Fiji Research Articles

Chatting behind the reef: Fish bioacoustic diversity of tropical back-reefs in Fiji, South Pacific

Back-reef habitats are important and fragile transition zones acting as nurseries for many coral reef fishes. In this framework, Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) can be an important tool to evaluate the diversity and dynamics of sonic fish community. Here, we investigated the diversity, spatial and diel dynamics of fish sounds in back-reef habitats at Makogai Island in Fiji, South Pacific. Synchronized underwater recorders were deployed in 4 bays collecting data for about 4 days. The abundance of 12 different sub-categories of fish sounds were quantified. Signals were acoustically characterized and the level of discrimination between the sub-categories was evaluated by Discrimination Function Analysis. Generalized Additive Models showed that the abundance of signals was related to the bay and the hour. Moreover, the Shannon Diversity and Equitability Indices were calculated using acoustic and visual census data to describe fish biodiversity of each bay. The two bays with greater biodiversity based on visual census also showed a greater acoustic diversity at dawn and night. Our results highlight the importance of PAM to reveal the diversity of fish community in back-reef habitats, providing a baseline to understand future changes in these crucial environments.

The Fijian genus Nesobasis Selys, 1891 Part 2: Revision in comparison to Nikoulabasis Ferguson et al., 2023 with particular emphasis on Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Koro and erection of 10 new species and one subspecies (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

The present monograph reviews all the available material collected as specimens presently classified under two genera Nesobasis Selys, 1891 and Nikoulabasis Ferguson et al., 2023. It was initially planned as a second part of the taxonomic study published by Donnelly (1990) on Nesobasis from the so-called Southern islands of Fiji (Viti Levu, Ovalau and Kadavu), however, the time passed between the two parts resulted in many new additions to the fauna of the whole of the archipelago. The taxonomic and nomenclature changes required us to incorporate old records from the first part in Donnelly (1990), add unpublished data and summarize all available information in the present monograph. Our results suggest that is it plausible to erect 10 new hypotheses at species level (Nesobasis albistigma sp. nov., Nesobasis auricularis sp. nov., Nesobasis latistyla sp. nov., Nesobasis polhemusi sp. nov., Nesobasis rubra sp. nov., Nesobasis seidenbuschi sp. nov., Nesobasis tillyardi sp. nov., Nesobasis viridis sp. nov., Nikoulabasis crassa sp. nov., Nikoulabasis furcifer sp. nov.) and one at subspecies level (Nikoulabasis furcifer perlmani ssp. nov.) which brings the total of the known species (all members are endemic to Fiji) up to 28 (Nesobasis) and 10 (Nikoulabasis). Further we describe (by opposition) the opposite sexes of Nesobasis pedata Donnelly, 1990 and N. caerulecaudata Donnelly, 1990 (both females), suggest a probable new ergotaxonomy for the two genera and propose future studies to evaluate the status of taxa hypothesized at the moment as separate: N. caerulecaudata—N. longistyla Selys, 1891 as well as Nikoulabasis comosa (Tillyard, 1924)—N. heteroneura (Tillyard, 1924).

Intraspecific variation of <em>Scorpaenopsis possi</em> Randall et Eschmeyer, 2002 (Pisces: Scorpaenidae)

The genus Scorpaenopsis has been intensively studied in recent decades. Sixteen species were known before the revision by Randall and Eschmeyer, who described 8 new species in 2002, and nowadays 29 species are known. Two specimens of Scorpaenopsis from the collection of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences are intermediate in a number of parameters between Scorpaenopsis possi Randall et Eschmeyer 2002 and Scorpaenopsis eschmeyeri Randall et Greenfield 2004. The range of S. possi extends from the Indian Ocean coast of Africa and the Red Sea to the Marquesas Islands in the Pacific Ocean, the latitude of the range lies between the 30th latitudes of both hemispheres. The species S. eschmeyeri inhabits a much smaller range from the east coast of Australia to the island of Fiji. The aim of this work is to explain the appearance of S. possi, similar to S. eschmeyeri in some morphological diagnostic characters, almost 12,000 km apart from its range. The number of soft rays in the dorsal fin, which is unusual for the genus Scorpaenopsis, is described. Due to the lack of persistent distinguishing characters between S. possi and S. eschmeyeri, it is highly probable that both are conspecific; in that case S. eschmeyeri would be a junior synonym of S. possi.

