Marquesas Research Articles

Tonnoidean gastropods of French Polynesia

The tonnoidean gastropod fauna of French Polynesia (54 species) includes 26 species recorded from the Austral Islands (including 10 from Rapa), 33 species from the Marquesas Islands, 39 from the Society Islands, 32 from the Tuamotu Islands, and 3 from the Tarava Seamounts. Most species have planktotrophic larval development and are distributed from East Africa to eastern Polynesia, but many common western Pacific species are not present. With the possible exception of Semicassis salmonea n. sp. (Cassidae), described from the Marquesas, and Gyrineum pusillum (Ranellidae), restricted to the Austral (and Tuamotu?) Islands in southeastern-most Polynesia, no species is endemic to any individual island groups, but several species with broad overall ranges are known from only one archipelago within French Polynesia. Three species (Monoplex intermedius, Septa peasei, Ranellidae; Distorsio graceiellae, Personidae) are much more common in the Marquesas Islands than further westwards. Three species of Bursidae (Bursa lamarckii, Bursina nobilis, Tutufa tenuigranosa) are recorded only from the Marquesas Islands, whereas the only record of Bursina fijiensis is from the Austral Islands. The two very similar species Bursa asperrima and B. cruentata have a complex distribution; only B. cruentata is common west of Hawaii, and only B. asperrima occurs east of Hawaii, but only B. cruentata has been collected at the Marquesas Islands. Ranella venustula is a synonym of Bursa rhodostoma. Neotypes are designated for Buccinum ponderosum Gmelin, 1791, B. nodulosum Gmelin, 1791, Cassis caputequinum Röding, 1798, C. denticulata Röding, 1798, C. glabra Röding, 1798, C. hamata Röding, 1798, Phalium edentulum Link, 1807, P. quadratum Link, 1807, Buccinum biarmatum Dillwyn, 1817, B. pantherina Dillwyn, 1817, Cassis tenuilabris Menke, 1828, and Dolium rufum Blainville, 1829, and lectotypes are designated for Buccinum cornutum Linnaeus, 1758, Murex bufonius Gmelin, 1791 and Cassis torquata Reeve, 1848.

The 2010 and 2011 Tsunamis in French Polynesia: Operational Aspects and Field Surveys

We present a detailed timeline of the warning procedures as they unfolded at the Laboratoire de Geophysique in Papeete, Tahiti, during the nights of 26–27 February 2010 (Maule, Chile tsunami) and 10–11 March 2011 (Tohoku tsunami). In particular, we discuss how the flow of information available to the warning center (including seismic evaluations obtained both locally and from other warning centers, as well as maregraph and DART buoy data) built up and eventually led to red alerts, which the local authorities used in both cases to impose an evacuation of low-lying areas on 68 islands. While the alerts were successful in Polynesia, a difficulty arose in 2011 when the alert had to be reinstated immediately as the all clear was being declared, since the maximum amplitude was carried by the fourth wave packet. We also present a complete dataset of 119 values of run-up and inundation surveyed in the aftermath of the two tsunamis, principally in the Marquesas Islands where their effects were maximal, and on Tahiti and Moorea for the 2011 event. The highest run-up (4.45 m) was observed in 2011 in the Bay of Taipivai on Nuku Hiva, where seven houses were flooded. We find no clear correlation between run-up values at the same locations in 2010 and 2011, suggesting that local responses are controlled by details specific to each tsunami. In 2010, in the village of Puamau on Hiva Oa (Marquesas), a delayed harbor response, probably due to resonance of the bay upon arrival of short-period components dispersed outside the shallow-water approximation, flung a launch onto a wharf, 7 h after the first arrivals, and 2.5 h after issuance of the all clear.

Sea surface chlorophyll signature in the tropical Pacific during eastern and central Pacific ENSO events

