The marine life of Bootless Bay, Papua New Guinea

David Harasti

Background The effective management and conservation of biodiversity is predicated on clearly defined conservation targets. Species number is frequently used as a metric for conservation prioritization and monitoring changes in ecosystem health. We conducted a series of synoptic surveys focusing on the fishes of the Bootless Bay region of Papua New Guinea to generate a checklist of fishes of the region. Bootless Bay lies directly south of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, and experiences the highest human population density of any marine area in the country. Our checklist will set a baseline against which future environmental changes can be tracked Results We generated a checklist of 488 fish species in 72 families found in Bootless Bay during a two-week sampling effort. Using incident-based methods of species estimation, we extrapolate there to be approximately 940 fish species in Bootless Bay, one of the lowest reported numbers in Papua New Guinea. Conclusions Our data suggest that the Bootless Bay ecosystem of Papua New Guinea, while diverse in absolute terms, has lower fish biodiversity compared to other shallow marine areas within the country. These differences in faunal diversity are most likely a combination of unequal sampling effort as well as biophysical factors within Bootless Bay compounded by historical and/or contemporary anthropogenic disturbances.

• A list of corals was compiled for 57 sites, including 16 sites on the mainland in the Milne Bay area, 5 sites in the D’Entrecasteaux Islands, 7 sites in the Amphlett Island Group, 26 sites in the Louisiade/Conflict Islands, and 3 sites in the vicinity of the Engineer Group and Basilaki-Sideia islands. • Milne Bay Province has a very diverse coral fauna. A total of 418 scleractinan corals were observed or collected during the present survey, which compares favorably with the total numbers from the Philippines (411) and Indonesia (427) in recently published reports. • A total of 494 species of stony coral are known from Papua New Guinea, including previous reports. This clearly places it within the area of the highest coral diversity in the world (“Coral Triangle”) along with the Philippines and Indonesia. • Acropora, Montipora, and Porites were dominant genera on Milne Bay reefs, with 94, 44, and 27 species respectively.

The Marine Life of Bootless Bay Papua New Guinea Mark Baine David Harasti 2 The Marine Life of Bootless Bay Papua New Guinea Mark Baine David Harasti The Marine Life of Bootless Bay, Papua New Guinea - 2007 Mark Baine and David Harasti Published by the Motupore Island Research Centre (MIRC), School of Natural and Physical Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea Printed by PIRION Pty Limited, Australia ISBN: 9980-84-815-4 © Motupore Island Research Centre 2007, publication © Mark Baine and David Harasti, photographs (except where otherwise accredited) Front cover photographs (clockwise from top le�): pygmy seahorses, Papuan sea jelly, lacy scorpionﬁsh and coral reef scene. Back cover photographs (clockwise from top le�): electric tailed slugs, ornate ghost pipeﬁsh, spiny lobster and white grape coral. Acknowledgements The authors are very grateful for the support of the following individuals and organisations in the design and production of this guide, and the provision of technical assistance: the Motupore Island Marine Biodiversity Unit (Jane Wia, Rickson Lis and Eddison Silas), MIRC’s Technical Unit (Roga Gabiobu, Casper Dako and Elias Tovue), Loloata Island Resort (Dik Knight, Yoshimi Shuto, Francis Tolewa, Sibona Ray and Junior), Phil Shearman for the satellite imagery, Suzanne Oﬀenberg, Jane Davis, Simon Talbot and Keith Martin-Smith. The majority of the photographs provided in this guide have been taken by the authors. We are also delighted to include contributions from the following individuals, using an index system whereby 43R1L, for example, indicates the photo on Page 43, Row 1, Le� Column: Adam Powell (68R3R, 93R4L, 94R2L, 95R4R, 97R4L, 103R1L, 106R2L, 106R2R, 106R3R, 107R1R, 109R4L, 113R1R, 116R2L, 123R1R, 123R2R, 124R2R, 124R3L, 125R3L, 125R4R, 126R1L, 126R2R, 126R4R, 127R1L, 128R1R, 129R4R, 130R2L, 130R2R, 131R1R, 131R4R, 132R1R, 132R3L, 132R3R, 133R1L, 133R1R, 134R4L, 135R4R); Rickson Lis (9R1R, 9R2R, 10R1L, 10R3R, 10R4R, 11R1L, 11R1R, 11R2R, 11R4L, 12R1L, 12R3L, 12R3R, 14R1L, 14R2R, 14R3L, 16R3R, 19R2L, 22R4L, 30R2L, 33R2R, 35R4L, 37R2R, 39R1L, 47R3R, 55R3/4R, 74R3R, 93R1R); Eddison Silas (6R4L, 7R3L, 7R4L, 7R4R, 19R3R, 21R1L, 25R3R, 35R3L, 61R1R, 65R2R); Stephanie Baine (48R4L, 50R1R, 53R2R, 54R1R, 67R4L, 73R1L); Abby Barrows (15R1R, 57R3L, 65R1R, 83R2R); Jane Wia (8R2R, 39R2R, 82R2L); David von Schill (61R2R); Sascha Schulz (107R3L); and marinethemes.com/Stephen Wong (dolphin images on page 139). We have made every eﬀort to try and accurately identify each photograph. We are indebted to the following individuals for volunteering their time and taxonomic expertise, to assist us with those we could not identify. Without their contribution, this guide would not have been possible. Ascidians: Patricia Mather - Queensland Museum. Bryozoans: Peter Hayward - Swansea University. Cnidarians: Daphne Fautin - University of Kansas (Anemones and Corallimorphs); Adorian Ardelean (Anemones); Tina Molodtsova - P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology (Black corals); Dennis Opresko (Black corals); Alberto Lindner - Universidade de São Paulo (Hydrocorals); Jan Watson (Hydroids); Katharina Fabricius - Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (Octocorals and Corallimorphs); Phil Alderslade (Octocorals); Michael Dawson - University of California Merced (Sea jellies); John Ryland - Swansea University (Zoanthids); and Andrew Baird - James Cook University (Hard corals). Crustaceans: Peter Davie - Queensland Museum (Crabs, Lobsters and Prawns); Sammy De Grave Oxford University Museum of Natural History (Shrimps); Peter Dworschak - Vienna Museum (Thalassinids); and Diana Jones - Western Australia Museum (Barnacles). Ctenophores: Claudia Mills. Echinoderms: Chantal Conand - Univ. de la Réunion (Sea cucumbers and Sea urchins); Anne Hogge� and Lyle Vail - Lizard Island Research Station (Feather stars); Charles Messing - Nova Southeastern University (Feather stars); Sabine Stohr - Swedish Museum of Natural History (Bri�le stars); and Ashley Miskelly (Sea urchins). Fish: Mark McGrouther - Australian Museum; Gerry Allen (Damselﬁshes); Ted Pietsch - University of Washington (Anglerﬁshes); Jack Randall (Cardinalﬁshes); Tony Gill - Arizona State University (Do�ybacks); Jeﬀ Johnson - Queensland Museum (Grubﬁshes); Doug Hoese - Australian Museum (Gobies); Helen Larson - Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (Gobies); Hisashi Imamura - Hokkdaido University Museum (Flatheads); Barry Russell - Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts (Lizardﬁshes); Hiroyuki Motomura - Kagoshima University Museum (Scorpionﬁshes); Rudie Kuiter - Aquatic Photographics (Blennies, Surgeonﬁshes, Syngnathiformes and Wrasses); and Jeﬀ Williams - Divison of Fishes, Museum Support Center (Blennies). Forams: Jere Lipps and Sco� Fay - University of Berkeley. Molluscs: Richard Willan - Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Plants: Thomas Maniwavie – Motupore Island Research Centre (Mangroves); Len McKenzie – Seagrass Watch (Seagrass); and Posa Skelton - James Cook University (Algae). Reptiles: Col Limpus - Queensland EPA. Sponges: Michelle Kelly - New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research; John Hooper - Queensland Museum; and Mary Kay Harper - University of Utah. Worms: Charlo�e Watson and Chris Glasby - Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Many thanks also to the following individuals for their editing of the manuscript: Chantal Conand (Echinoderms); Michelle Kelly and John Hooper (Sponges); Charlo�e Watson and Chris Glasby (Worms); Morgan Pratche� (Cnidarians); Richard Willan (Molluscs); Len McKenzie (Plants); Martin Wilkinson (Algae); and Richard Hartnoll (Crustaceans). The authors accept full responsibility for, and welcome notiﬁcation of, any errors in this publication. Finally, the authors would like to acknowledge the generous ﬁnancial support of the Papua New Guinea Institute of Biodiversity, the University of Papua New Guinea, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and Project AWARE in the production of this guide. The Papua New Guinea Institute of Biodiversity (PINBio) co-ordinates nine programmes of action, including those related to biodiversity inventorising and education, all of which address biodiversity ma�ers of local, national and international importance. The David and Lucile Packard Foundation’s Science and Conservation Program seeks to protect and restore our oceans, coast and atmosphere, and enable the pursuit of scientiﬁc research towards this goal. The University of Papua New Guinea’s mission is to be the premier university of the Paciﬁc making available quality education, research and services to Papua New Guinea and the Paciﬁc. The Project AWARE Foundation conserves underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. It is the dive industry’s leading nonproﬁt environmental organisation. Table of Contents Leaf scorpionﬁsh Introduction Plants Algae Sponges Cnidarians Forams Ctenophores Bryozoans Worms Molluscs Crustaceans Echinoderms Ascidians Fish Reptiles Mammals Index Protecting Our Marine Biodiversity About The Authors 1 6 9 13 18 41 41 41 42 45 66 75 89 92 138 139 140 144 144 The lacy scorpionﬁsh, Rhinopias aphanes Introduction Bootless Bay and the Papuan Barrier Reef Bootless Bay is located approximately 20 km to the south-east of Port Moresby. The Bay contains 4 islands: Motupore, Loloata, Manunouha (also known as Lion) and Bunamotu. The largest, Motupore Island, is home to the University of Papua New Guinea’s marine research centre, while Loloata Island is home to an internationally renowned scuba diving and holiday resort. Both Manunouha and Bunamotu are uninhabited. Bootless Bay displays a wide range of major marine habitats, including mangrove forests, seagrass beds, sandy beaches, rocky shores and reefs, intertidal and subli�oral carbonate and mud bo�oms, open water, patch and fringing coral reefs. The Bay also has a number of wrecks sca�ered on its bed, each with their own distinctive biological communities. The adjacent Papuan barrier reef, paralleling the coastline some 5km oﬀshore, is within easy reach and enables access to oceanic waters, deepwater wrecks and some spectacular deeper reef diving including tunnels, walls and bommies. The wide range of habitats and the diversity of marine organisms found in the Bay and on the barrier reef, make this area an ideal laboratory for scientiﬁc study and a must-see destination for diving enthusiasts the world over. Motupore Island Research Centre Motupore Island was acquired by the University of Papua New Guinea in 1970 to protect the rich archaeological site discovered on the island which dates back at least 500 years. The Motupore Island Research Centre (MIRC) was originally administered by the Anthropology and Archaeology Department of the University. The teaching and research opportunities oﬀered by MIRC, however, soon a�racted the a�ention of the University’s Biology and Geography Departments and so from the beginning MIRC had a multidisciplinary outlook. Gradually, the Biology Department began playing a major role in the administration of the Centre, and today MIRC falls under the School of Natural and Physical Sciences. MIRC’s mission is to build capability and advance knowledge in marine and coastal resource management in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Western Paciﬁc, through the fostering of local, national and international links; the adoption of multidisciplinary and proactive approaches to problem solving; and the delivery of the highest standards of research and teaching. Since the 1970s, Bootless Bay, through MIRC, has been the subject of intensive study in a variety of disciplines, resulting in over 350 publications. MIRC is currently focussed on marine biodiversity research through the specialist Motupore Island Marine Biodiversity Unit (MIMBU), established in 2006 with assistance from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Amongst its achievements is the development and maintenance of a marine biodiversity database for PNG. For more information on MIRC and MIMBU, visit h�p://www.mirc.ac.pg. 1 Loloata Island Resort The Loloata Island Resort was established in the 1970s. Loloata specialises in the provision of diving services, catering to all interests and levels of experience. The resort has its own dive shop, two dive boats and, experienced and friendly diving personnel. Loloata is able to access over 30 excellent dive sites, all with submerged moorings. Dive sites include walls, open water bommies, channels and superb dives for macro photography enthusiasts. For more information on Loloata Island Resort, visit h�p://www.loloata.com. The Importance of Marine Biodiversity When we use the term ‘marine biodiversity’, we are basically referring to the variety of biological life (plants and animals) found in our seas and oceans. Biological diversity, for example, reaches astounding levels in the group of animals known as marine invertebrates (animals without backbones). Over 1 million species of animal are thought to inhabit our planet, and of these, approximately 97% are invertebrates. While the majority of these are terrestrial in nature (e.g. insects), there are many diﬀerent types of marine invertebrates, including single celled organisms (forams), sponges, bryozoans, crustaceans (crabs, lobsters, shrimp and barnacles), cnidarians (so� and hard corals, sea fans, sea pens, hydroids, jellyﬁsh, black corals and anemones), molluscs (nudibranchs, cu�leﬁsh, octopus and sea shells), echinoderms (sea cucumbers, sea stars, sea urchins, feather stars and bri�le stars), ﬂatworms and segmented worms. Then there are the ascidians (sea squirts) considered by many scientists to be a link between the marine invertebrates and vertebrates. And we haven’t even mentioned marine vertebrates (ﬁsh, reptiles and mammals), plants and algae! On a daily basis new species of marine life are being discovered and there are thousands of species still oﬃcially undescribed. But why is marine biodiversity important? There are many reasons, the nature and degree of the importance diﬀering from individual to individual, depending upon personal values. Factors inﬂuencing a person’s values may include how that person makes a living, and culture and education, all of which govern what a person knows about the surrounding natural world. Marine biodiversity is o�en the focus of conservation or management projects and policies, at the local, national or international level. It also plays a signiﬁcant part in our day to day activities. Biodiversity is seen by many as a major part of our planet’s natural beauty. Indeed, many of us have a strong emotional connection with the biodiversity around us. This beauty has spawned diﬀerent types of tourism activities, which in turn can create sustainable local employment and revenue (e.g. diving and whale watching, and arts and cra�s), o�en in places suﬀering harsh economic conditions. In many areas of the world, ﬁsh and other marine animals are an essential source of protein, though there is growing global concern at the 2 rate at which we exploit our seas for food. Scientists also continue to study the life in our seas in the hope of ﬁnding a cure for human diseases and cancer. There is growing appreciation that every component of marine biodiversity has an important ecological role to play in maintaining ecosystem health and function. Some species or groups of marine organisms have particularly important roles, such as in the cycling of elements and the control of the abundance of other organisms through predator-prey relationships. Without some top predators, for example, population numbers of their prey may increase to a level that alters the biological structure of a particular ecosystem. Scribbled pipeﬁsh (Corythoichthys intestinalis) Pollution of our marine environment and natural phenomena or disasters can also impact on important marine habitats, such as mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and coral reefs. It is feared, for example, that the gradual warming of our seas is having a major impact on the health of our coral reefs, with increased levels of coral bleaching. Coral bleaching occurs when the tiny algae that co-exist with corals abandon that relationship as a result of intolerable levels of stress. This has a knock-on eﬀect on ﬁsh populations and other organisms normally associated with a healthy coral reef. Whatever we consider important about marine biodiversity, be it the beauty, the thrill of the unknown, the supply of food, the hope of medical discoveries, or its inherent natural and ecological value, there is one commonality of need: continuing balance and existence. We must strive to understand the environmental processes and socio-economics of resource use that aﬀect this balance and existence. We must act to conserve our marine biodiversity for future generations. Classiﬁcation of Marine Life All animals and plants are organised by scientists into a classiﬁcation system with 7 main levels (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species). Where an organism ﬁts into this system depends upon many factors, including for example, its ancestry, morphology and how it gives birth. Let’s use the Durban hinge-back shrimp, a species of shrimp commonly found on Bootless Bay wrecks, as an example. Its classiﬁcation follows this path: kingdom Animalia, phylum Arthropoda, class Malacostraca, order Decapoda, family Rhynchocinetidae, genus Rhynchocinetes and species durbanensis. It is the combination of genus and species names that gives this shrimp its unique identity within the classiﬁcation system, i.e. Rhynchocinetes 3 durbanensis. The classiﬁcation system uses the Latin language universally. While the common name of a species may change from country to country and language to language, the species name does not. Those species found within the same genus are considered to be more closely related to each other than to species of other genera. Species found within the same family are also considered to be more closely related to each other than to species of other families. The Durban hinge-back shrimp same applies to orders, classes and so on. For (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis) example, the Durban hinge-back shrimp is more closely related to swimming crabs (order Decapoda, family Portunidae) than to mantis shrimps (order Stomatopoda). When we talk about a ‘species’, we are basically referring to a plant or animal that is able to interbreed with other individuals of that species. While