Widespread Wolbachia infection is correlated with increased mtDNA diversity in native bees across the Fijian archipelago

AbstractInsects have a complex coevolutionary history with bacterial symbionts, among which Wolbachia pipientis stands out for its prevalence and role in reproductive manipulation. Wolbachia can induce cytoplasmic incompatibility, feminisation, male killing, and parthenogenesis, greatly influence the population genetics of their hosts and are potential drivers of invertebrate speciation. We might then assume that Wolbachia could act synergistically with other factors, such as niche conservation and isolation by distance, to drive speciation in hyper-diverse invertebrate taxa. The Fijian archipelago hosts a remarkable and recently diverged clade of Lasioglossum (Homalictus) bees. Some of these Lasioglossum have highly unusual species-level sex ratios and mitochondrial diversities, which can be hallmarks of infection by a bacterial reproductive manipulator. To examine the role of Wolbachia in Fijian Lasioglossum speciation, we screened the endemic Fijian bees for Wolbachia using the Wolbachia surface protein gene (wsp). We compare the distribution of Wolbachia infection across species with host mitochondrial haplotype diversity and conducted phylogenetic analyses to determine the relationship of host relatedness and symbiont infection status. We found that Wolbachia haplotypes probably span across supergroups A and B. In addition, we found multiple haplotypes were highly similar, with the most abundant group of wsp haplotypes being closely related with the drosophila Wolbachia strain wHa. We found evidence of mostly horizontal and limited vertical transmission, and little evidence for Wolbachia-host cospeciation. We show that, contrary to general patterns, Wolbachia-infected Lasioglossum species have higher mitochondrial diversity. Finally, we present evidence for the potential of multiple modes of host manipulation in this clade.

Investigating soil physicochemical factors influencing trace element contamination at the semi-urban-rural home gardening interfaces on the Fiji Islands

Due to its ecological and public health implications, home gardening soil pollution is challenging. However, the physicochemical factors of trace element pollution in semi-urban-rural home gardening soil interfaces in Fiji are unclear. Self-organizing map (SOM), chemometrics, compositional data analysis (CDA), and soil quality indices were used to evaluate spatial patterns, contamination characteristics, sources, and factors affecting trace element contamination in 55 soil samples from semi-urban and rural Fiji. The average contents of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable forms of trace element levels (mg/kg) increased in rural areas as Fe (55.7) > Mn (40.4) > Zn (9.4) > Cu (5.9) and semi-urban areas as Fe (55.2) > Zn (35.9) > Mn (37.1) > Cu (16.1). Rural soils have less ecological risks to home gardening than semi-urban soils. SOM and CDA analysis showed four spatial clusters: clusters 1 and 3 are natural geogenic in rural regions while clusters 2 and 4 are human-induced non-point sources in semi-urban areas. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis showed that semi-urban Cu-Zn was more affected by manufacturing emissions or fertilization, whereas rural Fe-Mn was more likely to be lithogenic. The research found that pH and organic matter significantly affect Cu and Zn pollution in semi-urban soils (p < 0.05). For rural and semi-urban soils, trace element subsets explained 44 %–87 % of soil contamination changes using the stepwise regression model. These findings aid to establishing a primary database of eco-environmental risks and facilitate comprehensive strategies for assessing soil contamination and potential threats to food safety.

Is there a case to reduce the duration of spat collector deployment for black-lip (Pinctada margaritifera) and winged (Pteria penguin) pearl oysters in the Fiji Islands?

Spat collection activities, targeting black-lip (Pinctada margaritifera) and winged (Pteria penguin) pearl oysters, support successful cultured round pearl and mabé pearl sectors in the Fiji Islands. To improve supply of pearl oysters for pearl production, a national spat collection program was developed based on standardised methodology, where commercially available spat collectors are deployed for 10–18 months. Research is now required to maximise the productivity of this program and optimising the duration of spat collector deployments is seen as a priority. This study considered whether there is justification to reduce the duration of spat collector deployments for black-lip and winged pearl oysters to less than 8 months. Spat collectors were deployed at multiple sites and then recovered after 5, 6, 7, or 8 months to examine the yield and size of resulting spat. While duration of spat collector deployment was important in determining the yield and size of harvested spat, it was not possible to generalise responses. Rather, conclusions were liable to vary over macro and micro spatial scales, depending on the target species. Such variability, coupled with the small size of spat at harvest, greatly limited the feasibility and rationale for reducing the duration of spat collector deployment to improve the supply of pearl oysters for pearl production. On this basis, we argue that there is no justification to modify the standardised methodology currently used within the national spat collection program in Fiji, where spat collectors are deployed for longer than 8 months.