Recent analyses of physical measurements show the existence of a central Pacific type of El Niño (CPEN) with a sea surface temperature warming pattern distinct from that of the “classical” eastern Pacific El Niño (EPEN). In this study, we analyze the surface chlorophyll signature of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), using monthly maps of satellite‐derived chlorophyll anomalies between September 1997 and December 2010. We identify five typical ENSO structures. The first structure describes the lonely 1997–1998 EPEN of the period, the second and third represent La Niña, the fourth illustrates intermediate conditions, and the fifth characterizes CPEN. During the 1997–1998 EPEN, a large eastward shift of the oligotrophic warm pool and a reduction of equatorial upwelling result in negative chlorophyll anomalies east of 170°E between 10°S and 10°N. During the four CPEN events, a reduced eastward shift yields negative chlorophyll anomalies in the equatorial band, within about 160°E and 160°W only. Westward surface current in the central basin limits the expansion of the anomaly core. Negative chlorophyll anomalies that extend eastward from the equatorial anomaly core probably result from reduced upward iron fluxes linked to the deepening of the Equatorial Undercurrent. During La Niña, the westward expansion of the equatorial upwelling results in positive chlorophyll anomalies west of the date line. Away from the equatorial band, advection of oligotrophic warm pool waters by enhanced eastward countercurrents drives negative anomalies within 8–10°N and toward the Marquesas Islands during CPEN, while reduced countercurrents lead to positive chlorophyll anomaly during La Niña.

Population dynamics of three Bactrocera spp. fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) and two introduced natural enemies, Fopius arisanus (Sonan) and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), after an invasion by Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) in Tahiti

Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), invaded French Polynesia in 1996. In 2002 a natural enemy, Fopius arisanus (Sonan), was released and established. By 2009 mean (±SD) F. arisanus parasitism for fruit flies infesting Psidium guajava (common guava), Inocarpus fagifer (Polynesian chestnut) and Terminalia catappa (tropical almond) fruits on Tahiti Island was 64.8±2.0%. A second parasitoid, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead), was released and established in 2008. Although widespread, parasitism rates have not been higher than 10%. From 2003 (parasitoid establishment) to 2009 (present survey) numbers of B. dorsalis, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), Queensland fruit fly, and Bactrocera kirki (Froggatt) emerging (per kg of fruit) declined. For example, for P. guajava there was a decline of 92.3%, 96.8%, and 99.6%, respectively. Analysis of co-infestation patterns (1998–2009) of B. dorsalis, B. tryoni, and B. kirki, suggest B. dorsalis is now the most abundant species in many common host fruits. Establishment of F. arisanus is the most successful example of classical biological control of fruit flies in the Pacific outside of Hawaii and can be introduced if B. dorsalis spreads to other French Polynesian islands, as was the recent case when B. dorsalis spread to the Marquesas Islands. These studies support F. arisanus as a prime biological control candidate for introduction into South America and Africa where Bactrocera carambolae Drew and Hancock and Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta, and White, respectively, have become established.

Records of anglerfishes (Lophiiformes: Lophiidae) from the western South Pacific Ocean, with descriptions of two new species

Species of Lophiidae collected from the western South Pacific Ocean are examined. Nine nominal species are recognized, all but one species with their distributions extended eastwards and southwards from the western Pacific Ocean. Two new species are described from Polynesia. Lophiodes iwamotoi n. sp. is described from five specimens collected from Savannah Seamount. It is characterized by a relatively long third dorsal-fin spine (56.9-70.8% standard length, L(S)) that extends (when retracted) to between the end of the soft dorsal fin and caudal-fin base; a relatively short fifth dorsal-fin spine (10.5-13.1% L(S)); a relatively short and narrow head; 19-20 pectoral-fin rays. Lophiodes maculatus n. sp. is described from 20 specimens collected from Marquesas Islands. It is characterized by an extremely long third dorsal-fin spine (71.9-87.2% L(S)), extending well beyond the caudal-fin base; a relatively short fifth dorsal-fin spine (11.4-16.5% L(S)); 17-18 pectoral-fin rays. A key to the lophiids in the western South Pacific Ocean is provided.

Does Large Genome Size Limit Speciation in Endemic Island Floras?

Genome sizes in plants vary by several orders of magnitude, and this diversity may have evolutionary consequences. Large genomes contain mainly noncoding DNA that may impose high energy and metabolic costs for their bearers. Here we test the large genome constraint hypothesis, which assumes that plant lineages with large genomes are diversifying more slowly Knight et al. (2005), using endemic floras of the oceanic archipelagos of the Canaries, Hawaii, and Marquesas Islands. In line with this hypothesis, the number of endemic species per genus is negatively correlated with genus-average genome size for island radiations on Hawaiian and Marquesas archipelagos. However, we do not find this correlation on the Canaries, which are close to the continent and therefore have higher immigration rate and lower endemism compared to Hawaii. Further work on a larger number of floras is required to test the generality of the large genome constraint hypothesis.

