The marine algae of the Solomon Islands and their place in biotic reefs

Abstract

The Royal Society Expedition to the Solomon Islands aimed at examining the biogeographical relationships between these islands and other island systems of the western tropical Pacific. The marine party also studied intertidal and reef ecology. Comprehensive collections of benthic marine algae were made at the main localities visited (Florida Islands, north-west and south-east Guadalcanal, Matiu Island off the north coast and Batuona and Ulukoro Islands off the south coast of New Georgia, Banika Island in the Russell Islands, and south-east Gizo Island). Additional small collections were obtained from Kolombangara and the north coast of San Cristobal. Habitat notes accompanied each collection and preliminary determinations were made in the field where possible. General ecological observations on the reefs included profiles selected after a preliminary survey of an area. Such profiles (see below) indicate the general situation but are not based on detailed transect work; restricted time and the great variation in distribution of organisms over the reef surface (especially in the moat) rendered isolated detailed transects of limited value. The marine algal flora of the Solomon Islands has been one of the least known in tropical regions. Setchell (1935) recorded nine species from Malaita Island and also several taxa from Sikaiana Island (in the Stewart Islands, north-east of Malaita Island) and from Bellona Island, south of the Solomon Islands. Levring (i960) recorded a number of species from Rennell Island, near Bellona Island. Otherwise there are only a few scattered records in taxonomic monographs.