village. This study was conducted in November 2015 located in the littoral zone Gisi Village, Bintan district, Riau Island Province, Indonesia. Determination of the sampling method used in this research is Random Sampling with Visual Sampling Plan (VSP) software and the plot size 1x1 m2.The research results obtained 7 species of bivalves from 4 families. Distribution Pattern is Clumped. Diversity Index (H’) 1.746 medium categorized, Uniformity index (E) 0.8974 in conditions of high, dominance index (D) 0.1916 low categorized. The average value of the range of temperatures in the range of 29.93 - 31.2 C, salinity in the range of 27.28 - 28.78 ‰, the degree of acidity (pH) in the range of 7.40 - 7.9, and dissolved oxygen (DO) in the range of 7.71 - 8.05mg/l, and sediment type is mud.
Darwin Core Archive of Data from: Distribution Pattern of Bivalve in Littoral Zone Gisi Village, Bintan District,Riau Island Province
New species and new records of Calliostomatidae (Gastropoda: Trochoidea) from eastern and central lndo-Pacific
New records of five known Calliostomatidae species from eastern and central tropical Pacific are listed, extending the distribution area of some of them. Four new species are described and compared with similar species; Calliostoma haapaiensis n. sp., C. vaubanoides n. sp., C. mesemorinon n. sp. and C. polysarkon n. sp.
Darwin Core Archive of New species and new records of Calliostomatidae (Gastropoda: Trochoidea) from eastern and central lndo-Pacific
Biogeography of near-shore reef fishes in northern New Zealand
Species composition and richness of near-shore reef fish faunas around northern New Zealand were examined at different spatial scales. This comparison indicated a primary subdivision of faunas into three regional biogeographic groups: western North Island coast; north-eastern North Island coast and offshore islands; and Three Kings Islands. The western North Island reef fish fauna had low species richness, a predominance of widespread species over warm temperate species, and lacked subtropical and tropical species. North-eastern North Island and Three Kings faunas were richer, and incorporated mixes of widespread, warm temperate, subtropical, and rare tropical fish. Some frequent north-eastern North Island species were absent or rare in the Three Kings fauna; conversely, some species that were frequent at the Three Kings, including the restricted endemic Odax cyanoallix, were rare on the north-eastern North Island coast. The reef fish fauna of north-eastern Northland was further subdivided into three ecological-biogeographic subgroups, representing species assemblages of: headlands and islands strongly influenced by oceanic watermasses; open coasts predominantly influenced by coastal watermasses; and harbours and sheltered bays. Overall species richness and numbers of subtropical-tropical species were highest in the first subgroup, intermediate in the second, and lowest in the last-mentioned. The species assemblages of harbours and sheltered bays in north-eastern Northland had similar composition and richness to harbour and exposed open coast assemblages in western Northland.
Darwin Core Archive of Biogeography of near-shore reef fishes in northern New Zealand
Estuarine fish in the Rewa River estuary, Viti Levu, Fiji 2012
This dataset comprises bycatch data from a shark sampling research project in the Rewa River Estuary on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. A 100 meter gillnet comprising 3-, 3.5- and 4-inch nylon monofilament mesh sizes was used to capture fish. Gillnet soak times were either 1 or 2 hours, and dependent on prevailing sea and weather conditions. All net deployments began at 1700hrs. This dataset is part of the results of research by a Master of Science student at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji. The research was funded in part by the SciCOFish programme of the Pacific Community, and the Faculty Research Committee of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) at USP. Publication of this dataset was funded by the European Union (EU). We are also grateful to GBIF, BID and VertNet for their support in mobilising this dataset.
Darwin Core Archive of Estuarine fish in the Rewa River estuary, Viti Levu, Fiji 2012
Seagrass plants collected by the Vanuatu Environmental Science Society form various locations in Vanuatu.
Darwin Core Archive of VESS Vanuatu seagrass specimens
New species and genera of colloniids from Indo-Pacific coral reefs, with the definition of a new subfamily Liotipomatinae n. subfam. (Turbinoidea, Colloniidae)
The genus Liotipoma McLean & Kiel, 2007, was proposed for a remarkable small-shelled gastropod genus from coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific that resemble the family Liotiidae Gray, 1850 in having fine axial lamellae and a thickened terminal lip, but differ in having the solid calcareous operculum of the family Colloniidae Cossmann, 1916. The genus was originally assigned to the otherwise Cretaceous subfamily Petropomatinae Cox, 1960 of the family Colloniidae, because the inner side of the operculum is multispiral, conical and projecting, as in the Mesozoic genera assigned to Petropomatinae. Here the genus Liotipoma is assigned to a new colloniid subfamily Liotipomatinae n. subfam. because its axial lamellae are unknown in the Cretaceous genera of Petropomatinae. Four genera are now recognised; all species are known from shell grit samples collected by diving or dredging at coral reefs from recent MNHN expeditions to New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands, Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu) and Wallis Island, and also from LACM material from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Marshall Islands. The most speciose genus is Liotipoma, with eight known species, seven of which are new and described here the largest known species is L. magna n. sp. from Santo, Vanuatu. Also described are: Depressipoma n. gen. with two new species from the Marshall Islands; Rhombipoma n. gen., with one new species from Rowley Shoals, northwestern Australia; and Paraliotipoma n. gen.,with one new species from Sea Horse Shoal, South China Sea. Although live-collected specimens are still unknown, sexual dimorphism in Liotipoma was reported for the type species when the genus was described. Here it is reported from four of the eight known species of that genus, expressed in expansion of the umbilical cavity as a brood chamber in the female shell, as previously reported in the families Liotiidae and Colloniidae. In two species the worn female shell shows an irregular degradation of the umbilical cavity, which is considered the effect of bearing a large egg mass and brood. For reasons unknown, female shells of most species of Liotipoma are much less frequent than male shells. Formal validation of Areneidae n. fam. is provided in an addendum to this paper.
Darwin Core Archive of New species and genera of colloniids from Indo-Pacific coral reefs, with the definition of a new subfamily Liotipomatinae n. subfam. (Turbinoidea, Colloniidae)
SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Nauru 2005
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in Nauru during the CoFish survey (2005) with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Nauru 2005
The Living Columbariinae (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda: Turbinellidae)
The Columbariinae have been represented in the fauna of New Zealand from the Paleocene until the Recent, providing the longest known continuous record for the subfamily. Seven living species, representing the genera Columbarium, Coluzea, and Fulgurofusus, are recognized, and include two species, Fulgurofusus maxwelli and Fulgurofusus marshalli that are described as new. The New Zealand columbariine fauna is unusually diverse at the generic level, and includes the largest members of the subfamily, as well as the only primarily sublittoral species.
Darwin Core Archive of The Living Columbariinae (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda: Turbinellidae)
A rock bottom fauna from 80 fathoms off Banks Peninsula
By 1951, apart from the systematic accounts of various groups, based on the results of expeditions that have visited New Zealand waters, the deep water faun of the New Zealand seas was very imperfectly known. Some of the molluscan faunas were reasonably well known but there was no account of the complete fauna from any one locality. In 1951, Dr. G. A. Knox had the good fortune to examine a large sandstone block trawled from 80 fathoms (145 metres) off Banks Peninsula. Apart from the motile crustacea and echinoderms, a reasonably complete coverage of the rock dwelling fauna of the continental shelf of this region was recovered. A total of 103 species was obtained from the block. Of these three species and one subspecies of mollusca and four species of polychaeta proved to be new (several sponges and bryozoan were also likely to be new. The mollusca are described by R. K. Dell and the polychaeta by G. A. Knox in a issue of the Canterbury Museum Records. The porifera were preliminarily identified into eight species, but were not formerly identified in this dataset.
Darwin Core Archive of A rock bottom fauna from 80 fathoms off Banks Peninsula
The genus Volvarina (Gastropoda: Marginellidae) in Polynesia
Volvarina paumotensis (Pease, 1868), a Tuamotu Archipelago endemic species is studied with reference to its original description, and from living populations recently discovered on several atolls in the type locality. Two species of Volvarina discovered in Suwarrow, Northern Cook Islands, are studied. One of these is identified as being the previously described V. elliptica (Redfield, 1870), which has until now been considered as a species endemic to Fanning Island in the Line Islands (Kiribati). Additional records of shells from New Ireland and several Indonesian locations that have been provisionally identified by the authors as V. elliptica are given and it is cautiously suggested that the range of this species is extended to include these localities. The animal and shell of the second species, V. nealei n. sp. are described and illustrated from a Suwarrow population discovered in an unusual micro-habitat associated with small brain corals in shallow water.
Darwin Core Archive of The genus Volvarina (Gastropoda: Marginellidae) in Polynesia
SPC CoFish Fish Observations Marshall Islands 2007
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Marshall Islands during the CoFish surveys in Laura, Ailuk, Arno and Likiep (2007). The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC CoFish Fish Observations Marshall Islands 2007
Marine Ornithological Records around New Zealand from the OSNZ
This dataset contains observation records of marine birds as published online in the Notornis journal. Notornis is the Ornithological Society of New Zealand's quarterly scientific journal. This peer-reviewed journal has been publishing ornithological research relevant to New Zealand and the South Pacific since 1943 (originally as New Zealand Bird Notes). Records are mainly of unusual bird reports received to the OSNZ Records Appraisal Committee (RAC) and reports of bird surveys around islands offshore of New Zealand and in the southwest Pacific Ocean.
Darwin Core Archive of Marine Ornithological Records around New Zealand from the OSNZ
A rare and unusual new bittiine genus with two new species from the South Pacific (Cerithiidae, Gastropoda)
A new genus, Limatium gen. n., and two new species, L. pagodula sp. n. and L. aureum sp. n. are described, found on outer slopes of barrier reefs and fringing reefs in the South Pacific. They are rare for cerithiids, which typically occur in large populations. The two new species are represented by 108 specimens sampled over a period of 30 years, only 16 of which were collected alive. Three subadults from the Philippines and Vanuatu likely represent a third species. In addition to their rarity, Limatium species are atypical for cerithiids in their smooth, polished, honey to golden brown shells with distinctive white fascioles extending suture to suture. The radula presents a unique morphology that does not readily suggest an affinity to any of the cerithiid subfamilies. Two live-collected specimens, one of each species and designated as holotypes, were preserved in 95% ethanol and sequenced. Bayesian analysis of partial COI and 16S rDNA sequences demonstrates a placement in the Bittiinae, further extending our morphological concept of the subfamily.
Darwin Core Archive of A rare and unusual new bittiine genus with two new species from the South Pacific (Cerithiidae, Gastropoda)
SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Cook Islands 2007
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in Cook Islands during the CoFish surveys in Rarotonga, Palmerston, Mangaia and Aitutaki (2007) with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Cook Islands 2007
The Marine Fauna of New Zealand. Squat lobsters (Crustacea, Decapoda, Chirostyloidea)
Marine squat lobsters belonging to the two superfamilies, Galatheoidea Samouelle, 1819 and Chirostyloidea Ortmann, 1892, are conspicuous elements of marine environments at most latitudes and depths. Current global diversity estimates stand at around 1300 species of galatheoids and 345 hirostyloids. The rate of discovery has not decreased in recent years; a recent book on squat lobster biology highlighted gaps in regional inventories of species, citing the New Zealand region as an example. All species of superfamily Chirostyloidea of the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are reviewed and inventoried from new and historical collections and revised where necessary. Collections within the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) Invertebrate Collection (NIC), the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (NMNZ), Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira (AKM), and the Australian Museum (AM), have yielded well over 1700 catalogued specimens, some of which are from the Australian EEZ and International Waters, and from depths ranging from 20 to 2340 m. This work provides the first comprehensive monographic account of the New Zealand Chirostyloidea, spanning nearly 150 years of collections (1874–2017). Prior to this study, 38 species from two of the four families of the Chirostyloidea were known from the New Zealand region. The New Zealand chirostyloid fauna now covers three of the four families (except Kiwaidae) and comprises 86 species in eight genera: Chirostylus Ortmann, 1892, Gastroptychus Caullery, 1896, Heteroptychus Baba, 2018, Uroptychodes Baba, 2004, Uroptychus Henderson, 1888, Eumunida Smith, 1883, PseudomunidaHaig, 1979 and Sternostylus Baba, Ahyong & Schnabel, 2018. Uroptychus nitidus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880) is herein designated type species for the genus. Twenty-six species are new to science and 23 represent new distribution records. All available material is examined and listed, all species are illustrated, and diagnoses and keys are provided. A wider phylogenetic study of the group is under way but preliminary results of DNA barcoding are used as a molecular taxonomy tool and discussed. Chirostyloidea are typically associated with other macroinvertebrates, most commonly with large antipatharians or alcyonaceans and occasionally sponges, which are usually concentrated on marine habitats such as seamounts or deep-sea ridges. Some of their life history characteristics (abbreviated larval stages for three of the four families) and their evident resource-association have been linked to increased range restrictions and potentially higher rates of diversification than for galatheoids. As expected, the New Zealand chirostyloid fauna shows a close biogeographic affinity with that of the tropical south-west Pacific and eastern Australia. A few species are widespread in the Indo-West Pacific and over 40% are currently considered endemic. Results of the present study demonstrate a considerably higher species richness than previously known for the New Zealand EEZ, more than doubling the known fauna of the region. Many global regions remain entirely or partially unstudied, implying that a huge potential for species discovery remains. The New Zealand region is comparatively well-sampled, although some areas remain unstudied. It is suspected that only a small number of species might be added to the regional chirostyloid diversity in the future. Major work remains, however, with the inventory of outstanding Galatheoidea squat lobsters.
Darwin Core Archive of The Marine Fauna of New Zealand. Squat lobsters (Crustacea, Decapoda, Chirostyloidea)
Biological Results of The Chatham Islands 1954 Expedition: Decapod Brachyura; Cumacea; Decapoda Natantia
The Chatham Islands 1954 Expedition was organised and led by Prof. G. A. Knox of the Zoology Department of Canterbury University. The expedition was planned to explore the distribution of benthic and pelagic animals between the New Zealand coast and the Chatham Islands over the Chatham Rise, and to investigate the faunal affinities of the Chatham group, which lies in the Sub-tropical Convergence zone. Occurrences from three faunal groups are listed in this dataset: the crabs (Decapoda, Brachyura) as described by R. K. Dell; Cumacea as described by N. S. Jones; and Crustacea Decapoda Natantia as described by J. C. Yaldwyn.
Darwin Core Archive of Biological Results of The Chatham Islands 1954 Expedition: Decapod Brachyura; Cumacea; Decapoda Natantia
Oceanic migration of tropical Pacific eels from Vanuatu
Information on oceanic migrations and spawning areas of tropical Pacific freshwater eels (genus Anguilla) is very limited. Lake Letas and its single outflowing river, Mbe Solomul on Gaua Island, Vanuatu, were surveyed for large migrating individuals. Twenty-four Anguilla marmorata (87 to 142 cm), 39 A. megastoma (50 to 131 cm), and 3 A. obscura (119 to 126 cm) were caught. Seven individuals were tagged with pop-up satellite transmitters and released offshore. One A. marmorata migrated 843 km towards the South Equatorial Current. The tag surfaced only 330 km from the point where the smallest leptocephalus has been captured so far. Tags on A. megastoma and A. obscura popped up within the archipelago.
Darwin Core Archive of Oceanic migration of tropical Pacific eels from Vanuatu
Reef Life Survey (RLS) around New Zealand region: Invertebrates
Reef Life Survey is designed to develop and resource a network of skilled recreational divers for rapid and cost-effective assessment of the state of the inshore marine environment at the global scale. The project uses standardised underwater visual census methods employed by trained SCUBA divers to survey fish and invertebrate species and to record habitat type using photo quadrats - this dataset refers to the invertebrate survey component only. The dataset generated by recreational divers provides a national framework for monitoring the state of the inshore environment and the identification of those threats and locations of greatest conservation concern. The project also increases awareness and interest by the recreational diving community in marine issues, and enhanced scientific capacity of personnel in regional areas. This dataset is a subset of the whole collection for the New Zealand and south western Pacific region only. For the full recod, visit http://reeflifesurvey.com/reef-life-survey/survey-data/
Darwin Core Archive of Reef Life Survey (RLS) around New Zealand region: Invertebrates
SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Fiji 2002-2003
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Fiji during the PROCFish/C surveys (2002-2003) in 5 sites Dromuna, Muaivuso, Mali, Lakeba (Vanua Levu) and Labeka Island (Lau Group). The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Fiji 2002-2003
Four species of the lanternfish genus Diaphus (Myctophidae) from the Indo-Pacific
This dataset comes from a paper that describes four species of the genus Diaphus. Three of these are in the subgeneric group with a suborbital luminous organ and are members of the D. fulgens species group with a raised AOa1 photophore. D. impostor sp. nov. from the Indo-West Pacific is most similar to D. aliciae, differing in lower gill raker count and smaller size. D. wisneri sp. nov. from north of Hawaii and south Pacific lacks a luminous scale at the PLO and has a lower gill raker count than similar species. D. kora sp. nov. from north-east of New Zealand has a large luminous scale at the PLO, and a longer Vn and lower gill raker counts than similar species. D. kapalae sp. nov. from the south-western Pacific is most similar to D. splendidus and D. antonbruuni, from which it differs by the presence of an Ant, higher gill raker counts, and position of the VLO photophore.
Darwin Core Archive of Four species of the lanternfish genus Diaphus (Myctophidae) from the Indo-Pacific
Three new species of Astreopora (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) from West Papua
Three new species of Astreopora (Hexacorallia: Scleractinia: Acroporidae), from Cenderawasih Bay in West Papua, exhibit morphological innovations for this conservative genus, extant since the Cretaceous. Two species are fully branching, a condition never previously described for Astreopora: Astreopora cenderawasih sp. nov. has dendritic branching, also seen in the confamilial genus Montipora, whereas branches of A. acroporina sp. nov. possess an axial corallite, regarded as the key morphological innovation facilitating rapid diversification and dominance of reefs in the younger, confamilial and most diverse genus Acropora (staghorn corals). We propose that these novel characters may be parallelisms indicating deep familial homologies. The third species, Astreopora montiporina sp. nov., has expansive coenosteum, reminiscent of plating Montipora. The new species form part of the most species rich Astreopora assemblage reported to date, comprising 14 species. The unique tectonic and eustatic history of Cenderawasih Bay may have played a role in the evolution of these new species.
Darwin Core Archive of Three new species of Astreopora (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) from West Papua
Occurence of New Zealand's non-geniculate coralline flora. This dataset is based on two identification guides published by NIWA and funded through the Ministry of Fisheries Biodiversity Programme in order to make information accessible to marine scientists and resource managers and to improve understanding of these algae.
Darwin Core Archive of New Zealand Coralline Algae
Killer whale (Orcinus orca) predation on dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) in Kaikoura, New Zealand
Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are known to prey on a wide variety of marine mammal species, including large and small cetaceans, as well as pinnipeds (Jefferson et al. 1991). No well-documented records of killer whales feeding on dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) have been reported in the literature. Wursig and Wursig (1980) reported one second-hand account of pre-dation on dusky dolphins off Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. Accounts of killer whales preying on other species in the genus Lagenorhynchus are also infrequent (Dahlheim and Towel1 1994), especially given that these animals are both regularly observed in similar habitats. We present accounts of four killer whales preying on dusky dolphins over a period of 11 d off Kaikoura, New Zealand (42°25'S, 173°42'E).
Darwin Core Archive of Killer whale (Orcinus orca) predation on dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) in Kaikoura, New Zealand
Acanthoplesiops naka. A new species of the fish genus Acanthoplesiops Regan (Teleostei: Plesiopidae: Acanthoclininae) from Tonga
Acanthoplesiops naka sp. n. is described from the 9.9 mm SL holotype collected at Ofolanga Island of the Ha'apai Group of Tonga. Its dorsal-fin spine count of XVIII is unique in the genus. The following combination of characters also distinguishes it from congeners: first two dorsal-fin pterygiophores in the 3rd interneural space (anterior dorsal-fin formula ?/?/I+I/I/I/I/I//I/I/I); 3 dentary pores; 2 intertemporal pores; head and body generally brownish with darker pigment spots (from shrunken melanophores), excepting a paler stripe from the anterior half of the symphyseal flap on the lower lip to the origin of the dorsal fin (continuing on to the first dorsal spine), a pale spot on the pectoral-fin base, and a pale caudal peduncle continuous with pale bases of last 3 segmented dorsal- and anal-fin rays; regular ctenoid scales; no membranous attachment of last dorsal- or anal-fin rays to caudal fin. The new species might be the sister taxon to A. psilogaster as they share the putative derived character of two dorsal-fin pterygiophores in the 3rd interneural space.
Darwin Core Archive of Acanthoplesiops naka. A new species of the fish genus Acanthoplesiops Regan (Teleostei: Plesiopidae: Acanthoclininae) from Tonga
Antarctic Biodiversity Studies 2006 (Ross Sea, Scott Island, and Balleny Islands) (TAN0602)
NIWA was contracted by the New Zealand Government, through its agent Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), to conduct a 51-day scientific study of areas in the Eastern & Central Ross Sea and around Scott & Balleny Islands, Antarctica. This work included biodiversity studies for the Ministry of Fishes (MFish), and marine mammal and sea bird studies for MFish and Department of Conservation (DoC).
Darwin Core Archive of Antarctic Biodiversity Studies 2006 (Ross Sea, Scott Island, and Balleny Islands) (TAN0602)
SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Tuvalu 2004-2005
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in Tuvalu during the PROCFish/C surveys (2004-2005) in 4 sites Funafuti, Niutao, Nukufetau and Vaitupu with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Tuvalu 2004-2005
Proctophantastes nettastomatis (Digenea: Zoogonidae) from Vanuatu deep-sea fish
This dataset is from a paper that deals with Proctophantastes nettastomatis (Digenea: Zoogonidae; Lepidophyllinae) found in the intestine of three species of deep-sea fish, Dicrolene longimana (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes), Bathyuroconger sp. (Congridae, Anguilliformes), and Venefica tentaculata (Nettastomatidae, Anguilliformes). The fish were collected near the islands of Espiritu Santo, Erromango, and Epi, respectively, in the archipelago of Vanuatu (Southern Pacific Ocean) at depths ranging from 561 to 990 m. Morphological and histological analyses showed that the Vanuatu specimens differ from Proctophantastes abyssorum, Proctophantastes gillissi, Proctophantastes glandulosum, Proctophantastes infundibulum, and Proctophantastes brayi but are close to P. nettastomatis discovered in Suruga Bay, Japan. P. nettastomatis is redescribed based both on the observations of our specimens and of the Japanese holotype and paratype. The morphological variability of the species is described. Morphometric data allowed the identification of positive allometric growth for the hindbody, negative allometric growth for the ventral sucker, and a growth phenotypic plasticity between Ophidiiformes and Anguilliformes definitive hosts.
Darwin Core Archive of Proctophantastes nettastomatis (Digenea: Zoogonidae) from Vanuatu deep-sea fish
Ross Sea Biodiversity Survey 2004 (BioRoss)
Marine biological data from the 2004 voyage of the R/V Tangaroa (TAN0402) to the Ross Sea, Antarctica. The main objective of the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries project (BioRoss) was to carry out a quantitative survey of the biodiversity of selected marine communities in the Ross Sea region, including the Balleny Islands.
Darwin Core Archive of Ross Sea Biodiversity Survey 2004 (BioRoss)
Benthic Foraminifera of Laucala Bay (Suva, Fiji)
Foraminifera (often abbreviated to "forams") are acellular organisms (protists) that form shells (tests) of calcium carbonate or cemented grains of sand or other material which, when the animals die, may form calcareous sand. The purpose of the study was to determine the species of benthic foraminifera present in Laucala Bay, and to investigate the role of large foraminifera, especially the soritid Marginopora vertebralis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1830) in supplying carbonate sediments to a lagoonal sedimentary system in Fiji, namely the Nukubuco Reef flat in Laucala Bay. A total of 68 different species from 48 different genera were identified from the 13 sites sampled and the species classification and taxonomy were determined.
Darwin Core Archive of Benthic Foraminifera of Laucala Bay (Suva, Fiji)
Some Opisthobranchia (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from the Marshall Islands
The rich opisthobranch fauna of the Marshall Islands has remained largely unstudied because of the geographic remoteness of these Pacific islands. We report on a long-term collection of Opisthobranchia assembled from the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Rongelap, and Ujelang. Fifty-seven new records for the Marshall Islands are recorded, raising to 103 the number of species reported from these islands.
Darwin Core Archive of Some Opisthobranchia (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from the Marshall Islands
This dataset is from a paper by Bratcher (1980) on a new Indo-Pacific Terebrid. In 1969 an unusual terebrid was dredged from 300 m in Hawaii by E. R. Cross. Though subsequent research showed it to be a new species, there was a hesitancy in describing it on the basis of a single specimen, particularly as the protoconch was missing. Since that time other specimens of the same species have been sent to me for identification from several areas of the tropical Indo-Pacific. Because E. R. Cross was the instructor of my first course in underwater safety and is a longtime friend, because of his years as editor of the Hawaiian Shell News, and because he discovered the first specimen of this new species, I now take pleasure in naming it in his honor.
Darwin Core Archive of Data from: A New Indo-Pacific Terebrid
First record in the Tropical Eastern Pacific of the exotic species Ficopomatus uschakovi (Polychaeta, Serpulidae)
The exotic Indo-West-Pacific species, Ficopomatus uschakovi (Polychaeta, Serpulidae) is recorded for the first time in the Tropical Eastern Pacific from two sites in La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, a coastal lagoon in the Pacific south of Mexico. The means of dispersal of this serpulid species still remains unclear, as the nearest port (Puerto Chiapas) is 70 km to the south, and there are no port installations or shrimp cultures in the lagoon. The record of this serpulid species, apparently widely distributed in this coastal lagoon, has implications regarding possible effects on the brackish-water ecosystem, since the invasion event very well may have occurred several years ago. It is recommended that an exhaustive study be carried out in the coastal lagoons of Chiapas to evaluate the real distribution and the effects of this invasive species on the ecosystem.