Disappearance of Acropora from the Marquesas (French Polynesia) during the last deglacial period

The major reef-building coral genus Acropora has never been recorded, living or fossil, from the Marquesas Islands in the central Pacific Ocean, which are characterized by limited modern reef formations. During the ''Musorstom 9'' cruise in 1997, investigations of mar- ine platforms representing drowned reef systems revealed for the first time the presence of two Acropora species as fossils at seven Marquesas islands. The predominant spe- cies was Acropora valida, which was widespread in the archipelago and dated between 7.4 and 48.6 ka, providing evidence of an earlier Pacific distribution pattern broader than previously observed. It is proposed that disappearance of Acropora after 7.4 ka was linked to climatic events probably ENSO events controlling the distribution of corals and coral reefs in the eastern Pacific without excluding alternatively the effects of an increase in sea-level rise.

New pteridophyte species and combinations from the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia

Intensive botanical exploration of the Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia) for the Vascular Flora of the Marquesas Islands and Flore de la Polynésie française projects has resulted in numerous additional new collections from these islands. Study of these collections has brought to light 11 new species of pteridophytes (ferns and lycophytes) which are described herein: Blechnum pacificum Lorence & A. R. Sm., sp. nov., Cyclosorus castaneus A. R. Sm. & Lorence, sp. nov., Cyclosorus florencei A. R. Sm. & Lorence, sp. nov., Dryopteris macropholis Lorence & W. L. Wagner, sp. nov., Dryopteris sweetorum Lorence & W. L. Wagner, sp. nov., Polystichum kenwoodii Lorence & W. L. Wagner, sp. nov., Polystichum uahukaense Lorence & W. L. Wagner, sp. nov., Pteris hivaoaensis Lorence & K. R. Wood, sp. nov., Pteris marquesensis Lorence & K. R. Wood, sp. nov., Pteris tahuataensis Lorence & K. R. Wood, sp. nov., and Thelypteris marquesensis Lorence & K. R. Wood, sp. nov. One new combination is made: Cyclosorus marquesicus (Holttum) Lorence & A. R. Sm., comb. nov. (based on Plesioneuron marquesicum Holttum). An analysis of the conservation status of these new Marquesas Islands taxa reveals they are in need of inclusion in the IUCN Red List with conservation status ranging from vulnerable (one species), and endangered (four species), to critically endangered (five species).

A new species of Meryta (Araliaceae) from the Marquesas Archipelago, French Polynesia

Meryta pastoralis F. Tronchet & Lowry, a new species from the island of Hiva Oa in the Marquesas archipelago, is described and illustrated. It differs from other Polynesian members of the genus by its fully free ovaries, a feature shared with one other species found in the region, Meryta choristantha (native to the Austral Islands), distinguished by its ovate to spatulate (vs. elliptic to obovate) leaf shape. A preliminary risk of extinction assessment indicates that Meryta pastoralis is Critically Endangered.

Oxalis simplicifolia (Oxalidaceae), an unusual new unifoliolate species from the Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia)

Oxalis simplicifolia Lorence & W. L. Wagner sp. nov., a new species from the Marquesas Islands (Ua Huka) is described and illustrated. It differs from the other Marquesas species, Oxalis gagneorum, in having simple, unifoliolate glabrous leaves, minutely glandular-puberulent calyx lobes, shorter corolla lobes, erect capsules, and smaller seeds. As its habitat is under serious threat from human impact, feral animals, and weeds, we conclude this new species should be added to the IUCN Red List as critically endangered (CR).

Introduction to Botany of the Marquesas Islands: new taxa and combinations papers

Introduction to Botany of the Marquesas Islands: new taxa and combinations papers

Revision of Kadua (Rubiaceae) in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, with description of the new species K. lichtlei

During the preparation of the Vascular Flora of the Marquesas Islands three new species of Coprosma (Rubiaceae, tribe Anthospermeae) have come to light and are described herein: Coprosma fatuhivaensis W. L. Wagner & Lorence, Coprosma meyeri W. L. Wagner & Lorence, and Coprosma temetiuensis W. L. Wagner & Lorence. Descriptions, illustrations, conservation status, and specimen citations are provided. Amended descriptions of three previously described Marquesan Coprosma species are also provided as well as a key to the species, four of which fall into the Critically Endangered (CR) and two into the Endangered (EN) category. With the description of these the new species, Coprosma becomes the sixth largest lineage in the Marquesas Islands with six species after Psychotria (one lineage which has 9 spp.), Cyrtandra (8 spp.), Bidens (8 spp.), Melicope (7 spp.), and Ixora (7 spp.).