two species of the same genus will share common external and internal features, e.g. the saddleback anemoneﬁsh, Amphiprion polymnus and the black anemoneﬁsh, Amphiprion melanopus, they will normally be unable to breed with each other. Exploring the Guide This guide is not exhaustive. Its purpose is to provide the reader with an introduction to the diversity of marine life found in Bootless Bay and the adjacent Papuan barrier reef. There are many marine species found in the Bay that do not appear in this guide. The guide focuses on the major taxonomic groups of plants and animals, providing some introductory information on each group, followed by photographic images. It concludes with some thoughts on how we all can help maintain the high level of biodiversity in the Bay. Schooling yellow banded sweetlips (Plectorhinchus lineatus) on Suzie’s Bommie At the top of each page, we provide the main common name of the group along with any subgroups, e.g. Echinoderms: Sea Cucumbers. Below each photograph we provide the following information where possible: scientiﬁc name, common name, family (in capitals) and size. We have tried our best to ascribe common names, but in many instances, they do not exist. Readers 4 should note that one particular species may have more than one common name depending on where it is found. In this guide we have provided what we feel is the most appropriate common name in usage. The scientiﬁc name is provided where known. In some instances, it is not possible to identify a specimen to species level from a photograph. A particular species may also be undescribed in the scientiﬁc literature. Where this is the case we simply identify it as far as possible, to either genus, e.g. Corythoichthys sp., or family, e.g. RHYNCHCINETIDAE. Where possible we have provided a size estimate. For some groups this takes the form of maximum (Max) known size. For all other species, this is the photographer’s best estimate at the time of the photograph. The vast majority of the photographs (91%) in this guide were taken in Bootless Bay or on the adjacent Papuan barrier reef. In some instances we have used photographs from other locations to illustrate a particular species which we know is found here. Where we have used such photographs, we have placed an asterisk (*) beside the name. Finally, where you see cf. within a scientiﬁc name, this basically means compare with, as the specimen closely resembles that particular species. Where we have used auc�., this indicates another scientiﬁc name that has been mis-applied to this species by other authors. Coral Reefs Coral reefs are generally considered the most beautiful and diverse of all the marine habitats. Over time, up to thousands of years, the skeletons of corals, molluscs, shells and coralline algae help build the reef through cementation. On the surface of the reef a rich variety of living corals and other organisms continue this process of cementation. Worms, sponges, algae and shellﬁsh, for example, all burrow into coral, producing sand which is then cemented into the reef by the encrusting coralline algae. The structure of coral reefs is very intricate, providing crevices, overhangs and shade for thousands of vertebrate, invertebrate and other organisms that make the reef their home. The abundant ﬁsh employ a wide range of feeding, reproductive and territorial habits. There are organisms which do not directly contribute to the structure of the reef, but these reef inhabitants still play important roles, such as in the transfer of energy through the food webs based on the reef. Life on a coral reef involves a complex system of relationships among organisms and between organisms and their environment. If you pay close a�ention to the reef when swimming, snorkelling or diving you will not only see an amazing diversity of life, but will also be able to observe the fascinating behaviour of a wide range of organisms, perhaps nudibranchs laying their eggs or anemones hitching a ride on a crab’s back. Muse on how they have adapted to their habitat, marvel at how they defend themselves and know that each individual organism is only a very small part of a much larger thriving system. 5 PLANTS Mangroves Mangroves are coastal trees or shrubs (kingdom Plantae, division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida) that are adapted to the marine environment and inhabit the intertidal area between land and sea. Lionﬁsh in mangrove forest Mangroves they drop into the mud or ﬂoat away with the tide. Mangroves provide important feeding and nursery areas for ﬁsh and crustaceans. The intricate complexity of mangrove roots make ideal hiding places from predators. The roots themselves display quite a variety of invertebrates, including hermit crabs, nudibranchs, barnacles and shrimp. Further up the tree, the trunks, branches and foliage are also home to other animals, such as bats and insects. The leaves shed by mangroves provide food for a number of organisms, including ﬁddler and ghost crabs. These crabs create burrows around mangroves, enabling a regular ﬂushing of the mangrove roots by tidal water. Mangroves have adapted to life in a harsh, o�en anoxic (lacking oxygen) environment, where there is large amounts of silt and mud. One of the more noticeable mangrove adaptations is in root morphology, which varies according to the local environment. These can include prop roots that arch downward from tree trunks for support, and pneumatophores that are directed upwards into the air. 6 The seeds of the chili mangrove Mangroves survive in saltwater environments by either excreting the salt through special glands on the leaves, dropping their leaves, or blocking the uptake of salts through the roots. Mangrove seeds (propagules) germinate on the parent tree prior to their release, when The following nine species of mangrove can be found on Motupore Island, and represent approximately 33% of the total number of species thought to be present in Bootless Bay. Avicenna eucalyptifolia – White mangrove AVICENNIACEAE – 300 cm Xylocarpus rumphii MELIACEAE - 150 cm PLANTS Mangroves Aegicerus corniculatum – Chili mangrove MYRSINACEAE – 250 cm Excoecaria agallocha – White sap mangrove EUPHORBIACEAE – 300 cm Osbornia octodonta – Myrtle mangrove MYRTACEAE – 250 cm Aegialitis annulata – Club mangrove PLUMBAGINACEAE – 100 cm Bruguiera gymnorrhiza – Oriental mangrove RHIZOPHORACEAE – 400 cm Rhizophora stylosa – Spider or red mangrove RHIZOPHORACEAE – 250 cm Sonneratia alba – Starfruit mangrove SONNERATIACEAE – 180 cm 7 PLANTS Seagrasses Algae Seagrasses Seagrasses (kingdom Plantae, division Magnoliophyta, class Liliopsida) are a functional grouping of true ﬂowering plants that have adapted to the marine environment. There are approximately 60 described species globally, the majority of which live totally submerged in seawater, in shallow environments where there is a high availability of light. Seagrasses are anchored by a system of below ground rhizomes and roots through which they obtain nutrients. Seagrasses actually help to stabilise coastal sediments and ﬁght coastal erosion. Halodule uninervis – Needle seagrass CYMODOCEACEAE – 5 cm Being ﬂowering plants, pollen is produced and dispersed by water currents. Their ﬂowers are, however, rather dull compared with terrestrial ﬂowers. Seagrasses also produce fruits and set seed. Seagrass meadows provide habitats for many vertebrates and invertebrates, and are nursery grounds for commercially important ﬁsh and crustaceans. Seagrasses also act as nutrient sinks, ﬁltering nutrient and chemical inputs to the marine environment. Bootless Bay, more speciﬁcally the area surrounding Motupore Island, is the site for some of the earliest studies on seagrass ecology conducted in the Indo-West Paciﬁc. Here we provide photographs of ﬁve of the Bay’s ten species. There are thirteen reported species found in Papua New Guinea. Cymodocea rotundata – Ribbon seagrass CYMODOCEACEAE – 7 cm 8 Enhalus acoroides – Tape seagrass HYDROCHARITACEAE – 70 cm Halophila ovalis – Paddle grass HYDROCHARITACEAE – 1.5 cm Thalassia hemprichii – Turtle grass HYDROCHARITACEAE – 15 cm PLANTS ALGAE Green Algae Algae Algae in general are commonly referred to as plants, but this is not true. They do have the major features of plants with cells that carry out photosynthesis. Algae, however, have simpler reproductive organs than plants and lack the embryonic development of plants. They are now o�en regarded as protists (kingdom Protista) although they function just like plants in the ecosystems where they live. They range in size from the microscopic phytoplankton to the large seaweeds. Caulerpa racemosa – Sea grapes CAULERPACEAE – 14 cm Algae show more diversity than plants because they have several colour groups distinguished on fundamental biochemical features such as the pigments they contain. In plants these are relatively uniform. Seaweeds belong to three colour groups: green, brown and red but there are more groups with phytoplankton in them. Seaweeds diﬀer from plants in that they do not have roots and leaves with systems for saving water and exchanging gases with air. The blue-green algae are really bacteria, but unlike bacteria they have the photosynthetic mechanism of algae and plants. They are also known as cyanophytes or cyanobacteria. Some of them have forms like seaweeds and live like plants in seashore ecosystems, though the cyanophytes have fewer seashore species compared with other algae. Halimeda sp. – Cactus algae HALIMEDACEAE – 4 cm Caulerpa taxifolia – Feather algae CAULERPACEAE – 3 cm Halimeda sp. – Cactus algae HALIMEDACEAE – 10 cm Halimeda sp. – Cactus algae HALIMEDACEAE – 3 cm 9 ALGAE 10 Green & Red Algae Boergesenia forbesii – Green algae SIPHONOCLADACEAE – 4 cm Dictyosphaeria versluysii – Bu�onweed SIPHONOCLADACEAE – 3 cm Avrainvillea sp. – Mermaid’s fan UDOTEACEAE – 6 cm Chlorodesmis fastigiata – Turtle weed UDOTEACEAE – 16 cm Valonia ventricosa – Sailor’s eyeball VALONIACEAE – 4 cm Actinotrichia fragilis – Fragile algae GALAXAURACEAE – 10 cm Gracilaria salicornia GRACILARIACEAE – 45 cm Hypnea pannosa – Ta�ered sea moss HYPNEACEAE – 20 cm ALGAE Red & Brown Algae Acanthophora spicifera – Spiny seaweed RHODOMELACEAE – 18 cm Dasya sp. – Red algae RHODOMELACEAE – 24 cm Peyssonnelia sp. – Red algae PEYSSONNELIACEAE – 8 cm Ahnfeltiopsis sp. – Ahnfelt’s seaweed PHYLLOPHORACEAE – 24 cm Dictyota magneana – Branched algae DICTYOTACEAE – 12 cm Dictyota sp. – Branched algae DICTYOTACEAE – 6 cm Dictyota sp. – Branched algae DICTYOTACEAE – 24 cm Padina sp. – Funnelweed DICTYOTACEAE – 28 cm 11 ALGAE 12 Brown & Blue-green Algae Sargassum sp. – Sargassum weed SARGASSACEAE – 30 cm Sargassum sp. – Sargassum weed SARGASSACEAE – 70 cm Turbinaria decurrens – Triangular sea bell SARGASSACEAE – 25 cm Hydroclathrus clathratus – Netweed SCYTOSIPHONACEAE – 18 cm Boodlea sp. BOODLEACEAE – 22 cm Microcoleus lyngbyaceus – Mermaid’s hair Cyanophyta – PHORMIDIACEAE – 12 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. Cyanophyta – 4 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. Cyanophyta – 6 cm SPONGES Sponges Sponges (kingdom Animalia, phylum Porifera) display a wide range of shapes and sizes. Their form can resemble barrels, volcanic mounds, tubes, dishes, baskets and encrusting sheets. They range in size from millimetres to metres and exhibit a wide variety of colours. Sponges occur in habitats ranging from deep ocean trenches to shallow waters. Some even live on other organisms such as crabs, providing camouﬂage and achieving mobility in return. Sponges do not have muscles, nerves, mouths or body organs. They have many diﬀerent types of cells which perform their bodily functions. Water is drawn into their body chambers through body pores known as ostia, and pumped through the body using cells, known as choanocytes, that have a whip-like ﬂagella, or hair. The sponge takes up oxygen and captures tiny bits of food from the water before it is expelled, carrying waste products, through the larger exhalent pores called oscules. Sponge skeletons consist of tiny siliceous, or occasionally calcareous, structures called spicules, and protein ﬁbres. Some can be quite spiny and/or produce noxious chemicals. Sponges do not have many predators but some species are eaten by molluscs, echinoderms, ﬁsh and turtles. Some sponges also cause skin irritation in humans, if touched. Agelas sp. AGELASIDAE – 20 cm – yellow Spheciospongia vagabunda mound Sponges are mostly hermaphrodites, meaning that they are both male and female. As a male, a sponge will release its sperm into the water column to be taken in by a nearby female, where it is transported to the eggs by cells known as archaeocytes. A�er fertilisation the eggs develop into larvae which are expelled by the sponge into the water, where they eventually se�le and develop into young sponges. Females may also release eggs into the water where fertilisation occurs. Sponges also reproduce asexually. Fragmentation, especially as a result of storms and other disturbances, is thought to be the main means of dispersal and recruitment for local sponge populations. There are around 9,000 species of described sponges, and an estimated total of over 15,000 species worldwide. Many remain undescribed or undiscovered. Sponges are a major focus of research for anti-cancer and other medical drugs. Rhabdastrella globostellata ANCORINIDAE – 10 cm 13 SPONGES 14 Callyspongia aerizusa CALLYSPONGIIDAE – 15 cm Callyspongia sp. CALLYSPONGIIDAE – 15 cm Haliclona nematifera CHALINIDAE – 10 cm Haliclona velina CHALINIDAE – 10 cm Haliclona sp. CHALINIDAE – 20 cm Spheciospongia vagabunda CLIONAIDAE – 30 cm Spheciospongia sp. CLIONAIDAE – 5 cm Monanchora ungiculata CRAMBIDAE – 15 cm SPONGES Crella sp. CRELLIDAE – 5 cm Chelonaplysilla violacea DARWINELLIDAE – 15 cm Liosina granularis DICTYONELLIDAE – 15 cm Dysidea sp. DYSIDEIDAE – 5 cm – white Leuce�a chagosensis LEUCETTIDAE – 10 cm Leuce�a sp. LEUCETTIDAE – 10 cm – pink Pericharax heteroraphis LEUCETTIDAE – 15 cm Clathria mima MICROCIONIDAE – 10 cm 15 SPONGES Clathria (Thalysias) reinwardti MICROCIONIDAE – 30 cm 16 Gelliodes ﬁbulata NIPHATIDAE – 15 cm Mycale (Arenochalina) humilis MYCALIDAE – 45 cm Gelliodes sp. 1 NIPHATIDAE – 10 cm Gelliodes sp. 2 NIPHATIDAE – 20 cm Petrosia sp. PETROSIIDAE – 15 cm Strongylophora sphaeroidea PETROSIIDAE – 10 cm SPONGES Xestospongia testudinaria* PETROSIIDAE – 100 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. 1 PETROSIIDAE – 15 cm Aka sp. 1 PHLOEODICTYIDAE – 15 cm Aka sp. 2 PHLOEODICTYIDAE – 15 cm– white Aka sp. 3 PHLOEODICTYIDAE – 5 cm – orange Dendya sp. SOLENEISCIDAE – 10 cm Terpios sp. SUBERITIDAE – 10 cm – plum red Cinachyrella schulzei TETILLIDAE – 10 cm 17 CNIDARIANS Cnidarians The cnidarians (kingdom Animalia, phylum Cnidaria) is a large group of over 10,000 species that includes hydroids (class Hydrozoa), sea jellies (class Scyphozoa), sea wasps (class Cubozoa), and hard corals, so� corals, sea fans, corallimorphs, sea anemones, sea pens, black corals and zoanthids (class Anthozoa). They possess nematocysts which are special stinging darts that can paralyse or kill predators and prey. Cnidarians have two main forms: the medusa, present, for example, in the sea jellies, with tentacles and mouth facing downwards; and the polyp which is a�ached to a surface with the mouth and tentacles facing upwards, as applies to all anthozoans. Some cnidarians, such as the hydroids, exhibit both forms. Hydrozoans & Sea Jellies the unﬁred nematocysts, making use of them when threatened. Hydroids produce tiny medusae which break away and release either sperm or eggs. Fertilised eggs become larvae which then se�le onto hard surfaces and grow. Sea Jellies Sea jellies basically consist of a bell and tentacles. The bell contains the mouth, gut and sex organs. The number of tentacles can reach hundreds in some species. The tentacles are covered in stinging cells. It is wise to avoid them. Hydrozoans Hydrozoans include hydrocorals; hydroids, or sea ferns; and ﬂoating sea jelly like organisms such as the Portugese man-of-war. They use their nematocysts to capture prey, and can deliver a nasty sting if touched. Hydrocorals have calcareous skeletons and look like hard corals. Hydroids are found throughout the oceans a�ached to rocks, corals, wrecks, and shells. Within a colony diﬀerent polyps have special jobs: catching food, digesting it, defence and reproduction. Some nudibranchs consume Macrorhynchia philippinus – Philippine hydroid PLUMARIDAE – 2 cm 18 The bell of the Papuan sea jelly Sea jellies are eaten by some ﬁshes and sea turtles. Unfortunately for turtles, plastic bags discarded into our seas resemble jellyﬁsh and can choke them when consumed. Sea jellies dri� with currents and can also move through the water using jet propulsion. Idiellana pristis SERTULARIIDAE – 4 cm CNIDARIANS Hydrozoans & Sea Jellies Millepora sp. – Fire coral MILLEPORIDAE – 50 cm Millepora sp. – Fire coral MILLEPORIDAE – 80 cm Distichopora sp. – Lace coral STYLASTERIDAE – 30 cm Distichopora violacea – Violet hydrocoral STYLASTERIDAE – 25 cm Stylaster cf. papuensis STYLASTERIDAE – 30 cm Physalia physalis – Portugese man-of-war PHYSALIIDAE – 10 cm Cassiopea sp. – Upside down sea jelly CASSIOPEIDAE – 10 cm Mastigias papua – Papuan sea jelly MASTIGIIDAE – 25 cm 19 CNIDARIANS Soft Corals So� Corals So� corals are common on reefs. So� coral polyps have eight tentacles (or mutiples) around its mouth (so� corals, sea fans and sea pens are also collectively known as octocorals), as opposed to six (or multiples) in the hard corals. They do not have the skeletal support of hard corals. Instead each polyp is connected by ﬂeshy tissue and reinforced by calcareous spicules. The shape and size of these spicules is important in species identiﬁcation. It is very diﬃcult to identify so� corals to species, as they exhibit a large degree of morphological variation, even within a particular species. The majority of so� coral specimens in this book are identiﬁed to genus level. We present eight photographs of Dendronephthya sp., for example, but are unable to identify how many diﬀerent species there are within this collection. So� corals can adapt their form to changes in the environment, and can be found in shallow and deep waters. They are mainly ﬁlter feeders. The colonies can be very beautiful, displaying an array of colours. So� corals o�en produce chemicals to deter predators, though there are some bu�erﬂyﬁshes that regularly feed on so� corals. So� corals reproduce sexually, releasing sperm and eggs into the water column. The fertilised eggs hatch into larvae and se�le on a suitable spot, forming polyps which then bud into colonies. Sarcophyton sp. – Leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 100 cm 20 Lobophytum sp. – Lobed leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 50 cm Lobophytum sp. – Lobed leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 100 cm Sarcophyton sp. – Leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 