Darwin Core Archive of First record in the Tropical Eastern Pacific of the exotic species Ficopomatus uschakovi (Polychaeta, Serpulidae)
Ecsenius niue, new species of blenniid fish, and new distribution records for other species in the Opsifrontalis species group
Ecsenius niue is described from Niue Islands, SW Pacific. It is a member of the Opsidrontalis species group and is most similar to the Fijian endemic E. fijiensis, from which it differs in having six, as opposed to seven, vertical pairs of dark spots on the body posterior to a vertical from the base of the first segmented dorsal-fin ray, and in having the posteriormost pair of dark spots posteriorly elongate and attenuating onto the base of the caudal fin, as opposed to the spots being roughly cicular and discrete. It differs from the superficially similar E. tigris (islands of the Queensland Plateau) in lacking the three of four dark spots on the body ventral to those on the dorsal body contour below the spinous dorsal fin. New distribution records are given for E. axelrodi, E. bathi, and E. opsifrontalis.
Darwin Core Archive of Ecsenius niue, new species of blenniid fish, and new distribution records for other species in the Opsifrontalis species group
Cetaceans sighted off the west coast of the South Island, New Zealand, Summer 1970
Records are presented of sightings of 6 cetacean species (15 common dolphins, Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, over 5000 dusky dolphins, Lagenorhynchus obscurus (Gray), approximately 74 bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu), 8 sperm whales, Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus, 6 southern humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski), and 36 southern pilot whales. Globicephala melaena edwardii (Smith)) from m.v. Lloret Lopez II between 8 January and 2 April 1970. A large school of dusky dolphins was observed south of Solander Island. Monthly water temperatures in the summer of 1970 were high and in January ranged from 15.4°c (9.2 km west of Fiordland) and 21.6°c (55 km west of Cape Farewell), in February from 16.2°c (Fiordland) and 20.4°c (Cape Farewell), and in March from 16.0°c (Fiordland) and 20.5°c (Cape Farewell).
Darwin Core Archive of Cetaceans sighted off the west coast of the South Island, New Zealand, Summer 1970
Distribution of surface phytoplankton between New Zealand and Antarctica, December 1957
During the Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1955-1958, the distribution of phytoplankton in the southern ocean and Ross Sea was investigated from fifty-seven samples taken at roughly 30-mile intervals between southern New Zealand and McMurdo Sound. The greatest diversity of species occurred between 55° and 60°S, just north of the Antarctic Convergence. Maximum concentration was found at 70° to 72°S, where Corethron crioplhilum was profoundly dominant. A predominately sub-Antarctic assemblage between 52° and 64°S was dominated by nine species not found in significant quantities elsewhere in the series of samples. Only two of these extended in appreciable numbers into the Ross Sea. Six of the commonest species ranged from sub-Antarctic waters southwards across the Antarctic Convergence, and two were not recorded north of the Ross Sea.
Darwin Core Archive of Distribution of surface phytoplankton between New Zealand and Antarctica, December 1957
The genus Pagodula (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Muricidae) in Australia, the New Zealand region and the Tasman Sea
Deep-sea gastropods of the genus Pagodula Monterosato, 1884 from the New Zealand region, Australia and the Tasman Sea are reviewed. Seventeen Recent species are recognised, including Trophon araios Houart & Engl, 2007, T. macquariensis Powell, 1957, T. pulchellus Schepman, 1911 and T. veronicae Pastorino, 1999, newly referred to the genus, P. plicilaminata (Verco, 1909), and eleven species described as new. An additional species from South Australia, represented by a syntype of T. plicilaminatus, is left unnamed. Lectotypes are designated for Pagodula carduelis (Watson, 1882), P. obtuselirata (Schepman, 1911) and P. pulchella (Schepman, 1911). Some of the material examined have been previously published in OBIS is records from the Australian Museum. This dataset contains other material examined, mainly from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and NIWA.
Darwin Core Archive of The genus Pagodula (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Muricidae) in Australia, the New Zealand region and the Tasman Sea
SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Solomon Islands 2006
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Solomon Islands during the PROCFish/C surveys (2006) in 4 sites Chubikopi, Marau, Nggela and Rarumana. The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Solomon Islands 2006
﻿Benthic megafauna of the western Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean from the DeepCCZ project, 2018
There is a growing interest in the exploitation of deep-sea mineral deposits, particularly on the abyssal seafloor of the central Pacific Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), which is rich in polymetallic nodules. In order to effectively manage potential exploitation activities, a thorough understanding of the biodiversity, community structure, species ranges, connectivity, and ecosystem functions across a range of scales is needed. The benthic megafauna plays an important role in the functioning of deep-sea ecosystems and represents an important component of the biodiversity. While megafaunal surveys using video and still images have provided insight into CCZ biodiversity, the collection of faunal samples is needed to confirm species identifications to accurately estimate species richness and species ranges, but faunal collections are very rarely carried out. Using a Remotely Operated Vehicle, 55 specimens of benthic megafauna were collected from seamounts and abyssal plains in three Areas of Particular Environmental Interest (APEI 1, APEI 4, and APEI 7) at 3100–5100 m depth in the western CCZ. Using both morphological and molecular evidence, 48 different morphotypes belonging to five phyla were found, only nine referrable to known species, and 39 species potentially new to science. This work highlights the need for detailed taxonomic studies incorporating genetic data, not only within the CCZ, but in other bathyal, abyssal, and hadal regions, as representative genetic reference libraries that could facilitate the generation of species inventories.
Darwin Core Archive of ﻿Benthic megafauna of the western Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean from the DeepCCZ project, 2018
Argyrotheca arguta, a new species of brachiopod from the Marshall Islands, western Pacific
This dataset is a paper from Richard E. Grant (1983) describing a new species of brachiopod, Argyrotheca arguta, from the Marshall Islands. Argyrotheca arguta is characterized by small size (maximum width 2.8 mm), white, clear or translucent shell, and weak to absent costae. It occupies cryptic habitats under coral fronds or in recesses, and has been found on the seaside and the lagoon side of the reefs at Enewetak and Bikini atolls.
Darwin Core Archive of Argyrotheca arguta, a new species of brachiopod from the Marshall Islands, western Pacific
The genus Lophocochlias Pilsbry, 1921 (Gastropoda, Tornidae) in the Indo-West Pacific
This dataset is from a paper by Rubio F. & Rolán E. (2015) on the genus Lophocochlias Pilsbry, 1921 in the Indo-West Pacific. The authors studied the species of the genus Lophocochlias, family Tornidae, of the tropical Indo-Pacific, collected during the expeditions of the Tropical deep-sea Benthos, directed by IRD and MNHN, in Madagascar, Reunion Island, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, the Philippine Islands, the Society Islands and Papua New Guinea. New data on geographical distribution and habitat of the species studied are provided, and their morphological variability is discussed.
Darwin Core Archive of The genus Lophocochlias Pilsbry, 1921 (Gastropoda, Tornidae) in the Indo-West Pacific
Distribution of Hydrothermal Alvinocaridid Shrimps
The aim of this study is to review of our knowledge about distribution of recently known species of vent shrimps and to analyze factors influencing distribution patterns. Analyses are based upon (1) original material taken during eight cruises in the Atlantic Ocean (a total of 5861 individuals) and (2) available literature data from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Vent shrimps have two patterns of the species ranges: local (single vent site) and regional (three - six vent sites). Pacific species ranges are mainly of the local type and the Atlantic species ranges are of the regional type. The regional type of species ranges may be associated with channels providing easy larval dispersal (rift valleys, trenches), while the local type is characteristic for other areas. Specialization of a shrimp genus to extreme vent habitats leads to two effects: (1) an increase in the number of vent fields inhabited by the genus and (2) a decrease of species number within the genus.
Darwin Core Archive of Distribution of Hydrothermal Alvinocaridid Shrimps
Xanthichthys greenei, a new species of triggerfish (Balistidae) from the Line Islands
Xanthichthys greenei n. sp. is described from six specimens, 97-154 mm standard length (SL) collected from mesophotic coral ecosystems (90-100 m) at Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Line Islands, part of the Republic of Kiribati in the Central Pacific. Of the six species of Xanthichthys, it is most similar to the Atlantic X. ringens and the Indo-West Pacific X. lineopunctatus, sharing with these species the character of three pigmented cheek grooves. It is distinctive in its low body scale row count (33-35, other Xanthichthys species with 39 or more), small size (maximum SL 154 mm, other species over 225 mm), and color pattern of scattered dark spots sub-dorsally and no other spots or lines on body.
Darwin Core Archive of Xanthichthys greenei, a new species of triggerfish (Balistidae) from the Line Islands
Periclimenes jackhintoni sp. nov. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae), a new pontoniine shrimp and crinoid associate from Tonga
This dataset is from a paper that described and illustrated a new species of pontoniine shrimp, Periclimenes jackhintoni sp. nov., from Tonga. The new species is most closely related to P. ceratophthalmus Borradaile (Palaemonidae). It is readily distinguished from P. ceratophthalmus. and all other species of Periclimenes, by its unusual sickle-shaped rostrum. The unique specimen was found in association with an unidentified crinoid host.
Darwin Core Archive of Periclimenes jackhintoni sp. nov. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae), a new pontoniine shrimp and crinoid associate from Tonga
Data from: Impacts of predator depletion by fishing on the biomass and diversity of non-target reef fish communities (Kadavu Islands, Fiji)
This dataset is from a paper by Jennings and Polunin (1992) the looked at impacts of predator depletion by fishing on the biomass and diversity of non-target reef fish communities around the Kadavu Islands, Fiji. An understanding of the indirect effects of fishing on predator-prey relationships is required for the development of valid multispecies yield models for reef fisheries and for determining the factors governing fish community structure at larger scales. We used an underwater visual census technique to examine the indirect effects of fishing on the biomass and diversity (species richness) of reef fishes in a series of ten traditional Fijian fishing grounds (qoliqoli) subject to a range of fishing intensities. All members of the families Chaetodontidae (butterflyfishes), Labridae (wrasses), Lutjanidae (snappers), Mullidae (goatfishes), Scaridae (parrotfishes) and the sub-family Epinephelinae (groupers and coral trout) which could be reliably identified were censused. Each species censused was assigned to one of three trophic groups: herbivore, invertebrate feeder or piscivore. The biomass of all piscivorous fishes and of large ('30 cm) piscivorous fishes differed significantly between qoliqoli and was significantly correlated with fishing intensity. However, the biomass of piscivorous fishes was not correlated with the biomass or diversity of their potential prey (which were not targeted by the fishery). This suggested that the indirect effects of fishing did not have an important bearing on fish diversity or biomass and that predation by the target species did not play an important role in structuring these Fijian reef fish communities. The results contrast with those from a number of studies at smaller scales and provided further indications that the structure of reef fish communities is not governed by a single dominant process, but by a range of processes which operate on different scales in different circumstances.
Darwin Core Archive of Data from: Impacts of predator depletion by fishing on the biomass and diversity of non-target reef fish communities (Kadavu Islands, Fiji)
Polychaeta and Oligochaeta of the Auckland and Campbell Islands, New Zealand, 1941-1945
This report is based on the collections of specimens and data in the Auckland and Campbell Islands in the years 1941-45. Early in 1941, coast-watching stations were established at Port Ross, Carnley Harbour, and Perseverance Harbour, and the personnel of from three to five men at each were relieved once a year. Standing instructions issued by the Navy Office included a recommendation that the men should, in addition to service routine, record general observations on natural phenomena. This report is regarded as of the Cape Expedition which was the war-time code name for parties in the field between 1941 and 1945. The marine worms in this dataset come from 17 species. Marine worms had been described from the results of gatherings in two previous expeditions to these Subantarctic Islands. The first of these contains a report of 18 species by Mortensen based on a 1907 expedition; the second reported on 55 species by Augener in 1925. In this dataset, there is one species not hitherto recorded. The land worms collected represent only nine species belonging to seven genera. One of which is living in freshwater. The comparative smallness of the collection reflects that fact that expedition members had other matters to attend to. The majority of the specimens were preserved in alcohol, but several containers had apparently been neglected and the original preservative had not been changed, so that the creatures were in a state unfit for identification.
Darwin Core Archive of Polychaeta and Oligochaeta of the Auckland and Campbell Islands, New Zealand, 1941-1945
Marine algae from the Suva Lagoon and reef, Fiji
This dataset comes from a thesis consisting of a detailed taxonomic analysis of the benthic algal flora of the Suva Lagoon and Reef, as represented in herbarium and field collections. A total of 229 taxa are listed, comprising 7 Cyanophyceae, 71 Chlorophyceae, 24 Phaeophyceae and 127 Rhodophyceae. Of these, 6 represent new and undescribed species and 70 are new records for the Fijian flora.
Darwin Core Archive of Marine algae from the Suva Lagoon and reef, Fiji
Large marine predator aerial survey data for Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
Large marine predators, such as cetaceans and sharks, play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity patterns and ecosystem health. Despite the recognised importance of these animals and their over-representation as threatened species, distribution data at appropriate temporal and spatial scales is often lacking or insufficient for effective conservation. Here, we present sightings of large marine megafauna recorded from a replicate systematic aerial survey undertaken in the Hauraki Gulf, Aotearoa New Zealand during a full year. Using flexible machine learning models (Boosted Regression Tree models), we use these sightings data to investigate relationships between large marine predator occurrence (Bryde’s whales, common and bottlenose dolphins, bronze whalers, pelagic and immature hammerhead sharks) and spatially explicit environmental and biotic variables to predict species richness of large marine predators and investigate their fine-scale spatiotemporal distribution patterns. All models were considered informative (all, AUC > 0.78), and temporally dynamic variables, such as the distribution of prey, were important in predicting the occurrence of the study species and species groups.
Darwin Core Archive of Large marine predator aerial survey data for Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
Amphiprion barberi, a new species of anemonefish (Pomacentridae) from Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa
Amphiprion barberi, a new species of anemonefish fish, has been described from 46 specimens, 16.3-85.8 mm SL, collected at depths of 2-10 m from coral reefs of Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa. Occurrence data for the type specimens as presented in this dataset. A. barberi is closely allied to A. melanopus, which is widely distributed in the western Pacific. The two species exhibit significant colour-pattern differences, including a mainly reddish orange body in A. barberi and dark brown or blackish body in A. melanopus. Adults of the new species also possess fewer spinules (11-19 versus 19-26) in the upper-opercular series than A. melanopus. Genetic data confirms the separation of these species.
Darwin Core Archive of Amphiprion barberi, a new species of anemonefish (Pomacentridae) from Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa
New Zealand Marine Macroalgae Species Checklist
As at the 30th November 2018, there are 919 species of marine macroalgae recognised from the New Zealand region, spanning from Rangitāhua/ Kermadec Islands in the north to New Zealand’s subantarctic Islands in the south. These include 142 taxa in the Chlorophyta (green seaweeds), 183 in the Ochrophyta (brown seaweeds), and 594 taxa in the Rhodophyta (red seaweeds). Of the flora, 49 taxa are considered to be introduced to New Zealand and in the case of Hydroclathrus clathratus, the current understanding is that this species is native to Rangitāhua but has been introduced to mainland New Zealand. This list represents a comprehensive update to the macroalgal flora, previously published in the New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity in 2012 (Broady et al. 2012, Harper et al. 2012 and Nelson 2012) and by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in 2013 (https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/topic/3717). This list does not include recent discoveries of coralline diversity which are in the process of being investigated. Not all species are formally named yet, and there remain significant taxonomic and nomenclatural issues to be addressed in the macroalgal flora. In this list, all undescribed species are represented by a vouchered specimen and the naming format follows that adopted by the Department of Conservation for their listings of the New Zealand Biota when applying the New Zealand Threat Classification System (Townsend et al. 2007). That is, where a species can be placed in a genus but is undescribed, it is assigned a letter code, a voucher specimen is listed, along with a descriptive term, frequently reflecting the region where it has been found (e.g. Antipodes Is). The majority of voucher specimens cited in this list are deposited in the Herbarium of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (WELT) or in the Landcare Manaaki Whenua collection (CHR) (Thiers 2019). Some vouchers refer to ANZE specimens – the Algae Nova-Zelandicae Exsiccatae (distributed by Victor W. Lindauer between 1939 and 1953, in fourteen fascicles, each consisting of 25 sheets - Nelson & Phillips 1996). If evidence for an unnamed species has been published, the species naming protocol makes reference to the relevant publication. In the main list the species are arranged in within phyla, classes, subclasses (within the Rhodophyta), orders, families, and genera, and within each of the ranks the arrangement is alphabetical. Species authorities follow the standardised abbreviations of the International Plant Name Index.
Darwin Core Archive of New Zealand Marine Macroalgae Species Checklist
Modern foraminifera in the New Zealand EEZ
Biodiversity data of the modern foraminifera in the New Zealand EEZ sourced from Dr Bruce Hayward at Geomarine Research. These data come from two projects: (1) modern deep-sea (100-5000 m water depth) foraminifera; and (2) a 7 year project (1991-1998) on the biodiversity and ecological distribution of modern brackish and shallow-water (0-100 m) foraminifera around New Zealand.
Darwin Core Archive of Modern foraminifera in the New Zealand EEZ
Catalogue and description of the coccolithophores (Haptophyta, Coccolithophyceae), calcareous, scale-bearing microalgae, in New Zealand waters
This dataset is from the first volume in the NIWA Biodiversity Memoir (NBM) series that addresses photosynthetic organisms, cataloguing the wonderful diversity of coccolithophores in New Zealand waters. A checklist is presented of living, calcareous, scale-bearing microalgae previously recorded from the New Zealand region; it contains 80 species, plus three different life-cycle forms of two of these species. Studies of this group of microalgae, based on 160 samples collected from 10 ocean-going surveys between January 2009 and February 2012, revealed a total of 50 named individual groups of microalgae (taxa), with two taxa as first records for the region (Cyrtosphaera lecaliae Kleijne, 1992, and Syracosphaera azureaplaneta Young et al., 2018, both recorded here for the first time). The 50 taxa recorded in this study are illustrated in the Memoir with 157 scanning electron micrographs in 29 plates. Of the 50 taxa presented in this monograph, 45 were placed in a group characterised by having calcareous scales of variable shape and size that are formed inside the cell (heterococcolithophores), while three taxa (with one being transferred to to the family Syracosphaeraceae) were placed in another group characterised by having numerous minute crystallite scales that appear to be calcified outside the cell (holococcolithophores). Two of the first group also had forms showing characteristics of both groups. Forty-two taxa from the first group were placed in seven families in the four orders: Coccolithales, Isochrysidales, Syracosphaerales and Zygodiscales, and five taxa in four families of uncertain taxonomic position. Three holococcolithophore taxa were placed in the family Calyptrosphaeraceae. Emiliania huxleyi was the most plentiful and widespread taxon. On three occasions, in spring 2009 and two consecutive summers in 2011 and 2012, this species formed massive blooms off the central east coast of New Zealand, two of which (spring 2009 and summer 2011) were visible in NASA’s satellite observations. Seven other relatively widespread species recorded here were: Reticulofenestra parvula, Umbellosphaera tenuis type II, Syracosphaera molischii, Syracosphaera anthos, Gephyrocapsa ericsonii, Syracosphaera mediterranea, and Calcidiscus leptoporus. In spring 2009 Reticulofenestra parvula was the second species found in bloom proportion (up to 571,000 cells l-1), but the bloom was limited to Kaikoura on the east coast of New Zealand. In this study the genus Syracosphaera was the largest group, with 17 species and one life-cycle form of one of these species, which made up about 36% of all living coccolithophores identified. Most of the other genera, however, did not have many species and occurred in very limited areas. This work provides a diagnostic description of all 50 living coccolithophores identified in New Zealand waters, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and gives information on cell abundances and distribution in the New Zealand region.
Darwin Core Archive of Catalogue and description of the coccolithophores (Haptophyta, Coccolithophyceae), calcareous, scale-bearing microalgae, in New Zealand waters
Stylasteridae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa: Anthoathecata) of the New Caledonian region
Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos is a series dedicated to the inventory and description of the deep-sea fauna of the world, with special emphasis on their most extensive--but remote and least-explored--habitats: the Indo-West Pacific. Growing out of marine expeditions undertaken by the French National Museum of Natural History and the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, the series continues to present many new, strange, and sometimes colorful invertebrates. The present volume presents results from recent expeditions within the New Caledonian Exclusive Economic Zone, reporting ninety-eight species (including fifty-seven new species) of corals from the Stylasteridae family and one new calcified species of hydrozoa from the family Hydractiniidae. Including numerous seamounts, submarine ridges, and small islands, New Caledonia's deep-sea benthos are ideal habitat for stylasterids, making it the most species-rich marine region in the world for this taxon.
Darwin Core Archive of Stylasteridae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa: Anthoathecata) of the New Caledonian region
Deep-sea wood-boring bivalves (Xylophagaidae)
Xylophagaid bivalves link terrestrial and deep-sea ecosystems by making energy and nutrients from sunken wood available to other animals. They bore into what can be sulphide-rich wood with their valves and digest it using bacterial enzymes. The evolutionary history of the roughly 60 named xylophagaid species remains largely unknown. We sequenced 18S and 28S rDNA genes of 59 specimens from the northeastern Pacific, southwestern Pacific off New Zealand and the Atlantic Ocean. This dataset contains details about the 59 xylophagaid specimens newly sequenced. We analysed these together with data from GenBank (thus increasing the species represented by sequences from 7 to 22) using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference to reconstruct the group’s phylogeny. Newly discovered taxa are: Spiniapex gilsonorum n. gen., n. sp.; Feaya n. gen. (for Xylopholas dostwous) and Abditoconus n. gen. (for X. heterosiphon, X. anselli and X. brava that share a two-parted siphon and a periostracal cone). Specimens of Xyloredo from New Zealand, Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico and California USA are a single species. The genus Xylopholas is not unequivocally monophyletic; the presence/absence of a faecal mass in the distal intestine is the most conspicuous difference between the species included. The mesoplax (paired calcified plates over the anterior adductor) evolved convergently in two distinct clades assigned to the genus Xylophaga, which is not monophyletic. All clades represented by at least four taxa occur in every geographic area included. Rather than evolving to exploit sulphide associated with wood falls, xylophagaids may have evolved protection from it. This is indicated by the fact that in four clades, a thick periostracum covers the siphons that extend through the wood, while packed faecal pellets surround the siphons in one subclade, perhaps providing a physical barrier. In only one clade are fleshy siphons exposed to the wood.
Darwin Core Archive of Deep-sea wood-boring bivalves (Xylophagaidae)
SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Vanuatu 2003
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Vanuatu during the PROCFish/C surveys (2003) in 4 sites Maskelynes, Moso, Paunagisu and Uri-Uripiv. The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Vanuatu 2003
Data from: A genetic assessment of the taxonomic status of New Zealand mussels of the genus Xenostrobus Wilson, 1967
Data from Colgan et al. (2019) presenting a genetic assessment of the taxonomic status of New Zealand mussels of the genus Xenostrobus Wilson, 1967. he genus Xenostrobus consists of small, marine and estuarine mussels that all appear similar externally. One of its estuarine species, Xenostrobus securis, with a native range in New Zealand and Australia, has become invasive in the Northern Hemisphere. No genetic data are available to determine if X. securis populations from the two countries are conspecific. Additionally, marine Xenostrobus from New Zealand have often been regarded as a species, X. neozelanicus, distinct from the marine Australian species X. pulex. We combined new DNA sequences with published data to assess the taxonomic status of New Zealand Xenostrobus. The data comprised 658 aligned bases of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 331 bases of nuclear histone H3. There was no evidence that X. securis populations from Australia and New Zealand are specifically distinct. Northern Hemisphere specimens of X. securis belonged to Australian, not New Zealand, clades in phylogenetic analyses of COI data, suggesting the former country as their more likely original source. The results confirm that X. neozelanicus and X. pulex are distinct species and for nomenclatural completeness for this taxonomic decision a lectotype is designated for Mytilus ater Zelebor in Dunker and Zelebor, 1866 [ = Modiolus neozelanicus Iredale, 1915].
Darwin Core Archive of Data from: A genetic assessment of the taxonomic status of New Zealand mussels of the genus Xenostrobus Wilson, 1967
Ostracods of the family Halocyprididae from the northwestern Indian Ocean
This dataset contains occurrence records of ostracods from the family Halocyprididae from the northwestern Indian Ocean. These data are based upon records of samples collected by the U.S. Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics program, Netherlands Indian Ocean Program, the U.S. Joint Global Ocean Flux Study.
Darwin Core Archive of Ostracods of the family Halocyprididae from the northwestern Indian Ocean
Cetacean sighting records during a seismic survey in the New Caledonia Basin, Tasman Sea, 2015-6
The distribution of marine mammal species in many areas remains poorly understood, especially as observations for some taxa are rare and large-scale surveys are time consuming and extremely costly. Here, we present 36 records of 7 cetacean species (Balaenoptera brydei, B. musculus subspp., Delphinus delphis, Globicephala sp., Grampus griseus, Physeter macrocephalus, Pseudorca crassidens) in the New Caledonia Basin, Tasman Sea. Data were derived from a platform of opportunity during a seismic survey that ran between December 2015 and March 2016, inclusively. The two most frequently encountered species were sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus, 13 sightings, 5 acoustic detections) and blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus subspp., 8 visual detections). All encountered species are known to occur in New Zealand waters at least occasionally, based on historical sightings and stranding records. However, data presented here are the first cetacean records for this specific area and demonstrate that seismic vessels can act as a platform of opportunity for studying cetacean distribution in poorly accessible areas. Such data will aid future research efforts including species distribution models on cetaceans in the South Pacific.