Factors Predicting the Quality of Care Among Nurses in Tertiary Hospitals in Fiji: A Cross-sectional Study

Quality of care by nurses is a key factor in determining the success of healthcare delivery around the globe, which is impacted by a shortage of nurses, excessive workloads, and unfavorable working conditions, including in the Republic of Fiji Islands. Using the Quality Health Outcome Model, this descriptive-predictive, cross-sectional study examined the quality of care and its predictors among 744 Fijian registered nurses from three tertiary hospitals. Instruments for data collection were the Demographic Data Sheet, the Quality of Care Scale, the Participation in Decision Making Scale, the Relational Coordination Survey, the Perception of Organizational Change Scale, the Job Satisfaction Scale, and the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were applied to analyze the data. This study’s findings are informative and offer a glimmer of hope since 72.58% of participants perceived the overall quality of care as good/excellent, indicating a positive baseline. Two factors, relational coordination and job satisfaction, significantly affected the perception of the quality of care. The study model explained 8.90% of the variance in quality of care, with relational coordination being the strongest predictor. These findings provide a clear path to improvement. A comprehensive model should be developed and tested to better understand the factors predicting Fiji’s quality of care before it can be used to design an effective intervention. Developing nursing skills, improving good communication and work environments, and providing high-quality education and training among nurses can significantly improve the quality of care. In addition, support from the government for appropriate medical equipment, recruitment and retention strategies for nurses, and promotion of standard of care from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services are recommended to enhance the quality of care, further bolstering this hopeful outlook. Further Fijian nursing research is clearly needed on this topic in the future.

Waves of Colonization and Gene Flow in a Great Speciator.

Secondary contact between previously allopatric lineages offers a test of reproductive isolating mechanisms that may have accrued in isolation. Such instances of contact can produce stable hybrid zones-where reproductive isolation can further develop via reinforcement or phenotypic displacement-or result in the lineages merging. Ongoing secondary contact is most visible in continental systems, where steady input from parental taxa can occur readily. In oceanic island systems, however, secondary contact between closely related species of birds is relatively rare. When observed on sufficiently small islands, relative to population size, secondary contact likely represents a recent phenomenon. Here, we examine the dynamics of a group of birds whose apparent widespread hybridization influenced Ernst Mayr's foundational work on allopatric speciation: the whistlers of Fiji (Aves: Pachycephala). We demonstrate two clear instances of secondary contact within the Fijian archipelago, one resulting in a hybrid zone on a larger island, and the other resulting in a wholly admixed population on a smaller, adjacent island. We leveraged low genome-wide divergence in the hybrid zone to pinpoint a single genomic region associated with observed phenotypic differences. We use genomic data to present a new hypothesis that emphasizes rapid plumage evolution and post-divergence gene flow.

The Influence of Social Representations on Attitude, Behaviour, and Adaptation Strategies on Perceptions about Climate Change in the Fiji Islands: A Review of Literature

The Influence of Social Representations on Attitude, Behaviour, and Adaptation Strategies on Perceptions about Climate Change in the Fiji Islands: A Review of Literature

Physiological performance and fruit quality of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) cultivated in different agro-climatic zones of Fiji

Noni (Morinda citrifolia) fruit juice is widely used as a strong antioxidant nutritional supplement. With its demand for supplementary products globally, commercial noni farming is now increasing in the Pacific Islands. Information on its growth performance and fruit quality under variable climatic condition is limited. This study aimed to establish the climatic requirements and identify the agro-climatic zone in Fiji that provides for increased antioxidant levels in fruits in addition to optimal plant growth and physiological performance. The study investigated plant growth, photosynthetic performance, fruit yield and antioxidant properties of plants that were cultivated under rain fed conditions in the dry, wet and intermediate agro-climatic zones in Fiji Islands. The physiological performance was significantly influenced by the soil moisture, sunshine hours and soil nutrients. Physiological performance including fruit yields were the highest in the intermediate zone which was characterized by a moderate rainfall and fairly good soil properties while it was lowest in the dry zone. Highest fruit antioxidant properties occurred in the dry zone followed by wet zone. The study implies that under cultivation, moderate abiotic stress can enhance the antioxidant properties of noni.

Barriers to Early Diagnosis of Breast Cancer amongst women in the Fiji Islands: A Qualitative Study.