50 cm Sarcophyton sp. – Leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 45 cm CNIDARIANS Soft Corals Sarcophyton sp. – Leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 50 cm Sarcophyton sp. – Leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 20 cm Sarcophyton sp. – Leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 80 cm Sarcophyton sp. – Leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 80 cm Sarcophyton sp. – Leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 80 cm Sarcophyton sp. – Leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 40 cm Sinularia ﬂexibilis – Flexible leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 60 cm Sinularia sp. – Finger leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 80 cm 21 CNIDARIANS 22 Soft Corals Sinularia sp. – Finger leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 40 cm Sinularia sp. – Finger leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 30 cm Sinularia sp. – Finger leather coral ALCYONIIDAE – 25 cm Briareum sp. – Green star polyps BRIAREIDAE – 100 cm Dendronephthya sp. – Tree coral NEPHTHEIDAE – 25 cm Dendronephthya sp. – Carnation coral NEPHTHEIDAE – 35 cm Dendronephthya sp. – Carnation coral NEPHTHEIDAE – 15 cm Dendronephthya sp. – Carnation coral NEPHTHEIDAE – 35 cm CNIDARIANS Soft Corals Dendronephthya sp. – Carnation coral NEPHTHEIDAE – 35 cm Dendronephthya sp. – Carnation coral NEPHTHEIDAE – 25 cm Dendronephthya sp. – Tree coral NEPHTHEIDAE – 25 cm Stereonephthea sp. NEPHTHEIDAE – 15 cm Dendronephthya sp. – Tree coral NEPHTHEIDAE – 20 cm 23 CNIDARIANS Soft Corals & Sea Whips Chironephthya sp. NIDALIIDAE – 15 cm Chironephthya sp. NIDALIIDAE – 25 cm Siphonogorgia sp. NIDALIIDAE – 50 cm Siphonogorgia sp. NIDALIIDAE – 45 cm Siphonogorgia sp. NIDALIIDAE – 70 cm Anthelia sp. XENIIDAE – 25 cm Sea Whips and Sea Fans Closely related to the so� corals, sea whips and fans come in a huge variety of colours and sizes. They are composed of colonies of polyps which secrete a ﬁrm, though delicate, skeleton to live upon. Tiny algae, known as zooaxanthellae, also live on some fans, providing the polyps with food and contributing to the fan’s colour. Sea fans tend to grow across the current, the polyps spreading their tentacles to catch food. 24 Junceela fragilis – Delicate sea whip ELLISELLIDAE – 100 cm CNIDARIANS Sea Whips & Sea Fans Ellisella sp. – Sea whip ELLISELLIDAE – 60 cm Ellisella sp. – Sea whip ELLISELLIDAE – 60 cm Alertigorgia orientalis – Bushy gorgonian fan ANTHOTHELIDAE – 45 cm Rumphella sp. – Gorgonian fan GORGONIIDAE – 60 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. MELITHAEIDAE – 35 cm Astrogorgia sp. PLEXAURIDAE – 10 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. PLEXAURIDAE – 40 cm 25 CNIDARIANS Unidentiﬁed sp. PLEXAURIDAE – 80 cm Sea Fans Annella mollis – Smooth sea fan SUBERGORGIIDAE – 130 cm Annella mollis – Smooth sea fan SUBERGORGIIDAE – 200 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. Octocoral – 50 cm 26 Unidentiﬁed sp. Octocoral - 70 cm CNIDARIANS Sea Fans & Sea Pens Unidentiﬁed sp. Octocoral - 30 cm Sea Pens Sea pens are specialised octocoral colonies that live on branches extending from a central stalk. Their tissue is reinforced with spicules. Some sea pens resemble quill pens, hence their general name. The colony pulls backs down into the sand as a defence mechanism. Some sea pens are bioluminescent, ﬂashing blue and green colours if disturbed at night. Pteroeides sp. – Sea pen PTEROEIDIDAE – 10 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. – Sea pen VIRGULARIIDAE – 15 cm Cavernularia sp. – Sea pen VERETILLIDAE – 20 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. – Sea pen VIRGULARIIDAE – 10 cm 27 CNIDARIANS Hard Corals Hard Corals These animals provide habitats, food, protection and shelter for many reef dwelling organisms. Corals come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be branched e.g. Tubastrea and Acropora species; boulder-like e.g. Favia species; tabular e.g. some Acropora species; and free living e.g. Fungia species. When a coral polyp a�aches itself to a surface it creates a hard cup known as a corallite. It then begins to divide with each new polyp in turn doing the same, increasing the size of the colony. Some coral reefs are thousands of years old. Unidentiﬁed juvenile coral (2 cm) Acropora cf. caroliniana ACROPORIDAE – 40 cm Acropora cf. elseyi – Christmas coral ACROPORIDAE – 50 cm Tiny algae known as zooxanthellae occur in a diversity of reef organisms, including so� corals. They also live in the tissues of most hard corals. The algae gain protection from grazers, and nutrients from the corals, while the corals obtain food in return, in the form of carbohydrates. This relationship is an example of symbiosis. Corals in a colony act as a team. They feed, generally at night, using their tentacles to capture food, and if threatened will retract them as one. Their bodies are connected, so they share their food. Some corals live alone on the seabed and can even move around with the use of their tentacles. Corals may be male, female or both. Corals can reproduce asexually or sexually. Asexual reproduction o�en occurs involuntarily where several parts of a fractured colony can form new colonies. Corals reproduce sexually once or twice a year, in mass spawning events. 28 Acropora grandis – Staghorn coral ACROPORIDAE – 35 cm Acropora intermedia – Staghorn coral ACROPORIDAE – 30 cm CNIDARIANS Hard Corals Acropora loripes ACROPORIDAE – 30 cm Acropora millepora – Bushy staghorn coral ACROPORIDAE – 35 cm Acropora millepora – Bushy staghorn coral ACROPORIDAE – 15 cm – juvenile Acropora muricata – Staghorn coral ACROPORIDAE – 50 cm Acropora tenuis – Purple-tipped acropora ACROPORIDAE – 50 cm Acropora valenciennesi – Branching coral ACROPORIDAE – 120 cm Acropora sp. – Bo�lebrush coral ACROPORIDAE – 70 cm Acropora sp. ACROPORIDAE – 25 cm 29 CNIDARIANS Hard Corals Acropora sp. – Table coral ACROPORIDAE – 130 cm Astreopora myriophthalma – Moon coral ACROPORIDAE – 50 cm Pachyseris speciosa – Phonograph coral AGARICIIDAE – 50 cm Pachyseris cf. speciosa – Phonograph coral AGARICIIDAE – 10 cm – juvenile Leptoseris explanata AGARICIIDAE – 65 cm 30 CNIDARIANS Hard Corals Unidentiﬁed sp. AGARICIIDAE – 50 cm Tubastrea faulkneri – Sun coral DENDROPHYLLIIDAE – 10 cm Tubastrea faulkneri – Sun coral DENDROPHYLLIIDAE – 10 cm Tubastrea micrantha – Black sun coral DENDROPHYLLIIDAE – 80 cm Tubastrea micrantha – Black sun coral DENDROPHYLLIIDAE – 10 cm 31 CNIDARIANS Turbinaria frondens – Cup coral DENDROPHYLLIIDAE – 70 cm Hard Corals Turbinaria reniformis – Scroll coral DENDROPHYLLIIDAE – 90 cm Euphyllia cristata – Whire grape coral EUPHYLLIDAE – 15 cm 32 Turbinaria sp. – Vase coral DENDROPHYLLIIDAE – 80 cm Physogyra lichtensteini – Pearl coral EUPHYLLIDAE – 15 cm Diploastrea heliopora FAVIIDAE – 25 cm Echinopora horrida FAVIIDAE – 60 cm CNIDARIANS Hard Corals Echinopora lamellosa FAVIIDAE – 50 cm Favia sp. – Moon coral FAVIIDAE – 35 cm Platygyra lamellina – Maze coral FAVIIDAE – 45 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. FAVIIDAE – 25 cm Ctenactis echinata FUNGIIDAE – 45 cm Fungia sp. FUNGIIDAE – 25 cm Fungia sp. FUNGIIDAE – 25 cm Fungia sp. FUNGIIDAE – 25 cm 33 CNIDARIANS 34 Hard Corals Heliofungia actiniformis FUNGIIDAE – 40 cm Herpolitha limax – Tongue coral FUNGIIDAE – 40 cm Herpolitha sp. – Mole coral FUNGIIDAE – 40 cm Polyphyllia talpina – Slipper coral FUNGIIDAE – 40 cm Merulina ampliata – Ruﬄed coral MERULINIDAE – 30 cm Lobophyllia hemprichii MUSSIDAE – 35 cm Lobophyllia hemprichii MUSSIDAE – 5 cm Scolymia sp. – Disc coral MUSSIDAE – 10 cm CNIDARIANS Hard Corals Symphyllia agaricia – Brain coral MUSSIDAE – 30 cm Symphyllia cf. recta – Brain coral MUSSIDAE – 40 cm Galaxea fascicularis – Crystal coral OCULINIDAE – 10 cm Pectinia paeonia – Palm le�uce coral PECTINIIDAE – 60 cm Pocillopora damicornis – Cauliﬂower coral POCILLOPORIDAE – 65 cm Pocillopora sp. POCILLOPORIDAE – 15 cm Seriatopora sp. – Brush coral POCILLOPORIDAE – 40 cm Stylophora pistillata – Cluster coral POCILLOPORIDAE – 40 cm 35 CNIDARIANS 36 Hard Corals Alveopora sp. – Daisy coral PORITIDAE – 5 cm Goniopora sp. – Daisy coral PORITIDAE – 15 cm Porites cylindrica – Cylinder coral PORITIDAE – 80 cm Porites sp. – Boulder coral PORITIDAE – 40 cm Porites sp. PORITIDAE – 60 cm Porites sp. PORITIDAE – 45 cm Porites sp. – Boulder coral PORITIDAE – 40 cm Trachyphyllia geoﬀroyi – Crater coral TRACHYPHYLLIIDAE – 30 cm CNIDARIANS Corallimorphs & Sea Anemones Corallimorphs Corallimorphs are, in basic terms, corals without a skeleton. They tend to be solitary animals and are o�en brightly coloured. Sea Anemones Sea anemones are solitary columnar polyps with lots of stinging tentacles which capture prey and push it towards the central mouth. Anemones have a foot at their base which can be used to anchor in sandy habitats or a�ach to hard substrates including shells of other animals. They also move using this foot. They come in a vast variety of shapes, sizes and colours. Sea anemones are quite common in shallow water environments. Tiny shrimp and crabs are o�en found among the tentacles of sea snemones. Larger shallow water species also play host to anemone ﬁsh. It is thought that these ﬁshes assist the anemones with house-keeping and chasing oﬀ predators, and in return receive the protection of the anemone’s tentacles. Unidentiﬁed corallimorph sp. 1 Order Corallimorphia – 6 cm Unidentiﬁed corallimorph sp. 2 DISCOSOMATIDAE – 20 cm Entacmea quadricolor – Bubble-tip anemone ACTINIIDAE – 15 cm Actinodendron arboreum – Abominate sea anemone ACTINODENDRIIDAE – 20 cm Actinodendron arboreum – Abominate sea anemone ACTINODENDRIIDAE – 5 cm close-up Edwardsianthus pudica EDWARDSIIDAE – 5 cm 37 CNIDARIANS Sea Anemones Heteractis magniﬁca – Magniﬁcent sea anemone STICHODACTYLIDAE – 80 cm 38 Heteractis aurora – Beaded sea anemone STICHODACTYLIDAE – 30 cm Heteractis sp. STICHODACTYLIDAE – 10 cm Stichodactyla giganteum – Gigantic sea anemone STICHODACTYLIDAE – 50 cm Stichodactyla mertensii – Merten’s carpet anemone STICHODACTYLIDAE – 40 cm CNIDARIANS Anemones, Cerianthids & Zoanthids Cryptodendrum adhaesivum – Pizza anemone THALASSIANTHIDAE – 20 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. Sea Anemone – 20 cm Cerianthids Cerianthids, or tube anemones, are found in an entirely diﬀerent order from sea anemones. They burrow, living in the sand in tubes. They can be up to several feet in length and retract into the tube when disturbed or threatened. This tube is composed of used nematocysts and sand. Zoanthids Zoanthids are mainly colonial, tube-like polyps growing from a tissue-like body which connects all the polyps. They tend to incorporate sediments into their tissues, giving the appearance of a hard coral. Cerianthus sp. – Tube anemone CERIANTHIDAE – 15 cm Black Corals The name of these organisms actually refers to the supporting skeleton which is covered by colourful, tentacled polyps and is black when the coral dies. Black corals are more closely related to hard corals, than so� corals, despite their whip and tree-like appearances. Palythoa caesia (= P. tuberculosa auc�.) ZOANTHIDAE – 15 cm Epizoanthus sp. – Branching zoanthid EPIZOANTHIDAE – 10 cm Palythoa caesia (= P. tuberculosa auc�.) ZOANTHIDAE – 15 cm 39 CNIDARIANS Black Corals Cirrhipathes cf. contorta – Corkscrew black coral ANTIPATHIDAE – 5 cm 40 Antipathes sp. 1 ANTIPATHIDAE – 5 cm Antipathes sp. 2 ANTIPATHIDAE – 5 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. ANTIPATHIDAE – 5 cm Myriopathes sp. MYRIOPATHIDAE – 5 cm FORAMS - CTENOPHORES - BRYOZOANS Forams The Foraminifera (or forams) are singlecelled organisms. Their exact taxonomic classiﬁcation is continuously under debate, though many place them within the kingdom Protista. They have a calcium carbonate shell which, when they die, contributes to the make-up of coral reefs and to sedimentary rock. Forams are abundant throughout our oceans and feed on microscopic organisms. Generally they are found either a�ached to hard corals, algae, or ﬂoat in the water column. Marginopora vertebralis (pictured) is common in the inshore areas of Bootless Bay. Marginopora vertebralis – Necklace foram SORITIDAE – 0.5 cm Ctenophores The ctenophores, or comb jellies, look like sea jellies, but belong to their own phylum (kingdom Animalia, phylum Ctenophora). They don’t possess stinging cells and are pushed through the water by eight rows of beating hairs, called cilia. Some ctenophores have two sticky tentacles, which capture prey. The pictured ctenophore is common in the coastal areas of Bootless Bay, and is cautiously identiﬁed as a Bolinopsis sp. Bolinopsis sp. – Ctenophore BOLINOPSIDAE – 2.5 cm Bryozoans Also known as sea mosses, bryozoans (kingdom Animalia, phylum Ectoprocta) are colonial animals, but each animal (zooid) is independent within the colony and is usually no bigger than about 1 mm. Colonies can be composed of a few or millions of individuals. Bryozoans can be mistaken for other organisms such as sponges, corals or algae. They have a mouth with tentacles, a digestive system and an anus. They are suspension feeders, consuming small food particles in the surrounding water. Within a colony, some animals take on speciﬁc roles. There are the specialist feeders, those that are equipped with bristles to clean, those with jaw-like structures to defend the colony, and those that provide structural support. Biﬂustra sp. – Bryozoan MEMBRANIPORIDAE – 10 cm Triphyllozoon sp. – Bryozoan PHIDOLOPORIDAE – 1.5 cm 41 WORMS Worms There are many types of marine worms, classiﬁed into a number of phyla within the kingdom Animalia. They include ﬂatworms (phylum Platyhelminthes, class Turbellaria) and segmented worms (phylum Annelida, class Polychaeta). Free living marine ﬂatworms are o�en confused with nudibranchs, as they share a taste for ﬂamboyant colours. There are, however, fundamental diﬀerences in their morphology. The most obvious to the naked eye is that ﬂatworms do not have the gill ﬁlaments that are commonly seen on the rear of nudibranchs. Flatworms actually rely on a process of diﬀusion for respiration. Their ﬂat shape is necessary as all of their cells have to be close to the outside. They are normally found crawling along the seabed or other surfaces, using a covering of tiny ultrathin hairs called cilia. The ﬂatworm produces mucus to assist this movement. They can also swim by moving the sides of their thin bodies in waves. Flatworms are mainly carnivorous, feeding on so� corals and other invertebrates, as well as dead organic ma�er. They have a branching gut, but no other body cavity and do not have an anus or a circulatory system. Flatworms eat and defecate through the same body opening. Flatworms are hermaphrodites, but normally they reproduce in pairs, fertilised eggs being deposited as egg masses. There are about 130 species thought to occur in PNG. Prostheceraeus sp. EURYLEPTIDAE – 2 cm 42 Flatworms Segmented worms, or Polychaetes, include tube worms and bristleworms. Generally they are diﬃcult to see except for the brightly coloured tentacular crowns of Christmas tree worms that dwell in calcareous tubes (family Serpulidae) and those dwelling in sediment tubes (family Sabellidae). As the general name suggests, these worms have a body divided into segments, each segment bearing appendages, known as parapodia, which have bristles that are used for movement, sensory perception and defence. Polychaetes display a variety of feeding mechanisms from ingesting the organic particles found in sediment, to the use of jaws to catch prey. Serpulid and sabellid polychaete worms spread their tentacular crown outwards from their tubes, catching detrital particles suspended in the water. These tentacular crowns are also used for respiration. It is diﬃcult to see the body inside the tube that is o�en embedded in the reef. Most serpulids also have an operculum, or plug, which they use for sealing the entrance when the worm withdraws into its tube. The tentacular crown can vary in colour, even within the same species, as you can see from the Sabellastarte sp. photographs included in this section. Some polychaetes release eggs and sperm into the water column; others mate and lay their eggs. The fertilised eggs usually develop into swimming larvae which once se�led onto the bo�om, become juveniles. Acanthozoon sp. PSEUDOCEROTIDAE – 4 cm WORMS Flatworms & Polychaetes Pseudobiceros bedfordi – Bedford’s ﬂatworm PSEUDOCEROTIDAE – 6 cm Pseudobiceros gratus – Favoured ﬂatworm* PSEUDOCEROTIDAE – 5 cm Pseudoceros bifurcus – Racing stripe ﬂatworm* PSEUDOCEROTIDAE – 3 cm Pseudoceros dimidiatus – Dimidiate ﬂatworm PSEUDOCEROTIDAE – 7 cm Pseudoceros sapphirinus – Sapphire ﬂatworm PSEUDOCEROTIDAE – 4 cm Asterophilia carlae – Seastar worm* POLYNOIDAE – 2 cm Megalomma sp. SABELLIDAE Sabellastarte sp. – Fan worm SABELLIDAE 43 WORMS 44 Flatworms & Polychaetes Sabellastarte sp. – Fan worm SABELLIDAE Sabellastarte sp. – Fan worm SABELLIDAE Sabellastarte sp. – Fan worm SABELLIDAE Unidentiﬁed sp. 1 SABELLIDAE Unidentiﬁed sp. 2 SABELLIDAE Serpula cf. vasifera SERPULIDAE – 1 cm Spirobranchus cf. gaymardi – Christmas tree worm SERPULIDAE – 3 cm Spirobranchus sp. – Christmas tree worm SERPULIDAE – 3 cm MOLLUSCS Molluscs Molluscs (kingdom Animalia, phylum Mollusca) comprise four main groups with a total of over 100,000 species, approximately three quarters of which are found in the marine environment. There are the univalves (class Gastropoda), the bivalves (class Bivalvia), the chitons (class Polyplacophora) and the cephalopods (class Cephalopoda). The molluscs display exceptional diversity from microscopic gastropods to giant squid, and also include the colourful nudibranchs. Kunie’s chromodoris – Chromodoris kuniei So what links all these creatures, including the cowries and the octopuses? They are so�bodied animals with no bones. They all have a muscular foot. Octopuses and squid are able to move by jet propulsion, the tentacles also being used for moving over surfaces. The tentacles have actually developed from the foot. Most molluscs have external shells which they produce, but some have internal shells or have lost them through the processes of evolution and adaptation. Those that have lost the shell have developed other defence mechanisms including nudibranchs using their prey’s defences and cephalopods producing ink. Chitons Chitons There are over 500 species of chitons. Their ﬂa�ened bodies are covered with eight overlapping plates of shell. They are generally found in shallow, intertidal areas. The foot is used to tightly a�ach itself to a rock and it becomes very diﬃcult to remove. They graze on algae and are very slow moving. Univalves The two main types of gastropod are snails with shells, known as univalves, and those without, known as nudibranchs. Shells are composed of calcium carbonate produced by the snail. The snail is covered in a thin membrane called a mantle, which it uses along with minerals obtained from