Darwin Core Archive of Cetacean sighting records during a seismic survey in the New Caledonia Basin, Tasman Sea, 2015-6
Blue whales sighting to 2013 in the South Taranaki Bight, New Zealand
Blue whale distribution in the Southern Hemisphere is poorly understood. Their survival is dependent on the ability to reliably encounter large aggregations of euphausiid prey. Therefore, documenting and protecting blue whale foraging grounds is fundamental to enhancing their recovery. Various data sources are compiled here to support the hypothesis that the South Taranaki Bight, between the north and south islands of New Zealand, is used as a foraging ground by blue whales for a common euphausiid prey that aggregate as a function of a nearby coastal upwelling system. It is difficult to distinguish between an Antarctic and pygmy blue whale without genetic analysis and therefore sightings and strandings in the STB region were not recorded to subspecies. Hereafter, the term ‘blue whale’ refers to both subspecies in the Southern Hemisphere unless otherwise described to subspecies.
Darwin Core Archive of Blue whales sighting to 2013 in the South Taranaki Bight, New Zealand
SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Kiribati 2004
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Kiribati during the PROCFish/C surveys (2004) in 4 sites Abaiang, Abemama, Kuria and Kiritimati. The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Kiribati 2004
Osteopeltidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda): a new family of limpets associated with whale bone in the deep-sea
Osteopelta mirabilis is a limpet from whale skulls trawled on the Chatham Rise and off the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. Osteopelta mirabilis combines a pseudococculinid-like shell and radula with an addisoniid-like animal.
Darwin Core Archive of Osteopeltidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda): a new family of limpets associated with whale bone in the deep-sea
Biological data from the Soviet Antarctic Expedition (1955-1958)
The marine program of the Soviet Antarctic Expedition was carried out on board the diesel-turbine powered "Ob" (1955-1958) as part of the International Geophysical Year. Supplementary material was also provided by the Antarctic station "Mirnyi" and the whalers "Slava" and "Sovetskaya Ukraina". Biological occurrence data was digitised from the "Biological Reports of the Soviet Antarctic Expedition (1955-1958)" Volumes 1-3. The First Soviet Antarctic Expedition was led by Mikhail Somov; his scientific deputy was V. G. Kort. The expedition lasted from 30 November 1955 to 1957 and involved 127 expedition members and 75 crew members. Three diesel-electric ships were used to transport the expedition. They were RV "Ob" (flagship; captain I. A. Man), RV "Lena" (captain A. I. Vetrov) and the refrigerator ship No. 7 (captain M. A. Tsygankov). The final ship was used only for transporting perishables. Ob and Lena were icebreakers 130m long and displacing 12,600 tons. On the 30 November 1955 the first ship ("Ob") left port at Kaliningrad. The principal task of the expedition was to organise the main base, Mirny, and perform limited scientific observations. Other tasks were reconnaissance of sites for the inland bases Vostok and Sovetskaya; and oceanography of the Indian ocean. The Second Soviet Antarctic Expedition was led by Aleksei Treshnikov on the continent; the marine expedition on the "Ob" was led by I. V. Maksimov. The "Ob" left Kaliningrad on 7 November, 1956. The Third Soviet Antarctic Expedition (1957–59) was led by Yevgeny Tolstikov on the continent; the marine expedition on the Ob was led by I V Maksimov. Two diesel-electric ships were used to transport the expedition. RV Ob (flagship; captain I A Man) and Kooperatsiya (captain A S Yantselevich), used mainly as a transport vessel. The ships arrived in Antarctica in November – December 1957. Together with the ships crews the expedition consisted of 445 men, of whom 183 were scheduled for wintering. The tasks of the expedition included oceanographic work on the Ob in the southern oceans.
Darwin Core Archive of Biological data from the Soviet Antarctic Expedition (1955-1958)
Two ascomycetes found on sunken wood off Vanuatu Islands in the deep Pacific Ocean
A new genus of a deep-sea ascomycete with one new species, Alisea longicolla, is described based on analyses of 18S and 28S rDNA sequences and morphological characters. A. longicolla was found together with Oceanitis scuticella, on small twigs and sugar cane debris trawled from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean off Vanuatu Islands. Molecular and morphological characters indicate that both fungi are members of Halosphaeriaceae. Within this family, O. scuticella is phylogenetically related to Ascosalsum and shares similar ascospore morphology and appendage ontogeny. The genus Ascosalsum is considered congeneric with Oceanitis and Ascosalsum cincinnatulum, Ascosalsum unicaudatum and Ascosalsum viscidulum are transferred to Oceanitis, an earlier generic name.
Darwin Core Archive of Two ascomycetes found on sunken wood off Vanuatu Islands in the deep Pacific Ocean
Marine data from the Bernice P. Bishop Museum
The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, designated the Hawaiʻi State Museum of Natural and Cultural History, is a museum of history and science located in the Kalihi district of Honolulu on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu. Founded in 1889, it is the largest museum in Hawai’i and is home to one of the world’s largest collections of natural history material from the Pacific region, with approximately 21 million specimens. The main collections include Entomology, Malacology, Botany, Ichthyology, Vertebrate Zoology (Birds, Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles) and Marine Invertebrates. The filter criteria for this dataset restricts the complete dataset to only organisms taken from marine environments, and only records that have geo-reference coordinates assigned to them. The data consist primarily of vouchered specimens in the Ichthyology, Marine Invertebrate, and Algae collections of BPBM.
Darwin Core Archive of Marine data from the Bernice P. Bishop Museum
Species composition and distribution of net plankton diatoms in the Pacific sector of the Antarctic Ocean 1963-4
The water mass designated as the Southern or Antarctic Ocean is among the most productive areas of the world. In spite of the recent emphasis on biological oceanographic research, the species composition and distribution of the primary producers, mostly diatoms, has not been thoroughly examined in many areas. Knowledge of the organisms involved in primary production is of special interest as man considers use of marine resources to meet the needs of expanding world population. Phytoplankton diatoms in the Antarctic are the major food source for the tremendous krill (Euphausiacea) populations, which in turn are the food source for many of the large whale, seal, fish, and bird populations in this area. It is necessary to understand the species composition and ecology of the Antarctic primary producers and their relationship to the consumer levels in the food web before adequate use of the abundant marine resources of the Antarctic Ocean can proceed. This work is concerned with the most basic problem involved, the species composition of the phytoplankton diatoms and their distribution.
Darwin Core Archive of Species composition and distribution of net plankton diatoms in the Pacific sector of the Antarctic Ocean 1963-4
Pygmy blue whales seen on a 2018 survey, New Zealand
Between 28 January and 10 February 2018, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research and collaborators conducted a voyage to attach satellite tracking devices to pygmy blue whales in the Taranaki region of New Zealand. The aim of this voyage was to examine the movement and habitat utilization of pygmy blue whales in New Zealand waters. This paper provides a summary of preliminary data collected during this research voyage. In total, we spent 72.51 hours (1637.54 km) actively searching for blue whales over eight survey days. Eleven blue whale sighting events were made (16 animals). Two blue whales were sighted twice, meaning that a total of 14 unique individuals were encountered. Other sightings included Bryde’s (possibly sei) whales, common dolphins, Hector’s dolphins, and fur seals. Two satellite tags were successfully deployed and six skin/blubber samples were collected from four blue whales. Photo-identification data were collected for eleven individual blue whales. Overall, blue whales were found further south, in lower numbers, and were not observed surface feeding, likely due to the La Niña anomalous oceanographic conditions. This resulted in warmer temperatures (4 - 6 °C higher than average climatology), reduced west wind flows, and consequent reduction in upwelling, significantly impacting the high productivity characteristic of the Taranaki region. All photo-identification data will be provided to a collaborative Southern Hemisphere Blue Whale Catalogue, supported by IWC and collaborations have been established with other researchers to share and compare data.
Darwin Core Archive of Pygmy blue whales seen on a 2018 survey, New Zealand
Deep-sea vents are remote, ephemeral environments with large gradients in chemistry and temperature over very small distances. Hydrothermal vent fauna are reliant upon the productivity associated with vent flow and require special adaptations in order to tolerate the variety of challenges posed by potentially toxic chemicals and a wide range of temperatures. Thus, characterizing the habitats of the fauna is a criti.cal first step in understanding their ecology, but can be quite difficult and time consuming in these complex, remote, and relatively inaccessible environments. The 400 km-long Eastern Lau Spreading Center (ELSC) is located in the Lau back-arc basin, bordered on the west by the remnant Lau arc and on the east by the active Tofua volcanic arc and the Kingdom of Tonga. Lau Basin fauna are generally similar to that of other back-arc basins and deep subduction zones (Manus and North Fiji Basins and Okinawa and Mariana Troughs) within the Western Pacific hydrothermal vent biogeographic province. In 2005 and 2006, we selected four discrete vent communities within three different andesite-hosted vent fields along the ELSC (ABE, Tu’i Malila, Kilo Moana and Tow Cam) and used the ROV JASON II to photographically and physico-chemically characterize each community. One purpose of this study was to develop an explorative technique that combines high-resolution, geographically referenced imagery, in-situ physico-chemical measurements (Luther et al., 2001; Nuzzio et al., 2002), and GIS in order to identify correlations between faunal distributions and abiotic and biotic factors across significant portions of a vent community (40–50 m2).
Darwin Core Archive of Lau Basin Vent Expeditions 2005-6
The ceratioid anglerfishes (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) of New Zealand
Ceratioid anglerfishes collected from New Zealand waters are reviewed on the basis of all known material. Twenty species in nine genera and six families are recognised; nine species represent new records for the region, and one species of Oneirodes is described as new to science. Diagnostic and descriptive data are given with notes on geographical distribution. Diagnoses of all ceratioid families are provided, against the possibility of capture within the New Zealand EEZ
Darwin Core Archive of The ceratioid anglerfishes (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) of New Zealand
New Zealand fish and squid distributions from research bottom trawls 1964-2008
From 1997 to 2008, a research programme to determine if fish assemblages in the New Zealand region could be classified into clearly identifiable communities based on their associations with each other and with environmental features was undertaken. This dataset is taken from the resulting fish communities database. These data have been used to show geographical and depth distributions of species from all research tows within the New Zealand EEZ since 2008.
Darwin Core Archive of New Zealand fish and squid distributions from research bottom trawls 1964-2008
Data from: Discovery of a multi-species shark aggregation and parturition area in the Ba Estuary, Fiji Islands
Population declines in shark species have been reported on local and global scales, with overfishing, habitat destruction and climate change posing severe threats. The lack of species-specific baseline data on ecology and distribution of many sharks, however, makes conservation measures challenging. Here we present a fisheries-independent shark survey from the Fiji Islands, where scientific knowledge on locally occurring elasmobranchs is largely still lacking despite the location’s role as a shark hotspot in the Pacific. Juvenile shark abundance in the fishing grounds of the Ba Estuary (north-western Viti Levu) was assessed with a gillnet- and longline-based survey from December 2015 to April 2016. A total of 103 juvenile sharks identified as blacktip Carcharhinus limbatus (n = 57), scalloped hammerhead Sphyrna lewini (n = 35), and great hammerhead Sphyrna mokarran (n = 11) sharks were captured, tagged, and released. The condition of umbilical scars (68 % open or semi-healed), mean sizes of individuals (± SD) (C. limbatus: 66.5 ± 3.8 cm, S. lewini: 51.8 ± 4.8 cm, S. mokarran 77.4 ± 2.8 cm), and the presence of these species over recent years (based on fishermen interviews), suggest that the Ba Estuary area is a critical habitat for multiple species that are classified as “Near Threatened” or “Endangered”. Specifically, the area likely acts as a parturition ground over the studied period, and potentially as a subsequent nursery area. We identified subareas of high abundance and found that temperature, salinity and depth acted as small-scale environmental drivers of shark abundance. The data suggests a tendency for species-specific spatial use, both horizontally (i.e. between sampling areas) and vertically (i.e. across the water column). These results enhance the understanding of shark ecology in Fiji and provide a scientific basis for the implementation of local conservation strategies that contribute to the protection of these threatened species.
Darwin Core Archive of Data from: Discovery of a multi-species shark aggregation and parturition area in the Ba Estuary, Fiji Islands
SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Tuvalu 2004-2005
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Tuvalu during the PROCFish/C surveys (2004-2005) in 4 sites Funafuti, Niutao, Nukufetau and Vaitupu. The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Tuvalu 2004-2005
Trochus (Trochus niloticus) size and abundance in Tongareva Lagoon, Cook Islands
Trochus (Trochus niloticus) were first introduced to the Cook Islands in 1957 from Fiji. Once the original population of 280 shells were well established in Aitutaki, trochus was introduced to the rest of the Cook Islands in the 1980s. The main purpose of the introduction was to develop commercially harvestable stocks to assist local economies. Four hundred and forty trochus were introduced to Tongareva (also known as Penrhyn) over 20 years ago in 1985 from the Aitutaki population (Sims 1988). Introduced populations usually reach commercially exploitable levels within 20 to 25 years, therefore, the trochus population on Tongareva should nearly be ready for harvest (Bertram 1998). A 1996 survey conducted in Tongareva by the Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) found that trochus were present in the western section of Tongareva Lagoon with the highest densities found at two sites: Patukiri and Seniseni (Ponia et al. 1997). The survey detailed in this report was designed to re-assess the density of trochus in Tongareva Lagoon, 10 years after the last survey and 20 years after the original introduction. The specific aims of the survey were to: • assess the size distribution of trochus, • assess trochus abundance and density in the western section of the lagoon, and • estimate the number of trochus that could be sustainably harvested from the surveyed area of the lagoon.
Darwin Core Archive of Trochus (Trochus niloticus) size and abundance in Tongareva Lagoon, Cook Islands
SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Papua New Guinea 2006
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in Papua New Guinea during the PROCFish/C surveys (2006) in 4 sites Andra, Panapompom, Sideia and Tsoilaunung with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Papua New Guinea 2006
Data from: Sphaeromatidae from Réunion Island, southern Indian Ocean, with description of a new species of Paraleptosphaeroma Buss & Iverson, 1981 (Crustacea: Isopoda)
This dataset is from Müller (1990) on Sphaeromatidae from Réunion Island, southern Indian Ocean, with description of a new species of Paraleptosphaeroma Buss & Iverson, 1981 (Crustacea: Isopoda). Paraleptosphaeroma indica n. sp. is described as the first member of the genus from the Indian Ocean. It was found together with Paraciliacea mossambica Barnard, 1914 on coral reefs at Réunion Island and is closely related to Paraleptosphaeroma glynni Buss & Iverson, 1981 from Panama Pacific and the island Dominica in the Caribbean.
Darwin Core Archive of Data from: Sphaeromatidae from Réunion Island, southern Indian Ocean, with description of a new species of Paraleptosphaeroma Buss & Iverson, 1981 (Crustacea: Isopoda)
The Polychaetous Annelids of the Marshall Islands
This dataset is from a paper by Donald J. Reish (1968) on the polychaetous annelids of the Marshall Islands. This report is based upon collections made by the author at Eniwetok, Bikini, and Majuro atolls during the summers of 1956 and 1957. In addition, previous accounts of the polychaetes from the Marshall Islands, largely those reported by Hartman (1954), are incorporated in this study. The object of the field investigations was to prepare a reference collection of polychaetes for the Eniwetok Marine Biological Laboratory. Various names have been employed in the literature for the various islands of Eniwetok Atoll. The names employed by Dawson (1957) and by the Eniwetok Marine Biological Laboratory have been followed. Hartman (1954) used the same names for those of the islands from which she made collections, with two exceptions - Rujoru and Japtan which she called Rujiyoru and Munit.
Darwin Core Archive of The Polychaetous Annelids of the Marshall Islands
Dugongs of Ashmore Reef and the Sahul Banks: a review of knowledge and a distribution of sightings
This dataset is from a paper by Scott Whiting and Michael Guinea (2005) on observations of Dudongs at Ashmore Reef and Sahul Banks, Australia. A small, but significant, population of dugongs (Dugong dugon) occurs on Ashmore Reef. One sighting in 1996, 130 km east of Ashmore Reef, indicates that dugongs could use other shallow shoals on the Sahul Banks. Individuals representing all age classes were present on Ashmore Reef. Cow and calf pairs indicate that breeding occurs on the reef and there is at least some short-term residency. The oceanic coral reef habitat used by these dugongs is unusual when compared to the coastal habitat used by other Australian populations. Situated between Indonesia and the Australian mainland, Ashmore Reef supports a population of dugongs whose genetic identity is uncertain.
Darwin Core Archive of Dugongs of Ashmore Reef and the Sahul Banks: a review of knowledge and a distribution of sightings
Fishes from the Auckland and Campbell Islands, Cape Expedition, 1942-1944
This report is based on the collections of specimens and data in the Auckland and Campbell Islands in the years 1942-44. Early in 1941, coast-watching stations were established at Port Ross, Carnley Harbour, and Perseverance Harbour, and the personnel of from three to five men at each were relieved once a year. Standing instructions issued by the Navy Office included a recommendation that the men should, in addition to service routine, record general observations on natural phenomena. This report is regarded as of the Cape Expedition which was the war-time code name for parties in the field between 1941 and 1945. A small collection of fishes was brought back by the Cape Expedition, 1942-44. The 34 specimens examined belonged to six species all previously recorded from this region, with the expection of Limnicthys rendalli n.sp., which was considered a new species.
Darwin Core Archive of Fishes from the Auckland and Campbell Islands, Cape Expedition, 1942-1944
Volutidae and Volutomitridae of the Southern Indian Ocean (Gastropoda : Prosobranchia)
This dataset comes from Arnuad & van Mol (1980) who published about the anatomy, ecology and distribution of the Volutidae and Volutomitridae of the Southern Indian Ocean. Three benthic surveys were done with the M/S Marion-Dufresne in the subantarctic waters of the Indian Ocean. During cruise MD.03 (1974) several stations were made (including 50 macrobenthic samples) off Kerguelen, Heard and Crozet Islands between shallow water and 4200 m. Cruise MD.04 (1975) concentrated on the shelf around Kerguelen Islands, with 231 macrobenthic samples, and cruise MD.08 was mostly concerned with the Marion-Prince Edward shelf (49 macrobenthic samples) and the Crozet shelf (99 macrobenthic samples). We collected 3 species of volutid and volutomitrid gastropods at 65 stations, in 73 samples, by trawls, dredges and grabs: Provocator pulcher Watson, 1882; Volutomitra curt a (Strebel, 1908) and V. fragillima Watson, 1882. Study of the plentiful specimens provides the first thorough insight into these 2 allied neogastropod families in this area. Many faunistic and biogeographic data are recorded and the resulting distribution of the 3 species obtained is mapped.
Darwin Core Archive of Volutidae and Volutomitridae of the Southern Indian Ocean (Gastropoda : Prosobranchia)
Muricidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from Fiji and Tonga
Fifty-eight muricid species were collected during recent expeditions to Fiji, including 3 new species. A review of the literature added another 37 species reliably recorded from the archipelago, bringing the total muricid fauna of Fiji to 95 species. Twenty-five species, including 14 shared with Fiji, are reported from Tonga. Bouchetia n. gen. is described for Poirieria (Paziella) vaubanensis Houart, 1986, originally described from New Caledonia and now recorded from Fiji. Conchatalos spinula n. sp. and Prototyphis gracilis n. sp. are described from Fiji; Murexsul merlei n. sp. is described from Fiji and Tonga. Attiliosa caledonica (Jousseaume, 1881), formerly treated as a synonym or subspecies of Attiliosa nodulifera (Sowerby, 1841), is recognized as a valid species, as both species co-occur in Fiji without intermediates. Pascula ambonensis Houart, 1996, Tritonidea lefevreiana Tapparone Canefri, 1880 and Pentadactylus paucimaculatus Sowerby, 1903 are reclassified in Cytharomorula Kuroda, 1953.
Darwin Core Archive of Muricidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from Fiji and Tonga
SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Tonga 2008
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Vanuatu during the PROCFish/C surveys (2008) in 4 sites Ha'atafu, Koulo, Lofanga and Manuka. The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Tonga 2008
SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Solomon Islands 2006
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in Solomon Islands during the PROCFish/C surveys (2006) in 4 sites Nggela, Chubikopi, Marau and Rarumana with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Solomon Islands 2006
Data from: Nukutipipi Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago; Geomorphology, land and marine flora and fauna and interrelationships
Nukutipipi atoll (5 km2), of volcanic origin 16-17 million years old on the Pitcairn (hot spot) Hereheretue line, presents a land flora and fauna of low diversity but with a Pisonia forest and hundreds of resident red-tailed tropic birds. Nukutipipi suffered from the 1983 hurricanes : destruction of vegetation and motu as well as sand lagoon mollusc populations. The north and south rims present original geomorphological structures. Lagoon without patch reefs reaching the surface is characterised by dome patch reefs all constituted of dead Acropora with few scleractinian and mollusc species, but an important algae coverage. All these characteristics indicate the precariousness on a time scale of such a so tiny atoll, land and marine, with a closed lagoon. Observations on Nukutipipi atoll which we are reporting were mainly in November 1988 but also previously in August 1982 and July 1986.
Darwin Core Archive of Data from: Nukutipipi Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago; Geomorphology, land and marine flora and fauna and interrelationships
Marine benthic macroalgae of a small uninhabited South Pacific atoll (Rose Atoll, America Samoa)
Forty-five species of marine benthic macroalgae were identified from the coral reefs of Rose Atoll, American Samoa (Rose Atoll Marine National Monument). The algal collections were made during the February 2002, February 2004, March 2006, and March 2008 Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (Pacific RAMP) under the auspices of the U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED). The collections included 6 species of Cyanobacteria, 14 species of red algae, 4 species of brown algae, and 21 species of green algae. Nine species represented new records for the Samoan Archipelago (American Samoa and Samoa). Based on their occurrences, eight species of green algae were considered most broadly distributed among the stations during all four expedition years. The top three broadly distributed species were Halimeda taenicola, Halimeda micronesica, and Caulerpa cupressoides.
Darwin Core Archive of Marine benthic macroalgae of a small uninhabited South Pacific atoll (Rose Atoll, America Samoa)
Data from: A review of the Eviota zebrina complex, with descriptions of four new species (Teleostei, Gobiidae)
The Eviota zebrina complex includes eight species of closely-related dwarf gobies, four of which are herein described as new. The complex is named for Eviota zebrina Lachner & Karnella, 1978, an Indian Ocean species with the holotype from the Seychelles Islands and also known from the Maldives, which was once thought to range into the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea eastward to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Our analysis supports the recognition of four genetically distinct, geographically non-overlapping, species within what was previously called E. zebrina, with E. zebrina being restricted to the Indian Ocean, E. marerubrum sp. nov. described from the Red Sea, E. longirostris sp. nov. described from western New Guinea, and E. pseudozebrina sp. nov. described from Fiji. The caudal fin of all four of these species is crossed by oblique black bars in preservative, but these black bars are absent from the four other species included in the complex. Two of the other species within the complex, E. tetha and E. gunawanae are morphologically similar to each other in having the AITO cephalic-sensory pore positioned far forward and opening anteriorly. Eviota tetha is known from lagoonal environments in Cenderawasih Bay and Raja Ampat, West Papua, and E. gunawanae is known only from deeper reefs (35–60 m) from Fakfak Regency, West Papua. The final two species are E. cometa which is known from Fiji and Tonga and possesses red bars crossing the caudal fin (but lost in preservative) and a 9/8 dorsal/anal-fin formula, and E.oculineata sp. nov., which is described as new from New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and possesses an 8/7 dorsal/anal-fin formula and lacks red caudal bars. Eviota oculineata has been confused with E. cometa in the past.
Darwin Core Archive of Data from: A review of the Eviota zebrina complex, with descriptions of four new species (Teleostei, Gobiidae)
Records of the nudibranch Hexabranchus sanguineus on Tongatapu island, Tonga
This dataset records the occurrence records of the nudibranch Hexabranchus sanguineus collected for the paper "Habitat, food and reproductive activity of the nudibranch Hexabranchus-sanguineus on Tongatapu island" by Francis, 1980. The taxonomy of the genus Hexabranchus Ehrenberg,1831 is confused and requires revision. More than 20 species have been described (see Thompson, 1972), many of them based primarily on differences in colour pattern. Some authors (Bergh, 1900; Eliot, 1904; Thompson, 1972) consider the many named species to be merely colour varieties of Hexabranchus sanguineus (Riippell & Leuckart, 1828). The validity of the use of colour pattern as a taxonomic character remains to be demonstrated in this genus. Nevertheless, a full description of the colour pattern of Tongan Hexabranchus is given below to facilitate comparative studies in the event that colour does prove to be distinctive. External and internal morphology appear to vary little among the described varieties (Eliot, 1904) but these features were not investigated in Tongan animals. In the absence of any distinctive taxonomic characters, Tongan Hexabranchus are here referred to the type species of the genus, H. sanguineus (Riippell & Leuckart). Other described "species" will here be considered simply as colour variations of H. sanguineus.
Darwin Core Archive of Records of the nudibranch Hexabranchus sanguineus on Tongatapu island, Tonga
SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Papua New Guinea 2006
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Papua New Guinea during the PROCFish/C surveys (2006) in 4 sites Andra, Panapompom, Sidea and Tsoilaunung. The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Papua New Guinea 2006
Coral reefs in the Gilbert Islands of Kiribati: Resistance, resilience, and recovery after more than a decade of multiple stressors
Coral reefs are increasingly affected by a combination of acute and chronic disturbances from climate change and local stressors. The coral reefs of the Republic of Kiribati’s Gilbert Islands are exposed to frequent heat stress caused by central-Pacific type El Niño events, and may provide a glimpse into the future of coral reefs in other parts of the world, where the frequency of heat stress events will likely increase due to climate change. Reefs in the Gilbert Islands experienced a series of acute disturbances over the past fifteen years, including mass coral bleaching in 2004–2005 and 2009–2010, and an outbreak of the corallivorous sea star Acanthaster cf solaris, or Crown-of-Thorns (CoTs), in 2014. The local chronic pressures including nutrient loading, sedimentation and fishing vary within the island chain, with highest pressures on the reefs in urbanized South Tarawa Atoll. This dataset is from a study which examines how recovery from acute disturbances differs across a gradient of human influence in neighboring Tarawa and Abaiang Atolls from 2012 through 2018.
