Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 4. Marine Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
E. ANNELIDS
ABARIRNGA (CANTON)
McIntire (1960) reported that the polychaete, Eurythoe pacifica, was found in the lagoon at
Abariringa Canton) (see also Degener and Gillaspy 1955).
F. MOLLUSCS
Foin (1976) identified 31 cypraeid (cowrie) biogeographic provinces around the world. For
region 27, the western limit was Samoa and the Phoenix Islands. Foin (1976) compared these
biogeographic regions to plate tectonics and concluded that the effects of plate tectonics
appeared to be a major influence on the biogeography of the Cyrpaeidae.
Integrated Marine Management Ltd. (1993) noted that Tridacna maxima had been reported
from the Phoenix Islands. However, they did not specify which of the Phoenix Islands it had
been reported from.
In 2002, surveys of selected invertebrate diversity and abundance were conducted in the
Phoenix Islands (Obura and Stone 2003). Abariringa, Birnie, Enderbury, Manra,
Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki were surveyed. Mollusks were strongly represented by
bivalves and gastropods. No cepalopods were observed in 2002, but they were observed on
night dives in 2000 (Stone et al 2001).
ABARIRINGA (CANTON, KANTON)
Bunker (1951) reported that much of the beach was littered with Tridacna sp. shells.
Byran (1955) published a list of shells that were collected on Abariringa (Canton) in 1951 by
Otto Degener.
McIntire (1960) reported that three species of shipworms, Teredo samoaensis, T. gregoryi,
and T. bensoni, had been recorded for Abariringa (Canton) (see also Degener and Gillaspy
1955).
During the Abariringa (Canton) atoll lagoon survey in 1973, 90 species of molluscs were
recorded (Oates 2003).
Bryan (1974) presented a table listing the bivalves found on Abariringa (Canton) and
Enderbury. This was modified and presented below (see Table III-4.10 below).
Table III-4.10. List of Bivalvia found on
Abariringa (Canton) and Enderbury
(source: Bryan 1974).
Scientific name Common name Family Island
BIVALVIA
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