food and water to build the shell. It gets bigger as the animal grows and houses the so� body parts. Gastropods move by use of the large foot, producing mucous to help. The foot is pulled back into the shell when disturbed, and in some snails there is also an operculum, a kind of cap, which ﬁts tightly into the shell opening. Most snails have a radula, a ﬁlelike tongue with rows of tiny teeth, which is used to scrape algae from surfaces. The radula sometimes takes the form of a barbed harpoon as used by cone shells to inject a powerful toxin into its prey and can be very dangerous to humans. Others, such as murex shells, use it to drill holes in shells to get at prey. Gastropods normally mate in pairs, transferring and receiving sperm. Fertilised eggs are then deposited in a bound mass. Acanthopleura gemmata – Gemmulate chiton CHITONIDAE – 6 cm 45 MOLLUSCS 46 Abalone & Univalves Haliotis ovina – Ovate abalone HALIOTIDAE – 7 cm Phos senticosus – Common Paciﬁc phos BUCCINIDAE – 4 cm Pseudovertagus aluco – Aluco creeper CERITHIIDAE – 2 cm Euplica turturina – Crouching dove snail COLUMBELLIDAE – 1.5 cm Conus eburneus – Spo�ed cone snail CONIDAE – 6 cm Conus marmoreus – Marbled cone snail CONIDAE – 8 cm Conus virgo – Virgin cone snail CONIDAE – 10 cm Vexillium caveum – Ribbed mitre snail COSTELLARIIDAE – 2.5 cm MOLLUSCS Univalves Vexillium exasperatum – Exasperating mitre snail COSTELLARIIDAE – 2 cm Vexillum luculentum – Banded mitre snail COSTELLARIIDAE – 1 cm Cypraea annulus – Gold-ringed money cowry CYPRAEIDAE – 2.5 cm Cypraea arabica – Arabian cowry CYPRAEIDAE – 4 cm Cypraea arabica – Arabian cowry CYPRAEIDAE – 3.5 cm – juvenile Cypraea argus – Eyed cowry CYPRAEIDAE – 4 cm Cypraea carneola – Carnelian cowry CYPRAEIDAE – 2.5 cm Cypraea carneola – Carnelian cowry CYPRAEIDAE – 2.5 cm 47 MOLLUSCS 48 Univalves Cypraea humphreysii – Humphrey’s cowry CYPRAEIDAE – 4 cm Cypraea humphreysii – Humphrey’s cowry CYPRAEIDAE – 3.5 cm Cypraea moneta – Money cowry CYPRAEIDAE – 1 cm Cypraea tigris – Tiger cowry CYPRAEIDAE – 8 cm Cypraea erosa – Eroded cowry CYPRAEIDAE – 3 cm Harpa harpa – Articulate harp HARPIDAE – 9 cm Li�oraria articulata – Tessellated periwinkle LITTORINIDAE – 2.5 cm Mitra mitra – Giant mitra MITRIDAE – 6 cm MOLLUSCS Univalves Subcancilla ﬂammea – Flamed mitre snail MITRIDAE – 4 cm Chicoreus microphyllus – Short-fronded murex snail MURICIDAE – 6 cm Mancinella echinata – White rock snail MURICIDAE – 2.5 cm Morula granulata – Oyster borer MURICIDAE – 3.5 cm Thais tuberosa – Tuber-like rock shell MURICIDAE – 3.5 cm – dorsal Thais tuberosa – Tuber-like rock shell MURICIDAE – 3.5 cm – ventral Nassarius arcularia – Box-like dog whelk NASSARIIDAE – 3.5 cm Naticarius onca – Spo�ed moon snail NATICIDAE – 2.5 cm 49 MOLLUSCS 50 Univalves Naticarius orientalis – Oriental moon snail NATICIDAE – 3 cm Sinum sp. – Internal-shelled moon snail NATICIDAE – 9 cm Tanea undulata – Wavy moon snail NATICIDAE – 2 cm Lunella cinerea – Smooth moon turban snail TURBINIDAE – 2.5 cm Nerita chamaeleon – Variable nerite NERITIDAE – 2 cm Nerita polita – Polished nerita NERITIDAE – 2 cm Oliva miniacea – Orange-mouthed olive snail OLIVIDAE – 6 cm Oliva reticulata – Reticulate olive snail OLIVIDAE – 4 cm MOLLUSCS Univalves Cymbovula deﬂexa – Canoe spindle cowry OVULIDAE – 1.5 cm Phenacovolva coarctata – Compressed spindle cowry OVULIDAE – 2 cm Phenacovolva tokioi – Tokio’s spindle cowry OVULIDAE – 6 cm Phenacovolva sp. – Spindle cowry OVULIDAE – 6 cm Prionovolva sp. – So� coral egg cowry OVULIDAE – 1 cm Prosimnia sp. – Gorgonian cowry OVULIDAE – 1.5 cm Pseudosimnia culmen – Gold spo�ed egg cowry OVULIDAE – 1 cm Pseudosimnia culmen – Gold spo�ed egg cowry OVULIDAE – 1 cm 51 MOLLUSCS 52 Univalves Pseudosimnia sp. – Egg cowry OVULIDAE – 0.5 cm Planaxis sulcatus – Sulcate periwinkle PLANAXIDAE – 3 cm Charonia tritonis – Triton’s trumpet shell RANELLIDAE – 25 cm Conomurex luhanus – Red-mouthed stromb STROMBIDAE – 6 cm Conomurex luhanus – Red-mouthed stromb STROMBIDAE – 6 cm Lambis lambis – Common spider snail STROMBIDAE – 12 cm Lambis scorpius – Scorpion spider snail STROMBIDAE – 11 cm Strombus aratrum – Black mouthed stromb STROMBIDAE – 4 cm MOLLUSCS Univalves Strombus gibberulus gibbosus – Hump-back conch STROMBIDAE – 4 cm Strombus gibbosus – Hump-back conch STROMBIDAE – 5 cm Strombus vomer – Vomer stromb STROMBIDAE – 8 cm Hastula albula – White auger snail TEREBRIDAE – 4 cm Terebra areolata – Subulate auger TEREBRIDAE – 9 cm Terebra cingulifera – Girdled auger snail TEREBRIDAE – 5 cm Terebra crenulata – Crinkled auger snail TEREBRIDAE – 6 cm Terebra dimidiata – Dimidiate auger snail TEREBRIDAE – 7 cm 53 MOLLUSCS Terebra subulata – Spo�ed auger snail TEREBRIDAE – 8 cm Univalves & Nudibranchs Terebra undulata – Wavy auger snail TEREBRIDAE – 5 cm Nudibranchs Nudibranchs, the name meaning naked-gills, and sea hares are gastropods, but they lack the characteristic external shell of other members of this group. Instead of the shell, they make a cocktail of toxins which are used in defence. Some even recycle the defence mechanisms of their prey, such as stinging cells. Their prey is varied and includes anemones, corals, hydroids, sponges and ascidians. Kentrodoris rubescens laying eggs Nudibranch colourations oﬀer camouﬂage and act as a visual warning to would-be predators of their terrible taste and poisonous potential. Nudibranchs have respiratory organs on their back in the form of featherlike gills or appendages. The head is normally identiﬁed by the existence of a pair of antennae like organs, known as rhinophores. Nudibranchs are quite small, ranging from a few millimetres to a few centimetres, but the sea hares can reach sizes of up to 50 cm. 54 Hexabranchus sanguineus – Spanish dancer* HEXABRANCHIDAE – 12 cm Nembrotha lineolata – Lined nembrotha* POLYCERIDAE – 7 cm Notodoris minor – Minor notodoris AEGIRIDAE – 8 cm MOLLUSCS Nudibranchs Discodoris fragilis – Fragile nudibranch DISCODORIDIDAE – 5 cm Halgerda aurantiomaculata – Gold spo�ed halgerda* DISCODORIDIDAE – 7 cm Jorunna funebris – Funeral jorunna DISCODORIDIDAE – 8 cm Kentrodoris rubescens – Reddish nudibranch DISCODORIDIDAE – 11 cm Ceratosoma sinuatum – Sinuate ceratosoma CHROMODORIDIDAE – 5 cm Ceratosoma trilobatum – Three horned ceratosoma* CHROMODORIDIDAE – 8 cm Ceratosoma sinuatum – Sinuate ceratosoma CHROMODORIDIDAE – 4 cm 55 MOLLUSCS Nudibranchs Chromodoris annae – Anna’s chromodoris CHROMODORIDIDAE – 2 cm Chromodoris ﬁdelis – Faithful chromodoris* CHROMODORIDIDAE – 3 cm Chromodoris geometrica – Geometric chromodoris* CHROMODORIDIDAE – 3 cm Chromodoris kuniei – Kunie’s chromodoris CHROMODORIDIDAE – 4 cm Chromodoris lochi – Loch’s chromodoris CHROMODORIDIDAE – 3 cm Chromodoris magniﬁca – Magniﬁcent chromodoris CHROMODORIDIDAE – 5 cm 56 Chromodoris magniﬁca – Magniﬁcent chromodoris CHROMODORIDIDAE – 1 cm – juvenile MOLLUSCS Nudibranchs Chromodoris strigata – Strigate chromodoris* CHROMODORIDIDAE – 3 cm Glossodoris atromarginata – Black-margined glossodoris* Hypselodoris bullockii – Bullock’s hypselodoris* CHROMODORIDIDAE – 6 cm Hypselodoris maculosa – Spo�ed hypselodoris CHROMODORIDIDAE – 2 cm Hypselodoris nigrostriata – Black-striped hypselodoris Hypselodoris infucata – Inky hypselodoris CHROMODORIDIDAE – 2 cm CHROMODORIDIDAE – 3 cm Mexichromis multituberculata – Pustuled mexichromis CHROMODORIDIDAE – 2 cm CHROMODORIDIDAE – 4 cm Risbecia godeﬀroyana – Godeﬀroy’s nudibranch CHROMODORIDIDAE – 4 cm 57 MOLLUSCS 58 Nudibranchs Risbecia tryoni – Tryon’s nudibranch CHROMODORIDIDAE – 4 cm Bornella anguilla – Eel-like Bornella BORNELLIDAE – 4 cm Phidiana indica – Indian phidiana FACELINIDAE – 2 cm Phyllodesmium longicirrum – Long cirri phyllodesmium Pteraeolidia ianthina – Blue dragon FACELINIDAE – 3 cm Flabellina bilas – Spear-point ﬂabellina FLABELLINIDAE – 2.5 cm Flabellina exoptata – White-tipped ﬂabellina* FLABELLINIDAE – 2 cm Flabellina rubrolineata – Red-lined ﬂabellina* FLABELLINIDAE – 2.5 cm FACELINIDAE – 14 cm MOLLUSCS Nudibranchs Phyllidia coelestis – Celestial phyllidia PHYLLIDIIDAE – 5 cm Phyllidia elegans – Elegant phyllidia PHYLLIDIIDAE – 4 cm Phyllidia ocellata – Ocellate phyllidia PHYLLIDIIDAE – 5 cm Phyllidia varicosa – Varicose phyllidia PHYLLIDIIDAE – 5 cm Phylidiella lizae – Liz’s phyllidiella PHYLLIDIIDAE – 3 cm Phyllidiella nigra – Black phyllidiella PHYLLIDIIDAE – 4 cm Phyllidiella pustulosa – Warty phyllidiella PHYLLIDIIDAE – 4 cm Phyllidiella rudmani – Rudman’s phyllidiella PHYLLIDIIDAE – 4 cm 59 MOLLUSCS 60 Nudibranchs, Sea Hares & Slugs Phyllidiopsis pipeki – Pipek’s phyllidiopsis PHYLLIDIIDAE – 3 cm Phyllidiopsis shireenae – Shireen’s phyllidiopsis PHYLLIDIIDAE – 7 cm Reticulidia fungia – Mushroom coral phyllidia PHYLLIDIIDAE – 4 cm Reticulidia halgerda – Halgerda-like phyllidia PHYLLIDIIDAE – 6 cm Aplysia occulifera – Eyed sea hare APLYSIIDAE – 3 cm Dolabella auricularia – Eared sea hare APLYSIIDAE – 11 cm Chelidonura electra – Electric tailed slug AGLAJIDAE – 5 cm Chelidonura inornata – Ornate tailed slug AGLAJIDAE – 4 cm MOLLUSCS Slugs Micromelo undata – Wavy lined bubble shell* APLUSTRIDAE – 4 cm Thuridilla bayeri – Bayer’s sap-sucker PLAKOBRANCHIDAE – 2 cm Thuridilla splendens – Splendid sap-sucker PLAKOBRANCHIDAE – 2 cm Cyerce nigricans – Black and gold cyerce POLYBRANCHIDAE – 2 cm Berthella martensi – Martens’ berthella PLEUROBRANCHIDAE – 4 cm Pleurobranchus forskalii – Forskal’s side-gilled slug PLEUROBRANCHIDAE – 12 cm Mangrove Slugs These animals are shell-less molluscs that are found throughout the Indo-Paciﬁc region in the intertidal zone, around mangroves, rubble and on sand/mud ﬂats. They range in size from 10-70 mm long and are usually oval in shape with a hard leathery mantle which ranges from smooth in some species to warty in others. They are o�en found in large numbers. Onchidium sp. – Mangrove slug ONCHIDIIDAE – 1.5 cm 61 MOLLUSCS Bivalves Bivalves Bivalves are molluscs that have two hinged valves, which are held shut by two muscles on the inside of the shell. Bivalves can be found a�ached to hard surfaces or in the sand. The muscular foot is much reduced in the former and is adapted for burrowing in the la�er. Bivalves are unique among the molluscs for lacking a radula; they feed by siphoning and ﬁltering large particles from water. Gills are used to extract oxygen from the surrounding seawater. These gills also ﬁlter the water for plankton, passing this food to the mouth with the use of beating cilia. Barbatia foliata – Leafy ark clam ARCIDAE – 4 cm Some bivalves, such as the giant clams, also entertain a symbiotic relationship with tiny algae, which are mostly found in the colourful mantle. These algae require light for photosynthesis, so giant clams are generally found in shallow waters. Chama sp. – Jewel-box clam CHAMIDAE – 4 cm 62 Hyotissa hyotis – Giant coxcomb oyster GRYPHAEIDAE – 8 cm Lopha cristagalli – Cock’s comb oyster OSTREIDAE – 5 cm Saccostrea mordax – Rock oyster OSTREIDAE – 5 cm Pedum spondyloideum – Coral scallop PECTINIDAE – 5 cm MOLLUSCS Atrina vexillum – Black razor clam PINNIDAE – 16 cm Bivalves Pinna muricata – Razor clam PINNIDAE – 11 cm Spondylus sinensis – Asian thorny oyster SPONDYLIDAE – 5 cm Pteria cypsellus – Winged oyster PTERIIDAE – 5 cm Spondylus sp. – Thorny oyster SPONDYLIDAE – 12 cm Tridacna crocea – Crocus giant clam TRIDACNIDAE – 6 cm Tridacna maxima – Elongate giant clam TRIDACNIDAE – 8 cm 63 MOLLUSCS Tridacna squamosa – Fluted giant clam TRIDACNIDAE – 40 cm Tridacna squamosa – Fluted giant clam TRIDACNIDAE – 40 cm Tridacna squamosa – Fluted giant clam TRIDACNIDAE – 30 cm Tridacna sp. – Giant clam TRIDACNIDAE – 24 cm Cephalopods Cephalopod translates as ‘head and foot’, and this group consists of octopuses, squids, cu�leﬁshes and nautiluses. Nautiluses are the only member in this group with a shell. Cephalopods are fast moving, and always have tentacles rather than a foot, eight for octopuses or ten for cu�leﬁsh and squid, though in the nautiluses this number can get much higher. Octopuses tend to prefer the benthic environment, moving about by crawling, though they do use jet propulsion when escaping predators. Squids and cu�leﬁsh are also capable of jet propulsion, but tend to swim leisurely by rhythmically undulating the skin along the side of their bodies. When hunting, the streamlined structure of squid comes in quite handy for quick a�acks. Squid, cu�leﬁsh and octopuses also have a body sac that contains a pigment or ink which, when threatened, is released in a cloud to shield the animal’s getaway. Cephalopods can change 64 Bivalves & Cephalopods colour which is useful for camouﬂage from predators, expressions of alarm and intent, and in sexual behaviour. The males display courtship behaviour, consisting of tentacular movements and colour displays. The animals then embrace using their tentacles, and the male transfers a packet of sperm, called a spermatophore, into the female’s mantle cavity, using a special modiﬁed arm. The female then lays her eggs, fertilising them with the sperm. Cu�leﬁsh – Sepia sp. MOLLUSCS Cephalopods Sepioteuthis lessoniana – Common reef squid LOLIGINIDAE – 8 cm Octopus sp. – Octopus OCTOPODIDAE – 20 cm Sepia latimanus – Broadclub cu�leﬁsh SEPIIDAE – 15 cm Sepia sp. – Cu�leﬁsh SEPIIDAE – 25 cm Metasepia pfeﬀeri – Flamboyant Cu�leﬁsh* SEPIIDAE – 9 cm 65 CRUSTACEANS Barnacles & Stomatopods Crustaceans Crustaceans belong to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Arthropoda along with spiders, centipedes and insects. This is the largest phylum of known animal species on the Earth. The crustaceans comprise about 5% of this group and include barnacles, stomatopods, prawns, shrimps, lobsters and crabs. Isopods, copepods, amphipods and other small microscopic animals are also crustaceans but are not covered in this guide. Lepas anserifera – Goose barnacle LEPADIDAE – 4 cm Crustaceans have an exoskeleton, an external skeleton which protects a so� segmented body. They shed the exoskeleton periodically in order to allow the animal to grow. While waiting for the new exoskeleton to harden they are vulerable and tend to hide away. Barnacles Barnacles (class Maxillopoda) are ﬁlter feeding crustaceans that obtain food from the passing water. Generally, they live a�ached to rocks and other hard surfaces, even whales. Tetraclita squamosa – Common barnacle TETRACLITIDAE – 3 cm Being generally immobile, sex is a challenge. The barnacle, however, can extend its penis up to 30 times its body size to copulate with a neighbour. Stomatopods The stomatopods, or mantis shrimps, are colourful crustaceans with large compound eyes (class Malacostraca). They have an aggressive reputation. Stomatopods possess large feeding and ﬁghting appendages and are known as either smashers or spearers. The appendages of smashers are likened to hammers, while those of spearers are lined with spines. The spearers can impale their victims with an astoundingly quick thrust of their spear. Smashers either surprise or corner their prey, bludgeoning it with the hammerlike appendage. These animals are also known for their territorial disputes and aggressive sexual relations. 66 Odontodactylus scyllarus – Peacock mantis shrimp ODONTODACTYLIDAE – 15 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. – Mantis shrimp Order Stomatopoda – 5 cm CRUSTACEANS Decapods Decapods (class Malacostraca) have bodies consisting of a head, a thorax containing the stomach, and an abdomen, which is the tail. The thorax has ten large jointed appendages, from which the group gets it name. Decapods may feed on plankton, algae, molluscs, ﬁsh and other crustaceans. They include the largest crustaceans, and nearly all those of commercial importance. Decapods are either male or female, except for some shrimp species which change from male to female as they grow. The female receives sperm from the male and the eggs are fertilised. Penaeid shrimps, also known as prawns, shed the eggs to develop ﬂoating in the water, but in all other decapods, eggs are carried under the female abdomen until they hatch. They hatch as swimming larvae and go through a series of developmental stages before they se�le and develop into adults. There is a wide variety of decapods found in our seas. Ghost shrimps are decapods that live in complex networks of burrows, in most sediments. Conical mounds of sediment can indicate the presence of a ghost shrimp. They rarely venture forth, except at night. Penaeid Shrimps to clamber over a diver’s face, in search of business. Look closely at some anemones, sea urchins, sea whips and corals and you will come across some tiny, almost transparent shrimp. Shrimp have pincers that are used to capture prey, burrow, a�ract a mate and defend itself. Spiny lobsters are normally found in crevices and reefs. They eat other small crustaceans and invertebrates, feeding mainly at night. They are prized, edible delicacies throughout the world. Hermit crabs are not true crabs and are more closely related to squat lobsters and porcelain crabs. Hermit crabs live in vacant gastropod shells. Squat lobsters are tiny decapods, some of which can be found living on other animals such as feather stars. Porcelain crabs may also be found living on anemones, sea cucumbers and corals. These groups are collectively known as anomurans, and have also been referred to as false crabs. On reefs and wrecks you can ﬁnd cleaner shrimps that oﬀer their services to ﬁshes. They remove parasites and feed on the ﬁsh’s mucous coating. They have even been known True crabs come in many diﬀerent varieties, but as a group their abdomen is folded under the body and their antennae are small. They have well developed pincers and a ﬂa�ened body. There are swimming crabs whose last pair of limbs is modiﬁed into swimming paddles. There are crabs that clamber over the seabed searching for food, or those who forage in the intertidal zone. There are also mud dwelling ﬁddler crabs. Penaeus japonicus – Kuruma prawn PENAEIDAE – 6 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. PENAEIDAE – 7 cm 67 CRUSTACEANS 68 Ghost Shrimps & Shrimp Neocallichirus sp. – Ghost shrimp CALLIANASSIDAE – 11 cm Alpheus ochrostriatus – Snapping shrimp ALPHEIDAE – 4 cm Synalpheus sp. – Snapping shrimp ALPHEIDAE – 1.5 cm Lysmata amboinensis – White banded cleaner shrimp Thor amboinensis – Squat anemone shrimp HIPPOLYTIDAE – 2 cm Hymenocera picta – Harlequin shrimp HYMENOCERIDAE – 4 cm Dasycaris zanzibarica – Bumblebee shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 1.5 cm Dasycaris zanzibarica – Bumblebee shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 1.5 cm HIPPOLYTIDAE – 5 cm CRUSTACEANS Shrimp Laomenes sp. – Crinoid shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 2.5 cm Manipontonia psamathe – Commensal shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 2 cm Periclimenes amboinensis – Crinoid shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 2.5 cm Periclimenes brevicarpalis – Snow-capped shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 3 cm – male Periclimenes brevicarpalis – Snow-capped shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 3.5 cm – female Periclimenes holthuisi – Holthuis’s shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 2.5 cm Periclimenes holthuisi – Holthuis’s shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 2.5 cm Periclimenes imperator – Imperial shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 2 cm 69 CRUSTACEANS 70 Shrimp Periclimenes inornatus – Mirror shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 1.5 cm Periclimenes magniﬁcus – Magniﬁcent shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 2 cm Periclimenes soror – Sea star shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 1 cm Periclimenes soror – Sea star shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 1 cm Periclimenes tosaensis – Red-eyed shrimp* PALAEMONIDAE – 3 cm Periclimenes tenuipes – Glass shrimp PALAEMONIDAE – 3 cm Periclimenes sp. 1 PALAEMONIDAE – 2 cm Periclimenes sp. 2 PALAEMONIDAE – 2 cm CRUSTACEANS Shrimp, Lobsters & Anomurans Stegopontonia commensalis – Sea urchin shrimp* PALAEMONIDAE – 3 cm Vir philippinensis – Philippine shrimp* PALAEMONIDAE – 1.5 cm Rhynchocinetes durbanensis – Durban shrimp RHYNCHOCINETIDAE – 4 cm Stenopus hispidus – Banded coral shrimp STENOPODIDAE – 4 cm Panulirus ornatus – Ornate spiny lobster* PALINURIDAE – 50 cm (Max) Panulirus versicolor – Painted lobster PALINURIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Calcinus minutus – Minute hermit crab DIOGENIDAE – 2 cm Clibanarius sp. – Green hermit crab DIOGENIDAE – 4 cm 71 CRUSTACEANS 72 Anomurans Dardanus lagopodes – Red hairy hermit crab DIOGENIDAE – 9 cm Dardanus megistos – White spo�ed hermit crab* DIOGENIDAE – 10 cm Dardanus pedunculatus – Anemone hermit crab DIOGENIDAE – 3 cm Dardanus sp. – Hermit crab DIOGENIDAE – 10 cm Diogenes sp. – Hermit crab DIOGENIDAE – 2 cm Allogalathea elegans – Elegant squat lobster GALATHEIDAE – 1.5 cm Galathea sp. – Squat lobster GALATHEIDAE – 1.5 cm Neopetrolisthes oshimai – Oshima’s porcellanid crab PORCELLANIDAE – 2 cm CRUSTACEANS True Crabs Calappa hepatica – Livid box crab CALAPPIDAE – 5 cm Calappa sp. 1 – Box crab CALAPPIDAE – 7 cm Calappa sp. 2 – Box crab CALAPPIDAE – 9 cm Achaeus sp. – Delicate decorator crab MAJIDAE – 7 cm Hoplophrys oatesii – Oate’s so� coral crab MAJIDAE – 1.5 cm Hyastenus sp. – Decorator crab MAJIDAE – 3 cm Oncinopus sp. – Orangutan crab* MAJIDAE – 3 cm Xenocarcinus tuberculatus – Black coral crab* MAJIDAE – 1.5 cm 73 CRUSTACEANS 74 True Crabs Ashtoret lunaris – Speckled surf crab MATUTIDAE – 5 cm Uca perplexa – Fiddler crab OCYPODIDAE – 1.5 cm Uca sp. – Fiddler crab OCYPODIDAE – 1.5 cm Lissocarcinus laevis – Sea anemone crab* PORTUNIDAE – 3 cm Lissocarcinus polyboides – Sea star crab PORTUNIDAE – 3 cm Portunus pelagicus – Blue swimmer crab PORTUNIDAE – 11 cm Quadrella boopsis – Red trapeze crab TRAPEXIIDAE – 2 cm Actaeodes tomentosus – Velvet reef crab XANTHIDAE – 3 cm ECHINODERMS Echinoderms The echinoderms (kingdom Animalia, phylum Echinodermata), whose name translates as ‘spiny skins’, are common throughout our seas and oceans. They are generally composed of ﬁve sections. Each section is identical to the other. Internally, they possess a skeleton which consists of calcium carbonate structures. arm section of the animal has the same set of internal organs. Along each arm, on the oral surface, are a multitude of tube feet with strong suction power. Sea stars feed on algae, molluscs, worms and other invertebrates. They eject their stomachs through their mouths and actually digest their meal externally. If you li� a sea star, you may see it quickly retract its stomach. The stomach acts by dissolving the prey, the nutrients being absorbed through the stomach wall. Some sea stars even have the strength to pry open molluscs before digesting them. Perhaps the most voracious of sea stars, is the crown-ofthorns starﬁsh, Acanthaster planci, which feeds on coral polyps. Sometimes these starﬁsh increase considerably in number and can be responsible for wide-spread destruction of coral reefs. Protoreaster nodosus in seagrass bed Echinoderms operate a unique water vascular system, comprising internal canals that supply tube feet with body ﬂuid. As a result, echinoderms can expand or contract the tube feet. This helps echinoderms move, feed or remain rooted to one spot if they so desire. Generally, echinoderms have separate sexes, with eggs and sperm released into the water column. Once fertilised, they develop as various larval states before se�ling and growing. Some echinoderms brood their eggs. Echinoderms are also capable of regeneration. There are ﬁve main classes represented in this guide: sea stars (class Asteroidea), feather stars (class Crinoidea), sea urchins (class Echinoidea), bri�le stars (class Ophiuroidea) and sea cucumbers (class Holothuroidea). Sea Stars Easily recognised, sea stars have ﬁve or more arms emanating from a central disc. Underneath this disc, on the oral, or bo�om, surface, is the sea star’s mouth. The anus is on the aboral, or top, surface. Each identical Archaster typicus burying into sand Bri�le Stars Bri�le stars are quite fragile nocturnal feeders, with ﬁve arms radiating from a central disc. They move and swim using these arms. Their tube feet play an important role in feeding. Their diet consists mainly of detritus and even small organisms, which are captured and passed to the mouth by the tube feet. Some bri�le stars are armed with spines which can cause discomfort if touched. When under a�ack, they can detach an arm and quickly make their getaway. 75 ECHINODERMS Feather Stars Feather stars have many colourful arms which occur in multiples of ﬁve up to hundreds. These organisms are ﬁlter feeders, using their arms to capture food from the water, mainly at night. The anus and mouth of a feather star face upwards. Feather stars are normally a�ached to the reef or other hard surfaces, by means of claw-like arms known as cirri, which may also be used in movement. They can also swim short distances through ﬂapping of their arms. The arms of feather stars provide a haven for many small animals, such as bri�le stars, crabs, ﬁsh and shrimp. Feather stars can be quite diﬃcult to identify to species and even genus level, as they exhibit extreme morphological and colour variations within species. The striking colours of Astropyga radiata In some species, the cloaca is very visible. This is a bright coloured sac, which collects waste products. The sac is expelled when full. A feather star’s central oral disk Sea Urchins A regular sea urchin’s body is covered by a round test consisting of 5 plates. This is covered in tube feet and spines of varying sizes. The tube feet are used in locomotion and feeding. The mouth, positioned on the underside, has jaws with teeth used to scrape algae and other encrusting organisms oﬀ hard surfaces. The feeding structure is o�en referred to as “Aristotle’s Lantern” in recognition of the Greek philosopher’s ﬁrst description of its form. The food is chewed, digested and passed out through the anus, which is located in the centre of the upper surface. 76 Echinothrix calamaris showing the cloaca In amongst the tube feet and spines, some sea urchins also have pedicellariae, which are small jaws on stalks used to fend oﬀ parasites and other unwelcome visitors. Some urchins have long spines, with mild toxins, which can be painful to humans upon contact. It is the ECHINODERMS ﬂower urchins with their short spines that are more venomous to humans. Sand dollars are ﬂa�ened urchins with few spines. They tend to bury themselves and feed on dead animal and plant material as it se�les on top of them. The tube feet transport this material to the mouth. Sea Cucumbers Sea cucumbers do not resemble other echinoderm groups at all. Their body is composed of ﬁve sections and they possess tube feet which assist in movement. Sea cucumbers generally si� through the upper layer of the seaﬂoor: taking in sediment; absorbing the nutrients from organic material; and expelling the waste through the anus. Some species have tentacles which sweep sand into their mouths. These animals tend to be tubular in shape with thick skin and are known collectively as ‘Aspidochirotes’. Many of these species are being harvested at high levels to satisfy Asian markets for trepang. Trepang is the dried body wall of the sea cucumber thought to have many therapeutic properties when consumed. There is global concern at the state of sea cucumber ﬁsheries. Some aspidochirotes will expel a sticky mess of cuvierian tubules to immobilise a predator, though this is only a minor inconvenience to ﬁshers. Pearsonothuria graeﬀei is common on reefs Another group, the ‘Dendrochirotes’, have sticky tentacles which ﬁlter the water to capture organisms. Synapta maculata foraging through seagrass The third and ﬁnal group is the ‘Apodus’ sea cucumbers, which can range from a few centimetres to metres in length. They have thin skins and long feeding tentacles. Sea cucumbers have some interesting features and associations. Firstly, they breathe through their anus. When the anus is not passing sand, it takes in water which is pumped into respiratory trees, equivalent to our lungs. Secondly, some pearlﬁsh who feed on the respiratory trees, crab, shrimp and worms can sometimes be found in the anus. Sea cucumbers only have a single gonad. The aspidochirotes display a particular type of spawning behaviour. They generally come together and rise up on their rear ends, waving their heads like cobras, as the eggs and sperm are released from the genital oriﬁce situated right beside the mouth (the gonad is in the head). 77 ECHINODERMS 78 Sea Stars Acanthaster planci – Crown of thorns starﬁsh ACANTHASTERIDAE – 35 cm Archaster typicus – Typical sand star ARCHASTERIDAE – 10 cm Echinaster callosus – Thick skinned sea star ECHINASTERIDAE – 25 cm Echinaster luzonicus – Luzon sea star ECHINASTERIDAE – 10 cm Luidia cf. savignyi – Savigny’s sea star LUIDIIDAE – 20 cm Celerina heﬀernani – Heﬀernan’s sea star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 10 cm Fromia hadracantha – Hadra star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 10 cm Fromia indica – Indian sea star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 5 cm ECHINODERMS Sea Stars Fromia milleporella – Thousand-pores star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 2.5 cm Fromia monilis – Necklace sea star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 5 cm Gomophia egeriae – Egeri’s sea star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 10 cm Gomophia watsoni – Watson’s sea star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 10 cm Linckia guildingi – Yellow sea star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 20 cm Linckia laevigata – Blue sea star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 20 cm Linckia multifora – Multi-pore sea star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 5 cm Nardoa novaecaledonia – Yellow mesh sea star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 15 cm 79 ECHINODERMS 80 Sea Stars Nardoa tuberculata – Tuberculate star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 10 cm Neoferdina cumingi – Cumming’s sea star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 10 cm Ophidiaster granifer – Grainy star OPHIDIASTERIDAE – 10 cm Bothriaster primigenius – Pentagonal sea star OREASTERIDAE – 5 cm Choriaster granulatus – Pillow sea star OREASTERIDAE – 20 cm Culcita novaeguinea – Pin-cushion sea star OREASTERIDAE – 20 cm Protoreaster nodosus – Nodose sea star OREASTERIDAE – 30 cm Protoreaster nodosus – Nodose sea star OREASTERIDAE – 30 cm ECHINODERMS Brittle Stars Ophiarthrum pictum – Painted bri�le star OPHIOCOMIDAE – 15 cm Ophiarthrum sp. OPHIOCOMIDAE – 15 cm Ophiocoma erinaceus – Spiny bri�le star OPHIOCOMIDAE – 20 cm Macrophiothrix sp. OPHIOTHRICHIDAE – 25 cm Ophiothrix purpurea – Purple bri�le star OPHIOTHRICHIDAE – 10 cm Ophiothrix sp. 1 OPHIOTHRICHIDAE – 20 cm Ophiothrix sp. 2 OPHIOTHRICHIDAE – 10 cm Ophiothrix sp. 2 OPHIOTHRICHIDAE – 10 cm (oral view) 81 ECHINODERMS 82 Brittle Stars & Feather Stars Unidentiﬁed sp. Class Ophiuroidea – 15 cm Cenometra bella – Pre�y feather star COLOBOMETRIDAE – 15 cm Colobometra perspinosa – Spinose feather star COLOBOMETRIDAE – 15 cm Oligometra carpenteri – Carpenter’s feather star COLOBOMETRIDAE – 10 cm Oligometra serripinna – Winged feather star COLOBOMETRIDAE – 10 cm Comanthus alternans COMASTERIDAE – 15 cm Comanthus suavia COMASTERIDAE – 20 cm Comaster sp. COMASTERIDAE – 15 cm ECHINODERMS Feather Stars Oxycomanthus benne�i – Benne�’s feather star COMASTERIDAE – 20 cm Oxycomanthus benne�i – Benne�’s feather star COMASTERIDAE – 20 cm Oxycomanthus benne�i – Benne�’s feather star COMASTERIDAE – 25 cm Himerometra robustipinna – Robust feather star HIMEROMETRIDAE – 20 cm Himerometra robustipinna – Robust feather star HIMEROMETRIDAE – 10 cm Himerometra sp. HIMEROMETRIDAE – 20 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. 1 Class Crinoidea – 10 cm Unidentiﬁed sp. 2 Class Crinoidea – 10 cm 83 ECHINODERMS 84 Feather Stars & Sea Urchins Unidentiﬁed sp. 3 Class Crinoidea – 10 cm Arachnoides placenta – Cake sand dollar ARACHNOIDIDAE – 5 cm Echinodiscus auritus – Pancake urchin ASTRICLYPEIDAE – 20 cm Peronella lesueuri – Lesueur’s sand dollar LAGANIDAE – 10 cm Astropyga radiata – Radiant sea urchin DIADEMATIDAE – 25 cm Diadema savignyi – Savigny’s sea urchin DIADEMATIDAE – 15 cm Echinothrix calamaris – Stinging sea urchin DIADEMATIDAE – 20 cm Echinothrix diadema – Crowned sea urchin DIADEMATIDAE – 15 cm ECHINODERMS Sea Uchins & Cucumbers Echinometra mathaei – Mathae’s sea urchin ECHINOMETRIDAE – 10 cm Echinostrephus aciculatus – Needle spined sea urchin ECHINOMETRIDAE – 5 cm Parasalenia pohlii – Pohli’s sea urchin PARASALENIIDAE – 2.5 cm Salmacis sphaeroides – Bicolor urchin TEMNOPLEURIDAE – 10 cm Toxopneustes pileolus – Flower urchin TOXOPNEUSTIDAE – 10 cm Tripneustes gratilla – Cake urchin TOXOPNEUSTIDAE – 10 cm Actinopyga sp. HOLOTHURIIDAE – 20 cm Bohadschia argus – Eyed sea cucumber HOLOTHURIIDAE – 30 cm 85 ECHINODERMS 86 Sea Cucumbers Bohadschia similis – Chalkﬁsh HOLOTHURIIDAE – 25 cm Bohadschia vitiensis – Brown sandﬁsh HOLOTHURIIDAE – 25 cm Holothuria atra – Lollyﬁsh HOLOTHURIIDAE – 30 cm Holothuria coluber – Snakeﬁsh HOLOTHURIIDAE – 40 cm Holothuria coluber – Snakeﬁsh HOLOTHURIIDAE – 40 cm Holothuria edulis – Pinkﬁsh HOLOTHURIIDAE – 30 cm Holothuria fuscogilva – White teatﬁsh HOLOTHURIIDAE – 35 cm Holothuria hilla – Papillate sea cucumber HOLOTHURIIDAE – 25 cm ECHINODERMS Sea Cucumbers Holothuria leucospilota – Black fringed cucumber HOLOTHURIIDAE – 30 cm Holothuria scabra – Sandﬁsh HOLOTHURIIDAE – 20 cm Holothuria (Selenkothuria) erinacea HOLOTHURIIDAE – 10 cm Holothuria sp. 1 HOLOTHURIIDAE – 10 cm Holothuria sp. 2 HOLOTHURIIDAE – 15 cm Pearsonothuria graeﬀei – Flowerﬁsh HOLOTHURIIDAE – 40 cm Stichopus chloronotus – Greenﬁsh STICHOPODIDAE – 15 cm Stichopus herrmanni – Curryﬁsh STICHOPODIDAE – 30 cm 87 ECHINODERMS 88 Sea Cucumbers Stichopus herrmanni – Curryﬁsh STICHOPODIDAE – 20 cm Stichopus herrmanni – Curryﬁsh STICHOPODIDAE – 20 cm Stichopus horrens – Dragonﬁsh STICHOPODIDAE – 20 cm Thelenota ananas – Prickly redﬁsh* STICHOPODIDAE – 50 cm Thelenota anax – Amberﬁsh STICHOPODIDAE – 45 cm Thelenota rubralineata – Red-lined sea cucmber STICHOPODIDAE – 30 cm Euapta godeﬀroyi – Godeﬀroy’s sea cucumber SYNAPTIDAE – 60 cm Synapta maculata – Spo�ed sea cucumber SYNAPTIDAE – 100 cm ASCIDIANS Ascidians Ascidians (kingdom Animalia, phylum Tunicata, class Ascidiacea), commonly known as sea squirts, are considered to be an evolutionary link between invertebrates and vertebrates. They are distantly related to man, the phylum Chordata sharing common ancestry with the phylum Tunicata. Juvenile ascidians have a notochord, similar to the backbone of chordates. On reaching adulthood ascidians lose this notochord. pa�erns, sometimes diﬀering even within the same species. This is evident from our own collection of images. Pycnoclavella diminuta, a relatively common species, occurs in Bootless Bay in a number of colour variations. Perophora modiﬁcata can also be seen here in shades of cream and yellow, the la�er being its more typical colour. Ascidians are hermaphrodites, able to release both eggs and sperm, which they do through the exhalent siphon. In some species fertilisation occurs externally. In other species, fertilisation and brooding occurs within the body, with the eventual release of larvae. The tadpole-like larvae have a tail and change quite quickly over a ma�er of hours into bo�om dwelling ascidians once they have se�led. Colonial species can also reproduce asexually through a process of cloning. Polycarpa aurata, common in Bootless Bay Ascidians consist of a hollow sac with two siphons; one pumping water into the animal with food, the other pumping it out again with waste. The water is pumped through the pharynx where food particles are captured and carried to the stomach. Some ascidians are solitary species, usually large with well deﬁned siphons, while others are colonial. One of the larger solitary ascidians, Polycarpa aurata, is commonly found with other individuals of the same species in the vicinity. They can adjust the position of their siphons so that the incurrent siphons are orientated in the same direction, generally towards the incoming current. The excurrent siphons are positioned in the opposite direction, ensuring that the incoming, feeding currents are not polluted by waste products. Ascidian colonies may be dominated by large numbers of small inhalant siphons, sharing fewer and larger exhalent siphons. Ascidians occur in a variety of colours, shapes, sizes and Ascidians are also known to have symbiotic relationships with unicellular algae, which provide the ascidian with nutriment. This occurs in the species Didemnum molle; the green colouration related to the presence of Prochloron algae in the tissues. This is very noticeable in the large excurrent siphons. The tiny pores visible on this species are the incurrent siphons. The algae accompany the ascidian larvae when released, thus forming a new generation with the symbiotic relationship intact. Sometimes, when disturbed, this ascidian will expel streams of mucus containing the Prochloron algae. Didemnum molle a�ached to seagrass 89 ASCIDIANS 90 Clavelina moluccensis CLAVELINIDAE – 1 cm Nephtheis fascicularis CLAVELINIDAE – 5 cm colony Rhopalaea crassa DIAZONIDAE – 2 cm Didemnum membranaceum DIDEMNIDAE – 20 cm colony Didemnum molle DIDEMNIDAE – 3 cm colony Lissoclinum patella DIDEMNIDAE – 25 cm colony Unidentiﬁed sp. 1 DIDEMNIDAE – 10 cm colony Unidentiﬁed sp. 2 DIDEMNIDAE – 10 cm colony ASCIDIANS Unidentiﬁed sp. 3 DIDEMNIDAE – 15 cm colony Unidentiﬁed sp. 4 DIDEMNIDAE – 10 cm colony Perophora modiﬁcata PEROPHORIDAE – 5 cm colony Perophora modiﬁcata PEROPHORIDAE – 5 cm colony Perophora namei PEROPHORIDAE – 5 cm colony Pycnoclavella diminuta PYCNOCLAVELLIDAE – 5 cm colony Pycnoclavella diminuta PYCNOCLAVELLIDAE – 5 cm colony Polycarpa aurata STYELIDAE – 10 cm 91 FISH Fish Fish (kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata) have backbones and include sharks and rays (class Chondrichthyes) and bony ﬁshes (class Osteicthyes). The number of diﬀerent types of fresh and saltwater ﬁsh throughout the world is estimated at around 26,000 species. Discoveries of never-before-seen ﬁsh are still frequent. Fish come in all shapes and sizes, but have the same general features: a spinal cord, internal skeleton, and gills. The skeleton of sharks and rays is composed of cartilage rather than bone. Pink anemoneﬁsh – Amphiprion perideraion Most ﬁsh produce eggs which they release into the water. Fish generally spawn in pairs but this can also occur in large groups. Some ﬁsh species lay their eggs on the bo�om in rocky crevices, empty sea shells or on the surfaces of invertebrates such as sponges and coral. These can be cared for by one or more of the parent ﬁshes. Common Lionﬁsh - Pterois volitans Most ﬁsh are covered in scales, but the problem with this large group is that it is dangerous to generalise on anything. Seahorses, for example, don’t have scales. Fish feed in a variety of ways, including sucking prey into their mouths; and using their teeth to scrape algae from reefs and crush shells. Fish sometimes have poisonous spines or ﬂesh for protection; some are masters of camouﬂage; and some puﬀ up to frighten away predators. 