Darwin Core Archive of Coral reefs in the Gilbert Islands of Kiribati: Resistance, resilience, and recovery after more than a decade of multiple stressors
Mollusca of the southern islands of New Zealand, Cape Expedition, 1941-1945
This report is based on the collections of specimens and data in the Auckland and Campbell Islands in the years 1941-45. Early in 1941, coast-watching stations were established at Port Ross, Carnley Harbour, and Perseverance Harbour, and the personnel of from three to five men at each were relieved once a year. Standing instructions issued by the Navy Office included a recommendation that the men should, in addition to service routine, record general observations on natural phenomena. This report is regarded as of the Cape Expedition which was the war-time code name for parties in the field between 1941 and 1945.
Darwin Core Archive of Mollusca of the southern islands of New Zealand, Cape Expedition, 1941-1945
Modiolus aurum Osorio from Juan Fernandez Archipelago, Chile (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Mytilidae)
This dataset is from Cecilia Osorio R. (1979) paper on Modiolus aurum, spec. nov., Osorio from Juan Fernandez Archipelago, Chile. In 1970 Osorio received 21 specimens of Modiolus from Juan Fernandez Archipelago. Specific identification was not possible, because of encrusting epizoans. In 1973 another sample of 97 specimens came in, not only without epizoans, but more representative and in better condition. Some additional specimens then were noted in the collections of the National Museum of Natural History of Santiago. Odhner (1922) cited "Modiola plumescens Dunker, 1868" as occurring on Juan Fernandez Island, but Soot-Ryen (1959) suggested that until confirmed by further collecting this species should not be included in Chilean faunal lists. The specimen mentioned by Odhner as in the Stockholm Museum seems now to be missing. However, other specimens, from Australia, determined by Odhner as M. plumescens, were available on loan. Also examined material from lie Nou and Broome, Australia, now in the Museum of Paris. The type locality of Dunker's species is Samoa, Viti-Ins, Uvea Because Odhner had only a single specimen from Juan Fernandez on which to base his determination of "Modiolus plumescens" misidentification is understandable. The 2 forms have a similar outline. As a result of the comparative study, it is concluded that there are 2 distinct species. For the Juan Fernandez form, which is therefore considered to be undescribed, the name Modiolus aurum is proposed, in reference to the golden colour of the shell.
Darwin Core Archive of Modiolus aurum Osorio from Juan Fernandez Archipelago, Chile (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Mytilidae)
An intertidal Zostera pool community at Kawerua, Northland, New Zealand and its foraminiferal microfauna
This dataset is from a paper about an unusual occurrence of the sea grass, Zostera capricorni, living in an intertidal pool on the storm-swept west coast of Northland is described. The macrofauna associated with the Zostera is similar to that found associated with it elsewhere in its more normal sheltered subtidal and intertidal sandy mud Hat habitat. The pool has a sandy bottom with rocks scattered throughout. The rocks support a rich macrofauna and flora both over their sides and beneath them and this is briefly described. Living foraminiferal microfauna were found in the sandy sediments that cover the pool bottom, as well as on Corallina turf, but were not found on the laminae of Zostera or on the brown alga Hormosira banksii. The dominant foraminifera on Corallina turf are Rosalina bradyi and Ammonia beccarii with a number of less numerous species. The bottom sands are dominated by live Florilus parri (27-42%), Ammonia beccarii (7-28%) and Evolvocassidulina orientalis, Quinqueloculina seminulum, Rosalina bradyi, Cassidulina carinata, Elphidium charlottensis and Discorbinella bertheloti (all 3-10%). At suborder level the fauna consists of about 90% Rotalina, 9% Miliolina and less than 1% Textulariina. Counts of stained (live) foraminifera indicate standing crop abundance values of 10,000-16,500 living foraminifera per square metre of pool bottom. The faunas contain an unusually high number of planktonics (13-17% of total) for an intertidal situation, but this is thought to be due to the prevalence of onshore winds that drive oceanic water in close to the west coast of New Zealand.
Darwin Core Archive of An intertidal Zostera pool community at Kawerua, Northland, New Zealand and its foraminiferal microfauna
Marine Turtle records for Norfolk Island
This dataset is from a paper by Kellie Pendoley and Margaret Christian (2012) giving a summary of marine turtle records for Norfolk Island, Australia. Nothing has been published in the modern literature on the status of marine turtles at Norfolk Island although their presence has been recognised since 1793 (Fidlon & Ryan 1980). This study brings together all the available published, anecdotal and field survey data on marine turtles at Norfolk Island so that the status of habitat usage could be established. The results confirm the Norfolk Island group is used for foraging by resident adult and juvenile Chelonia mydas (Green) turtles and adult Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill) turtles. The natal beaches for these resident animals are thought to be Melanesian and Polynesian islands to the north and the beaches of north eastern Australia. While juvenile hawksbill turtles have not been recorded foraging at Norfolk Island they are the most common species and age class recorded in the island's strandings data. The confirmation of marine turtles at Norfolk means that any species proposals must include assessment of project impacts on these under Australian Federal legislation and their marine bioregional processes.
Darwin Core Archive of Marine Turtle records for Norfolk Island
Aretopsis sandybrucei, a new deep-water shrimp (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae) from the Coral Sea
A new alpheid shrimp, Aretopsis sandybrucei sp. nov., is described on the basis of three specimens collected from three deep-water banks in the Chesterfield Plateau of the Coral Sea, between New Caledonia and Queensland, Australia, at a depth range of 280–550 m. The new species is the first known deep-water species of the genus Aretopsis De Man, 1910, with its two congeners, A. amabilis De Man, 1910 and A. manazuruensis Suzuki, 1971, being confined to the lower intertidal and shallow subtidal areas, to a maximum depth of 50 m. Based on orphological grounds, A. sandybrucei sp. nov. can be easily separated from A. amabilis and A. manazuruensis by the generally much stouter third to fifth pereiopods, with their dactyli each bearing a very small secondary unguis on the flexor margin, in comparison to a much stronger one in the other two species. Aretopsis sandybrucei sp. nov. also differs from A. amabilis and A. manazuruensis by the less contrasting colour pattern, including the more translucent, dull yellowish chelae and tail fan. An association of A. sandybrucei sp. nov. with a deep-water hermit crab appears to be highly likely due to the presence of several large hermit crabs (Paguridae) in at least one of the three dredge/bottom trawl hauls, which was also containing a paratype of the new species.
Darwin Core Archive of Aretopsis sandybrucei, a new deep-water shrimp (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae) from the Coral Sea
Antarctica cetacean observations from the TAN1901 voyage to the Ross Sea
This dataset contains cetacean sighting data from the TAN1901 voyage by the RV Tangaroa. From 8 Jan - 17 Feb 2019 RV Tangaroa undertook a six-week research voyage to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. On board 21 scientists, supported by 19 crew members, studied ocean, atmosphere and ecosystem processes with the focus on establishing monitoring programmes for the newly created Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area (MPA). At over 1.55 million km2 in size, the MPA is the world’s largest and just a year old. It comprises a range of zones from fully protected to special research zones, as well as areas left open to fishing. The voyage had eight separate research objectives to better understand the processes governing the region and the role of the Marine Protected Area (established in December 2017) in protecting this environment. These included surveys of fish species and seabed habitats, ecosystem studies of plankton, oceanographic and atmospheric measurements to improve understanding of climate-related processes, and making observations of whales. All of this research will provide baseline information about the MPA so scientists can start to evaluate its effectiveness. There were international collaborations with American, Australian, and Korean research colleagues as well as the work of the onboard voyage participants from Italy, China, and France. The voyage was jointly funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment through the Ross-RAMP programme, NIWA, and the University of Auckland.
Darwin Core Archive of Antarctica cetacean observations from the TAN1901 voyage to the Ross Sea
The genus Cycloscala Dall, 1889 (Gastropoda: Epitoniidae) in the Indo-Pacific
This dataset is from a paper by Emilio Garcia (2004) which is the third part of a study of Indo-Pacific Epitoniidae in which extensions of known geographical ranges of a number of species and the description of new species is reported (Garcia, 2003, Garcia, 2004). The present article deals with epitoniid species placed in the genus Cycloscala Dali, 1889. The material used in these reports was obtained as a result of expeditions by the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD, Nouméa) and the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN, Paris). All described Indo-Pacific taxa referable to the epitoniid genus Cycloscala Dali, 1889 are listed and evaluated. The type species, Cycloscala echinaticosta (d'Orbigny, 1842) is discussed. Four described Indo-Pacific Cycloscala species, considered valid herewith, are treated: Cycloscala crenulata Pease, 1867; C. gazae Kilbum, 1985; C. hyalina Sowerby II, 1844; and C. revoluta Hedley, 1899.
Darwin Core Archive of The genus Cycloscala Dall, 1889 (Gastropoda: Epitoniidae) in the Indo-Pacific
The Azooxanthellate Scleractinia (Coelenterata: Anthozoa) of Australia
A total of 237 species of azooxanthellate Scleractinia are reported for the Australian region, including seamounts off the eastern coast. This study was based on approximately 5500 previously unreported specimens collected from 500 localities, as well as a re-examination of most of the types and previously reported specimens from the Australian region. Compared to all azooxanthellate species, those from Australia have a slightly higher percentage of species that are solitary and unattached (or transversely dividing), due to a disproportionate number of species in the families Flabellidae and Turbinoliidae. Bathymetrically they are typical of the worldwide fauna. Sixty-seven species are endemic to the Australian region. Azooxanthellate corals comprise half of the species and genera of the order Scleractinia (Cairns, 1999b), and, with the publication of this paper, consist of 703 species. Two hundred thirty-seven species, or one-third, of the azooxanthellate species occur off Australia, making it one of the richest regions in the world for this type of coral. The purpose of this paper was not to re-describe the azooxanthellate coral fauna of Australia, as most of the species have been adequately described and figured within the last 15 years in papers about the Australian fauna or adjacent regions (Cairns, 1989a, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999a; Cairns & Parker, 1992; Cairns & Zibrowius, 1997). Instead, the primary purpose is to document and verify all previously published records of the 237 Australian azooxanthellate species in the form of annotated synonymies, to augment these reports with additional records from the various Australian museums, and to list deposition of types and type localities for all species. This exhaustive compilation then provides the basis for a meaningful zoogeographic analysis of this fauna, the second goal of the paper.
Darwin Core Archive of The Azooxanthellate Scleractinia (Coelenterata: Anthozoa) of Australia
SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Federated States of Micronesia 2006
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in Federated States of Micronesia during the CoFish surveys in Romanum, Piis-Panewu, Riiken and Yyin (2006) with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Federated States of Micronesia 2006
A Gambierdiscus species (Dinophyceae) from Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Gambierdiscus cheloniae
Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) has been reported for many years in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, and has had the world’s highest reported incidence of this illness for the last 20 years. Following intensive sampling to understand the distribution of the causative organisms of CFP, an undescribed Gambierdiscus species was isolated from the Rarotongan lagoon. Gambierdiscus cheloniae sp. nov. has the common Gambierdiscus Kofoidian plate formula (except for a variability in the number of precingular plates in aberrant cells): Po, 30 , 600 (700), 6C?, 6 or 7S, 50 00 , 1p and 200 00 . The 20 plate is hatchet shaped and the dorsal end of 1p is pointed and the relatively narrow 1p plate. Morphologically G. cheloniae is similar to the genetically closely related species G. pacificus, G. toxicus and G. belizeanus, although smaller (depth and length) than G. toxicus. The apical pore plate varies from those of G. belizeanus and G. pacificus, which are shorter and narrower, and from G. toxicus, which is larger. G. cheloniae also differs from G. pacificus in the shape of the 20 plate. The description of this new species is supported by phylogenetic analyses using three different gene regions. G. cheloniae produced the putative maitotoxin-3 analogue, MTX-3, but neither maitotoxin or monitored ciguatoxin. Extracts of G. cheloniae were shown to be highly toxic to mice by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, although they were less toxic by gavage. It is possible that this species produces toxins other than putative MTX-3.
Darwin Core Archive of A Gambierdiscus species (Dinophyceae) from Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Gambierdiscus cheloniae
Reef Life Survey (RLS) around New Zealand region: Reef fish dataset
Reef Life Survey is designed to develop and resource a network of skilled recreational divers for rapid and cost-effective assessment of the state of the inshore marine environment at the global scale. The project uses standardised underwater visual census methods employed by trained SCUBA divers to survey fish and invertebrate species and to record habitat type using photo quadrats - this dataset refers to the reef fish survey component only. The dataset generated by recreational divers provides a national framework for monitoring the state of the inshore environment and the identification of those threats and locations of greatest conservation concern. The project also increases awareness and interest by the recreational diving community in marine issues, and enhanced scientific capacity of personnel in regional areas. This dataset is a subset of the whole collection for the New Zealand and south western Pacific region only. For the full record, visit http://reeflifesurvey.com/reef-life-survey/survey-data/
Darwin Core Archive of Reef Life Survey (RLS) around New Zealand region: Reef fish dataset
The crustaceans collection (IU) of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris) in the southwest Pacific region
This dataset is a subset of the crustaceans collection of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris) extracted from GBIF and filtered for the southwest Pacific region and for marine species only. The full collection covers all groups of crustaceans (except the very rare Remipedia and Tantulocarida). Consisting of some 100 000 inventoried lots arranged in systematic order, and with about 6000 type specimens, this collection is one of the richest in the world for its diversity. The collection was established before 1800 with the collections of the explorer naturalists (voyages of Bougainville, Savigny, Dumont D'Urville ...) and then continued, notably with those of the Travailleur and the Talisman. The collection has benefited from the work of prestigious scientists like Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, Latreille, H. and A. Milne-Edwards, and Chevreux. The specimens, measuring 1 mm to over 2 m in size, are mainly preserved in alcohol. Some are kept dry (old collections such as the historical collection of crabs), others as slide preparations. The collection includes worldwide material of marine, freshwater and terrestrial crustaceans (including pest species). The collection grows 1 to 1.5% per year on average, varying according to the group, thanks to numerous donations and deposits. For 25 years the "Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos" (formely MUSORSTOM) expeditions have resulted in the largest collection in the world from the deep-water (bathyal) environment.
Darwin Core Archive of The crustaceans collection (IU) of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris) in the southwest Pacific region
First record of male freshwater eels (Anguilla dieffenbachii) caught at sea
Two silver (migratory) male freshwater eels, Anguilla dieffenbachii, were caught in a commercial trawl net in the South Taranaki Bight in April 2014. The capture date and the relatively small eye size indicated that both eels had probably only recently entered the sea. This is the first record of male A. dieffenbachii caught at sea, en route to the presumed spawning area in the South Fiji Basin
Darwin Core Archive of First record of male freshwater eels (Anguilla dieffenbachii) caught at sea
eDNA data collected in Suva, Fiji by the PacMAN project
This dataset contains the eDNA data collected in Suva, Fiji by the PacMAN project. PacMAN (Pacific islands Marine bioinvasions Alert Network) is developing an invasive species monitoring system as well as an early-warning decision-support tool for Pacific Island States. Occurrences were generated by COI and 18S metabarcoding of water samples as well as settlement plates, and processing of barcode sequences using the PacMAN bioinformatics pipeline (https://github.com/iobis/PacMAN-pipeline). The full sampling protocol is available as part of the PacMAn monitoring plan (https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000379204.locale=en).
Darwin Core Archive of eDNA data collected in Suva, Fiji by the PacMAN project
Humpback whale sightings around New Zealand 1970-1999
Humpback whales were almost taken to extinction by intensive whaling activities during the past century. In Area V, an original population of approximately 10 000 humpbacks at the beginning of the century had been reduced to less than 5%, or estimated 250-500 whales of the original population(Chittleborough 1965). Humpbacks were given total protection from commercial whaling by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1966 and presently have an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status of Vulnerable (Donoghue 1994). Although protected, subsistence hunting of humpbacks continued in Tonga until 1979 when whaling was prohibited by Royal Decree; and in Antarctica by illegal Russian whaling of approximately 47 000 humpbacks, which continued until the 1980s (Donoghue 1994,Yablokov 1994). While some humpback whale populations have been widely studied, others including the population that migrates along the New Zealand coast are little known since the cessation of commercial whaling. Following the closure of Tory Channel whaling station in 1964, humpbacks have rarely been sighted in New Zealand waters (Helweg et al. 1999), suggesting that this migratory population has not shown any significant recovery, although Cawthorn (1997) reported an apparent increase in New Zealand waters. Due to the differences in population structure between areas, knowledge derived from one ocean or population cannot easily be applied to others. This dataset represents a compilation of all sightings of humpback whales around New Zealand within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Darwin Core Archive of Humpback whale sightings around New Zealand 1970-1999
Coral Diversity Survey: Volivoli Beach, Viti Levu and Dravuni and Great Astrolabe Reef, Fiji, 2006
This dataset is from a report of the reef coral fauna of 4 dive sites off Volivoli, near Rakiraki, northern Viti Levu, Fiji, found in August, 2006 and 13 dive and snorkel sites, on the Great Astrolabe Reef and near Dravuni Island, Kadavu, Fiji, found in September, 2006. The principle aim of these coral surveys was to provide an inventory of the coral species growing on reefs and associated habitats and compare the coral fauna on different sites. This includes species growing on sand or other soft sediments within and around reefs. The primary group of corals is the zooxanthellate scleractinian corals, that is, those that contain single-cell algae and which contribute to building the reef. Also included are a small number of zooxanthellate non-scleractinian corals which also produce skeletons large enough to contribute to the reef (e.g., Millepora, Heliopora, Tubipora, Distichopora: fire coral, blue coral, organ-pipe coral, and thick lace coral, respectively), and a small number of azooxanthellate scleractinian corals (Tubastrea). All produce calcium carbonate skeletons that contribute to reef building to some degree.
Darwin Core Archive of Coral Diversity Survey: Volivoli Beach, Viti Levu and Dravuni and Great Astrolabe Reef, Fiji, 2006
SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations French Polynesia 2003, 2004 and 2006
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in French Polynesia during the PROCFish/C surveys (2003, 2004 and 2006) in 5 sites: Fakarava, Maatea, Mataiea, Raivavae and Tikehau. The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations French Polynesia 2003, 2004 and 2006
The cnidarians collection (IK) of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris) in the southwest Pacific region
This dataset is a subset of the cnidarian collection of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris) extracted from GBIF and filtered for the southwest Pacific region and for marine species only. The full collection of cnidarians, comprising about 80 000 lots, combines old specimens from all oceans. These specimens are preserved in either alcohol, dry, as slides, or in a separate herbaria for some hydroids and sea fans. The oldest specimens (1706-1707) of Hydroids and Octocorallia of the collection are preserved in herbaria made by Sébastien Vaillant. The story is revealed on the label and recalls the big names such as Peron and Lesueur; Savigny; Jean-Baptiste Lamarck; Quoy and Gaimard; Valenciennes; and H. Milne-Edwards and Haime. Generations of scientists have enriched the collection, thanks to naturalist expeditions like that of Egypt (1800-1804), Baudin on the western coast of Australia, the Astrolabe (1837-1840), and the two French Antarctic expeditions in early twentieth century. For forty years, various campaigns in the Atlantic (Thalassa, Biogas ...), the sub-Antarctic (on the Marion Dufresne), the Indo-Pacific (program MUSORSTOM / Deep-Sea Benthos), and the great expeditions (Santo, Vanuatu 2006, Guadeloupe 2012) made for the "Planet revisited" program, enriched the collection. Scientists donate collections made throughout their careers, as is the case of the collections of G. Faure, J. Laborel, M. Pichon, B. Salvat, H. Zibrowius ... Specimens sampled by J. Goy in the Mediterranean, Brazil, and Australia expanded the collection of Jellyfish.
Darwin Core Archive of The cnidarians collection (IK) of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris) in the southwest Pacific region
Soviet Trawl Fishery Data (New Zealand Waters) 1964-1987
This dataset comprises catch compositions and trawl locations from cruises of Russian fishery research vessels carried out in New Zealand waters between 1964 and 1987, containing 11547 demersal trawls from around New Zealand, Kermadec Islands, Antarctic coast and Tasman Sea. The data were obtained by exchange between the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries (now Ministry for Primary Industries) and Soviet scientists in the mid 1990s. Note: A peer-review carried out by New Zealand scientists have noted some errors in species identification for some of these records. This Soviet Fishery Data (New Zealand Waters) 1964-1987 dataset is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 New Zealand Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/nz/. If you publish, distribute, or otherwise disseminate this work to the public without adapting it, the following attribution to MPI should be used: “Source: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and licensed by MPI for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 New Zealand licence." If you adapt this work in any way or include it in a collection, and publish, distribute, or otherwise disseminate that adaptation or collection to the public, the following attribution to MPI should be used: "This work is based on/includes MPI’s data which are licensed by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 New Zealand licence."
Darwin Core Archive of Soviet Trawl Fishery Data (New Zealand Waters) 1964-1987
Biota occurrence data from plankton surveys around New Zealand
The dataset contains details of the biota caught during plankton surveys around New Zealand and the south western Pacific although some occurrence data is included from other oceans sourced from the digitisation of journal articles from New Zealand authors. A large source from this dataset is provided by the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries from its "plankton" and "rocklob" databases. This dataset records all biological specimens collected during plankton sampling including fish, larvae, and eggs. This dataset does not include and data from Constant Plankton Recorders.
Darwin Core Archive of Biota occurrence data from plankton surveys around New Zealand
The New Zealand triplefin Grahamina signata (Teleostei; Tripterygiidae): A junior synonym of G.gymnota from Tasmania
The triptcrygiid fish Grahamina signata Fricke & Roberts, 1993 was described from 174 specimens collected from several exposed locations around the coast of New Zealand. It was distinguished from the Tasmanian G. gymnota (Scott 1977) by the number of pored scales in the lower lateral line, the number of branches of the supraorbital tentacle, and the colouration of the pectoral-fin base.Examination of new material of G. signata from the Auckland region, and re-examination of type material of G. gymnota, show that the supraorbital tentacle and lower lateral line are not differences of taxonomic significance. Pectoral fin colouration in a published underwater photo of G. gymnota suggests that the colour difference was due to the effects of preservation. We therefore refer G. signata to the synonymy of G. gymnota. This synonymy, in combination with the restricted Tasmanian distribution and dispersal capabilities of the species, suggests that G. gymnota was introduced to Tasmania from New Zealand.
Darwin Core Archive of The New Zealand triplefin Grahamina signata (Teleostei; Tripterygiidae): A junior synonym of G.gymnota from Tasmania
The Auckland Museum Maine Collection - NZ Specimens Only
Darwin Core Archive of Auckland Museum NZ Marine Collection
Intertidal and shallow-water ostracoda of the Waitemata Harbour, New Zealand
This dataset is from a paper which provides the first account of the ecological distribution of Ostracoda from a New Zealand harbour. Fifty-eight species are recorded in 23 subtidal (0–30 m) and intertidal sand and mud samples from the Waitemata Harbour, Auckland. Five associations are recognised using cluster analysis on the percentage abundance counts of total valves (live plus dead specimens). The main harbour channel from Hobsonville to Rangitoto, together with some of the subtidal flats in the outer part of the harbour, is dominated by Keijia demissa, with subdominant Munseyella aequa and M. brevis below the harbour bridge (association A) and Callistocythere neoplana and Quadracythere mediaruga above the bridge (association B). Shallow subtidal mud flats in the inner harbour (Herne Bay to Pollen Island) are dominated by Munseyella tumida and Microcytherura ?hornibrooki (association C). Intertidal mud fl ats and mangrove forest at Pollen Island and in the upper harbour have an ostracod fauna strongly dominated by Callistocythere neoplana (association D), in some places with associated Procythereis aff. lyttletonensis and Leptocythere lacustris (association E).
Darwin Core Archive of Intertidal and shallow-water ostracoda of the Waitemata Harbour, New Zealand
Records of coral reef inhabiting Caprellidae from Bora Bora and Moorea, Society Islands (Crustacea: Amphipoda)
This dataset is from a paper by Mueller (1990). where new species and records of coral reef inhabiting Caprellidae from Bora Bora and Moorea, Society Islands are described. New species and records are presented for the amphipod family Caprellidae from coral reefs at Bora Bora and Moorea, Society Islands. Caprellina bispinosa n. sp. and Fallotritella polynesica n. sp. are described. Notes on the habitat preference of the other species, Hemiaegina minuta Mayer, 1890 and Metaprotella sandalensis Mayer, 1898 are also given. M. sandalensis is redescribed with particular reference to its intraspecific variability.
Darwin Core Archive of Records of coral reef inhabiting Caprellidae from Bora Bora and Moorea, Society Islands (Crustacea: Amphipoda)
First Study on Marine Heterobranchia (Gastropoda, Mollusca) in Bangka Archipelago, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
As ephemeral, benthic, secondary consumers usually associated with sessile coral reef organisms, marine heterobranchs are good indicators of the health of marine tropical habitats. Thus, marine Heterobranchia have recently become a major target for monitoring programs. For this work, an extensive survey was made in Bangka Archipelago, the first of its kind in this area. Bangka Archipelago is composed of small islands and the adjacent coastline of North Sulawesi. The substrate is dominated by biogenic reefs and volcanic rocks, thus forming highly diverse habitats. In total, 149 species were collected and/or photo-documented in September 2017 and September 2018, which represents the dry season. They can be assigned to the Cephalaspidea, Aplysiida, Pleurobranchida, Nudibranchia, and Eupulmonata. Thirty-three species are new to science, highlighting the lack of knowledge about the group and especially about this region. Our data provide a baseline for future monitoring surveys, as the anthropogenic pressures on Bangka Archipelago are increasing due to enhanced touristic activities, but also due to large scale environmental changes caused by previous mining operation activities.