To investigate the factors that may account for the delay in diagnosis and treatment in Fijian female breast cancer patients. This study adopted a qualitative approach to gain an in-depth understanding of individual barriers and participants' experiences within the Fijian context. Utilising semi-structured interviews, the study interviewed breast cancer survivors, community women, healthcare professionals, and traditional healers. Two primary themes emerged from participants' narratives relating to barriers to early breast cancer detection: (1) individual-related factors and (2) healthcare system-related factors. Within these, five sub-themes were identified. For individual-related factors, these included: cultural & religious beliefs, social support, and awareness & misconception. For healthcare system factors, the sub-themes were: House of death and limited community accessibility to screening and awareness initiatives. The results highlighted the need for targeted interventions that consider the importance of cultural beliefs, improve awareness, and foster trust in the healthcare system.

Validation of ERA5 rainfall data over the South Pacific Region: case study of Fiji Islands

Validation of ERA5 rainfall data over the South Pacific Region: case study of Fiji Islands

Two decades of coral bleaching in selected islands of Pacific Ocean: A holistic impact assessment

Coral reefs are regarded as one of the most diverse, productive as well as sensitive ecosystems existing across the world. Major coral reefs across the Pacific Ocean exhibit a vast variety of species, the majority of which are under threat, largely due to changes in past conducive climatic and oceanic parameters. The present study involves the mapping of coral reefs at select islands of Great Barrier Reefs (Heron Island), Fiji (Namena Island), and Cook Island (Aitutaki Island) using Landsat 7 (ETM+) and Landsat 8 (OLI/ TIRS) satellite data for the years 2002 and 2020. Depth invariant bottom index (DII) is applied for water column correction and identification of bottom type submerged and heterogeneous coral reef classes. Maximum likelihood classifier (supervised classification) is performed to characterize various classes of the coral community. Turbidity values (10.4 – 53 Nephelometric Turbidity unit (NTU)), (4.74–26.1NTU), and (14.56–73.56 NTU) for Heron, Namena, and Aitutaki Islands indicate a pronounced effect of sedimentation due to an increase in Sea level rise and anthropogenic activities. Increasing trend of oceanic parameters viz. SST, PAR, salinity, and sea level rise indicated an adverse impact on coral health and triggered coral bleaching along these Islands especially due to El Niño events in the years 2015–2016. We identified the coral mortality for 18 years of period as 16.1 %, 20.2 % and 11. 2 % in Heron, Namena, and Aitutaki Island respectively. The study provides a holistic impact assessment of various anthropogenic activities and climate change on the health of the coral reef ecosystem.

First assessment of microplastic concentrations in oysters, water and sediment in Laucala Bay, Fiji Islands

First assessment of microplastic concentrations in oysters, water and sediment in Laucala Bay, Fiji Islands

Do they like geography? A study of Fijian high school students’ attitudes towards geography

This paper investigates the causes of students’ preference and disinclination for high school geography. The paper draws on data from 135 students from years 11, 12, and 13 (aged 16–18 years) from seven secondary schools in the Ba district, Western division, Fiji Islands. We used the posterior inductive reduction model to analyze and identify the themes that connected the interviews conducted with the study participants. We discovered that the multidisciplinary and exciting nature of geography, teacher influence, and the notion that geography offers the opportunity for high scores constituted the significant factors explaining students’ favorable attitudes toward geography. On the other hand, perceived subject difficulty, lack of outdoor activities, and negative societal impression of geography constituted the push factors underlying students’ disinclination towards the subject. The findings suggest that the inclusion of a broader range of topics, assessing and realigning the current curriculum, and integrating technology in the geography classrooms would generate interest in the subject.

Grouper Fisheries in a Fijian Community: A Case Study in Dravuni Village, Kadavu, the Fiji Islands

Grouper Fisheries in a Fijian Community: A Case Study in Dravuni Village, Kadavu, the Fiji Islands