92 Anemoneﬁsh eggs We simply don’t have enough space in this guide to go into detail on this very diverse group of animals in terms of feeding, reproduction and other types of behaviour. We have provided information, however, on some of the larger and be�er known ﬁsh groups throughout this part of the guide, which we hope will give you an interesting insight into some of the diﬀerent types of ﬁsh found in Bootless Bay. FISH Sharks & Rays Stegostoma fasciatum – Leopard shark* STEGASTOMATIDAE – 235 cm (Max) Hemiscyllium hallstromi – Epaule�e shark HEMISCYLLIDAE – 75 cm (Max) Eucrossorhinus dasypogon – Tasselled wobbegong ORECTOLOBIDAE – 125 cm (Max) Carcharhinus melanopterus – Blacktip reef shark* CARCHARHINIDAE – 200 cm (Max) Triaenodon obesus – Whitetip reef shark CARCHARHINIDAE – 215 mm (Max) Dasyatis kuhlii – Blue spo�ed stingray DASYATIDIDAE – 70 cm (Max) Taeniura lymma – Blue spo�ed fantail ray DASYATIDIDAE – 30cm wide (Max) Manta birostris – Manta ray* MOBULIDAE – 670cm (Max) 93 FISH Eels Eels Eel species are o�en seen with their heads poking out of coral reefs displaying ferocious looking teeth. The giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus) can grow to over 2 m in length and should be treated with caution by divers as they can inﬂict a very painful bite. The snake eels spend most of their time buried beneath the sand and can o�en be seen with just their head emerging. 94 Callechelys marmorata – Marbled snake eel OPHICHTHIDAE – 87 cm (Max) Ophichthus bonaparti – Napoleon snake eel OPHICHTHIDAE – 75cm (Max) Echidna nebulosa – Snowﬂake moray MURAENIDAE – 100 cm (Max) Gymnothorax favagineus – Blackspo�ed moray MURAENIDAE – 180 cm (Max) Gymnothorax ﬂavimarginatus – Yellow edged moray MURAENIDAE – 240 cm (Max) Gymnothorax javanicus – Giant moray eel MURAENIDAE – 300 cm (Max) Siderea thyrsoidea – White eyed moray* MURAENIDAE – 65 cm (Max) FISH Rhinomuraena quaesita – Ribbon moray MURAENIDAE – 130 cm (Max) Eels, Anglerﬁshes & Catﬁshes Rhinomuraena quaesita – Ribbon moray MURAENIDAE – 130 cm (Max) – juvenile Heteroconger hassi – Spo�ed garden eel CONGRIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Heteroconger hassi – Spo�ed garden eel* CONGRIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Antennarius pictus – Painted anglerﬁsh ANTENNARIIDAE – 30 cm (Max) Histrio histrio – Sargassum frogﬁsh* ANTENNARIIDAE – 14 cm (Max) Plotosus lineatus – Striped catﬁsh PLOTOSIDAE – 32 cm (Max) 95 FISH 96 Lizardﬁshes, Clingﬁshes & Flatheads Saurida gracilis – Gracile lizardﬁsh HARPODONTIDAE – 32 cm (Max) Synodus rubromarmoratus – Redmarbled lizardﬁsh SYNODONTIDAE – 8.5 cm (Max) Synodus variegatus – Variegated lizardﬁsh SYNODONTIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Synodus variegatus – Variegated lizardﬁsh SYNODONTIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Diademichthys lineatus – Urchin clingﬁsh* GOBIESOCIDAE – 5 cm (Max) Discotrema crinophial – Crinoid clingﬁsh GOBIESOCIDAE – 3 cm (Max) Cymbacephalus beauforti – Crocodile ﬁsh PLATYCEPHALIDAE – 50 cm (Max) Sunagocia sp. – Fringe lip ﬂathead SCORPAENIDAE – 25cm (Max) FISH Soldierﬁshes & Squirrelﬁshes Myripristis berndti – Blotcheye soldierﬁsh HOLOCENTRIDAE – 30 cm (Max) Myripristis murdjan – Pinecone soldierﬁsh HOLOCENTRIDAE – 60 cm (Max) Myripristis violacea – Violet soldierﬁsh HOLOCENTRIDAE – 20 cm (Max) Myripristis vi�ata – Whitetip soldierﬁsh HOLOCENTRIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Neoniphon sammara – Sammara squirrelﬁsh HOLOCENTRIDAE – 32 cm (Max) Sargocentron caudimaculatum – Silverspot squirrelﬁsh Sargocentron ensiferum – Yellow-striped soldierﬁsh HOLOCENTRIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Sargocentron spiniferum – Sabre squirrelﬁsh HOLOCENTRIDAE – 51 cm (Max) HOLOCENTRIDAE – 25 cm (Max) 97 FISH 98 Trumpetﬁshes & Ghostpipeﬁshes Aulostomus chinensis – T Trumpetﬁsh AULOSTOMIDAE – 80 cm (Max) Aulostomus chinensis – T Trumpetﬁsh AULOSTOMIDAE – 80cm (Max) Eurypegasus draconis – Short dragonﬁsh* PEGASIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Solenostomus cyanopterus – Robust ghost pipeﬁsh SOLENOSTOMIDAE – 17 cm (Max) Solenostomus paegnius – Rough snout ghost pipeﬁsh SOLENOSTOMIDAE – 12 cm (Max) Solenostomus paradoxus – Ornate ghost pipeﬁsh SOLENOSTOMIDAE – 12 cm (Max) Solenostomus paradoxus – Ornate ghost pipeﬁsh SOLENOSTOMIDAE – 12 cm (Max) Centriscus scutatus – Rigid shrimpﬁsh* CENTRISCIDAE – 14 cm (Max) FISH Seahorses Seahorses and Pipeﬁshes Seahorses are an iconic species that belong to the family Syngnathidae, which also includes pipeﬁsh, seadragons and pipehorses. They live in a variety of habitats, with most species found in shallow seagrass meadows, sponge gardens or on coral reefs. They are very unusual animals in that the male actually becomes pregnant and gives birth - a unique feat in the animal world. Male seahorses carry their babies in a small pouch whilst male pipeﬁsh and pipehorses carry the eggs on the underside of their tails. There are at least seven species of seahorse known to occur in the waters of Papua New Guinea. One of the more common species within Bootless Bay is the pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti), which can be found living on gorgonian fans and is smaller than the nail on your li�le ﬁnger. Recent research conducted in Bootless Bay indicates that these seahorses can stay on the same fan for over a year. Hippocampus bargibanti – Pygmy seahorse SYNGNATHIDAE – 2.4 cm (Max) Hippocampus kuda – Estuary seahorse SYNGNATHIDAE – 30 cm (Max) Hippocampus taeniopterus – Common seahorse SYNGNATHIDAE – 30 cm (Max) 99 FISH Pipehorses and Pipeﬁshes Syngnathoides biaculeatus – Alligator pipehorse SYNGNATHIDAE – 29 cm (Max) Hippocampus sp. – Seahorse SYNGNATHIDAE – 10 cm Corythoichthys amplexus – Brown-banded pipeﬁsh SYNGNATHIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Corythoichthys haematopterus – Messmate pipeﬁsh SYNGNATHIDAE – 20 cm (Max) Corythoichthys haematopterus – Messmate pipeﬁsh SYNGNATHIDAE – 20 cm (Max) Corythoichthys intestinalis – Scribbled pipeﬁsh SYNGNATHIDAE – 16 cm (Max) 100 FISH Pipeﬁshes Corythoichthys polynotatus – Many spo�ed pipeﬁsh SYNGNATHIDAE – 16 cm (Max) Corythoichthys ocellatus – Ocellated pipeﬁsh SYNGNATHIDAE – 11 cm (Max) Corythoichthys schultzi – Schultz’s pipeﬁsh SYNGNATHIDAE – 16 cm (Max) Doryrhamphus dactyliophorus – Ringed pipeﬁsh* SYNGNATHIDAE – 19 cm (Max) Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus – Bend stick pipeﬁsh* SYNGNATHIDAE – 40 cm (Max) 101 FISH Scorpionﬁshes Scorpionﬁshes The scorpionﬁsh is appropriately named because these ﬁsh are very poisonous and cause immense pain if they are accidentally touched. The venom is contained in the ﬁn spines and a sting from a species such as the stoneﬁsh (Synanceia verrucosa) can lead to hospitilisation. One of the pre�ier species is the common lionﬁsh (Pterois volitans), which can o�en be seen hovering around coral reefs preying on small ﬁsh. 102 Rhinopias aphanes – Lacy scorpionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Rhinopias aphanes – Lacy scorpionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Rhinopias aphanes – Lacy scorpionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 25cm (Max) Rhinopias aphanes – Lacy scorpionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Rhinopias aphanes – Lacy scorpionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Taenianotus triacanthus – Leaf scorpionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Taenianotus triacanthus – Leaf scorpionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 10 cm (Max) FISH Scorpionﬁshes Taenianotus triacanthus – Leaf scorpionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Dendrochirus brachypterus – Shortﬁn lionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 17 cm (Max) Dendrochirus zebra – Zebra lionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Pterois antennata – Spotﬁn lionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 20 cm (Max) Pterois volitans – Common lionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Scorpaenopsis diabolis – Devil scorpionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 28 cm (Max) Scorpaenopsis macrochir – Flasher scorpionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 15 cm (Max) Scorpaenopsis oxycephala – Tasselled scorpionﬁsh* SCORPAENIDAE – 36 cm (Max) 103 FISH 104 Scorpionﬁshes & Flatﬁshes Scorpaenopsis possi – Poss’s scorpionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 19 cm (Max) Scorpaenopsis venosa – Raggy scorpionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 20 cm (Max) Scorpaenopsis venosa – Raggy scorpionﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 20 cm (Max) Synanceja verrucosa – Stoneﬁsh* SCORPAENIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Ablabys taenianotus – Cockatoo waspﬁsh SCORPAENIDAE – 15 cm (Max) Dactyloptena orientalis – Flying Gurnard* DACTYLOPTERIDAE – 38 cm (Max) Bothus mancus – Flowery ﬂounder BOTHIDAE – 45 cm (Max) Pardachirus pavoninus – Peacock sole SOLEIDAE – 22 cm (Max) FISH Cods Cods Cod are also referred to as groupers and are the largest types of ﬁsh that live on coral reefs. Species such as the Queensland grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) can grow up to 2 m in length and weigh up to 300 kg! One of the more common species on the reefs of Bootless Bay is the coral rockcod (Cephalopholis miniata) which is considered to be good eating. Anyperodon leucogrammicus – White-lined rockcod* SERRANIDAE – 65 cm (Max) Cephalopholis miniata – Coral rockcod SERRANIDAE – 45 cm (Max) Cephalopholis urodeta – Flagtail rockcod SERRANIDAE – 28 cm (Max) Cromileptes altivelis – Barramundi cod* SERRANIDAE – 70 cm (Max) Epinephelus fasciatus – Black tip rockcod* SERRANIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Epinephelus fuscogu�atus – Flowery cod* SERRANIDAE – 100 cm (Max) Epinephelus maculatus – Marbled rockcod SERRANIDAE – 60 cm (Max) 105 FISH 106 Cods & Anthias Epinephalus merra – Honeycomb cod SERRANIDAE – 31 cm (Max) Epinephelus polyphekadion – Camouﬂage cod* SERRANIDAE – 90 cm (Max) Plectropomus laevis – Blacksaddle coral trout SERRANIDAE – 125 cm (Max) Pseudanthias fasciatus – One-stripe anthias SERRANIDAE – 21cm (Max) – male Pseudanthias hypselosoma – Stocky anthias SERRANIDAE – 19 cm (Max) – male Pseudanthias luzonensis – Luzon anthias SERRANIDAE – 14.5 cm (Max) – male Pseudanthias pleurotania – Square-spot anthias SERRANIDAE – 20 cm (Max) – male Pseudanthias pleurotania – Square-spot anthias SERRANIDAE – 20 cm (Max) – female FISH Anthias, Soapﬁshes & Dottybacks Pseudanthias squamipinnis – Scaleﬁn anthias SERRANIDAE – 15 cm (Max) – female Pseudanthias tuka – Purple anthias SERRANIDAE – 12 cm (Max) – male Pseudanthias tuka – Purple anthias SERRANIDAE – 12 cm (Max) – female Diploprion bifasciatum – Barred soapﬁsh SERRANIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Grammistes sexlineatus – Lined soapﬁsh* SERRANIDAE – 27 cm (Max) Pictichromis aurifrons – Yellow-headed do�yback PSEUDOCHROMIDAE – 6.5 cm (Max) Calloplesiops altivelis – Comet* PLESIOPIDAE – 20 cm (Max) Priacanthus hamrur – Crescent-tail bigeye* PRIACANTHIDAE – 40 cm (Max) 107 FISH Cardinalﬁshes Cardinalﬁshes The cardinalﬁshes are a unique ﬁsh family as the male incubates the eggs in its mouth. Cardinalﬁsh are generally small and they can be found hiding in amongst branching corals where they are o�en seen in pairs or small groups. They are active at night when they forage the reef looking for small bo�om dwelling invertebrates and zooplankton. 108 Apogon aureus – Ringtailed cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 15 cm (Max) Apogon cyanosoma – Yellowstriped cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 8 cm (Max) Apogon fraenatus – Bridled cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Apogon fucata – Orange lined cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 9 cm (Max) Apogon kallopterus – Iridescent cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 15 cm (Max) Apogon nigrofasciatus – Black striped cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 8 cm (Max) Apogon perlitus – Pearly cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 5 cm (Max) FISH Cardinalﬁshes Archamia zosterophora – Blackbelted cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 8 cm (Max) Cheilodipterus alleni – Allen’s cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 11 cm (Max) Cheilodipterus macrodon – Large toothed cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Cheilodipterus parazonatus – Mimic cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 6 cm (Max) Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus – Five-lined cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 13 cm (Max) Rhabdamia cypselura – Swallowtail cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 6cm (Max) Siphamia versicolor – Urchin cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 4 cm (Max) Sphaeramia nematoptera – Pyjama cardinalﬁsh APOGONIDAE – 8 cm (Max) 109 FISH 110 Trevallies, Barracudas & Breams Sphaeramia orbicularis – Orbiculate cardinalﬁsh* APOGONIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Carangoides plagiotaenia – Barcheek trevally CARANGIDAE – 50 cm (Max) Caranx melampygus – Blueﬁn trevally CARANGIDAE – 117 cm (Max) Sphyraena ﬂavicauda – Yellowtail barracuda SPHYRAENIDAE – 55 cm (Max) Sphyraena qenie – Blackﬁn barracuda* SPHYRAENIDAE – 100 cm (Max) Pentapodus trivi�atus – Three-striped whiptail NEMIPTERIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Scolopsis bilineatus – Two-lined monocle bream NEMIPTERIDAE – 23 cm (Max) Scolopsis ciliatus – Whitestreak monocle bream NEMIPTERIDAE – 19 cm (Max) FISH Breams, Emperors & Sweetlips Scolopsis monogramma – Monocle bream* NEMIPTERIDAE – 28 cm (Max) Scolopsis margaritifer – Pearly monocle bream NEMIPTERIDAE – 28 cm (Max) Lethrinus erythracanthus – Longﬁn emperor LETHRINIDAE – 50 cm (Max) Monotaxis grandoculis – Humpnose big-eye bream LETHRINIDAE – 60cm (Max) Monotaxis grandoculis – Humpnose big-eye bream* LETHRINIDAE – 60cm (Max) – adult Plectorhinchus chaetodontoides – Harlequin sweetlips HAEMULIDAE – 72 cm (Max) Plectorhinchus chrysotaenia – Yellow-striped sweetlips HAEMULIDAE – 41 cm (Max) 111 FISH 112 Sweetlips & Snappers Plectorhinchus lineatus – Yellow banded sweetlips HAEMULIDAE – 72 cm (Max) Plectorhinchus vi�atus – Oriental sweetlips HAEMULIDAE – 72 cm (Max) Lutjanus argentimaculatus – Mangrove jack LUTJANIDAE – 90 cm (Max) Lutjanus bigu�atus – Two-spot banded snapper LUTJANIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Lutjanus fulvus – Black tail snapper LUTJANIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Lutjanus kasmira – Common bluestripe snapper LUTJANIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Lutjanus semicinctus – Black banded snapper LUTJANIDAE – 35 cm (Max) Macolor macularis – Midnight snapper* LUTJANIDAE – 60 cm (Max) FISH Snapper, Fusiliers & Goatﬁsh Macolor niger – Black and white snapper LUTJANIDAE – 75 cm (Max) Symphorichthys spilurus – Sailﬁn Snapper LUTJANIDAE – 60 cm (Max) Caesio caerulaurea – Blue and gold fusilier CAESIONIDAE – 35 cm (Max) Caesio cuning – Yellowtail fusilier CAESIONIDAE – 60 cm (Max) Parupeneus multifasciatus – Manybar goatﬁsh MULLIDAE – 35 cm (Max) Upeneus tragula – Freckled goatﬁsh MULLIDAE – 30 cm (Max) Parapriacanthus rannsoneti – Yellow Sweeper PEMPHERIDIDAE – 10cm (Max) Zanclus cornutus – Moorish idol ZANCLIDAE – 23 cm (Max) 113 FISH Butterﬂyﬁshes Bu�erﬂyﬁshes The bu�erﬂyﬁshes are generally small species that can be found living on coral reefs in tropical waters. They are brightly coloured and many species have unusual pa�erns such as the sunset bu�erﬂyﬁsh (Chaetodon pelewensis). Their bodies are generally compressed and they are o�en seen in pairs darting around coral reefs feeding on exposed polyps, tiny worms or other marine invertebrates. 