Darwin Core Archive of First Study on Marine Heterobranchia (Gastropoda, Mollusca) in Bangka Archipelago, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Nauru during the CoFish survey (2005). The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC CoFish Fish Observations Nauru 2005
SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Palau 2007
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in Palau during the CoFish surveys in Koror, Ngarchelong, Ngatpang and Airai (2007) with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Palau 2007
Regional Population Connectivity, Oceanic Habitat, and Return Migration Revealed by Satellite Tagging of White Sharks, Carcharodon carcharias, at New Zealand Aggregation Sites. A joint NIWA/Department of Conservation (DOC) tagging programme was launched in 2005. Hi-tech electronic tags are being used to gather information on where the sharks are and when, and to record their depth and the temperature of the surrounding water. Three tag types have been used: popup archival tags, acoustic tags, and dorsal fin tags. Popup tags are implanted in the muscle under the dorsal fin with a tagging pole, and record depth, temperature and location, storing the data for up to a year. They then release themselves from the shark, float to the surface, and transmit summaries of the data to a satellite. If the tags are physically recovered, the high resolution data collected at one minute intervals can be downloaded. Popup tags provide only approximate location data, so they are most useful for tracking long-distance migrations. Acoustic tags send out coded, individually identifiable sound ‘pings’ that can be detected up to a kilometre away by acoustic data loggers. The tag batteries last long enough to monitor the presence of white sharks in the region in the vicinity of a data logger for two years. Acoustic tags provide accurate fine-scale information on sharks at specific locations. Dorsal fin tags bridge the gap between popup and acoustic tags. They provide accurate location information by transmitting to orbiting satellites every time the shark is at the surface and the dorsal fin and the tag’s aerial are exposed to air. Their batteries can last for more than one year, so both fine scale and large scale movement patterns can be recorded. However, dorsal fin tags are more difficult to deploy: the shark has to be caught and restrained while the tag is attached to the dorsal fin. So far, only a few of these tags have been deployed in New Zealand. Since 2005, 44 white sharks have been tagged with popup tags, mainly at the Chatham Islands and Stewart Island. These islands support large colonies of fur seals, which are a major food source for white sharks. Our research has focussed on Stewart Island since 2009. The population there is dominated by males (about 2.2 males for every female). Nearly all of the females are immature, being shorter than the female length at maturity of 4.5 to 5 m. Only about one-third of the males are longer than the male length at maturity of about 3.6 m. This indicates that the white shark aggregations at Stewart Island are not related to mating, and are most likely driven by the abundance of seals for food. Large, mature females are rarely seen anywhere in New Zealand and their distribution, habitat and behaviour are almost completely unknown. Tagging results show that most New Zealand white sharks make annual migrations to tropical waters in winter, travelling as far as 3,300 km away. Sharks have migrated to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Coral Sea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Norfolk Island, Fiji and Tonga. They don't cross the equator. Most of the sharks from Stewart Island headed northwest of New Zealand, whereas most Chatham Islands sharks headed north. However, some sharks from the two tagging locations overlap in the tropics. Surprisingly, we have not detected any direct movement between Stewart and Chatham islands. Some popup tags have remained on the sharks for long enough (up to one year) to reveal that the sharks returned to their tagging locations after their tropical holiday. This has been confirmed by photo-identification work at Stewart Island. Each shark has a unique colour pattern, particularly around the gills and on the tail. Some individuals have been seen at Stewart Island each year for multiple years. This indicates that white sharks have a sophisticated navigation mechanism that enables them to make major direct oceanic migrations, and then return to precisely the spot they left from. We do not know how they achieve this.
Darwin Core Archive of White shark tagging off New Zealand
SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations New Caledonia 2004
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in New Caledonia during the PROCFish/C surveys (2004) in 5 sites Moindou, Luengoni, Oundjo, Thio, Ouassé. The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations New Caledonia 2004
Marine Amphipoda of atolls in Micronesia, 1965
This dataset contains occurrences from a paper by J.L. Barnard (1965) on marine Amphipoda from selected atolls in Micronesia, Pacific Ocean. Two large collections of intertidal and sublittoral Amphipoda were made on several atolls of Micronesia, one containing material collected by Dr. D. P. Abbott of Stanford University and Dr. F. M. Bayer of the Smithsonian Institution on Ifaluk Atoll, and by Dr. Cadet Hand of the University of California on Kapingamarangi Atoll, and the other by Dr. D. J. Reish of Long Beach State College, California, on Eniwetok, Majuro, and Bikini atolls. The Abbott-Bayer-Hand collection was made available to the author by Dr. Fenner A. Chace, Jr. of the U.S. National Museum, and a small grant was provided' from the National Research Council for initial sorting of the specimens. The collections of Dr. Reish were made possible by help from the Atomic Energy Commission. All specimens have been deposited in the U.S. National Museum.
Darwin Core Archive of Marine Amphipoda of atolls in Micronesia, 1965
Extensive sympatry, cryptic diversity and introgression throughout the Indo-Pacific distribution of two coral species complexes
The identification of species is one of the most basic, and yet critically important, issues in biology with far-reaching potential implications for fields such as biodiversity conservation, population ecology and epidemiology. Morphology has long been the primary tool biologists have used to categorize life. However, we now know that a significant portion of natural diversity is morphologically hidden, and therefore, we must integrate nonmorphological tools into the description of biodiversity. Here, we demonstrate the utility of multilocus population genetic data for identifying and characterizing cryptic species complexes, even when species share large amounts of genetic variability. Specifically, we have used DNA sequence data from 12 genomic regions to characterize two widespread species complexes in the coral genus Acropora: A. cytherea and A. hyacinthus. These two morphospecies have each been sampled from 5 to 7 locations throughout their Indo-Pacific distributions, and with the use of structure and hierarchical clustering, we demonstrate the presence of at least six widespread cryptic species within these two morphospecies complexes. After identifying cryptic lineages, we then utilize the genetic data to examine the history of introgressive hybridization within and between these morphospecies complexes. Our data indicate that these two complexes form a global syngameon with consistent patterns of introgression between species across large geographic distributions.
Darwin Core Archive of Extensive sympatry, cryptic diversity and introgression throughout the Indo-Pacific distribution of two coral species complexes
Southern right whales wintering in the Auckland Islands, 1995-1998
Historically, southern right whales were widely distributed in New Zealand waters. This population, was driven to commercial extinction following extensive exploitation during the early 19th century (Dawbin 1986). It was further depleted by illegal Soviet hunting in 1950-1970 (Tormosov et al. 1998). While right whale sightings around mainland New Zealand remain rare, up to 165 whales can be found at the Auckland Is in a single day during winter. Despite what appears to be adequate habitat along the eastern coastline, the whales' distribution is largely limited to Port Ross, Laurie Harbour and waters around Enderby I. The relatively small area where so many whales congregate means that at peak season the density of whales at the Auckland Is is very high (approximately 8 whales/km2). The residency period extends from at least early May to at least the end of September, with peak numbers in July and August.
Darwin Core Archive of Southern right whales wintering in the Auckland Islands, 1995-1998
Catch data from New Zealand research trawls since 2008
This dataset contains data from research trawls that have occurred since 2008 and are stored the NIWA/MPI Trawl database These data results from data collected by research trawl surveys on research vessels and chartered commercial fishing vessels. Trawl surveys are a major tool used by research scientists for stock assessment. They are used to estimate basic parameters of commercial fish populations, including biomass, sex ratio, and the proportion of sexually mature fish, and the distribution of ages and lengths in the population. These parameters may be used in estimating mortality and growth rates. This dataset is a continuation of data from the NIWA/MPI Trawl database that was initially released as the New Zealand fish and squid distributions from research bottom trawls 1964-2008 available at https://nzobisipt.niwa.co.nz/resource?r=obisprovider
Darwin Core Archive of Catch data from New Zealand research trawls since 2008
Breeding colonies of the New Zealand fur seal Arctocephalus forsteri
This dataset is from a paper by Dussex et al. looking at the low spatial genetic differentiation associated rapid recolonization of the New Zealand fur seal Arctocephalus forsteri. Population declines resulting from anthropogenic activities are of major consequence for the long-term survival of species because the resulting loss of genetic diversity can lead to extinction via the effects of inbreeding depression, fixation of deleterious mutations, and loss of adaptive potential. Otariid pinnipeds have been exploited commercially to near extinction with some species showing higher demographic resilience and recolonization potential than others. The New Zealand fur seal (NZFS) was heavily impacted by commercial sealing between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, but has recolonized its former range in southern Australia. The species has also recolonized its former range in New Zealand, yet little is known about the pattern of recolonization. Here, we first used 11 microsatellite markers (n = 383) to investigate the contemporary population structure and dispersal patterns in the NZFS (Arctocephalus forsteri). Secondly, we model postsealing recolonization with 1 additional mtDNA cytochrome b (n = 261) marker. Our data identified 3 genetic clusters: an Australian, a subantarctic, and a New Zealand one, with a weak and probably transient subdivision within the latter cluster. Demographic history scenarios supported a recolonization of the New Zealand coastline from remote west coast colonies, which is consistent with contemporary gene flow and with the species’ high resilience. The present data suggest the management of distinct genetic units in the North and South of New Zealand along a genetic gradient. Assignment of individuals to their colony of origin was limited (32%) with the present data indicating the current microsatellite markers are unlikely sufficient to assign fisheries bycatch of NZFSs to colonies.
Darwin Core Archive of Breeding colonies of the New Zealand fur seal Arctocephalus forsteri
Eels and Eel-larvae of the Tui Oceanographic Cruise 1962, to the South Fiji Basin
During July and early August, 1962, the H.M.N.Z.F.A. Tui undertook a deep-water research cruise in a broadly triangular area bounded by Auckland, Norfolk Island and the Kermadec Islands, an area which includes the southern half of the South Fiji Basin. As part of the biological programme of this cruise, trawls were made in midwater depths of yup to about 1,1000m with a 10ft Isaacs-Kidd trawl as well as on the surface and on the bottom with other gear. Collections were made with dipnets and handlines. In the large and diverse collection of fishes which resulted were some 43 eels and eel-larvae, the largest collection made in New Zealand waters up to that date. Of these 43 specimens, 29 adult or young eels referable to six genera and seven species and the remainder are leptocephali referable to nine genera and nine species. This dataset reports on the eels and eel-larvae of the Tui cruise.
Darwin Core Archive of Eels and Eel-larvae of the Tui Oceanographic Cruise 1962, to the South Fiji Basin
Recent (post-1930) changes in the extent of subtidal seagrass (Zostera muelleri) beds of the eastern Bay of Islands, New Zealand
The surface areas of 12 subtidal seagrass Zostera muelleri beds at the islands and adjacent mainland shores of the eastern Bay of Islands (35° 12′ S, 174° 10′ E), New Zealand were estimated from aerial images. It appears that little subtidal seagrass existed until after the early-1950s, so significant beds here may be a relatively recent biome. Possible explanations for recent emergence of subtidal seagrass include that debilitating periods of turbid water and pulses of sedimentation associated with the land clearances of the late 1800s had worked through the marine ecosystem. An overall peak in seagrass-cover in the 1960s to 1980s was followed by declines in several beds in the 1990s to 2000s, with recovery since. The temporal presence of seagrass was well-correlated among the three mainland beds, and moderately well among the south-facing beds on the islands, consistent with mechanisms driving seagrass establishment and persistence operating at reasonably broad scales.
Darwin Core Archive of Recent (post-1930) changes in the extent of subtidal seagrass (Zostera muelleri) beds of the eastern Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Scleractinian Coral Fauna of Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
Three surveys at Easter Island (Rapa Nui) spanning the period 1999–2005, and examination of private and museum collections, have revealed a depauperate zooxanthellate scleractinian fauna. Collections were all made off island shelf exposures, from tide pools to 70 m with scuba, and by dredging to 100 m. With synonymies, reassignments, and two new records in the families Pocilloporidae and Faviidae, the Easter Island coral fauna now comprises 13 species. Pocilloporid and poritid coral abundances were generally high on all island shelves protected from southern swells. A cluster analysis of the coral fauna relationships of 19 south, central, and far-eastern Paciﬁc sites indicates a strong afﬁnity between those of Easter Island and the far-eastern Paciﬁc equatorial region (e.g., Colombia, Ecuador, Panama´, and the Galapagos Islands). The precipitous drop in coral species richness from the Pitcairn Island group (61 species) to Easter Island suggests the presence of a dispersal barrier between these two remote southeastern Paciﬁc areas, separated by @ 1,800 km of deep ocean waters. Consideration of the surface circulation based on satellite-tracked surface drifters conﬁrms this conclusion. Surface currents are from east to west along the topography on which Easter and Sala-y-Gomez Islands sit, suggesting a substantial barrier to recruitment from the west.
Darwin Core Archive of Scleractinian Coral Fauna of Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui and Tory Channel / Kura Te Au (HS51) Hydrographic Survey Marine Mammal Observations
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA) was contracted in October 2016 by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) to undertake hydrographic surveying services for the Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui and Tory Channel / Kura Te Au Hydrographic Survey (HS51). This survey comprises both hydrographic (LINZ) and habitat mapping (Marlborough District Council (MDC)), requirements which are met by a National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research Limited (NIWA) led partnership with Discovery Marine Limited (DML). These Marine Mammal Observations form part of the deliverables required for LINZ project HYD-2016/17-01 (HS51) Contract No 20058 for the Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui and Tory Channel / Kura Te Au Hydrographic Survey. This project is referred to as HS51. The Observations are submitted in accordance with the HS51 Services Agreement Contract and Marine Mammal Liaison Group (MMLG) Specifications. Marine mammals, in particular dolphins are a regular occurrence in the Marlborough Sounds. The species are important both nationally and internationally. There are eight marine mammal species known to frequent the Sounds (Davidson et al., 2011). Two of these are classified as nationally endangered (Hectors and Bottlenose) and one is considered nationally critical (Killer whale or Orca). The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and Discovery Marine Limited (DML) were contracted to map the seabed in the Marlborough Sounds (Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui and Tory Channel/Kura Te Au) using multibeam sounders. The frequency of the sound emitted by a multibeam echo sounder is outside the hearing range of marine mammals in the Sounds, however as a precaution, NIWA ensured best practice for minimising survey activities in the immediate proximity of marine mammals, including logging all sightings while on multibeam effort. Mulitbeam operators and surveyors logged marine mammal sightings. Blue Planet Marine (BPM) was contracted prior to the survey to provide a review of the potential efforts of a multibeam survey of Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel and make suggestions as to best practice to minimise disturbance. Overall they concluded the survey was in the category of ‘minimal disturbance’ hence not requiring a dedicated MMO onboard (Blue Planet Marine, 2016). This report also gave some recommendations, including survey teams to log sightings, that NIWA adopted in the survey plan.
Darwin Core Archive of Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui and Tory Channel / Kura Te Au (HS51) Hydrographic Survey Marine Mammal Observations
SPC CoFish Fish Observations Federated States of Micronesia 2006
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Federated States of Micronesia during the CoFish surveys in Romanum, Piis-Panewu, Riiken and Yyin (2006). The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC CoFish Fish Observations Federated States of Micronesia 2006
A Collection of Coral-reef Fishes Made by Dr. and Mrs. Marshall Laird at Fiji 1954
The collection here reported contains 360 specimens, chiefly coral-reef forms, of which there are 36 species, comprising 9 new additions to the islands. Two of the latter were described as new. Of the 36 species listed, nine are additions to the Fiji Islands. They are Choeroicthys brachysoma (F. Syngnathidae), Cephalopholis argus (F. Serranidae), Chrysiptera yamashimai (F. Pomacentridae), Tripterygion hemimelas (F. Clinidae), Salarias sinuosus Snyder (F. Blennridae), Acentrogobius puntang (F. Gobridae) and Acentrogobius cauerensis (F. Gobridae). The Cheorichthys, Chrysiptera, and Salarias are also additional to the vast fish fauna of Oceania. A new species of Chrysiptera, (F. Pomacentridae) and a new species of Scorpaena (F. Scorpaenidae) are described.
Darwin Core Archive of A Collection of Coral-reef Fishes Made by Dr. and Mrs. Marshall Laird at Fiji 1954
Five new species of the damselfish genus Chromis (Perciformes: Labroidei: Pomacentridae) from deep coral reefs in the tropical western Pacific
Five new species of the damselfish genus Chromis (Perciformes3: Labroidei: Pomacentridae) are described from specimens collected from deep (>60 m) coral-reef habitat in the western Pacific by divers using mixed-gas closed-circuit rebreather gear. Two of the five new species (C. abyssus and C. circumaurea) are each described from specimens taken at a single locality within the Caroline Islands (Palau and Yap, respectively); one (C. degruyi) is described from specimens collected or observed throughout the Caroline Islands, and two (C. brevirostris and C. earina) are described from specimens collected from several localities throughout the Caroline Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu. All five species can easily be distinguished from other known Chromis, and from each other, on the basis of colour and morphology. These new species represent the first five scientific names prospectively registered in the official ICZN ZooBank registry.
Darwin Core Archive of Five new species of the damselfish genus Chromis (Perciformes: Labroidei: Pomacentridae) from deep coral reefs in the tropical western Pacific
A Preliminary Floristic Survey of the Benthic Marine Algae of Rotuma Island
A preliminary study of the intertidal benthic macroalgal flora of the island of Rotuma (12°30'S 177°05'E; politically attached to the Fiji Island group) has revealed a total of 88 taxa, including 41 Rhodophyceae, 11 Phaeophyceae and 36 Chlorophyceae, representing the first published records of marine algae for this island. Of these, 30 represent new records for the Fijian flora. The Rotuman flora is distinct from that of Fiji, a probable consequence of habitat limitations and high exposure regimes on Rotuman reefs that have led to a predominance of low-profile, robust algal species. A distinct north-south distribution pattern was found, brought about by variations in exposure regimes. Biogeographic considerations further dissociated the Rotuman and Fijian floras, the former being more equatorial and in the path of oceanic currents dispersing algal species from donor areas in the central and western Pacific.
Darwin Core Archive of A Preliminary Floristic Survey of the Benthic Marine Algae of Rotuma Island
Four species of deep-sea ascidians from Papua New Guinea
This dataset is from a paper describing four deep-sea ascidian species collected during the KAVIENG 2014 expedition in Papua New Guinea. These species are described, including additional characteristics not reported previously. Fimbrora calsubia is classified within the family Ascidiidae, Dicopia fimbriata and Octacnemus bythius within Octacnemidae, and Culeolus recumbens within Pyuridae. Anatomical observations confirmed previous descriptions for these four species collected elsewhere. Here, we describe additional morphological features for these species and provide the first barcode DNA sequences (based on a fragment of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase I) for D. fimbriata and C. recumbens
Darwin Core Archive of Four species of deep-sea ascidians from Papua New Guinea
This data represents coral reef ecological surveys conducted in the Kingdom of Tonga from 2016-2018. 375 sites were surveyed across the Tongatapu, Ha'apai and Vava'u island groups by Patrick Smallhorn-West, Dr. Daniela Ceccarelli and Karen Stone. All surveys were conducted on SCUBA.
Darwin Core Archive of Tonga reef fish survey data 2016-2018
Macroalgae of the Balleny Islands and western Ross Sea, Southern Ocean
The known macroalgal flora of the Balleny Islands, Southern Ocean, has more than doubled as a result of expeditions to the area over the past 8 years and their subsequent study is reported here. The samples collected as part of a benthic survey at Borradaile Island, one of the Balleny Islands group, during the 2006 Tiama expedition have been analysed to provide an assessment of benthic community structure. We provide a quantitative assessment of shallow water macrofaunal community composition and seafloor sediment characteristics, and a more qualitative assessment of seafloor habitat structure and epifaunal/floral community composition. The Borradaile Island sites were located in a high energy environment, sediments had relatively high organic and chlorophyll a content, and considerably lower concentrations of degraded plant material (phaeophytin) than noted in previously surveyed southern Ross Sea locations. This could be a reflection of the higher light levels and the large amount of algal detritus noted at the higher latitude Borradaile sites. Borradaile Island macrofaunal diversity was within the range noted for the more southern sites; macrofaunal abundance, however, was more variable. Epifaunal diversity was very low at the Borradaile Island sites, with the seastar Odontaster validus the only large epifaunal taxon found. In contrast, the Borradaile Island dive sites had high macroalgal diversity. Although not observed at the Borradaile Island dive sites, the Tiama voyage researchers noted shallow water areas with high diversities of encrusting organisms. This study has provided the first analysis of shallow water benthic communities of the Balleny Islands. While it has shown some interesting similarities and contrasts in benthic diversity with other coastal Ross Sea locations, this information from Borradaile Island may not be representative of the entire Balleny area, and further surveys from other sites within the Balleny group are recommended. In 2005, Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) scientists and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) personnel prepared a paper for submission to CCAMLR justifying a Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation for the islands. To collect data in support of the MPA proposal, MFish commissioned a month-long targeted research voyage to the Balleny Islands in February 2006, using the yacht Tiama, (“Balleny Islands Ecology Research Voyage”; ZBD2005-01). MFish also obtained additional samples from the Balleny Islands during a 7-week voyage to the Ross Sea using Tangaroa (“Ross Sea Biodiversity”; ZBD2005-03). In 2004, Tangaroa sampled 49 sites in the Ballenys region as part of a BioRoss voyage (TAN0402 - Biodiversity of deepwater invertebrates and fish communities of the North Western Ross Sea), The Tiama and Tangaroa voyages were very successful, providing important ecological information and specimens from the Balleny Islands area, and supplementary information for the Antarctic Working Group Research Programme. The Tiama voyage included a survey of shallow water benthic faunal communities and habitats using the methods developed for NIWA’s coastal Antarctic research project, ICECUBE (ZBD2001-02). To our knowledge this is the first quantitative sampling of shallow water benthos around these islands. The objectives of this study were (1) to describe and characterise macroalgae diversity from the Balleny Islands and the Western Ross Sea, and (2) to describe and quantify benthic community structure from one location at the Balleny Islands. This report describes the macroalgal collections obtained on recent and earlier voyages and expeditions to the region as well as presenting an analysis of results of the Tiama’s shallow water benthic survey. The diversity of macroalgal and benthic communities and habitats are compared to that of other Ross Sea locations.
Darwin Core Archive of Macroalgae of the Balleny Islands and western Ross Sea, Southern Ocean
Earth Sciences New Zealand National Invertebrate Collection (NIC)
The Earth Sciences New Zealand National Invertebrate Collection (NIC) holds specimens from almost all invertebrate phyla. This is a result of about half a century of marine taxonomic and biodiversity research in the New Zealand region, the South West Pacific and the Ross Sea, Antarctica. This dataset was formally known as the NIWA Invertebrate Collection (NIC). On 1 July 2025, NIWA merged with GNS Science to become Earth Sciences New Zealand. New Zealand lies in the South West Pacific, a region that harbours one of the world’s highest species diversity in some marine invertebrate groups with a high proportion of endemic species (that don't occur anywhere else). This huge diversity is, among other things, related to the variable seafloor relief and New Zealand’s ancient geological history. NIWA is fortunate to hold a significant representation of New Zealand’s marine biodiversity in the NIWA Invertebrate Collection at Greta Point in Wellington. This collection has had the taxa matched to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). There are taxa that have no match in WoRMS as they are temporary or unpublished names. These records do not a scientificNameId field populated. There are also many records that have no position information. Many of these are donated specimens.
Darwin Core Archive of Earth Sciences New Zealand National Invertebrate Collection (NIC)
Data from: Two Shark Incidents at Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands
This dataset is from a paper from Hobson, Mautin and Reese (1961) about two shark incidents at Enewetok Atoll, Marshall Islands. The two shark incidents described in this paper can be considered as unprovoked shark attacks. The importance of documenting these incidents is that they were observed by persons with some experience in the study of animal behaviour. The great need of precise and detailed observational information on shark attacks has been stressed in reports on the subject.
Darwin Core Archive of Data from: Two Shark Incidents at Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands
Occurrence records of the invasive amphipod Monocorophium acherusicum, Mar del Plata, Argentina
This occurrence dataset comes from the paper DNA barcode, taxonomic and ecological notes for the identification of the invasive amphipod Monocorophium acherusicum (Costa, 1851) (DOI: 10.1080/00288330.2018.1469514) We report the occurrence of the invasive amphipod Monocorophium acherusicum in Mar del Plata port, Argentina, using morphological and molecular analysis and estimated mean abundance to detect monthly variations of this population. We compared M. acherusicum morphology with that of M. insidiosum and Crassicorophium bonelli, the two most similar locally occurring species, to establish the diagnostic characteristics for the correct identification of them; moreover, we provide some taxonomic notes about others corophiids regionally distributed. M. acherusicum were collected in a subtidal biofouling community and its mean abundance was maximum in summer. In the molecular analysis, the maximum-likelihood tree showed that specimens from Mar del Plata were clustered with M. acherusicum specimens from GenBank and Boldsystems. We support and confirm the species identity in Mar del Plata port using DNA barcoding and with taxonomic methods.