Seismic Observation of a New ULVZ Beneath the Southern Pacific

AbstractWe present new observations of core‐diffracted shear waves which contain anomalous waveforms sampling the lowermost mantle beneath the southern Pacific region. Data in two distinct geometries, one from New Zealand to North America and the other from the Fiji and Solomon Islands to South America, show evidence of postcursor phases. The postcursor delays and move‐outs imply that they are caused by an ultra‐low velocity zone (ULVZ). Beamforming analyses of the observed diffracted postcursors show a strong backazimuthal deviation, suggesting this new ULVZ is likely to have a cylindrical shape similar to broad ULVZs sampled by shear diffracted waves elsewhere. Full‐waveform modeling suggests that the postcursors seen in North America might be due to the previously modeled ULVZ located to the west of the Galápagos, while those seen in South America are due to a previously unknown ULVZ beneath the Southern Pacific. We cannot fit observations in both geometries by a single ULVZ. For the new location, we propose one cylindrical ULVZ model with a radius of 400 km and a shear wave velocity decrease of 20% centered at geographical coordinates (−33.6, 130) close to the Pitcairn hotspot. Despite some uncertainty in the west‐east direction, this new ULVZ observation likely provides another example to support the hypothesis that ULVZs exist at the base of mantle plumes where primordial signatures are observed in the ocean island basalts.

Investigation of Agricultural Diseases and Pests in the Republic of Kiribati and the Republic of Fiji

The Republic of Kiribati (Kiribati) and the Republic of Fiji (Fiji) are two island countries in the Middle and Eastern Pacific Ocean, respectively. Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), banana (Musa spp.), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.), and breadfruit (Artocarpus incisa (Thunb.) L.) are the primary economic crops. To date, there have been few reports on the status of agricultural diseases and pests in these countries. From June 6 to June 16, 2023, our team investigated agricultural diseases and pests in Kiribati and Fiji. Thirty-six diseases, five pests and one parasitic plant from twenty-eight species of plants were identified in Kiribati. Among the deleterious organisms, coconut gray spot (Pestalotiopsis palmarum (Cooke) Steyaert), banana Cordana leaf spot (Cordana musae (Zimm) Hhon), hala (pandanus) leaf blight (Unidentified pathogen), breadfruit anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.), frangipani rust (Coleosporium plumierae Pat.) and noni anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.) were predominant. A total of twenty-seven diseases and one parasitic plant were identified on twenty-one species of plants in Fiji. Mango bacterial black spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae), banana black leaf streak (Pseudocercospora musae (Zimm.) Deighton), pumpkin virus disease (Unidentified), and frangipani rust (Coleosporium plumierae Pat.) were prevalent. The results of our survey could provide the governments of Kiribati and Fiji with basic data to control the primary agricultural diseases and pests in their countries.

First molecular description of Neorhadinorhynchus nudus (Acanthocephala: Cavisomidae) from fish in the pacific coast of Vietnam, with notes on biogeography.

Neorhadinorhynchus nudus (Harada, 1938) Yamaguti, 1939 (Cavisomidae) was morphologically described from the frigate tuna Auxis thazard (Lacépède) (Scombridae) in Nha Trang, Pacific south Vietnam. Females of N. nudus were fully described for the first time in the Pacific. Its original inadequate description as Rhadinorhynchus nudus (Harada, 1938) was corrected in material from Fiji Island, the Red Sea and Pacific Vietnam and errors in the text and line drawings of Harada were repeated in subsequent major publications where it underwent considerable nomenclature changes. New descriptive and biogeographical notes are included. We also provided here the molecular characterization of the nuclear gene (18S) and the mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit 1 (cox1) sequence data ofN. nudus. Furthermore, to elucidate the phylogenetic relationship of N. nudus within the family Cavisomidae and with other isolates were performed incorporating nuclear (18S) and mitochondrial (cox1) sequence data using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI). The phylogenetic results showed thatN. nudus has a relationship withother isolates of the same species and the median-joining network showed the pattern of haplotypes that reflected the structure of the populations.

Strengthening rural community water safety planning in Pacific Island countries: evidence and lessons from Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji.

Pacific Island Countries (PICs) collectively have the lowest rates of access to safely managed or basic drinking water and sanitation globally. They are also the least urbanised, have dynamic socioeconomic and increasing climate-linked challenges. Community-based water managers need to respond to variability in water availability and quality caused by a range of hazards. Water Safety Planning (WSP), a widely adopted approach to assessing water supply, offers a risk-based approach to mitigating both existing and future hazards. WSP is adaptable, and making modifications to prescribed WSP to adapt it to the local context is common practice. Within the Pacific Community Water Management Plus research project, we used formative research and co-development processes to understand existing local modifications, whether further modifications are required, and, to develop additional modifications to WSP in Fiji, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. The types of additional local modifications we recommend reflect the unique context of PICs, including adjusting for community management of water supplies and required collective action, community governance systems, levels of social cohesion in communities, and preferred adult-learning pedagogies. Incorporating modifications that address these factors into future WSP will improve the likelihood of sustained and safe community water services in Pacific and similar contexts.