114 Chaetodon benne�i – Bluelashed bu�erﬂyﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 20 cm (Max) Chaetodon ephippium – Saddle bu�erﬂyﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 30 cm (Max) Chaetodon kleinii – Brown bu�erﬂyﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 15 cm (Max) Chaetodon ornatissimus – Ornate bu�erﬂyﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 20 cm (Max) Chaetodon pelewensis – Sunset bu�erﬂyﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 12 cm (Max) Chaetodon plebeius – Blue-dash bu�erﬂyﬁsh* CHAETODONTIDAE – 12 cm (Max) Chaetodon raﬄesi – La�iced bu�erﬂyﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 18 cm (Max) FISH Butterﬂyﬁshes Chaetodon trifasciatus – Melon bu�erﬂyﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 15 cm (Max) Chaetodon ulietensis – Double-saddle bu�erﬂyﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 15 cm (Max) Chaetodon vagabundus – Vagabond bu�erﬂyﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 23 cm (Max) Chelmon rostratus – Copperband bu�erﬂyﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 20 cm (Max) Forcipiger ﬂavissimus – Longnosed bu�erﬂyﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 22 cm (Max) Forcipiger longirostris – Big longnosed bu�erﬂyﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 22 cm (Max) Hemitaurichthys polylepis – Pyramid bu�erﬂyﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 18 cm (Max) Heniochus acuminatus – Reef bannerﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 25 cm (Max) 115 FISH 116 Bannerﬁshes & Angelﬁshes Heniochus chrysostomus – Pennant bannerﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 18 cm (Max) Heniochus varius – Humphead bannerﬁsh CHAETODONTIDAE – 19 cm (Max) Apolemichthys trimaculatus – Three spot angelﬁsh POMACANTHIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Centropyge bicolor – Bicolor angelﬁsh POMACANTHIDAE – 15 cm (Max) Centropyge bispinosus – Twospined angelﬁsh POMACANTHIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Genicanthus melanospilos – Black spot angelﬁsh POMACANTHIDAE – 18 cm (Max) Pomacanthus imperator – Emperor angelﬁsh* POMACANTHIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Pomacanthus imperator – Emperor angelﬁsh* POMACANTHIDAE – 40cm (Max) – juvenile FISH Angelﬁshes, Batﬁshes & Hawkﬁshes Pomacanthus sexstriatus – Sixbar angelﬁsh POMACANTHIDAE – 46 cm (Max) Pomacanthus xanthometopon – Yellowface angelﬁsh* POMACANTHIDAE – 38 cm (Max) Pygoplites diacanthus – Royal angelﬁsh POMACANTHIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Platax orbicularis – Orbicular batﬁsh EPHIPPIDAE – 50 cm (Max) Platax pinnatus – Dusky batﬁsh EPHIPPIDAE – 45 cm (Max) Platax teira – Tail-ﬁn batﬁsh* EPHIPPIDAE – 60 cm (Max) Cirrhitichthys aprinus – Spo�ed hawkﬁsh CIRRHITIDAE – 13 cm (Max) Cirrhitichthys falco – Dwarf hawkﬁsh CIRRHITIDAE – 7 cm (Max) 117 FISH Hawkﬁshes & Damselﬁshes Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus – Coral hawkﬁsh CIRRHITIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Oxycirrhitus typus – Longnose hawkﬁsh CIRRHITIDAE – 13 cm (Max) Paracirrhites arcatus – Ring-eyed hawkﬁsh CIRRHITIDAE – 20 cm (Max) Paracirrhites forsteri – Forster hawkﬁsh CIRRHITIDAE – 22 cm (Max) Damselﬁshes Damselﬁshes are small species that are generally brightly coloured and they are one of the most common ﬁsh groups found on coral reefs. One of the most well known damselﬁsh species is the clown anemoneﬁsh (Amphiprion percula) made famous through the movie ‘Finding Nemo’. Anemoneﬁshes are always found living with an anemone host as the anemone helps protect them from any predators. Amblyglyphidodon curacao – Staghorn damselﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 11 cm (Max) 118 Amblyglyphidodon aureus – Golden damselﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 13 cm (Max) Amblyglyphidodon leucogaster – Yellowbelly damselﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 13 cm (Max) FISH Damselﬁshes Amphiprion clarkii – Clark’s anemoneﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 15 cm (Max) Amphiprion clarkii – Clark’s anemoneﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 15 cm (Max) - colour variant Amphiprion melanopus – Fire anemoneﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 12 cm (Max) Amphiprion percula – Clown anemoneﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 11 cm (Max) Amphiprion perideraion – Pink anemoneﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Amphiprion polymnus – Saddleback anemoneﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 13 cm (Max) Chromis amboinensis – Ambon chromis POMACENTRIDAE – 9 cm (Max) Chromis atripes – Darkﬁn chromis POMACENTRIDAE – 7 cm (Max) 119 FISH 120 Damselﬁshes Chromis retrofasciatus – Black-bar chromis POMACENTRIDAE – 4 cm (Max) Chromis viridis – Blue green damselﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 8 cm (Max) Chrysiptera rollandi – Rolland’s demoiselle POMACENTRIDAE – 8 cm (Max) Chrysiptera talboti – Talbot’s demoiselle POMACENTRIDAE – 6 cm (Max) Dascyllus aruanus – Humbug dascyllus POMACENTRIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Dascyllus reticulatus – Reticulate dascyllus POMACENTRIDAE – 9 cm (Max) Dascyllus trimaculatus – Threespot dascyllus POMACENTRIDAE – 11 cm (Max) Dischistodus prosopotaenia – Honey-head damsel POMACENTRIDAE – 17 cm (Max) FISH Damselﬁshes Dischistodus prosopotaenia – Honey-head damsel POMACENTRIDAE – 17 cm (Max) - juvenile Neoglyphidodon nigroris – Black and gold chromis POMACENTRIDAE – 13 cm (Max) Neopomacentrus azysron – Yellowtail demoiselle POMACENTRIDAE – 8 cm (Max) Neopomacentrus azysron – Yellowtail demoiselle POMACENTRIDAE – 8cm (Max) – night colouration Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus – Jewel damsel POMACENTRIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Pomacentrus amboinensis – Ambon damsel POMACENTRIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Pomacentrus bankanensis – Speckled damselﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 9 cm (Max) Pomacentrus colini – Colin’s damselﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 9 cm (Max) 121 FISH Damselﬁshes Pomacentrus grammorhynchus – Bluespot damsel POMACENTRIDAE – 9 cm (Max) Pomacentrus grammorhynchus – Bluespot damsel POMACENTRIDAE – 9 cm (Max) - juvenile Pomacentrus nagasakiensis – Nagasaki damsel POMACENTRIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Pomacentrus nigromanus – Goldback damsel POMACENTRIDAE – 9 cm (Max) Premnas biaculeatus – Spinecheek anemoneﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 17 cm (Max) Premnas biaculeatus – Spinecheek anemoneﬁsh POMACENTRIDAE – 17 cm (Max) 122 Stegastes nigricans – Dusky gregory POMACENTRIDAE – 14 cm (Max) FISH Wrasses W asses Wr Wrasses are one of the more colourful and W active groups of ﬁsh found on coral reefs. They have a distinguishing swimming style, primarily using their pectoral ﬁns. Their bodies are also very elongate. As they grow older the females will turn into males depending on their age, growth or whether there are other males present in their territory. Anampses neoguinaicus – New Guinea wrasse LABRIDAE – 20 cm (Max) – male Anampses neoguinaicus – New Guinea wrasse LABRIDAE – 20 cm (Max) – female Bodianus anthioides – Lyretail hogﬁsh LABRIDAE – 21 cm (Max) Bodianus bimaculatus – Two spot slender hogﬁsh LABRIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Bodianus diana – Diana’s hogﬁsh LABRIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Cheilinus bimaculatus – Two-spot wrasse LABRIDAE – 15 cm (Max) Cheilinus bimaculatus – Two-spot wrasse LABRIDAE – 15 cm (Max) – juvenile 123 FISH 124 Wrasses Cheilinus diagrammus – Cheeklined wrasse LABRIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Cheilinus fasciatus – Redbreast wrasse LABRIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Cheilinus undulatus – Napoleon wrasse LABRIDAE – 230 cm (Max) Cirrhilabrus punctatus – Do�ed wrasse LABRIDAE – 13 cm (Max) Coris gaimard – Yellowtail coris LABRIDAE – 38 cm (Max) Epibulus insidiator – Slingjaw wrasse LABRIDAE – 54 cm (Max) Gomphosus varius – Bird wrasse LABRIDAE – 28 cm (Max) Halichoeres biocellatus – Red-lined wrasse LABRIDAE – 12 cm (Max) FISH Wrasses Halichoeres biocellatus – Red-lined wrasse LABRIDAE – 12 cm (Max) Halichoeres hortulanus – Checkerboard wrasse LABRIDAE – 27 cm (Max) Halichoeres leucurus – Greyhead wrasse LABRIDAE – 13 cm (Max) Halichoeres trimaculatus – Threespot wrasse LABRIDAE – 27 cm (Max) Hemigymnus fasciatus – Barred thicklip wrasse LABRIDAE – 50 cm (Max) Hologymnosus annulatus – Ring wrasse LABRIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Labroides dimidiatus – Blue streak cleaner wrasse LABRIDAE – 11.5 cm (Max) Macropharyngodon meleagris – Leopard wrasse LABRIDAE – 15 cm (Max) 125 FISH 126 Wrasses Novaculichthys taeniourus – Rockmover wrasse LABRIDAE – 27 cm (Max) Novaculichthys taeniourus – Rockmover wrasse* LABRIDAE – 27 cm (Max) – juvenile Pseudodax moluccanus – Chiseltooth wrasse LABRIDAE – 30 cm (Max) Pteragogus enneacanthus – Cockerel wrasse LABRIDAE – 12 cm (Max) Thalassoma hardwicke – Six bar wrasse LABRIDAE – 20 cm (Max) Thalassoma lunare – Moon wrasse LABRIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Thalassoma lunare – Moon wrasse LABRIDAE – 25cm (Max) – juvenile Thalassoma lutescens – Sunset wrasse LABRIDAE – 25 cm (Max) FISH Parrotﬁshes & Grubﬁshes Cetoscarus bicolor – Bicolour parrotﬁsh SCARIDAE – 90 cm (Max) Chlorurus bleekeri – Bleeker’s parrotﬁsh SCARIDAE – 49 cm (Max) Chlorurus sordidus – Bullet-head parrotﬁsh SCARIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Scarus niger – Swarthy parrotﬁsh SCARIDAE – 35 cm (Max) Scarus niger – Swarthy parrotﬁsh SCARIDAE – 35 cm (Max) – juvenile Parapercis clathrata – La�iced grubﬁsh PINGUIPEDIDAE – 24 cm (Max) Parapercis linepunctata – Nose stripe grubﬁsh PINGUIPEDIDAE – 24 cm (Max) Parapercis millepunctata – Black do�ed grubﬁsh PINGUIPEDIDAE – 24 cm (Max) 127 FISH Grubﬁshes, Sand Divers & Blennies Parapercis xanthozona – Java grubﬁsh PINGUIPEDIDAE – 23 cm (Max) Trichonotus setiger – Spo�ed sand diver TRICHONOTIDAE – 15 cm (Max) Crossosalarias macrospilus – Triple spot blenny BLENNIIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Ecsenius namiyei – Black comb-tooth blenny BLENNIIDAE – 11 cm (Max) Ecsenius yaeyamaensis – Yaeyama blenny BLENNIIDAE – 6 cm (Max) Ecsenius namiyei – Black comb-tooth blenny BLENNIIDAE – 11 cm (Max) 128 Meiacanthus grammistes – Striped fangblenny BLENNIIDAE – 11 cm (Max) FISH Blennies, Tripleﬁns & Dragonets Meiacanthus vi�atus – One-striped fangblenny BLENNIIDAE – 8 cm (Max) Plagiotremus laudanus – Bicolor fangblenny BLENNIIDAE – 7.5 cm (Max) Plagiotremus cf. laudanus – Bicolor fangblenny BLENNIIDAE – 7.5 cm (Max) Plagiotremus rhinorhynchus – Blue-striped fangblenny BLENNIIDAE – 12 cm (Max) Plagiotremus rhinorhynchus – Blue-striped fangblenny BLENNIIDAE – 12 cm (Max) Helcogramma striatum – Striped tripleﬁn TRYPTERYGIIDAE – 5 cm (Max) Dactylopus dactylopus – Fingered dragonet CALLIONYMIDAE – 30 cm (Max) Synchiropus stellatus – Starry dragonet CALLIONYMIDAE – 6 cm (Max) 129 FISH Gobies Gobies The gobies are the largest group of marine ﬁsh with over 1600 species occurring world wide. These ﬁsh are very small in size and are common on coral reefs and on sandy bo�oms where they live in small burrows. Some species form a unique relationship with snapping shrimps (Alpheus species) as these near blind shrimp clean out the burrow whilst the goby stands guard and warns the shrimp of any approaching predators. 130 Amblyeleotris arcupinna – Red banded shrimpgoby GOBIIDAE – 11 cm (Max) Amblyeleotris gu�ata – Spo�ed shrimpgoby GOBIIDAE – 9 cm (Max) Amblyeleotris randalli – Randall’s shrimpgoby GOBIIDAE – 9 cm (Max) Amblygobius decussatus – Orange striped goby GOBIIDAE – 9.5 cm (Max) Amblygobius phalaena – Banded goby GOBIIDAE – 13.5 cm (Max) Amblygobius rainfordi – Old glory GOBIIDAE – 5.5 cm (Max) Bryaninops loki – Loki whip goby GOBIIDAE – 3 cm (Max) FISH Gobies Coryphopterus inframaculatus – Blotched goby GOBIIDAE – 7.5 cm (Max) Bryaninops amplus – Large whip goby GOBIIDAE – 4.6 cm (Max) Eviota sp. – Pygmy goby GOBIIDAE – 3 cm (Max) Exyrias bellisimus – Beautiful goby GOBIIDAE – 13 cm (Max) Fusigobius sp. – Goby GOBIIDAE – 3 cm (Max) Fusigobius sp. – Goby GOBIIDAE – 3 cm (Max) Gobiodon okinawae – Yellow coralgoby GOBIIDAE – 3.5 cm (Max) 131 FISH 132 Gobies Istigobius ornatus – Ornate goby GOBIIDAE – 11 cm (Max) Oplopomus oplopomus – Spinecheek goby GOBIIDAE – 7.5 cm (Max) Pleurosicya micheli – Stony coral ghostgoby GOBIIDAE – 2.5 cm (Max) Pleurosicya mossambica – Common ghostgoby GOBIIDAE – 3.5 cm (Max) Signigobius biocellatus – Signal goby GOBIIDAE – 6.5 cm (Max) Trimma caesiura – Dwarf goby GOBIIDAE – 2.5 cm (Max) Valenciennea helsdingenii – Two-stripe goby GOBIIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Valenciennea puellaris – Maiden goby GOBIIDAE – 20 cm (Max) FISH Gobies & Surgeonﬁshes Valenciennea strigata – Bluestreak goby GOBIIDAE – 15.5 cm (Max) Ptereleotris evides – Arrow goby PTERELEOTRIDAE – 13.5 cm (Max) Nemateleotris decora – Purple ﬁre goby PTERELEOTRIDAE – 9 cm (Max) Nemateleotris magniﬁca – Fire goby PTERELEOTRIDAE – 9 cm (Max) Acanthurus lineatus – Striped surgeonﬁsh ACANTHURIDAE – 38 cm (Max) Acanthurus pyroferus – Mimic surgeonﬁsh ACANTHURIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Ctenochaetus striatus – Striated surgeonﬁsh ACANTHURIDAE – 26 cm (Max) Ctenochaetus striatus – Striated surgeonﬁsh ACANTHURIDAE – 26 cm (Max) – colour variant 133 FISH 134 Unicornﬁshes, Rabbitﬁshes & Triggerﬁshes Naso brevirostris – Spo�ed unicornﬁsh ACANTHURIDAE – 50 cm (Max) Naso lituratus – Orange-spine unicornﬁsh ACANTHURIDAE – 46 cm (Max) Zebrasoma scopas – Twotone tang ACANTHURIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Zebrasoma veliferum – Sailﬁn tang ACANTHURIDAE – 40 cm (Max) Siganus canaliculatus – White-spo�ed rabbitﬁsh SIGANIDAE – 29 cm (Max) Siganus javus – Java rabbitﬁsh* SIGANIDAE – 53 cm (Max) Abalistes stellatus – Starry triggerﬁsh BALISTIDAE – 60 cm (Max) Balistapus undulatus – Orange-lined triggerﬁsh BALISTIDAE – 30 cm (Max) FISH Triggerﬁshes & Fileﬁshes Balistoides conspicillum – Clown triggerﬁsh BALISTIDAE – 50 cm (Max) Balistoides viridescens – Titan triggerﬁsh* BALISTIDAE – 75 cm (Max) Rhinecanthus aculeatus – Blackbar triggerﬁsh BALISTIDAE – 30 cm (Max) Suﬄamen bursa – Boomerang triggerﬁsh BALISTIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Suﬄamen chrysopterus – Flagtail triggerﬁsh BALISTIDAE – 22 cm (Max) Aluterus scripta – Scrawled ﬁleﬁsh* MONACANTHIDAE – 110 cm (Max) Oxymonacanthus longirostris – Harlequin ﬁleﬁsh MONACANTHIDAE – 12 cm (Max) Rudarius minutus – Minute ﬁleﬁsh MONACANTHIDAE – 3 cm (Max) 135 FISH Pufferﬁshes Puﬀerﬁshes Puﬀerﬁshes have an unusual body shape which they are able to expand in size by sucking water into their stomach. This makes them look bigger and also makes it harder for predators to eat them. They are a very poisonous group of ﬁsh as they contain a deadly toxin (tetrodotoxin) that can be fatal if consumed. The small tobies are also a member of this group. 136 Arothron hispidus – White spo�ed puﬀerﬁsh TETRAODONTIDAE – 50 cm (Max) Arothron manilensis – Narrow-lined puﬀerﬁsh TETRAODONTIDAE – 31 cm (Max) Arothron mappa – Map puﬀerﬁsh* TETRAODONTIDAE – 65 cm (Max) Arothron mappa – Map puﬀerﬁsh* TETRAODONTIDAE – 65 cm (Max) - juvenile Arothron nigropunctatus – Black-spo�ed puﬀerﬁsh TETRAODONTIDAE – 75 cm (Max) Arothron nigropunctatus – Black-spo�ed puﬀerﬁsh TETRAODONTIDAE – 75 cm (Max) - colour variant Arothron stellatus – Starry puﬀerﬁsh* TETRAODONTIDAE – 120 cm (Max) FISH Tobies, Cowﬁsh and Boxﬁsh Arothron stellatus – Starry puﬀerﬁsh TETRAODONTIDAE – 120 cm (Max) - juvenile Canthigaster compressa – Compressed toby TETRAODONTIDAE – 12 cm (Max) Canthigaster janthinoptera – Honeycomb toby TETRAODONTIDAE – 9 cm (Max) Canthigaster papua – Papuan toby TETRAODONTIDAE – 10 cm (Max) Canthigaster valentini – Valentini’s sharpnose toby TETRAODONTIDAE – 11 cm (Max) Lactoria cornuta – Long-horned cowﬁsh OSTRACIIDAE – 46 cm (Max) Ostracion meleagris – White spo�ed boxﬁsh* OSTRACIIDAE – 25 cm (Max) Ostracion solorensis – Reticulate boxﬁsh OSTRACIIDAE – 12 cm (Max) 137 REPTILES TURTLES AND SEA SNAKES Reptiles Marine dwelling reptiles (kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Reptilia) are vertebrates and breathe air through lungs. Turtles In the Western Paciﬁc there are six types of turtle: loggerhead, green, hawksbill, olive ridley, ﬂatback and leatherback. While the ﬁrst ﬁve have a hard, bony carapace, the leatherback turtle has a leathery carapace. Turtles eat algae, seagrasses, sea cucumbers, so� corals, sea jellies, urchins and crabs. Loggerheads have strong jaws for feeding on shelled prey. Green turtles tend to be herbivorous. Turtles use their front ﬂippers to propel themselves through the water, while the back ﬂippers act like rudders. They are quite streamlined and speedy in water, though appear cumbersome on land. It is only the female turtle that visits land to nest and lay eggs. Sea Snakes Sea snakes have ﬂat, paddle-like tails for swimming. They can normally stay underwater for up to two hours before needing air. Some come ashore quite o�en to digest their food, mainly ﬁshes, or to lay their eggs. Others don’t even venture on to land and can give birth to live young underwater. While venomous, they tend not to a�ack humans, and bear only small fangs. They are curious and may approach you for a closer look. Aipysurus laevis – Olive sea snake HYDROPHIIDAE – 140 cm 138 Care�a care�a – Loggerhead turtle* CHELONIDAE – 100 cm Chelonia mydas – Green turtle* CHELONIDAE – 80 cm Eretomochelys imbricatus – Hawksbill turtle* CHELONIDAE – 70 cm Laticauda sp. – Banded sea snake LATICAUDIDAE – 100 cm MAMMALS Mammals Sea mammals (kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia) include dugongs, dolphins and whales. They breathe air and give birth to live young, o�en involving a high level of parental care. Marine mammals have thick layers of blubber used to insulate their bodies and prevent heat loss. Dolphins are the most common sea mammal group found in Bootless Bay. They are small cetaceans of up to 4 m long and weighing up to 650 kgs. They use their teeth to grip ﬁshes, squids and other marine life, before swallowing them whole. Dolphins have good eyesight and hearing, but also use use echolocation to ﬁnd prey and ‘see’. Hunting can be solitary or in groups. Dolphins have a gestation period of around 12 months and they are one of the groups of animals that are known to have sex for fun. Delphinus delphis – Common dolphin* DELPHINIDAE – 2 m Stenella longirostris – Spinner dolphin* DELPHINIDAE – 2 m Tursiops truncatus – Bo�le-nosed dolphin* DELPHINIDAE – 3 m 139 INDEX Abalistes stellatus Ablabys taenianotus Acanthaster planci Acanthophora spicifera Acanthopleura gemmata Acanthozoon sp. Acanthurus lineatus Acanthurus pyroferus Achaeus sp. Acropora cf. caroliniana Acropora cf. elseyi Acropora grandis Acropora intermedia Acropora loripes Acropora millepora Acropora muricata Acropora sp. Acropora tenuis Acropora valenciennesi Actaeodes tomentosus Actinodendrum arboreum Actinopyga sp. Actinotrichia fragilis Aegialitis annulata Aegicerus corniculatum Agelas sp. Ahnfeltiopsis sp. Aipysurus laevis Aka sp. Alertigorgia orientalis Allogalathea elegans Alpheus ochrostriatus Aluterus scripta Alveopora sp. Amblyeleotris arcupinna Amblyeleotris gu�ata Amblyeleotris randalli Amblyglyphidodon aureus Amblyglyphidodon curacao Amblyglyphidodon leucogaster Amblygobius decussatus Amblygobius phalaena Amblygobius rainfordi Amphiprion clarkii Amphiprion melanopus Amphiprion percula Amphiprion perideraion Amphiprion polymnus Anampses neoguinaicus Annella mollis Antennarius pictus Anthelia sp. Antipathes sp. Anyperodon leucogrammicus Aplysia occulifera Apogon aureus Apogon cyanosoma Apogon fraenatus Apogon fucata Apogon kallopterus Apogon nigrofasciatus Apogon perlitus Apolemichthys trimaculatus Arachnoides placenta Archamia zosterophora Archaster typicus 140 134 104 78 11 45 42 133 133 73 28 28 28 28 29 29 29 29, 30 29 29 74 37 85 10 7 7 13 11 138 17 25 72 68 135 36 130 130 130 118 118 118 130 130 130 119 119 119 119 119 123 26 95 24 40 105 60 108 108 108 108 108 108 108 116 84 109 78 Arothron hispidus Arothron manilensis Arothron mappa Arothron nigropunctatus Arothron stellatus Ashtoret lunaris Asterophilia carlae Astreopora myriophthalma Astrogorgia sp. Astropyga radiata Atrina vexillum Aulostomus chinensis Avicenna eucalyptifolia Avrainvillea sp. Balistapus undulatus Balistoides conspicillum