Darwin Core Archive of Occurrence records of the invasive amphipod Monocorophium acherusicum, Mar del Plata, Argentina
British Antarctic (Terra Nova) Expedition, 1910-1913
The Terra Nova Expedition, officially the British Antarctic Expedition, was led by Robert Falcon Scott with the primary objective of scientific experiments, observations and gathering of specimens and the secondary objective of being the first to reach the geographical South Pole. The Terra Nova Expedition, named after its supply ship, was a private venture, financed by public contributions augmented by a government grant. It had further backing from the Admiralty, which released experienced seamen to the expedition, and from the Royal Geographical Society. As well as its polar attempt, the expedition carried out a comprehensive scientific programme. The biologist in charge of operations on the ship was Mr. D. G. Lillie, M.A., to whose skill and energy the large and valuable marine collections are mainly due. On the outward and homeward voyages from England to New Zealand fine-meshed tow-nets were put overboard whenever possible, and seventy plankton samples were obtained; in addition two hauls were made with the trawl, one near the Falklands, at a depth of 125 fathoms, and one off Rio de Janeiro, at a depth of 40 fathoms. The winter cruise (July 10th to October 10th, 1911) round the Three Kings Islands and to the north of New Zealand produced biological results of great importance; eighty plankton samples were obtained, and the seven hauls made with trawl and dredge at depths of 15 to 300 fathoms revealed a bottom-fauna of extraordinary variety, including a great number of forms new to science. Between New Zealand and McMurdo Sound one hundred and thirty-five samples of plankton and fifty of muds and oozes were obtained; in the Ross Sea and in McMurdo Sound fifteen rich hauls with the trawl, at depths of 40 to 300 fathoms, produced a collection which has added greatly to our knowledge of the Antarctic marine fauna.
Darwin Core Archive of British Antarctic (Terra Nova) Expedition, 1910-1913
Sightings of southern right whales around mainland New Zealand 1976-2002
The status of southern right whales around ‘mainland’ New Zealand was assessed by reviewing 110 sightings and 23 individual photo-identifications collected between 1976 and 2002. Sightings were reported in 11 of the 12 Conservancies (Department of Conservation administrative areas) with coastal waters. Southland Conservancy was the primary area visited by non-cow/calf whales and Hawke's Bay Conservancy represented the primary area for cow/calf pairs. Whales were sighted in all seasons with the majority of sightings reported in winter (60%) and spring (22%). Between 1988 and 2001 (when whales were consistently sighted), southern right whales showed a significant increase in number of sightings and number of whales per sighting. The estimated rate of increase is imprecise and likely affected by uneven sighting effort over the years. Despite this apparent increase in overall sightings, there was little evidence of increase in the number of cow/calf pairs sighted around New Zealand’s three main islands (‘the mainland’). No matches were made between 26 photo-identified whales from around the mainland and the extensive catalogue of whales photo-identified in the subantarctic islands. The former population remains severely depleted, and likely contains between 4 and 11reproductive females. The lack of evidence of movement between the mainland and the subantarctic islands and the marked difference in recovery between the two areas suggests that the two populations represent separate stock.
Darwin Core Archive of Sightings of southern right whales around mainland New Zealand 1976-2002
Coral Reef Survey for Aitutaki, Cook Islands, 2008
Natural disturbances such as crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks and coral bleaching in recent years have played a major role in shaping the reefs of Aitutaki today. Although, anthropogenic disturbances may play a major role as well, this remains difficult to comprehend due to lack of a consistent reef monitoring program on Aitutaki. The purpose of this study is to examine the current state of Aitutaki’s reef as well as re-establish its monitoring program. Based on information provided by this survey, the reefs of Aitutaki may have recovered subsequent to the disturbance in the 1990s, however these were patchy possibly a result of the different environmental regimes experienced at each site. Coral cover range from 34% (at Pacific RC) to 8% (at Pacific RI), and size classes were predominantly in the 8-16 cm class (~8-10 year-old colonies) particularly at the more pristine reefs (Pacific RC and Airport). This suggests that these reefs recruited immediately after the COTS outbreak in the ‘90s. The high cover of crustose coralline algae (CCA) at Atuatane suggests that Aitutaki’s reefs are still in the early stages of recovery. However, high CCA cover can hinder the growth and survival of newly settled corals, which may be the case on Aitutaki. The larger colonies only recorded at Maina in the 64-128 cm class suggested that the location of this site or possibly the establishment as a Marine Protected Area (MPA or raui) may have provided a refuge (in terms of being remote) for corals and other marine life. Anthropogenic disturbances as well as COTS at Maina may be minimal. Low coral cover and high turf algae (TA) noted at Atuatane (I) and Tokai’i as well as small coral colony sizes due to die-backs suggested that these sites are experiencing poor conditions for coral growth and survival. The 2005 National Environment Service survey of Manuae proposed the possibility of Manuae being a source population for Aitutaki based on observed ocean currents at the time. Information obtained from NOAA’S Oceanwatch website on ocean surface currents around these islands also supports this possibility. Assuming that Manuae is a source population for Aitutaki, a decline in marine resources on Manuae may affect the recovery of Aitutaki’s reefs.
Darwin Core Archive of Coral Reef Survey for Aitutaki, Cook Islands, 2008
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Niue during the CoFish survey (2005). The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC CoFish Fish Observations Niue 2005
Deep-water azooxanthellate Scleractinia from Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna Islands
A total of 134 Recent species of azooxanthellate Scleractinia are reported from the Vanuatu (116 species) and Wallis and Futuna (83 species) Archipelagos, all but one being new records for the region of the tropical central Pacific. The newly reported specimens originate primarily from the MUSORSTUM 7 and 8 expeditions, including approximately 4400 specimens from 227 stations, most of these deeper than 100 m. Within the tropical central Pacific these corals show a strong affinity with those from the ridges and islands north of New Zealand (56 species) and a lessor relationship with the Hawaiian Island fauna (24 species). Other regions in the central Pacific are too poorly know for comparison. Beyond the tropical central Pacific, the Vanuatu/Wallis and Futuna fauna is part of the larger Indo-Polynesian province, sharing 95 (71%) of its species with the tropical western Pacific and 62 species (46%) with the Indian Ocean. Only seven species are found in common with the tropical eastern Pacific and 11 with the Atlantic Ocean. Finally, 43 species from the Vanuatu/Wallis and Futuna Archipelagos are also known from temperate Japan (exclusive of the Ryukyu Islands) and 32 from temperate New Zealand and southern Australia.
Darwin Core Archive of Deep-water azooxanthellate Scleractinia from Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna Islands
SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Marshall Islands 2007
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in Marshall Islands during the CoFish surveys in Laura, Ailuk, Arno and Likiep (2007) with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Marshall Islands 2007
Data from: Notes on shrimps from the Marshall Islands
This dataset is from a paper by Fenner a. Chace, Jr. (1955) on the shrimps of the Marshall Islands. The collections on which the following notes are based were made during biological surveys of the northern Marshall Atolls of Eniwetok, Bikini, Rongelap, and Rongerik in 1946 and 1947, under the sponsorship of the U. S. Department of the Navy. Only the decapod shrimps of the families Penaeidae, Sergestidae, Pasiphaeidae, Processidae, Thalassocaridae, and the genera Automate and Athanas of the Alpheidae are included here.
Darwin Core Archive of Data from: Notes on shrimps from the Marshall Islands
The Strandings of Oceania database is a collaborative project between SPREP, WildMe and the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium to record stranding and beachcast data for whales, dolphins and dugongs throughout the Pacific.
Darwin Core Archive of Strandings of Oceania Database
Echinoderms from the subantarctic islands of New Zealand: Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, and Echinoidea, Cape Expedition, 1941-1945
This report is based on the collections of specimens and data in the Auckland and Campbell Islands in the years 1941-45. Early in 1941, coast-watching stations were established at Port Ross, Carnley Harbour, and Perseverance Harbour, and the personnel of from three to five men at each were relieved once a year. Standing instructions issued by the Navy Office included a recommendation that the men should, in addition to service routine, record general observations on natural phenomena. This report is regarded as of the Cape Expedition which was the war-time code name for parties in the field between 1941 and 1945. The Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand comprise five groups, all standing upon the New Zealand submarine plateau. They share an echinoderm fauna which presents many resemblances to that of the New Zealand mainland, though possessing distinctive features of its own. Of the five groups on the plateau, two - namely the Auckland Islands and Campbell Island - were visited by Th. Mortensen in 1914, and as a result of his studies, together with some previous work, notably that of Farquhar (1898) and Benham (1909), the faunal relationships above noted were fairly clear. This data set collected by the Cape Expedition consolidated and confirmed all of Mortensens conclusions and supplemented them with fresh data from the Snare and the Antipodes groups.
Darwin Core Archive of Echinoderms from the subantarctic islands of New Zealand: Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, and Echinoidea, Cape Expedition, 1941-1945
Parasitic Copepods of Some Antarctic and New Zealand Fishes
This dataset is from a study that was concerned chiefly with parasitic copepods collected from the gills of marine fishes taken in New Zealand and Antarctic waters. A total of 18 copepod species was collected from New Zealand waters. These species represented seven families and nine genera and were collected from 18 families and 19 genera of fish hosts, a total of 621 copepods from 258 fishes. Seven of the New Zealand copepod species and the only two collected from Antarctic fishes. During March 1960, 616 specimens of 35 species of fishes were collected from the marine waters of New Zealand and examined for parasites. Of these, 258 individuals, or 38.6 per cent, representing 21 species were infected with parasitic copepods. From January 1961 to February 1962 and during November and December 1964 a total of 599 specimens of 13 species of fishes were collected from the waters adjacent to the Wilkes and McMurdo Sound stations in the Antarctic. Only 37 individuals, or 6.4 per cent, representing four species were infected with parasitic copepods. Only two species of copepods were found on the Antarctic fishes. Neoscutellidium yeatmani, is described and Clavellodes intermedium (Quidor, 1906) Wilson, 1915 is redescribed. One new locality record is established.
Darwin Core Archive of Parasitic Copepods of Some Antarctic and New Zealand Fishes
Data from: DNA barcoding and morphology revealed the existence of seven new species of squat lobsters in the family Munididae (Decapoda, Galatheoidea) in the southwestern Pacific
Specimens of squat lobsters belonging to the family Munididae Ahyong et al., 2010, representing the genera Garymunida Macpherson & Baba, 2022, Trapezionida Macpherson & Baba, 2022 and Typhlonida Macpherson & Baba, 2022, were collected during several cruises around New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea, Southwest Pacific. The integrative study of these specimens revealed the presence of one new species in Garymunida, five in Trapezionida and one in Typhlonida.
Darwin Core Archive of Data from: DNA barcoding and morphology revealed the existence of seven new species of squat lobsters in the family Munididae (Decapoda, Galatheoidea) in the southwestern Pacific
Vanuatu reef-associated food fishes observed under the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research project
This dataset contains fish occurrence data collected in Vanuatu during a collaborative research project funded by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research. The project, lead by The University of the South Pacific, focused on the essential role of coral reef fisheries in supporting subsistence and artisanal fishers across four Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), namely, Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Given the increasing threats posed by land-based pollution, changing fishing practices, and habitat degradation, this research aims to gather regionally representative data that enhances fisheries management and informs conservation efforts. This Vanuatu dataset includes 86 fish species representing 22 families. Sampling locations for this dataset include sites on the islands of Efate, Maskelyne, Espiritu Santo. This research initiative was made possible through the invaluable support of Vanuatu Department of Fisheries, the Vanuatu Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation, the Vanuatu National Biodiversity Advisory Council, The University of the South Pacific Emalus Campus, and the communities on Efate, Maskelyne, Espiritu Santo. Data was collected by Joycinette Botleng, Ada Sokach, Hudson Feremaito with contributions from Jayven Ham, John Laket, Thelili Akurkur, Robson, Kasi Ngagov, Judy Perei and Gray Masanga.
Darwin Core Archive of Vanuatu reef-associated food fishes observed under the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research project
Occurrence and Additional Specimens of a Scorpionfish, Idiastion pacificum (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae), from the Central North Pacific
This dataset contains the occurrence dataset based on the original journal article Okamoto, Makoto, Motomura, Hiroyuki, Hoshino, Koichi, Yanagimoto, Takashi, Saruwatari, Toshiro (2012): Occurrence and Additional Specimens of a Scorpionfish, Idiastion pacificum (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae), from the Central North Pacific. Species Diversity 17 (1): 1-5, DOI: 10.12782/sd.17.1.001
Darwin Core Archive of Occurrence and Additional Specimens of a Scorpionfish, Idiastion pacificum (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae), from the Central North Pacific
Reef fish communities of Tikehau Atoll (Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia) 1982-87
Fish communities in the lagoon of the Tikehau atoll were studied by only a few researchers. Harmelin-Viven (1984) studied the distribution of the main herbivorous families (Scaridae and Acanthuridae) in the lagoon and on the outer slope to 30 m in depth. The total fish community of the outer slope was studied by Galzin (1985, 1987) at 12 m in depth. These studies were carried out in the southwestern part of the atoll. This dataset contains fish records from these studies as well as artisanal fishery over the 1982, 1983 and 1987 fisheries years.
Darwin Core Archive of Reef fish communities of Tikehau Atoll (Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia) 1982-87
The seagrass data monitoring and mapping is conducted at various sites in Solomon Islands under the CMS/GEF Dugong/Seagrass project. It provides a much –valued opportunity to promote community-based conservation of dugong and seagrass in the Solomon Islands. The main focus area of the project for Solomon Islands is to; raise national awareness of the importance of dugong in Solomon Islands culture and of seagrass as a mitigation against climate change impacts, promoting the role of Locally Managed Marine Areas in the conservation of seagrass and dugong, mapping of seagrass meadows and managing these activities through a National Coordinating Committee
Darwin Core Archive of Seagrass data, Solomon Islands, 2018
Ascidians of the Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand, Cape Expedition, 1941-1945
This report is based on the collections of specimens and data in the Auckland and Campbell Islands in the years 1941-45. Early in 1941, coast-watching stations were established at Port Ross, Carnley Harbour, and Perseverance Harbour, and the personnel of from three to five men at each were relieved once a year. Standing instructions issued by the Navy Office included a recommendation that the men should, in addition to service routine, record general observations on natural phenomena. This report is regarded as of the Cape Expedition which was the war-time code name for parties in the field between 1941 and 1945. Prior to the Cape Expedition, the accounts of the ascidians of the Auckland and Campbell Islands appear in the papers from Dr. Th. Mortensen's Pacific Expedition (Bovien, 1921, amd Michaelsen, 1922, 1924). The ascidians collected by Mr. W. H. Dawbin during the Cape Expedition were all from the Auckland Islands.
Darwin Core Archive of Ascidians of the Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand, Cape Expedition, 1941-1945
SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Niue 2005
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in Niue during the CoFish survey (2005) with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC CoFish Invertebrates Observations Niue 2005
Sandalolitha boucheti, a new species of mushroom coral (Scleractinia, Fungiidae) of Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu, West Pacifc)
A total of 35 mushroom coral species (Scleractinia, Fungiidae) was recorded at the southeastern coast of Espiritu Santo, northern Vanuatu, during the SANTO 2006 expedition. One species, Sandalolitha boucheti n. sp., is described as new to science. It can be distinguished from its congeners by dense and thin septa, ﬁne serrated septal dentations, evenly distributed stomata, and a light brown colour. The present species number is distinctly higher than previous records and suggests that northern Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo in particular, should be included in the so-called Coral Triangle, the Indo-West Paciﬁc centre of maximum marine biodiversity, which would require an extension of this area in southeastward direction.
Darwin Core Archive of Sandalolitha boucheti, a new species of mushroom coral (Scleractinia, Fungiidae) of Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu, West Pacifc)
Extent of Mangrove Nursery Habitats Determines the Geographic Distribution of a Coral Reef Fish in a South-Pacific Archipelago
Understanding the drivers of species' geographic distribution has fundamental implications for the management of biodiversity. For coral reef fishes, mangroves have long been recognized as important nursery habitats sustaining biodiversity in the Western Atlantic but there is still debate about their role in the Indo-Pacific. Here, we combined LA-ICP-MS otolith microchemistry, underwater visual censuses (UVC) and mangrove cartography to estimate the importance of mangroves for the Indo-Pacific coral reef fish Lutjanus fulviflamma in the archipelago of New Caledonia. Otolith elemental compositions allowed high discrimination of mangroves and reefs with 83.8% and 98.7% correct classification, respectively. Reefs were characterized by higher concentrations of Rb and Sr and mangroves by higher concentrations of Ba, Cr, Mn and Sn. All adult L. fulviflamma collected on reefs presented a mangrove signature during their juvenile stage with 85% inhabiting mangrove for their entire juvenile life (about 1 year). The analysis of 2942 UVC revealed that the species was absent from isolated islands of the New Caledonian archipelago where mangroves were absent. Furthermore, strong positive correlations existed between the abundance of L. fulviflamma and the area of mangrove (r = 0.84 for occurrence, 0.93 for density and 0.89 for biomass). These results indicate that mangrove forest is an obligatory juvenile habitat for L. fulviflamma in New Caledonia and emphasize the potential importance of mangroves for Indo-Pacific coral reef fishes.
Darwin Core Archive of Extent of Mangrove Nursery Habitats Determines the Geographic Distribution of a Coral Reef Fish in a South-Pacific Archipelago
Marine species citizen-science observations from NatureWatch NZ
The world is filled with nature watchers, from trampers to hunters, birders to beach-combers, and pros to school kids. Many of us keep notes of what we find. What if all those observations could be shared online? You might learn about the butterflies that live in your neighbourhood, or discover someone who knows all about the plants in your favourite reserve. For a long time, everyone's notes have been scattered in notebooks, private spreadsheets and dusty library shelves. As a society, we have seen a lot but collectively we remain blind to most changes in our biodiversity. If enough people record their observations on NatureWatch NZ, we can change all this. We can build a living record of life in New Zealand that scientists and environmental managers can use to monitor changes in biodiversity, and that anyone can use to learn more about New Zealand's amazing natural history. Only "research-quality" observations are used in this data set - that is observations that have their species identification peer-reviewed by at least one independent source. All biodiversity observations are available at http://naturewatch.org.nz/. NatureWatch NZ is run by the New Zealand Bio-Recording Network Trust, a charitable trust dedicated to bio-recording. Our lofty aims are: (1) To increase knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of New Zealand's natural history.(2) To engage and assist New Zealanders in observing and recording biological information.(3)To develop and support online tools to assist individuals and groups to record, view, share and use biological information. (4) To collaborate with people and groups interested in bio-recording. (5) To promote and provide secure, open, and ethical sources of biological information for the public.
Darwin Core Archive of Marine species citizen-science observations from NatureWatch NZ
A new species of Novastoa Finlay, 1926 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Vermetidae) from coral reefs of the Pacific Ocean
A new species of vermetid gastropod belonging to the genus Novastoa Finlay, 1926, N. rapaitiensis sp. nov., is described from French Polynesia and the Great Barrier Reef, based on morpho-anatomical and molecular data, increasing the recognized extant diversity of this genus from five to six species. The new species is characterized by the largest operculum in the genus to date, with a conspicuous spindle-shaped mammilla that readily distinguishes this species from its congeners. Based on available data, members of the studied populations of N. rapaitiensis sp. nov. are interpreted as a single species, although slight morphological and color differences exist between localities separated by up to 7000 km. The larval development of N. rapaitiensis sp. nov. is inferred to be direct, raising new questions about genetic connectivity and dispersal trajectories across a vast geographic range. Additional molecular data may prove helpful in refining our current knowledge on the morphological variability within this species and verifying the degree of cryptic diversity in this genus.
Darwin Core Archive of A new species of Novastoa Finlay, 1926 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Vermetidae) from coral reefs of the Pacific Ocean
Three Opisthobranch Records for the Hawaiian Islands
This dataset comes from Bertsch & Johnson (1979) who published about the three new opisthobranch records for the Hawaiian Islands. Through extensive collecting by subtidal SCUBA diving on the island of Oahu, several species of opisthobranch mollusks then previously unreported from the Hawaiian Islands were discovered. This dataset documents the presence of a cephalaspidean and 2 nudibranchs in several diverse, subtidal habitats on the northern and southern coasts of Oahu.
Darwin Core Archive of Three Opisthobranch Records for the Hawaiian Islands
SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Wallis and Futuna 2005
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Wallis and Futuna during the PROCFish/C surveys (2005) in Futuna, Halalo and Vailala. The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Wallis and Futuna 2005
New Zealand Government Trawling Expedition, 1907 (leg 2)
In 1907 with the object of assisting and furthering the fishing industry the New Zealand Government organized and carried out an extensive series of experimental trawling investigations, the objects, as detailed in the official reports, being 'to ascertain what extent of trawling-grounds existed, what varieties of marketable fish were obtainable in the different localities; to prove whether the conditions necessary for carrying on successful trawling existed in certain localities within workable distance of the best markets, and, if so, to place the information on record for the guidance of those interested in the trawling industry; and generally to acquire information on the distribution of food-fishes, etc., in the sea surrounding these islands. The vessel used was the 'Nora Niven', built in Selby, and was constructed of steel. She was 96 ft. long, the net register being 56 tons. In ordinary weather she could steam at 8.5 knots. The total covered during this cruise was 3,835 miles, the distance steamed being 3,123 miles, and the distance the trawl net was towed 712. One hundred and forty-six hauls of the trawl net were made. The depth of water in which the hauls of the trawl-net were made varied from 4 to 105 fathoms (7 to 191 m); and the time occupied by each haul varied from threequarters of an hour to two hours and a half. The total quantity of fish brought in and delivered to the owners of the 'Nora Niven' was 48,625lb (22,102kg). Following the success of the first leg of the expedition (see https://obis.org/dataset/5ae7ac9f-0347-49d1-b022-7739dda78ccf), the 'Nora Niven' was chartered for a further three months for the purpose of prospecting the grounds to the west of Cook Strait, Tasman and Golden Bays, down the west coast of the South Island to Hokitika, the west coast of the North Island, and part of the east coast from the Hauraki Gulf to the North Cape. Though the expedition was fitted with several scientific appliances, such as sets of thermometers, sounding-apparatus, etc., all of which were regularly and systematically used, the provision for actual trawling was of the ordinary commercial type, designed only to arrest the larger or marketable fishes.
Darwin Core Archive of New Zealand Government Trawling Expedition, 1907 (leg 2)
Juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks in the Rewa River estuary, Viti Levu, Fiji 2012
Juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks were sampled in the Rewa River Estuary on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. To capture the sharks, a 100 metre gillnet comprising 3-, 3.5- and 4-inch nylon monofilament mesh sizes was used. Gillnet soak times were either 1 or 2 hours, and dependent on prevailing sea and weather conditions. There was a total of fifteen deployments, beginning at 1700hrs. Life stage and sex of the individuals captured were recorded. This dataset is part of the results of research by a Master of Science student at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji. The research was funded in part by the SciCOFish programme of the Pacific Community, and the Faculty Research Committee of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) at USP. Publication of this dataset was funded by the European Union (EU). We are also grateful to GBIF, BID and VertNet for their support in mobilising this dataset.
Darwin Core Archive of Juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks in the Rewa River estuary, Viti Levu, Fiji 2012
Elephant Seals of Campbell Island, New Zealand, 1944-1947
This dataset is based on the collection of data made at Campbell Island in the years 1944-47. From early 1941 to 1945, coast-watching stations were established at port Ross, Carnley Harbour (Auckland Islands), and Perseverance Harbour (Campbell Island) and the personnel of from three to five men each were relieved only once a year. These coast-watching stations to the New Zealand subantarctic islands was named the Cape Expedition. The objective was to warn of the possible use of Campbell and the Auckland Islands by German or Japanese warships. Standing instructions issued by Navy Office included a recommendation that the men should, in addition to service routine, record general observations on natural phenomena. Elephant seals were found breeding on Campbell Island in 1941 when the island was first occupied by members of the Cape Expedition as a war-time security measure. The author studied the species in 1942, 1943, 1945, part of 1946, and in 1947.
Darwin Core Archive of Elephant Seals of Campbell Island, New Zealand, 1944-1947
Biological observations from the Discovery Investigations 1925-1952
The Discovery Investigations were a series of expeditions to the Southern Oceans funded out of proceeds from the sale of whaling licenses that took place between 1925 and 1951. The investigations had three main components: a marine laboratory at King Edward Point on South Georgia; the fast-sailing 326-ton RRS William Scoresby; and studies undertaken by the RSS Discovery. In 1929, the Discovery was replaced by the 1000-ton steel-hulled RRS Discovery II when the older ship was found to be simply too slow and cumbersome to carry out all the work required. A variety of sampling methods were deployed, including otter trawls, beam trawls, dredges, fish traps, and a variety of fine-meshed nets tow in the horizontal, vertical, or oblique.
Darwin Core Archive of Biological observations from the Discovery Investigations 1925-1952
Data collected in Suva, Fiji by the PacMAN project
This dataset contains the first voucher specimens collected by the PacMAN project, which aims to set up an invasive alien species monitoring network and early alert system in the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS). The voucher specimens collected here were found on settlement plates deployed in and around Suva harbour, Fiji, in 2022.
Darwin Core Archive of Data collected in Suva, Fiji by the PacMAN project
Vanuatu dugong sightings recorded during CMS dugong catch / by-catch standardised questionnaire 2015-2017
These sightings of dugongs are where members of the local communities say they have seen dugongs during interviews for the CMS dugong catch/ by catch standardised questionnaire. The questionnaire survey was conducted between 2015 and 2017. Sightings were where people remembered seeing dugongs in their lifetimes and some of the dates may not be accurate. The locations of the sightings were drawn onto paper maps and them transcribed to Google earth, hence they may not be accurate.
Darwin Core Archive of Vanuatu dugong sightings recorded during CMS dugong catch / by-catch standardised questionnaire 2015-2017
Records of Marine Benthic Algae from Swains Island, American Samoa
Fifty-nine species of marine benthic algae are reported for the first time from the coral reefs of isolated Swains Island, American Samoa, based on collections made during February 2002, 2004, 2006, and March 2008 under the auspices of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The collections include 4 species of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), 38 species of red algae, 3 species of brown algae and 14 species of green algae. Based on their frequency of occurrence at different stations during the 4 cruises, Rhipilia geppiorum and Microdictyon umbilicatum were considered the most widely distributed species during the months of February and March. Twenty-eight species represent new records for the Samoan Archipelago (American Samoa and Samoa).