Weinmannia marquesana var. angustifolia (Cunoniaceae), a new variety from the Marquesas Islands

Weinmannia marquesana F. Br. var. angustifolia Lorence & W. L. Wagner, var. nov., a new variety with narrow, simple leaves endemic to Tahuata, Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia) is described and its affinities and conservation status are discussed. It is similar to the other two varieties of this species by having simple leaves, but this new variety has much narrower leaf blades, and it resembles Weinmannia tremuloides in having narrow leaf blades but differs by having simple, not trifoliolate leaves.

A Reassessment of Marquesan Ochrosia and Rauvolfia (Apocynaceae) with two new combinations

A reassessment of collections of Marquesan Apocynaceae assigned to the genera Neisosperma Raf., Ochrosia Juss., and Rauvolfia L. revealed that two nomenclatural changes are necessary: 1) transfer of Neisosperma brownii Fosberg & Sachet to the genus Ochrosia, as Ochrosia brownii (Fosberg & Sachet) Lorence & Butaud, comb. nov., and 2) transfer of Ochrosia nukuhivensis Fosberg & Sachet to Rauvolfia as Rauvolfia nukuhivensis (Fosberg & Sachet) Lorence & Butaud, comb. nov. As a result, two species each of Ochrosia and Rauvolfia are recognized from the Marquesas Islands, all endemic. Recent field work has yielded important new data on their distribution, habitat, and conservation status. It is recommended that all four species should be added the IUCN Red List at the Critically Endangered (CR) category.

Revision of Coprosma (Rubiaceae, tribe Anthospermeae) in the Marquesas Islands

During the preparation of the Vascular Flora of the Marquesas Islands three new species of Coprosma (Rubiaceae, tribe Anthospermeae) have come to light and are described herein: Coprosma fatuhivaensis W. L. Wagner & Lorence, Coprosma meyeri W. L. Wagner & Lorence, and Coprosma temetiuensis W. L. Wagner & Lorence. Descriptions, illustrations, conservation status, and specimen citations are provided. Amended descriptions of three previously described Marquesan Coprosma species are also provided as well as a key to the species, four of which fall into the Critically Endangered (CR) and two into the Endangered (EN) category. With the description of these the new species, Coprosma becomes the sixth largest lineage in the Marquesas Islands with six species after Psychotria (one lineage which has 9 spp.), Cyrtandra (8 spp.), Bidens (8 spp.), Melicope (7 spp.), and Ixora (7 spp.).

A nomenclator of Pacific oceanic island Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae), including Glochidion

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies and reevaluation of morphological characters have led to the inclusion of Glochidion within a broader delimitation of Phyllanthus. It is necessary for preparation of the Vascular Flora of the Marquesas Islands to make new combinations for the Marquesan species. We also provide the relevant combinations and listing of all of the currently accepted species of Phyllanthus on Pacific oceanic islands for a total of 69 native species in oceanic Pacific islands. Glochidion tooviianum J. Florenceis here placed into synonymy of Phyllanthus marchionicus (F. Br.) W. L. Wagner & Lorence based on new assessment of recently collected specimens from Nuku Hiva. Glochidion excorticans Fosberg var. calvum Fosberg is placed into synonomy of Phyllanthus ponapense (Hosokawa) W. L. Wagner & Lorenceand Glochidion puberulum Hosokawa and Glochidion excorticans Fosberg are placed in synonymy of Phyllanthus senyavinianus (Glassman)W. L. Wagner & Lorence based on new study of all Micronesian specimens available to us. No infraspecific taxa are recognized within Phyllanthus pacificus of the Marquesas Islands. Species already with valid names in Phyllanthus are also listed for completeness and convenience. Brief distributional comments are given for each species. We propose new names for species for which a new combination is not possible: Phyllanthus florencei W. L. Wagner & Lorence, nom. nov., Phyllanthus mariannensis W.L. Wagner & Lorence, nom. nov., Phyllanthus otobedii W. L. Wagner & Lorence, Phyllanthus raiateaensis W. L. Wagner & Lorence, Phyllanthus st-johnii W. L. Wagner & Lorence, nom. nov., and Phyllanthus vitilevuensis W.L. Wagner & Lorence, nom. nov. We provide information for four additional naturalized species within the region (Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus debilis, Phyllanthus tenellus, and Phyllanthus urinaria). The name Glochidion ramiflorum widely applied to Pacific island populations is here considered to be a species further west in the Pacific with all of the oceanic species here referred to several regional species.

