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Annotated checklist of the CITES-listed corals of Fiji with reference to Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa and American Samoa 2008

Abstract

The harvest of coastal resources for the aquarium trade provides important economic opportunities for Pacific Island countries. Of particular relevance is the trade in hard corals, for which exports are controlled under the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

This report was initiated by the UK CITES Scientific Authority to facilitate an improved understanding of the distribution of CITES-listed coral taxa in some Pacific islands. It provides information on the distribution of hard coral species of the orders of Scleractinia, Stolonifera, Milleporina, and Coenothecalia for Fiji and neighbouring islands in the central south-west Pacific, including Vanuatu, Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.

Data were summarised from information drawn from a wide reference set, including publications, reports, coral export records, as well as museum voucher specimens and unregistered specimens collected during expeditions. Records of occurrence of CITES-controlled hard corals were compared to listings within the UNEP-WCMC species database which is used by many CITES Authorities as a reference guide to confirm species occurrence.

The number of species records varied geographically for Fiji and neighbouring islands. Occurrence was highest in Fiji; 354 species (comprising 342 Scleractinian species within 72 genera and 12 non-Scleractinian species within 5 genera). Known diversity in Vanuatu, directly west of Fiji was also high, with a total of 279 species recorded. The numbers of species listed as occurring in Tonga, Samoa and American Samoa which are situated east of Fiji were 189, 149 and 218 respectively. Fiji, followed by Vanuatu, has the largest reef area of the islands considered. Reef size in the other islands is significantly lower than Fiji and Vanuatu.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2008·08·01

Citation
Lovell, E.R & McLardy, C. 2008. Annotated checklist of the CITES-listed corals of Fiji with reference to Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa and American Samoa. JNCC report No. 415, JNCC, Peterborough.

Lineage
This report provides information on the occurrence, status and distribution of hard coral species of the orders of Scleractinia, Stolonifera, Milleporina, and Coenothecalia for Fiji and the central south-west Pacific, including Vanuatu, Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2020·05·19

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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