Darwin Core Archive of Records of Marine Benthic Algae from Swains Island, American Samoa
Scientific Results of the New Zealand Government Trawling Expedition, 1907
In 1907 with the object of assisting and furthering the fishing industry the New Zealand Government organized and carried out an extensive series of experimental trawling investigations, the objects, as detailed in the official reports, being 'to ascertain what extent of trawling-grounds existed, what varieties of marketable fish were obtainable in the different localities; to prove whether the conditions necessary for carrying on successful trawling existed in certain localities within workable distance of the best markets, and, if so, to place the information on record for the guidance of those interested in the trawling industry; and generally to acquire information on the distribution of food-fishes, etc., in the sea surrounding these islands.' The vessel used was the 'Nora Niven', built in Selby, and was constructed of steel. She was 96 ft. long, the net register being 56 tons. In ordinary weather she could steam 8.5 knots an hour. Though the expedition was fitted with several scientific appliances, such as sets of thermometers, sounding-apparatus, etc., all of which were regularly and systematically used, the provision for actual trawling was of the ordinary commercial type, designed only to arrest the larger or marketable fishes. No effort or arrangement was made to secure the smaller species or invertebrates, the presence or absence of which may have an important bearing on the distribution of the economic fishes. Occasionally, a smaller meshed cotton net was attached to sections of the trawl. When, however, this small net was used, the increased number of species obtained was very marked. The vessel left Wellington on the 5th June, 1907 for Stewart Island, and arrived in Auckland at the end of the expedition on August 26th 1907. Ninety-six hauls were made by the time Auckland was reached. The total weight of marketable fish brought to port by the trawler during the three-months cruise was 46,750 lb. 2,743 blue-cod (Parapercis colias) were taken at the Chatham Islands on hand-lines.
Darwin Core Archive of Scientific Results of the New Zealand Government Trawling Expedition, 1907
What are the greatest sizes that the largest marine megafauna obtain? This is a simple question with a difficult and complex answer. Many of the largest-sized species occur in the world’s oceans. For many of these, rarity, remoteness, and quite simply the logistics of measuring these giants has made obtaining accurate size measurements difficult. Inaccurate reports of maximum sizes run rampant through the scientific literature and popular media. Moreover, how intraspecific variation in the body sizes of these animals relates to sex, population structure, the environment, and interactions with humans remains underappreciated. Here, we review and analyze body size for 25 ocean giants ranging across the animal kingdom. For each taxon we document body size for the largest known marine species of several clades. We also analyze intraspecific variation and identify the largest known individuals for each species. Where data allows, we analyze spatial and temporal intraspecific size variation. We also provide allometric scaling equations between different size measurements as resources to other researchers. In some cases, the lack of data prevents us from fully examining these topics and instead we specifically highlight these deficiencies and the barriers that exist for data collection. Overall, we found considerable variability in intraspecific size distributions from strongly left- to strongly right-skewed. We provide several allometric equations that allow for estimation of total lengths and weights from more easily obtained measurements. In several cases, we also quantify considerable geographic variation and decreases in size likely attributed to humans.
Darwin Core Archive of Sizing Ocean Giants
SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Vanuatu 2003
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in Vanuatu during the PROCFish/C surveys (2003) in 4 sites Moso, Paunagisu, Maskelynes and Uri-Uripiv with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Vanuatu 2003
SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations French Polynesia 2003, 2004 and 2006
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in French Polynesia during the PROCFish/C surveys (2003, 2004 and 2006) in 5 sites: Fakarava, Maatea, Mataiea, Raivavae and Tikehau with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations French Polynesia 2003, 2004 and 2006
The genus Gemixystus Iredale, 1929 (Gastropoda: Muricidae: Trophoninae) in New Caledonia
The genus Gemixystus Iredale, 1929 in New Caledonia is reviewed. Five species are recorded of which two are new, G. impolitus n. sp. and G. lenis n. sp. Gemixystus stimuleus (Hedley, 1912) is recorded for the first time in New Caledonia. Gemixystus transkeiensis (Houart,1987) is re-transferred from Vaughtia to Gemixystus. With the present revised classification, twelve extant species are currently assigned to Gemixystus: G. calcareus Houart & Héros, 2012, Coral Sea, Chesterfield Reefs; G. fimbriatus Houart, 2004, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania (Fig. 6A-B); G. impolitus n. sp., Chesterfield Reefs; G. laminatus (Petterd,1884), South Queensland, Australia to Tasmania; G. lenis n. sp., Chesterfield Reefs; G. leptos (Houart, 1995), South Queensland, Australia and Chesterfield Reefs; G. polyphillius (Tenison-Woods, 1879), extant: New South Wales, Australia and S Tasmania; fossil: Miocene, Victoria(Fig. 6G-H); G. recurvatus (Verco, 1909), New South Wales, Australia and South Australia (Fig.6I-J); G. rhodanos Houart, 2004, South Queensland, Australia to Tasmania (Fig. 6K-L); G.rippingalei (Houart, 1998), Queensland, Australia; G. stimuleus (Hedley, 1908), South Queensland and New South Wales, Australia; G. trankeiensis (Houart, 1987), Transkei, South Africa (Fig. 6N-P).
Darwin Core Archive of The genus Gemixystus Iredale, 1929 (Gastropoda: Muricidae: Trophoninae) in New Caledonia
International Polar Year and Census of Antarctic Marine Life Ross Sea voyage (TAN0802) biodiversity data
Biological data from the IPY-CAML voyage (TAN0802) by the R/V Tangaroa. The TAN0802 voyage departed from Wellington, New Zealand on Jan 26th 2008 and returned to Wellington, New Zealand, on Mar 21st 2008. The survey was concentrated mainly on the Ross Sea and the waters around Scott and the Balleny Islands. Biological data was collected using a variety of gear, including: bottom trawls, beam trawls, epibenthic sleds, Van Veen grabs, Rosette water bottle and MOCNESS tows. The voyage resulted from a announcement by the Prime Minister in 2007 for new government funding for a New Zealand Census of Antarctic Marine Life (CAML) project to support biodiversity studies in the Southern Ocean and Ross Sea Region as part of the governments Ocean Survey 20/20 (OS2020) programme and the International Polar Year (IPY) activities. The overall Project includes two phases a) data collection voyage and b) data analysis and reporting. The recognition of International Polar Year (IPY) throughout the globe from March 2007 to March 2009 has provided the impetus for a large international effort to conduct collaborative research both in Antarctica and the Arctic, spanning two summer seasons in both regions. New Zealand is participating in a range of both terrestrial and marine projects for IPY that are important, not only nationally, but also in the international science arena. The Census of Antarctic Marine Life (CAML) is a major multi-national IPY Programme that New Zealand’s project is part of. This project forms a particularly important component of the international CAML Programme, as it will not only be part of the circum-polar national surveys, but will provide an opportunity to compare fauna and ecosystems from opposite sides of the globe including the two most significant shelf areas in Antarctica-the Ross Sea and the Weddell Sea.
Darwin Core Archive of International Polar Year and Census of Antarctic Marine Life Ross Sea voyage (TAN0802) biodiversity data
SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations New Caledonia 2003 to 2008
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in New Caledonia during the PROCFish/C surveys (2003 to 2008) in 5 sites Moindou, Luengoni, Oundjo, Thio, Ouassé with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations New Caledonia 2003 to 2008
Intertidal bryozoans from coral reef-flat rubble Sa‘aga, Western Samoa
A study of the major cryptofaunal species from reef-flat rubble (slabs and small boulders) at Sa'aga, Upolu Island, has yielded 10 species of Bryozoa (2 new), with the following colonial morphologies: two-dimensionally encrusting - Puellina sp.; Calyptotheca mortoni n. sp., fixed-erect - Reteporellina samoensis n. sp., Triphyllozoon sp.; and rooted-articulated - Crisia elongata, Nellia tenuis, Chlidonia pyriformis; Savignyella lafontii; Vasignyella otophora; Margaretta gracilior. Systematic rearrangements include placing Nellia in the Quadricellariidae, and the Savignyellidae in the superfamily Cateoicelloide Savignyella otophora is made the type species of a new genus Vasignyella. Bryozoa dominate numerically over other suspension feeders in this habitat. Much of the central portions of the rubble undersides are occupied by bryozoans, surrounded by sponges and ascidians, with the periphery dominated by crustose-coralline algae. Rooted, flexible Bryozoa can be so numerous as to form a turf. The present collection is very small (a deliberate collection of bryozoans not having been made for the whole shore) but otherwise representative of the genera and morphotypes found elsewhere in such reefal environments.
Darwin Core Archive of Intertidal bryozoans from coral reef-flat rubble Sa‘aga, Western Samoa
In September and October of 1969, the Smithsonian Institution sponsored an expedition to Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands, with the support of the Atomic Energy Commission through the University of Hawaii and the Smithsonian Oceanography and Limnology Program. Stomatopods were collected at nine stations. Of the eight species collected, three, Gonodactylus chiragra (Fabricius), G. falcatus (Forskal), and G. platysoma Wood-Mason, have extensive ranges in the Indo-West Pacific region; they are known from scattered localities between Oceania and the western Indian Ocean (Manning, 1968). Gonodactylus smithii Pocock has been recorded from localities between the South China Sea and Australia to the western Indian Ocean (Manning, 1968); although it was not known from the central Pacific Ocean, its occurrence there is not unexpected inasmuch as it has been found in the coral habitat throughout its range. One species, G. espinosus Borradaile, is known to occur in the central Pacific Ocean, where it has been recorded from several localities between Palmyra Island and the Tuamotu Archipelago (Manning, 1967), and another, Haptosquilla glyptocercus (Wood-Mason), is largely restricted to the Pacific Ocean; it has also been taken in the Andaman Islands (Manning, 1969). Two of the species of Gonodactylus in the collection apparently represent undescribed species. One, represented by a large series of specimens, was taken in shallow water at several stations. The other, represented by a single specimen, was taken at the deepest station, at a depth of 80-115 feet.
Darwin Core Archive of New Stomatopod from Eniwetok, 1971
Rhodolith Beds in Northern New Zealand: Characterisation of Associated Biodiversity
The ecology of subtidal rhodolith beds has been investigated for the first time in New Zealand, characterising two rhodolith species, Lithothamnion crispatum and Sporolithon durum, examining the structure and physical characteristics of beds at two locations and documenting their associated biodiversity. Site and characteristics: Field work was conducted in the Bay of Islands, at Kahuwhera Bay and Te Miko Reef, in February and September 2010. The rhodolith beds were mapped using a combination of techniques and the physical characteristics of the habitats were assessed and compared with adjacent areas outside the rhodolith beds. The rhodolith beds differed significantly in terms of water motion, sediment characteristics and light levels, with Te Miko Reef having characteristics regarded as typical of rhodolith assemblages, and Kahuwhera Bay being atypical with respect to sediments and water clarity. The Te Miko Reef bed was in clear water and rhodoliths were clearly visible sitting on top of the substrate in a more or less single layer over rhodolith- and shell-derived gravel, whereas at Kahuwhera Bay there were fine sediments suspended in the water column and covering rhodoliths and associated biota, and live rhodoliths were in a more or less single layer overlaying grey to blackened rhodoliths in a darkly coloured rhodolith/sediment sublayer. The two rhodolith beds differed in current direction and strength with no clear tidal signal or direction of water motion at Kahuwhera Bay and tidally driven water movement at Te Miko Reef with a dominant northwest flow. This Rhodolith Beds in Northern New Zealand: Characterisation of Associated Biodiversity dataset is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 New Zealand Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/nz/. If you publish, distribute, or otherwise disseminate this work to the public without adapting it, the following attribution to MPI should be used: “Source: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and licensed by MPI for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand licence." If you adapt this work in any way or include it in a collection, and publish, distribute, or otherwise disseminate that adaptation or collection to the public, the following attribution to MPI should be used: "This work is based on/includes MPI’s data which are licensed by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 New Zealand licence."
Darwin Core Archive of Rhodolith Beds in Northern New Zealand: Characterisation of Associated Biodiversity
SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Samoa 2005
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Samoa during the PROCFish/C surveys (2005) in 4 sites Manono-uta, Vailoa, Vaisala and Salelavalu. The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Fish Observations Samoa 2005
Survey of algae, sponges, and ascidians, Fiji, 2007
The goal of this “BSM-Fiji” campaign, from 7 to 27 May 2007, was to sample algae, sponges and ascidians so as to analyse the region’s biodiversity. Sampling was carried out in the provinces of Bua, Macuata (Vanua Levu Island), Cakaudrauve (Ringgold atolls), Lomaiviti (N’Gau Islands) and Kaduvu. This campaign was part of the CRISP (Coral Reef InitiativeS for the Pacific) program and formed Component 2C2 of the project as one of the programs designed to foster biodiversity through research on new natural substances of marine origin.
Darwin Core Archive of Survey of algae, sponges, and ascidians, Fiji, 2007
Tuvalu reef-associated food fishes observed under the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research project
This dataset contains fish occurrence data collected in Tuvalu during a collaborative research project funded by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research. The project, lead by The University of the South Pacific, focused on the essential role of coral reef fisheries in supporting subsistence and artisanal fishers across four Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), namely, Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Given the increasing threats posed by land-based pollution, changing fishing practices, and habitat degradation, this research aims to gather regionally representative data that enhances fisheries management and informs conservation efforts. This Tuvalu dataset includes 43 fish species representing 10 families. Sampling locations for this dataset include sites in Funafuti. This research initiative was made possible through the invaluable support of the Tuvalu Fisheries Department, The University of the South Pacific Tuvalu Campus, and the communities in Funafuti. Data was collected by Lavata Nivaga, Paeniu Lopati, Filipo Makoli and Semese Alefaio.
Darwin Core Archive of Tuvalu reef-associated food fishes observed under the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research project
Pelorus Sound / Te Hoiere (HS66) Hydrographic Survey Marine Mammal Observations
Discovery Marine Ltd (DML) and iXBlue were contracted in 2019 by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) to undertake hydrographic surveying services for the Pelorus Sound / Te Hoiere Hydrographic Survey (HS66). Marine mammals, in particular dolphins are a regular occurrence in the Marlborough Sounds. The species are important both nationally and internationally. There are eight marine mammal species known to frequent the Sounds (Davidson et al., 2011). Two of these are classified as nationally endangered (Hectors and Bottlenose) and one is considered nationally critical (Killer whale or Orca). DML and iXBlue were contracted to map the seabed in the Marlborough Sounds (Pelorus Sound / Te Hoiere, Admiralty Bay and Te Aumiti (French Pass)) using multibeam sounders. The frequency of the sound emitted by a multibeam echo sounder is outside the hearing range of marine mammals in the Sounds, however as a precaution, best practice for minimising survey activities in the immediate proximity of marine mammals was used, including logging all sightings while on multibeam effort. Mulitbeam operators and surveyors logged marine mammal sightings. Blue Planet Marine (BPM) was contracted prior to the Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui and Tory Channel / Kura Te Au Hydrographic Survey (HS51) in 2016/7 to provide a review of the potential efforts of a multibeam survey and make suggestions as to best practice to minimise disturbance. Overall they concluded the survey was in the category of ‘minimal disturbance’ hence not requiring a dedicated MMO onboard (Blue Planet Marine, 2016). This report also gave some recommendations, including survey teams to log sightings, that NIWA adopted in the survey plan used by DML and iXBlue.
Darwin Core Archive of Pelorus Sound / Te Hoiere (HS66) Hydrographic Survey Marine Mammal Observations
Spadella legazpichessi, a new benthic Chaetognath from Enewetak, Marshall Islands
This dataset is from a paper by Angeles Alvariño (1981) describing a new species of benthic chaetognath, Spadella lagazpichessi.
Darwin Core Archive of Spadella legazpichessi, a new benthic Chaetognath from Enewetak, Marshall Islands
Habitat-forming Cold Water Corals in the New Zealand region
Occurrence data of five main species (Enallopsammia rostrata, Goniocorella dumosa, Madrepora oculata, Oculina virgosa, and Solenosmilia variabilis) of habitat-forming cold water corals in the New Zealand region. Determining the distribution of habitat forming scleractinian corals in the New Zealand region is necessary in order to understand the ecological significance of these taxa and the likely impact of anthropogenic activities on their persistence. Historical records from early publications, research trawl surveys, commercial fishing bycatch and recent biodiversity surveys were compiled for the habitat-forming coral species Madrepora oculata, Solenosmilia variabilis, Goniocorella dumosa, Enallopsammia rostrata and Oculina virgosa. These data were used to describe the observed depth, geographic distribution and geomorphic habitat associations of the study corals in the region.
Darwin Core Archive of Habitat-forming Cold Water Corals in the New Zealand region
Between Vanuatu tides: a new brackish water acochlidian gastropod from Espiritu Santo
The majority of known acochlidian sea slug species are marine mesopsammic, while some others are limnic. The structural, functional and evolutionary background of the invasion of freshwater systems was hardly explored. During the expedition SANTO 2006 to Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, we discovered a unique new acochlidian species in a brackish water habitat. Pseudunela espiritusanta n. sp. inhabits the underside of intertidal rocks deeply embedded into coarse sand, the interstices of which are filled with a mixture of fresh subsoil and seawater. This new species possesses a typical acochlidian central nervous and digestive system; it is a simultaneous hermaphrodite with a special androdiaulic reproductive system and complex, stylet-bearing copulatory organs with associated glands. Such penial features may indicate a relationship with marine mesopsammic Pseudunela (Pseudunelidae) species, while e.g., the larger body size, the broad foot, and the presence of a special ventricular cell layer may be potential synapomorphies with limnic, benthic Acochlidiidae (Strubellia and Acochlidiidae s.s.). Pseudunela espiritusanta n. sp. shares its special shape of head tentacles with both Pseudunela and Strubellia, while other characters are potentially synapomorphic with either one or the other taxon. Regardless of its unresolved exact systematic position, Pseudunela espiritusanta n. sp. evidently links marine and limnic taxa by its intermediate ecological and morphological features. Its considerable body size and well-developed heart and kidney can be considered as preadaptations to overcome osmotic challenges when colonising rivers from brackish coastal sands.
Darwin Core Archive of Between Vanuatu tides: a new brackish water acochlidian gastropod from Espiritu Santo
Records of Opalia-like mollusks (Gastropoda: Epitoniidae) from the Indo-Pacific
This dataset is from a paper by Emilio Garcia (2004) on some new records of Opalia-like mollusks from around the Indo-Pacific region. Many Indo-Pacific species of the epitoniid supraspecific taxa Gregorioiscala and Opalia are recorded, with range extensions for Gregorioiscala burchorum (DuShane, 1988), G. nierstraszi (Schepman, 1909), Opalia alba (de Boury, 1911), O. bicarinata (Sowerby, 1844), O. pupipunctata (de Boury, 1911), and O. sumatrensis (Thiele, 1925). This study is a continuation of an earlier publication on new records of Indo-Pacific Epitoniidae (Garcia, 2003), in which extensions of known geographical ranges of a number of epitoniid species and the description of nineteen new species were reported. The material used in both of these reports was obtained as a result of expeditions by the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD, Nouméa) and the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN, Paris).
Darwin Core Archive of Records of Opalia-like mollusks (Gastropoda: Epitoniidae) from the Indo-Pacific
Marine algae and seagrasses from Wallis Islands (French Overseas Territory of Wallis and Futuna), South Pacific
A total of 194 species of marine algae (14 Cyanobacteria, 41 Chlorophyta, 11 Heterokontophyta and 128 Rhodophyta), as well as three species of seagrasses, represent the first published records for the isolated island of Wallis, South Pacific. The flora has its strongest affinities with Fiji and Rotuma, followed by Samoa and French Polynesia. The lack of diverse habitats and its geographical location are invoked to explain the relatively low species richness compared with localities such as Fiji and Samoa. The flora has a typically tropical component dominated by encrusting coralline red algae, the calcified green algal genera Halimeda, and assemblages of Cyanobacteria. Normally ubiquitous species such as Halimeda discoidea, and the brown algal genera Hydroclathrus, Colpomenia, Rosenvingea, Asteronema, and Chnoospora are notably absent from the island, perhaps due to seasonality and the lack of suitable habitats. The minute epiphytic red alga Acrochaetium kurogii is reported for the first time outside of its type locality in Japan, while two as yet unidentified species of red algae (Gracilaria sp. and Sebdenia sp.) could represent new taxa if further useful material is found.
Darwin Core Archive of Marine algae and seagrasses from Wallis Islands (French Overseas Territory of Wallis and Futuna), South Pacific
Marine biological observation data from coastal and offshore surveys around New Zealand
Occurrence details of New Zealand marine fauna and flora from around the coastline and offshore. Information is assimilated from a variety of sources including unpublished data sets and digitised from journal articles. Where the source is from a published paper the source paper citation is listed at the record level.
Darwin Core Archive of Marine biological observation data from coastal and offshore surveys around New Zealand
Biological records from the U.S Antarctic Service Expedition, 1939-41
The United States Antarctic Service Expedition (1939–1941), often referred to as Byrd’s Third Antarctic Expedition, was an expedition jointly sponsored by the United States Navy, State Department, Department of the Interior and The Treasury. Although a U.S.-government sponsored expedition, additional support came from donations and gifts by private citizens, corporations and institutions. Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd donated many of the supplies that he had gathered for his own expedition, the largest item being the Bear of Oakland, commissioned the USS Bear. A second ship, the USMS North Star, a 1434-ton wooden ice ship built for the Bureau of Indian Affairs was supplied by the Department of the Interior. A total of 125 men departed from the United States in the two ships of the United States Antarctic Service Expedition. Most of the men who made up the expedition were solicited from the military ranks, civilian agencies of government and scientific institutions. A few volunteers were employed by the Department of the Interior for $10 per month, food and clothing included. A total of 59 men, divided initially into three groups, wintered in Antarctica. The objectives of the expedition were outlined in an order from President Franklin D. Roosevelt dated November 25, 1939. The President wanted two bases to be established: East Base, in the vicinity of Charcot Island or Alexander I Land, or on Marguerite Bay if no accessible site could be found on either of the specified islands; and West Base, in the vicinity of King Edward VII Land, but if this proved impossible, a site on the Bay of Whales at or near Little America was to be investigated, and delineation of the continental coast line between the meridians 72 degrees W., and 148 degrees W. In view of the broad scope of the objectives and the unpredictable circumstances that always arise in Antarctica, it is remarkable that most of the objectives set for them were met. Observations were conducted in every conceivable area: seismic, cosmic ray, auroral, biological, tidal, magnetic and physiological to name a few. All in all, it was an extremely successful expedition. With international tensions on the rise, it was considered wise to evacuate the two bases rather than relieve the present personnel with new men who would continue to occupy the bases. It was hoped that one day this base would be reoccupied so much of the equipment and supplies were left behind as the two ships sailed from West Base on February 1, 1941. The evacuation of East Base was concluded on March 22 and both ships sailed immediately. The USMS North Star arrived in Boston on May 5 and the USS Bear on May 18.
Darwin Core Archive of Biological records from the U.S Antarctic Service Expedition, 1939-41
Ichthyological Field Data of Raroia Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia, 1952
This dataset is from an ichthyological investigation by the Office of Naval Research and Pacific Science Board. The choice of Raroia Atoll in the heart of the Tumotu Archipelago for the third low island in the Coral Atoll Program (1952 SIM Project of the Pacific Science Board of the National Research Council) provided the first time that ichthyological research had been sponsored in French Oceania by the U.S. Government since the Wilkes Expedition of 1838-1842, and the Albatross expeditions of 1899-1900 and 1904-1905. The resumption of this interest in a then little-known region of the tropical Pacific proved very worthwhile.
Darwin Core Archive of Ichthyological Field Data of Raroia Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia, 1952
Marine Organisms of American Samoa (Bernice P. Bishop Museum)
Occurrence records of marine organisms in American Samoa as published by the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Hawaii.
Darwin Core Archive of Marine Organisms of American Samoa (Bernice P. Bishop Museum)
Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Endemic Brachyuran Family Bythograeidae
Deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities contain a high proportion of endemic species, particularly at higher taxonomic levels. This endemism reflects the high degree of specialization required to succeed in one of Earth's most extreme environments. The brachyuran crab family Bythograeidae Williams, 1980 (superfamily Bythograeoidea) is among the most ubiquitous and abundant group of macroinvertebrates to have colonized the deep-sea hydrothermal vents worldwide. It is also the only group within the diverse infraorder Brachyura (which contains 7000 valid species and subspecies in 93 families) that is endemic to this extreme environment. This is remarkable, as only one other brachyuran species from a very distant family is endemic to hydrothermal vents, but from shallow waters (i.e., Xenograpsus testudinatus in Xenograpsidae); and just a handful of opportunistic brachyuran species have been observed at deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Understanding the evolution of this important deep-sea hydrothermal vent taxon requires knowledge on the phylogenetic relationships among its members. As presently diagnosed, the family Bythograeidae consists of six genera and fourteen described species. The family is most diverse at the eastern Pacific vent systems (the East Pacific Rise, Galapagos Rift, and the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge), where it is represented by eight species belonging to three endemic genera: Cyanagraea praedator; Allograea tomentosa; Bythograea thermydron; Bythograea microps; Bythograea laubieri; Bythograea vrijenhoeki; Bythograea intermedia; and Bythograea galapagensis (although the last two are very likely a synonymy). The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is inhabited by Segonzacia mesatlantica. The Western Pacific back-arc basins are inhabited by Austinograea williamsi, Austinograea alayseae, Gandalfus puia, and Gandalfus yunohana. In addition, an undescribed Austinograea species (A. affinity williamsi) is suspected in the Western Pacific Lau back-arc basin. Finally, Austinograea rodriguezensis inhabits the Central Indian Ridge. The northeastern Pacific ridges (Explorer, Juan de Fuca, and Gorda) are the only major spreading centers that lack bythograeids. Some bythograeid species occur in large numbers at specific vent sites (e.g., B. thermydron and A. williamsi), whereas others appear to be rare (e.g., A. tomentosa and B. galapagensis).