Balistoides viridescens Barbatia foliata Berthella martensi Biﬂustra sp. Bodianus anthioides Bodianus bimaculatus Bodianus diana Boergesenia forbesii Bohadschia argus Bohadschia similis Bohadschia vitiensis Bolinopsis sp. Boodlea sp. Bornella anguilla Bothriaster primigenius Bothus mancus Briareum sp. Bruguiera gymnorrhiza Bryaninops amplus Bryaninops loki Caesio caerulaurea Caesio cuning Calappa hepatica Calappa sp. Calcinus minutus Callechelys marmorata Calloplesiops altivelis Callyspongia aerizusa Callyspongia sp. Canthigaster compressa Canthigaster janthinoptera Canthigaster papua Canthigaster valentini Carangoides plagiotaenia Caranx melampygus Carcharhinus melanopterus Care�a care�a Cassiopea sp. Caulerpa racemosa Caulerpa taxifolia Cavernularia sp. Celerina heﬀernani Cenometra bella Centriscus scutatus Centropyge bicolor Centropyge bispinosus Cephalopholis miniata Cephalopholis urodeta Ceratosoma sinuatum Ceratosoma trilobatum 136 136 136 136 136, 137 74 43 30 25 84 63 98 6 10 134 135 135 62 61 41 123 123 123 10 85 86 86 41 12 58 80 104 22 7 131 130 113 113 73 73 71 94 107 14 14 137 137 137 137 110 110 93 138 19 9 9 27 78 82 98 116 116 105 105 55 55 Cerianthus sp. Cetoscarus bicolor Chaetodon benne�i Chaetodon ephippium Chaetodon kleinii Chaetodon ornatissimus Chaetodon pelewensis Chaetodon plebeius Chaetodon raﬄesi Chaetodon trifasciatus Chaetodon ulietensis Chaetodon vagabundus Chama sp. Charonia tritonis Cheilinus bimaculatus Cheilinus diagrammus Cheilinus fasciatus Cheilinus undulatus Cheilodipterus alleni Cheilodipterus macrodon Cheilodipterus parazonatus Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus Chelidonura electra Chelidonura inornata Chelmon rostratus Chelonaplysilla violacea Chelonia mydas Chicoreus microphyllus Chironephthya sp. Chlorodesmis fastigiata Chlorurus bleekeri Chlorurus sordidus Choriaster granulatus Chromis amboinensis Chromis atripes Chromis retrofasciatus Chromis viridis Chromodoris annae Chromodoris ﬁdelis Chromodoris geometrica Chromodoris kuniei Chromodoris lochi Chromodoris magniﬁca Chromodoris strigata Chrysiptera rollandi Chrysiptera talboti Cinachyrella schulzei Cirrhilabrus punctatus Cirrhipathes cf. contorta Cirrhitichthys aprinus Cirrhitichthys falco Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus Clathria mima Clathria reinwardti Clavelina moluccensis Clibanarius sp. Colobometra perspinosa Comanthus alternans Comanthus suavia Comaster sp. Conomurex luhanus Conus eburneus Conus marmoreus Conus virgo Coris gaimard Coryphopterus inframaculatus 39 127 114 114 114 114 114 114 114 115 115 115 62 52 123 124 124 124 109 109 109 109 60 60 115 15 138 49 24 10 127 127 80 119 119 120 120 56 56 56 56 56 56 57 120 120 17 124 40 117 117 118 15 16 90 71 82 82 82 82 52 46 46 46 124 131 INDEX Corythoichthys amplexus Corythoichthys haematopterus Corythoichthys intestinalis Corythoichthys ocellatus Corythoichthys polynotatus Corythoichthys schultzi Crella sp. Cromileptes altivelis Crossosalarias macrospilus Cryptodendrum adhaesivum Ctenactis echinata Ctenochaetus striatus Culcita novaeguinea Cyerce nigricans Cymbacephalus beauforti Cymbovula deﬂexa Cymodocea rotundata Cypraea annulus Cypraea arabica Cypraea argus Cypraea carneola Cypraea erosa Cypraea humphreysii Cypraea moneta Cypraea tigris Dactyloptena orientalis Dactylopus dactylopus Dardanus lagopodes Dardanus megistos Dardanus pedunculatus Dardanus sp. Dascyllus aruanus Dascyllus reticulatus Dascyllus trimaculatus Dasya sp. Dasyatis kuhlii Dasycaris zanzibarica Delphinus delphis Dendrochirus brachypterus Dendrochirus zebra Dendronephthya sp. Dendya sp. Diadema savignyi Diademichthys lineatus Dictyosphaeria versluysii Dictyota magneana Dictyota sp. Didemnum membranaceum Didemnum molle Diogenes sp. Diploastrea heliopora Diploprion bifasciatum Dischistodus prosopotaenia Discodoris fragilis Discotrema crinophial Distichopora sp. Distichopora violacea Dolabella auricularia Doryrhamphus dactyliophorus Dysidea sp. Echidna nebulosa Echinaster callosus Echinaster luzonicus Echinodiscus auritus Echinometra mathaei Echinopora horrida 100 100 100 101 101 101 15 105 128 39 33 133 80 61 96 51 8 47 47 47 47 48 48 48 48 104 129 72 72 72 72 120 120 120 11 93 68 139 103 103 22, 23 17 84 96 10 11 11 90 90 72 32 107 120, 121 55 96 19 19 60 101 15 94 78 78 84 85 32 Echinopora lamellosa Echinostrephus aciculatus Echinothrix calamaris Echinothrix diadema Ecsenius namiyei Ecsenius yaeyamaensis Edwardsianthus pudica Ellisella sp. Enhalus acoroides Entacmea quadricolor Epibulus insidiator Epinephelus fasciatus Epinephelus fuscogu�atus Epinephelus maculatus Epinephelus merra Epinephelus polyphekadion Epizoanthus sp. Eretomochelys imbricatus Euapta godeﬀroyi Eucrossorhinus dasypogon Euphyllia cristata Euplica turturina Eurypegasus draconis Eviota sp. Excoecaria agallocha Exyrias bellisimus Favia sp. Flabellina bilas Flabellina exoptata Flabellina rubrolineata Forcipiger ﬂavissimus Forcipiger longirostris Fromia hadracantha Fromia indica Fromia milleporella Fromia monilis Fungia sp. Fusigobius sp. Galathea sp. Galaxea fascicularis Gelliodes ﬁbulata Gelliodes sp. Genicanthus melanospilos Glossodoris atromarginata Gobiodon okinawae Gomophia egeriae Gomophia watsoni Gomphosus varius Goniopora sp. Gracilaria salicornia Grammistes sexlineatus Gymnothorax favagineus Gymnothorax ﬂavimarginatus Gymnothorax javanicus Halgerda aurantiomaculata Halichoeres biocellatus Halichoeres hortulanus Halichoeres leucurus Halichoeres trimaculatus Haliclona nematifera Haliclona velina Haliclona sp. Halimeda sp. Haliotis ovina Halodule uninervis Halophila ovalis 33 85 84 84 128 128 37 25 8 37 124 105 105 105 106 106 39 138 88 93 32 46 98 131 7 131 33 58 58 58 115 115 78 78 79 79 33 131 72 35 16 16 116 57 131 79 79 124 36 10 107 94 94 94 55 124, 125 125 125 125 14 14 14 9 46 8 8 Harpa harpa Hastula albula Helcogramma striatum Heliofungia actiniformis Hemigymnus fasciatus Hemiscyllium hallstromi Hemitaurichthys polylepis Heniochus acuminatus Heniochus chrysostomus Heniochus varius Herpolitha limax Herpolitha sp. Heteractis aurora Heteractis magniﬁca Heteractis sp. Heteroconger hassi Hexabranchus sanguineus Himerometra robustipinna Himerometra sp. Hippocampus bargibanti Hippocampus kuda Hippocampus sp. Hippocampus taeniopterus Histrio histrio Hologymnosus annulatus Holothuria atra Holothuria coluber Holothuria edulis Holothuria fuscogilva Holothuria hilla Holothuria leucospilota Holothuria scabra Holothuria erinacea Holothuria sp. Hoplophrys oatesii Hyastenus sp. Hydroclathrus clathratus Hymenocera picta Hyotissa hyotis Hypnea pannosa Hypselodoris bullockii Hypselodoris maculosa Hypselodoris nigrostriata Hypselodoris infucata Idiellana pristis Istigobius ornatus Jorunna funebris Junceela fragilis Kentrodoris rubescens Labroides dimidiatus Lactoria cornuta Lambis lambis Lambis scorpius Laomenes sp. Laticauda sp. Lepas anserifera Leptoseris explanata Lethrinus erythropterus Leuce�a chagosensis Leuce�a sp. Linckia guildingi Linckia laevigata Linckia multifora Liosina granularis Lissocarcinus laevis Lissocarcinus polyboides 48 53 129 34 125 93 115 115 116 116 34 34 38 38 38 95 54 83 83 99 99 100 99 95 125 86 86 86 86 86 87 87 87 87 73 73 12 68 62 10 57 57 57 57 18 132 55 24 55 125 137 52 52 69 138 66 30 111 15 15 79 79 79 15 74 74 141 INDEX Lissoclinum patella Li�oraria articulata Lobophyllia hemprichii Lobophytum sp. Lopha cristagalli Luidia cf. savignyi Lunella cinerea Lutjanus argentimaculatus Lutjanus bigu�atus Lutjanus fulvus Lutjanus kasmira Lutjanus semicinctus Lysmata amboinensis Macolor macularis Macolor niger Macropharyngodon meleagris Macrophiothrix sp. Macrorhynchia philippinus Mancinella echinata Manipontonia psamathe Manta birostris Marginopora vertebralis Mastigias papua Megalomma sp. Meiacanthus grammistes Meiacanthus vi�atus Merulina ampliata Metasepia pfeﬀeri Mexichromis multituberculata Microcoleus lyngbyaceus Micromelo undata Millepora sp. Mitra mitra Monanchora ungiculata Monotaxis grandoculis Morula granulata Mycale humilis Myriopathes sp. Myripristis berndti Myripristis murdjan Myripristis violacea Myripristis vi�ata Nardoa novaecaledonia Nardoa tuberculata Naso brevirostris Naso lituratus Nassarius areularia Naticarius onca Naticarius orientalis Nemateleotris decora Nemateleotris magniﬁca Nembrotha lineolata Neocallichirus sp. Neoferdina cumingi Neoglyphidodon nigroris Neoniphon sammara Neopetrolisthes oshimai Neopomacentrus azysron Nephtheis fascicularis Nerita chamaeleon Nerita polita Notodoris minor Novaculichthys taeniourus Octopus sp. Odontodactylus scyllarus Oligometra carpenteri 142 90 48 34 20 62 78 50 112 112 112 112 112 68 112 113 125 81 18 49 69 93 41 19 43 128 129 34 65 57 12 61 19 48 14 111 49 16 40 97 97 97 97 79 80 134 134 49 49 50 133 133 54 68 80 121 97 72 121 90 50 50 54 126 65 66 82 Oligometra serripinna Olivia miniacea Olivia reticulata Onchidium sp. Oncinopus sp. Ophiarthrum pictum Ophiarthrum sp. Ophichthus bonaparti Ophidiaster granifer Ophiocoma erinaceus Ophiothrix purpurea Ophiothrix sp. Oplopomus oplopomus Osbornia octodonta Ostracion meleagris Ostracion solorensis Oxycirrhitus typus Oxycomanthus benne�i Oxymonacanthus longirostris Pachyseris speciosa Padina sp. Palythoa caesia Panulirus ornatus Panulirus versicolor Paracirrhites arcatus Paracirrhites forsteri Parapercis clathrata Parapercis linepunctata Parapercis millepunctata Parapercis xanthozona Parapriacanthus rannsoneti Parasalenia pohlii Pardachirus pavoninus Parupeneus multifasciatus Pearsonothuria graeﬀei Pectinia paeonia Pedum spondyloideum Penaeus japonicus Pentapodus trivi�atus Pericharax heteroraphis Periclimenes amboinensis Periclimenes brevicarpalis Periclimenes holthuisi Periclimenes imperator Periclimenes inornatus Periclimenes magniﬁcus Periclimenes soror Periclimenes sp. Periclimenes tosaensis Periclimenes tenuipes Peronella lesueuri Perophora modiﬁcata Perophora namei Petrosia sp. Peyssonnelia sp. Phenacovolva coarctata Phenacovolva tokioi Phenacovolva sp. Phidiana indica Phos senticosus Phyllidia coelestis Phyllidia elegans Phyllidia ocellata Phyllidia varicosa Phylidiella lizae Phyllidiella nigra 82 50 50 61 73 81 81 94 80 81 81 81 132 7 137 137 118 83 135 30 11 39 71 71 118 118 127 127 127 128 113 85 104 113 87 35 62 67 110 15 69 69 69 69 70 70 70 70 70 70 84 91 91 16 11 51 51 51 58 46 59 59 59 59 59 59 Phyllidiella pustulosa Phyllidiella rudmani Phyllidiopsis pipeki Phyllidiopsis shireenae Phyllodesmium longicirrum Physalia physalis Physogyra lichtensteini Pictichromis aurifrons Pinna muricata Plagiotremus laudanus Plagiotremus rhinorhynchus Planaxis sulcatus Platax orbicularis Platax pinnatus Platax teira Platygyra lamellina Plectorhinchus chaetodontoides Plectorhinchus chrysotaenia Plectorhinchus lineatus Plectorhinchus vi�atus Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus Plectropomus laevis Pleurobranchus forskalii Pleurosicya micheli Pleurosicya mossambica Plotosus lineatus Pocillopora damicornis Pocillopora sp. Polycarpa aurata Polyphyllia talpina Pomacanthus imperator Pomacanthus sexstriatus Pomacanthus xanthometopon Pomacentrus amboinensis Pomacentrus bankanensis Pomacentrus colini Pomacentrus grammorhynchus Pomacentrus nagasakiensis Pomacentrus nigromanus Porites cylindrica Porites sp. Portunus pelagicus Premnas biaculeatus Priacanthus hamrur Prionovolva sp. Prosimnia sp. Prostheceraeus sp. Protoreaster nodosus Pseudanthias fasciatus Pseudanthias hypselosoma Pseudanthias luzonensis Pseudanthias pleurotania Pseudanthias squamipinnis Pseudanthias tuka Pseudobiceros bedfordi Pseudobiceros gratus Pseudoceros bifurcus Pseudoceros dimidiatus Pseudoceros sapphirinus Pseudodax moluccanus Pseudosimnia culmen Pseudosimnia sp. Pseudovertagus aluco Pteraeolidia ianthina Pteragogus enneacanthus Ptereleotris evides 59 59 60 60 58 19 32 107 63 129 129 52 117 117 117 33 111 111 112 112 121 106 61 132 132 95 35 35 91 34 116 117 117 121 121 121 122 122 122 36 36 74 122 107 51 51 42 80 106 106 106 106 107 107 43 43 43 43 43 126 51 52 46 58 126 133 INDEX Pteria cypsellus Pteroeides sp. Pterois antennata Pterois volitans Pycnoclavella diminuta Pygoplites diacanthus Quadrella boopsis Reticulidia fungia Reticulidia halgerda Rhabdamia cypselura Rhabdastrella globostellata Rhinecanthus aculeatus Rhinomuraena quaesita Rhinopias aphanes Rhizophora stylosa Rhopalaea crassa Rhynchocinetes durbanensis Risbecia godeﬀroyana Risbecia tryoni Rudarius minutus Rumphella sp. Sabellastarte sp. Saccostria mordax Salmacis sphaeroides Sarcophyton sp. Sargassum sp. Sargocentron caudimaculatum Sargocentron ensiferum Sargocentron spiniferum Saurida gracilis Scarus niger Scolopsis bilineatus Scolopsis ciliatus Scolopsis margaritifer Scolopsis monogramma Scolymia sp. Scorpaenopsis diabolis Scorpaenopsis macrochir Scorpaenopsis oxycephala Scorpaenopsis possi Scorpaenopsis venosa Sepia latimanus Sepia sp. Sepioteuthis lessoniana Seriatopora sp. Serpula cf. vasifera Siderea thyrsoidea Siganus canaliculatus Siganus javus Signigobius biocellatus Sinularia ﬂexibilis Sinularia sp. Sinum sp. Siphamia versicolor Siphonogorgia sp. Solenostomus cyanopterus Solenostomus paegnius Solenostomus paradoxus Sonneratia alba Sphaeramia nematoptera Sphaeramia orbicularis Spheciospongia sp. Spheciospongia vagabunda Sphyraena ﬂavicauda Sphyraena qenie Spirobranchus cf. gaymardi 63 27 103 103 91 117 74 60 60 109 13 135 95 102 7 90 71 57 58 135 25 43, 44 62 85 20, 21 12 97 97 97 96 127 110 110 111 111 34 103 103 103 104 104 65 65 65 35 44 94 134 134 132 21 21, 22 50 109 24 98 98 98 7 109 110 14 14 110 110 44 Spirobranchus sp. Spondylus sinensis Spondylus sp. Stegastes nigricans Stegopontonia commensalis Stegostoma fasciatum Stenella longirostris Stenopus hispidus Stereonephthea sp. Stichodactyla giganteum Stichodactyla mertensii Stichopus chloronotus Stichopus herrmanni Stichopus horrens Strombus aratrum Strombus gibberulus gibbosus Strombus gibbosus Strombus vomer Strongylophora sphaeroidea Stylaster cf. papuensis Stylophora pistillata Subcancilla ﬂammea Suﬄamen bursa Suﬄamen chrysopterus Sunagocia sp. Symphorichthys spilurus Symphyllia agaricia Symphyllia cf. recta Synalpheus sp. Synanceja verrucosa Synapta maculata Synchiropus stellatus Syngnathoides biaculeatus Synodus rubromarmoratus Synodus variegatus Taenianotus triacanthus Taeniura lymma Tanea undulata Terebra areolata Terebra cingulifera Terebra crenulata Terebra dimidiata Terebra subulata Terebra undulata Terpios sp. Tetraclita squamosa Thais tuberosa Thalassia hemprichii Thalassoma hardwicke Thalassoma lunare Thalassoma lutescens Thelenota ananas Thelenota anax Thelenota rubralineata Thor amboinensis Thuridilla bayeri Thuridilla splendens Toxopneustes pileolus Trachyphyllia geoﬀroyi Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus Triaenodon obesus Trichonotus setiger Tridacna crocea Tridacna maxima Tridacna sp. Tridacna squamosa 44 63 63 122 71 93 139 71 23 38 38 87 87, 88 88 52 53 53 53 16 19 35 49 135 135 96 113 35 35 68 104 88 129 100 96 96 102, 103 93 50 53 53 53 53 54 54 17 66 49 8 126 126 126 88 88 88 68 61 61 85 36 101 93 128 63 63 64 64 Trimma caesiura Triphyllozoon sp. Tripneustes gratilla Tubastrea faulkneri Tubastrea micrantha Turbinaria reniformis Turbinaria decurrens Turbinaria frondens Turbinaria sp. Tursiops truncatus Uca perplexa Uca sp. Upeneus tragula Valenciennea helsdingenii Valenciennea puellaris Valenciennea strigata Valonia ventricosa Vexillium caveum Vexillium exasperatum Vexillium luculentum Vir philippinensis Xenocarcinus tuberculatus Xestospongia testudinaria Xylocarpus rumphii Zanclus cornutus Zebrasoma scopas Zebrasoma veliferum 132 41 85 31 31 32 12 32 32 139 74 74 113 132 132 133 10 46 47 47 71 73 17 6 113 134 134 143 Protecting Our Marine Biodiversity The authors hope that you enjoyed this guide and found it to be an a�ractive and informative introduction to the marine life of Bootless Bay. We oﬀer the following simple guidelines on how we can all try to protect the Bay’s biodiversity and its beauty. When diving or snorkelling, we should try our best to adopt a no-touch approach to the marine life around us, as our environment is very fragile. We should avoid throwing rubbish such as plastic bags, cigare�e bu�s and other items into the sea. It only takes a few moments to dispose of it properly, or store and dispose of it later. When in charge of a boat, we should pay a�ention to our seamanship skills. All of the following will help: anchoring away from important habitats such as corals and seagrasses; using moorings when available; starting engines in deep enough water; and properly stowing engines when not in use. When ﬁshing, we should avoid using destructive methods such as small mesh sized nets, dynamite and cyanide. We should release the small ﬁsh and let them grow older to reproduce. The result will be more ﬁsh for the future. Before cu�ing down the mangroves, we should consider what we actually need, and only take what is necessary. We can also plant mangrove seedlings to replace those we have taken. MIRC and its marine biodiversity unit, MIMBU, are here to help. If you want to learn more about marine biodiversity or the small things we can all do to help protect it, please contact us on 325 4172, or write to MIMBU, c/o MIRC, PO Box 320, University 134, NCD. About The Authors Mark Baine Mark has over 16 years of experience in marine scientiﬁc research, marine resource management and tertiary education. He has managed projects in South America, the Caribbean, Europe and South-East Asia. In 2003, Mark joined the University of Papua New Guinea as Director of its Motupore Island Research Centre. Mark’s obsession with underwater photography took root in 2006 and for this he lays the blame entirely at his co-author’s feet. Dave Harasti Dave is an avid underwater photographer who has spent the past decade documenting and photographing the oceans’ weird and wonderful creatures. When he is not diving he works on marine conservation issues and in his spare time he is conducting PhD research on the protection of his favourite marine animal, the seahorse. Bootless Bay is one of his regular diving destinations where he still continues his search for the elusive Hippocampus harastii! For more of Dave’s imagery, visit www.daveharasti. com. 144 The spinecheek anemoneﬁsh, Premnas biaculeatus This is an essential reference guide to the marine life of Bootless Bay, Central Province, Papua New Guinea. The guide is illustrated with over 900 photographs and includes brief narratives on the biology and ecology of all major taxonomic groups, from algae and sponges to ﬁsh and reptiles. It is primarily aimed at those who live by, study or visit this remarkable area, which is home to a wealth of beautiful and unusual organisms. Many of the featured organisms are also found throughout Papua New Guinea, the guide therefore having national appeal. 3

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The marine life of Bootless Bay, Papua New Guinea

The marine life of Bootless Bay, Papua New Guinea

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