Darwin Core Archive of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Endemic Brachyuran Family Bythograeidae
Vulnerable marine ecosystems in the South Pacific Ocean region
Vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) are any ecosystem that are highly vulnerable to one or more kinds of fishing activity or other disturbance, and are identified by the vulnerability of their components (e.g. habitats, communities or species). The South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) Convention includes specific provisions to protect VMEs. SPRFMO has defined ten benthic invertebrate taxa that are regarded as indicators of VMEs. They are: Porifera (sponges); Actiniaria (anemones); Alcyonacea (soft corals); Gorgonacea (sea fans); Pennatulacea (sea pens); Scleractinia (stony corals); Antipatharia (black corals); Stylasteridae (hydrocorals); Crinoidea (sea lilies); and Brisingida (armless stars). For management purposes, it is important to know where VMEs are known or likely to occur, based on the best available scientific and technical information. The likely presence of VMEs can be identified using habitat suitability models for indicator taxa, ideally across the entire SPRFMO area. This is the aim of the South Pacific VME project. Records of VME indicator taxa extracted for the SPRFMO area and the New Zealand EEZ from OBIS (Online Biogeographic Information System: www.iobis.org) together with other online data sources, and data from research institutes (e.g., NIWA, CSIRO) and fisheries agencies (e.g. MPI, AFMA) were used for the project. These data were compiled and groomed prior to use in the habitat suitability modelling. Data in this dataset represent records of the VME indicator taxa as extracted from the variety of data sources listed above and may include records that are outside of the SPRFMO area.
Darwin Core Archive of Vulnerable marine ecosystems in the South Pacific Ocean region
New Zealand Marine Biosecurity Porthole records for managed marine pests
The Marine Biosecurity Porthole contains the most complete source of information on the national distribution of non-native marine species in New Zealand. Full porthole records can be found at marinebiosecurity.org.nz/search-for-species. Distribution records in the portal come from four principal sources: Port Biological Baseline Surveys, National Marine High Risk Site Surveillance, Marine Invasive Taxonomic Service Other verified observations of non-native marine species. The data provided here is intended to supply spatial occurrence records from the porthole for the MPI run New Zealand established pests portal mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/how-to-find-report-and-prevent-pests-and-diseases/new-zealand-established-pests-portal
Darwin Core Archive of New Zealand Marine Biosecurity Porthole records for managed marine pests
Biological observations from the Dana Expedition Reports
The oceanographic Dana Expedition was led by Johannes Schmidt and financed by the Carlsberg Foundation. After finding the Atlantic breeding grounds for European freshwater eels, Schmidt turn his attention to the Pacific and Indian Oceans with the aim of comparing the pelagic life of the three main oceans. The vessel chosen for the expedition was the Dana, a former British minesweeper rebuilt by the Danish Government for fisheries research purposes. The Dana was 42.2 m long, 7.2 m broad and a displacement of 360 tons. It carried a steam-driven trawl winch and two hydrographic winches. The fishing gear consisted primarily of conical nets made of coarsely woven hemp cloth (stramin) and fastened to iron rings with diameters of 150 and 200 cm, supplemented with 300 cm ring nets with larger mesh size. This data set comprises biological occurrence data that was extracted from the Dana reports. These data consist: of the results of the passage of the R/V Dana through the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans from 1928 to 1930; collecting by various merchant vessels carried out by request of the Dana Committee; other expeditions in the same waters, mainly the Galathea Expedition in 1951-52.
Darwin Core Archive of Biological observations from the Dana Expedition Reports
Coral and fish communities in a disturbed environment: Papeete Harbour, Tahiti
A total of 104 fish and 24 coral (Scleractinia, Zoanthidea, Corallimorpharia, Milleporina) species were identified in the area of Papeete harbour (Tahiti, French Polynesia). This overall richness is comparable to less-disturbed fringing reefs around high volcanic islands in the Society Archipelago. Human activities reduced species richness slightly in inner areas of the harbor. Two passes, which connect the harbor to the open ocean, renew lagoonal waters in the inner harbor at a rate that appears sufficient to minimize effects of human disturbance.
Darwin Core Archive of Coral and fish communities in a disturbed environment: Papeete Harbour, Tahiti
Records of Indo-Pacific Epitoniidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda)
This dataset from Emilio F. Garcia (2003) that looks at records of Epitoniidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in the the Indo-Pacific region. In the paper, thirty Indo-Pacific species of Epitoniidae are recorded, with range extensions for Acrilloscala xenicima (Melvill & Standen, 1903), Amaea gazeoides Kuroda & Habe, 1950, Cirsotrema rugosum (Kuroda & Ito, 1961), Cirsotrema plexis Dali, 1925, Claviscala solar Nakayama, 1995, Cylindriscala humerosa (Schepman, 1909), and Epitonium (Parviscala) bevdeynzerae Garcia, 2001. Nineteen new species are described. These include five species in the genus Amaea: A. apexroseus, A. boucheti, A. diluta, A. elegantula, A. lennyi; one species in the genus Boreoscala: Boreoscala ponderosa; three species in the genus Cirsotrema; C. (C.) excelsum, C. (Dannevigena) richeri, C. (Discoscala) herosae; two species in the genus Claviscala: C pellisanserina, C. vivienneae; one species in the genus Cylindriscala: Cylindriscala paradoxa; one species in the genus Gregorioiscala: Gregorioiscala nevillei; one species in the genus Gyroscala: Gyroscala mikeleei; four species in the genus Epitonium: E. (Hirtoscala) deschampsi, E. (Lamelliscala) maestratii, E. (Parviscala) kastoroae, and E. (P.) juanitae: one species in the genus Periapta: Periapta weili. This is based on recent biodiversity exploration by Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD, Nouméa) and Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN, Paris) which has brought to light many hundreds of new or little-known species of molluscs and other benthic invertebrates. Much of these explorations have been focussed on the South- West Pacific, especially New Caledonia, with more scattered results from South-East Asian seas and the SW Indian Ocean.
Darwin Core Archive of Records of Indo-Pacific Epitoniidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda)
Hermit crabs of the genus Calcinus Dana, 1851 (Decapoda: Anomura: Diogenidae) from the Austral Islands, French Polynesia, with description of a new species
Knowledge of morphology, coloration, and distribution of species of Calcinus Dana, 1851 from French Polynesia is expanded based primarily on collections obtained during the French BENTHAUS Expedition in 2002 to the Austral Islands, the southernmost of the French Polynesian islands. Six species of Calcinus were obtained from inshore to depths of 280 m. Of these, one proved to be a new species, C. albengai, and is fully described. This new species has two colour variants, one with pale pink to cream chelipeds that lives in shallow-water from the intertidal to about 50 m, the other with bright orange chelipeds, from deeper waters from about 50 to 280 m. Morphologically this new species is distinguished by differences in the armature of the ocular acitcles, aspects of the left and right palms, ventrodistal pilosity of third pereopods, and telson armature. Five species were collected by dredging, trawling, or using traps, in depths of 40 to 280 m: C. anani Poupin & McLaughlin, 1998, C. gouti Poupin, 1997, C. haigae Wooster, 1984, C. spicatus Forest, 1951, and C. aff. sirius Morgan, 1991. Of these, C. gouti was previously known exclusively based on the holotype from Tuamotu, and a more complete diagnosis is presented; the others are also diagnosed, including new details on coloration. Inshore and scuba collecting on Rapa Island produced four additional, but better known species: C. elegans (H. Milne Edwards, 1836), C. latens (Randall, 1840), C. laevimanus (Randall, 1840), and C. vachoni Forest, 1958. The inshore Calcinus fauna of Rapa is briefly compared with its counterpart on Easter Island, located at the same latitude 3500 km to the east. A total of 19 (or possibly 20, should C. sirius be confirmed in the future) Calcinus species are now known from French Polynesia. Cases of sibling species of Calcinus, distinguished almost exclusively by coloration, are summarized
Darwin Core Archive of Hermit crabs of the genus Calcinus Dana, 1851 (Decapoda: Anomura: Diogenidae) from the Austral Islands, French Polynesia, with description of a new species
Biological Results of The Chatham Islands 1954 Expedition: Archibenthal and Littoral Echinoderms
The Chatham Islands 1954 Expedition was organised and led by Prof. G. A. Knox of the Zoology Department of Canterbury University. The expedition was planned to explore the distribution of benthic and pelagic animals between the New Zealand coast and the Chatham Islands over the Chatham Rise, and to investigate the faunal affinities of the Chatham group, which lies in the Sub-tropical Convergence zone. Occurrences from Archibenthal and Littoral Echinoderms are listed in this dataset
Darwin Core Archive of Biological Results of The Chatham Islands 1954 Expedition: Archibenthal and Littoral Echinoderms
Aquatic biodiversity records at The University of the South Pacific
This dataset contains occurrence records for specimens held by the Marine Collection, an aquatic natural history collection, at The University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji. A large component of records are from Fiji, however, there are records from different South Pacific island countries. Marine biodiversity collections and recording started in the late 1960s and continues to the present day. Freshwater records started in the 2000s and this database grows annually. Records before the year 2000 do not have GPS coordinates, however, locality descriptions are provided. A future georeferencing project is planned to address this. Data mobilisation is supported by the BID Pacific project "Mobilizing biodiversity data from natural history collections in Fiji" (BID-PA-2020-006-NAC), and the British Academy funded Youth Futures project "(Re)Defining Culture: Engaging urban Fijian youth in sustainable employment opportunities in the cultural heritage sector (YF190078). This dataset will be updated regularly.
Darwin Core Archive of Aquatic biodiversity records at The University of the South Pacific
Reef Life Survey (RLS) around New Zealand region: Cryptic Fish
Reef Life Survey is designed to develop and resource a network of skilled recreational divers for rapid and cost-effective assessment of the state of the inshore marine environment at the global scale. The project uses standardised underwater visual census methods employed by trained SCUBA divers to survey fish and invertebrate species and to record habitat type using photo quadrats - this dataset refers to the cryptic fish survey component only. The dataset generated by recreational divers provides a national framework for monitoring the state of the inshore environment and the identification of those threats and locations of greatest conservation concern. The project also increases awareness and interest by the recreational diving community in marine issues, and enhanced scientific capacity of personnel in regional areas. This dataset is a subset of the whole collection for the New Zealand and south western Pacific region only. For the full record, visit http://reeflifesurvey.com/reef-life-survey/survey-data/
Darwin Core Archive of Reef Life Survey (RLS) around New Zealand region: Cryptic Fish
Molluscan specimens from the Astrolabe Reefs (Kadavu, Fiji), 1986-2006
This dataset is a work in progress and will be updated regularly. From 1986 to 2006, Astrolabe Incorporated, led by Joan Koven, conducted mollusc collections from the North and Great Astrolabe Reef in Kadavu, Fiji. A total of 799 species were identified over collection period. In 2008, Joan Koven donated the entire molluscan collection to the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji, where it is currently housed in the USP Marine Collection at the School of Marine Studies. This dataset is comprised of the specimens collected and identified by Astrolabe Incorporated. Publication of this dataset was funded by the European Union (EU). We are also grateful to GBIF, BID and VertNet for their support in mobilising this dataset, and to the John and Dave Foundation for technical support.
Darwin Core Archive of Molluscan specimens from the Astrolabe Reefs (Kadavu, Fiji), 1986-2006
Coastal fish species of commercial interest observed on Underwater Visual Census transects in Palau during the CoFish surveys in Koror, Ngarchelong, Ngatpang and Airai (2007). The individual counts correspond to the observations by a single diver (one side) on the 50 m transect, from the transect line up to visibility (distance sampling).
Darwin Core Archive of SPC CoFish Fish Observations Palau 2007
A checklist of Chondrichthyan fishes of Papua New Guinea
This dataset is from an annotated checklist of the chondrichthyan fishes (sharks, rays, and chimaeras) of Papua New Guinean waters is herein presented. The checklist is the result of a large biodiversity study on the chondrichthyan fauna of Papua New Guinea between 2013 and 2017. The chondrichthyan fauna of Papua New Guinea has historically been very poorly known due to a lack of baseline information and limited deepwater exploration. A total of 131 species, comprising 36 families and 68 genera, were recorded. The most speciose families are the Carcharhinidae with 29 species and the Dasyatidae with 23 species. Verified voucher material from various biological collections around the world are provided, with a total of 687 lots recorded comprising 574 whole specimens, 128 sets of jaws and 21 sawfish rostra. This represents the first detailed, verified checklist of chondrichthyans from Papua New Guinean waters.
Darwin Core Archive of A checklist of Chondrichthyan fishes of Papua New Guinea
Baseline Marine Biological Surveys of the Phoenix Islands, July 2000
Rapid assessment surveys were conducted during a 21-day marine biological expedition to the Phoenix Islands, Republic of Kiribati, from 29 June to 11 July 2000.This study includes new data on the biological diversity and abundance of the region and research and management recommendations. We conducted surveys and over 300 research SCUBA dives among the remote Phoenix Islands: Nikumaroro (Gardner), McKean, Manra (Sydney), Kanton (Aba-Riringa), Enderbury, Orona (Hull) and Rawaki (Phoenix), only excluding Birnie Island due to time limitations. Corals, benthic and mobile invertebrates, fishes, algae, sea turtles, sea birds, and marine mammals were surveyed at each site. Deep-sea life was sampled during seven deployments of an autonomous digital video camera system to 1,000 m depth at Kanton, Manra, and Orona. Coral reef and fish communities were surveyed using rapid assessment methods, small benthic fishes were collected using rotenone as a stunning agent, marine algae were collected by hand primarily during SCUBA dives, and a deep-drop collecting net was deployed to sample deep-sea animals. The reefs show evidence of the extreme isolation of these islands, pounded on three sides by the large ocean swells of the Pacific with only a narrow-protected side to the west providing protection for anchorage. Coral species diversity of the islands was moderately high. While lacking in some corals dominant in other major reef areas, the reefs have interesting species assemblages, with prolific growth of some species normally subdominant in other reef areas. The reefs were in an excellent state of health, at the time of these surveys free from the bleaching that has plagued reefs in other parts of the Pacific recently and with no evidence of any coral diseases. Our data include new distribution records for species of algae, coral and fishes.
Darwin Core Archive of Baseline Marine Biological Surveys of the Phoenix Islands, July 2000
Marine observation data from surveys around Fiji
Occurrence details of Fiji marine fauna and flora from around the coastline and offshore. Information is assimilated from a variety of sources including unpublished data sets and digitised from journal articles. Where the source is from a published paper the source paper citation is listed at the record level.
Darwin Core Archive of Marine observation data from surveys around Fiji
SPC NECTALIS Zooplankton/Micronekton specimens, New Caledonia 2014
The overall objective of the NECTALIS 3 cruise is studying intermediate trophic levels in pelagic ecosystem: characterizing the environment, acoustics, sampling and modelling of zooplankton and micronekton in New Caledonia. The Nectalis 3 cruise contributes to explore the southern area of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of New Caledonia in the south-west Pacific to collect data and samples on the pelagic ecosystem where tuna swim, particularly albacore tuna.
Darwin Core Archive of SPC NECTALIS Zooplankton/Micronekton specimens, New Caledonia 2014
Fish distribution data, Mayor Is. (Tuhua) marine reserve 1993
The Mayor Island (Tuhua) marine reserve was created in January 1993. A pre-reserve survey had already compiled algae, invertebrate, and fish species lists, with distributional data and habitat descriptions (Jones & Garrick 1991). They recorded a total of 54 fish species and presented the relative abundances of each. These data were essential for site selection and replication in the present survey,which was undertaken in March/April 1993, only 3 months after the reserve was established. Fieldwork for the present survey was undertaken by Department of Conservation (Bay of Plenty Conservancy) and NIWA-Oceanographic staff, as well as 2nd-year marine biology students from the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. It was designed to provide background data on numbers of fish species present, numbers of individuals, their distribution within sites and depth, and to ascertain whether there were differences between "reserve" and "control" sites. These data would then be available for comparisons with those obtained after the reserve had been in place for some time, and would provide assistance for reserve management as well as the wider scientific questions recently outlined by Rowley (1992) on whether marine reserves act as spillover areas to enhance fisheries adjacent to their boundaries. Only the presence data is presented in this dataset. The analysis of the fish length data is given in the final report by Grange (1993).
Darwin Core Archive of Fish distribution data, Mayor Is. (Tuhua) marine reserve 1993
Protected species bycatch in New Zealand fisheries
Seabirds, marine mammals, and turtles are caught during commercial fishing operations within the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone. In order to monitor the impacts of fishing on these species, New Zealand government observers on fishing vessels record any protected species bycatch incidents that occur. Observer data on protected species captures are maintained by the Ministry for Primary Industries, with identification of captured animals carried out by the Department of Conservation. The data have been summarised in a series of reports, with the most recent report covering the period from 2002–03 to the end of the 2008–09 fishing year (Abraham and Thompson 2011b). This dataset provides a summary of protected species bycatch in trawl and longline fisheries, from the 2002–03 to 2019–20 fishing year (fishing years run from October 1 to September 30). Observers are only present on some fishing vessels. To estimate total captures in a fishery, it is necessary to use statistical methods to extrapolate from the observed fishing to the unobserved fishing. The total observable captures are an estimate of the captures that would have been reported, had observers been present on all fishing vessels. There may be additional mortalities (such as birds that are struck by fishing gear but not brought on board the vessel) that are not recorded by observers. These are referred to as ‘cryptic mortalities’ and are not included in the estimates of total captures, nor is there any evaluation of potential survival of seabirds recorded as captured but subsequently released alive. The methods used for the estimation follow those described in technical reports on bycatch estimation for seabirds (Abraham and Thompson 2011a, Abraham et al. 2013), and marine mammals (Thompson et al. 2013). ####Notes about some Fields: - **fishing_year** the fishing year of the capture. Fishing years run from 1 October to 30 September; - **datetime** the date and time of the capture. All times are in New Zealand Standard Time (GMT+12); - **status** whether the animal was alive or dead; - **identification** how the identification was made (necropsy: by necropsy of the dead animal; photograph: from an expert inspection of a photograph of the capture; imputation: imputed by correcting the observer code using necropsy and photographic identifications of other captures with the same observer identification; as reported by the observer); - **method** the fishing method (surface longline; bottom longline; trawl; set net; or purse seine); - **target** the target species reported by the fisher; - **vessel_size** the length class of the vessel (a range in m).
Darwin Core Archive of Protected species bycatch in New Zealand fisheries
Biodiversity study in Rongelap, Marshall Islands, 2002
This dataset comes from a project that was undertaken to assess the reef health, status, fisheries potential, conservation value and biodiversity on Rongelap Atoll. There is much interest from the local Government for the management of marine resources and the plans to re-inhabit the islands are imminent. The work carried out on the expedition in Rongelap was for the Rongelap Atoll Local Government (RALGov) to assess their marine resources, on which to base new eco-tourism and sport diving and fishing ventures. The project team surveyed 12 sites around Rongelap Island from shore and a further 2 sites on other islands west of Rongelap Island. The results show that this area could be divided into 5 biogeographical zones, encompassing lagoon sites, outer reef sites and passes. The outer reef zone showed the highest coral cover and species richness. A high proportion of food fishes was also found in these zones, although a different suite of fish species was abundant and large inside the lagoon. High fish biomass, high percentages of coral cover and a total species number of 361 fishes and 170 corals indicated that the reefs around Rongelap Island are outstandingly pristine and healthy. Considering the small size of the area surveyed, it is exemplary that the reef supported more than two thirds of all fishes known from the Marshall Islands.
Darwin Core Archive of Biodiversity study in Rongelap, Marshall Islands, 2002
Marine mammal observations from the TAN1802 voyage to the Ross Sea, Antarctica
RV Tangaroa carried out a six-week voyage to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean between 9 February and 21 March 2018 with scientists from NIWA and the University of Auckland. Scientists did a range of surveys to better understand the processes governing this environment and its relevance to New Zealand. These included oceanographic observations, atmospheric observations, whale and benthic habitat studies, along with studies of plankton communities. The whale studies were carried out by the University of Auckland. The research aims of the voyage were to better understand: * Climate change effects on oceanographic processes; * Marine microbial community structure and function ; * Influence of marine aerosols on cloud formation and properties of Antarctic clouds; * Seabed habitats and fauna inside and outside of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area (MPA); * The role of whales in the Antarctic ecosystem; * Abundance and distribution of mesopelagic fish found between 200 and 100m deep, krill, and zooplankton One of the key outcomes of the research will be to generate baseline data required to determine whether the objectives of the MPA are being achieved. The MPA covers more than 1.55 million square kilometres and came into existence in December. he ship carried 23 scientists and 17 crew. Together their work ranged from taking atmospheric and oceanographic observations and samples, to whale spotting, maintaining the vessel, and cooking meals around the clock to service the 24-hour operation of the ship.
Darwin Core Archive of Marine mammal observations from the TAN1802 voyage to the Ross Sea, Antarctica
Jasus caverum (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palinuridae) from the eastern South Pacific Ocean
A new species of rock lobster, Jasus caveorum, is described from commercial catches taken on a non-emergent seamount in the eastern South Pacific Ocean. The species best fits the "frontalis subgroup" of the "lalandii group" of Jasus lobsters. J. caveorum is most similar to J. frontalis from the eastern South Pacific, but differs clearly from that species in having very little abdominal "squamous" sculpturing.
Darwin Core Archive of Jasus caverum (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palinuridae) from the eastern South Pacific Ocean
Three recorded Ostreopsis spp. (Dinophyceae) in New Zealand: in the upper North Island from 1995 to 1997
Three species of epiphytic dinoflagellates - Ostreopsis siamensis, O. lenticularis, and O. ovata have recently been found on both the east and west coasts of the upper North Island, New Zealand. The morphological differences of all three Ostreopsis spp. have been studied with both light and scanning electron microscopes. Detailed studies of the inner face of the thecal wall of Ostreopsis siamensis revealed two types of trichocyst pores: small, simple pores and large multipore structures. The multipore structures apparently have not been previously reported. Surveys conducted during the period from November 1995 to April 1997 showed that all three Ostreopsis spp. were fairly widespread in northern New Zealand, and all three species were found to occur south of 35°S latitude. Cell concentrations of Ostreopsis spp. in summer were substantially higher than in early spring. There was also a clear regional difference in distribution; cell concentrations of the dominant species, O. siamensis, were greatest in Rarawa and Tokerau on the north-east coast. Other less abundant epiphytic species recorded during the same period included Prorocentrum lima, P. compressum, and Coolia monotis. These species were generally more sporadic in distribution than Ostreopsis spp.
Darwin Core Archive of Three recorded Ostreopsis spp. (Dinophyceae) in New Zealand: in the upper North Island from 1995 to 1997
The echinoderm collection (IE) of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris) in the southwest Pacific region
This dataset is a subset of the echinoderm collection of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris) extracted from GBIF and filtered for the southwest Pacific region and for marine species only. The aim of the full dataset is to provide a general view of the echinoderm collection of the Paris Museum, which is primarily a scientific collection. The naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, one of the founders of the Theory of Evolution, was the first to really establish the collection of echinoderms at the Paris Museum. There are both dry and alcohol-preserved lots. Some sea cucumber specimens are preserved as microscopic preparations on slides. The number of lots is estimated at 500,000, of which 0.4% are types. Echinoderms have been collected in all oceans, at all latitudes. The largest numbers of specimens were collected relatively recently in the Indo-West Pacific. Echinoderms live exclusively in marine waters and at all depths. For 25 years intensive research programs have permitted huge collections to be obtained, especially from the Indo-Pacific and Antarctic regions. Most of the data entered so far are from these regions.
Darwin Core Archive of The echinoderm collection (IE) of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris) in the southwest Pacific region
SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Samoa 2005
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in Samoa during the PROCFish/C surveys (2005) in 4 sites Manono-uta, Vailoa, Vaisala and Salelavalu with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Samoa 2005
SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Fiji 2002-2003
Marine invertebrate species of commercial interest observed in Fiji during the PROCFish/C surveys (2002-2003) in 5 sites Dromuna, Muaivuso, Mali, Lakeba (Vanua Levu) and Labeka Island (Lau Group) with a mix of survey methods (manta tow, reef benthos transects, and day and night searches)
Darwin Core Archive of SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations Fiji 2002-2003
Two key intertidal species (Austrovenus stutchburyi and Macomona liliana) from Wairoa River estuary, Auckland, New Zealand
Intensifying land use and accelerated erosion has resulted in increased delivery and deposition of fine terrestrially derived sediment to coastal ecosystems, increasing sediment mud content in estuarine ecosystems. This change in the sedimentary environment is known to have negative consequences for ecosystem functioning. Yet indirect and cyclical relationships between species and the environment are rarely investigated, despite being crucial for understanding ecosystem resilience. We investigate changes in intra- and inter-specific interactions between two key intertidal species (Austrovenus stutchburyi and Macomona liliana) with different but overlapping environmental preferences. This dataset contains the results of a survey for Austrovenus stutchburyi and Macomona liliana at the Wairoa River estuary, Auckland, undertaken in November 2018. Results include species abundance for juveniles and adults, as well as sediment data (shell, mud, organic matter content) and microphytobenthic biomass at each core site.
Darwin Core Archive of Two key intertidal species (Austrovenus stutchburyi and Macomona liliana) from Wairoa River estuary, Auckland, New Zealand
Southwestern Pacific Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) Node