Two new Marquesan species of the southeastern Polynesian genus Oparanthus (Asteraceae, Coreopsidinae)

Two new species of the recently revised genus Oparanthus (Asteraceae, Subtribe Coreopsidinae) were discovered during the National Tropical Botanical Garden/Smithsonian Institution 1997 expedition to the Marquesas Islands. Oparanthus woodii W. L. Wagner & Lorence, sp. nov. is known from a single population on the island of Nuku Hiva, and Oparanthus tiva W. L. Wagner & Lorence, sp. nov. is known only from Tahuata. Small domatia with a tuft of hairs occur in Oparanthus tiva (and the previously known Oparanthus hivoanus), and similar but naked domatia are found occasionally in Oparanthus woodii. Domatia are of exceedingly rare occurrence in Asteraceae. Both new species are extremely rare and are considered critically endangered (CR) as are the other four species of the genus.

Biogeography of Nicotiana section Suaveolentes (Solanaceae) reveals geographical tracks in arid Australia

Aim Nicotiana section Suaveolentes is largely endemic to Australia but includes one species endemic to Africa, one to New Caledonia and Tongatupa, and one to the Marquesas Islands in the Pacific. Other sections of Nicotiana are found in the New World. In Australia, Suaveolentes is widespread across the continent, with many taxa adapted to the Eremean zone. We aim to analyse the biogeography of the Australian clade, both to shed light on the evolution of the group and to determine general area relationships that provide insight into the history of the arid-zone biota. Location Mesic and arid regions of continental Australia, the Central–South Pacific and Namibia, Africa. Methods A phylogeny of Suaveolentes, based on morphology and molecular data, was used to analyse the relationships of areas in which the taxa occur. The section is monophyletic, and all but three taxa were included (25). The method of paralogy-free subtree analysis was employed, with the basal taxon Nicotiana africana used as the outgroup. Results Paralogy-free subtree analysis found five area subtrees that, when combined, resulted in a minimal area cladogram with six resolved nodes. Pacific and mesic eastern Australia (including Lord Howe Island) are at the base of the area cladogram, followed by the differentiation of North West Australia and later South East Australia. Arid regions of Australia are related, revealing three biogeographical tracks: a northern track including the Great Sandy Desert and Tanami, which are related to the Pilbara; a central track relating the Western Desert, Central Ranges, Eastern Desert and North East Interzone; and a southern track relating the South West Interzone, Nullarbor, Adelaide/Eyre and the South East Interzone. Plesiomorphic taxa with chromosome number n = 24–23 occur on the periphery of the continent, and derived taxa with n = 21, 20, 18, 16–15 identify the tracks across arid Australia. Main conclusions The patterns of distribution and differentiation of Suaveolentes in Australia show that the age of the clade is at least Early Miocene, dating to before the onset of aridification in Australia about 15 Ma. The patterns are also interpreted as evidence that it was vicariance that largely shaped speciation in the Eremean zone, with range expansion of some widespread taxa probably occurring in the most recent cycles of severe drying and mobilization of desert dune sands.

Charting the course of reed-warblers across the Pacific islands

Aim Deciphering the complex colonization history of island archipelagos is greatly facilitated by comprehensive phylogenies. In this study we investigate the phylogeny and biogeography of the insular reed-warblers (genus Acrocephalus) of the tropical Pacific Ocean, from Australia to eastern Polynesia. Location Oceania. Methods We used sequences of mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b, ND2 and ATP8 genes) to infer the colonization patterns of reed-warblers endemic to Pacific islands and Australia. We sampled all known taxa of Acrocephalus in the Pacific except A. luscinius nijoi, for which no sample was available. Most taxa were represented by toe-pad samples from museum specimens collected in the 19th and 20th centuries. With a few exceptions, several specimens per taxon were sequenced independently in two institutions (Smithsonian Institution and Natural History Museum of Geneva). Results Our data indicate that Pacific reed-warblers do not form a monophyletic group, because A. luscinius luscinius from Guam falls outside the main Pacific radiation. The remaining Pacific taxa are divided into two clades: one clade includes all the reed-warblers from Micronesia (except Guam) and Australia, and two Polynesian taxa from the Line Islands and the southern Marquesas; the other clade includes all remaining Polynesian taxa. The taxa endemic to three archipelagos (Mariana, Marquesas and Society islands) are polyphyletic, suggesting several independent colonizations. Main conclusions Our results provide evidence for a complex pattern of colonization of the Pacific by reed-warblers. Calibration analyses suggest that reed-warbler lineages are much younger than the ages of the islands they occupy. Several remote archipelagos were colonized independently more than once. Consequently, we infer that the colonization of reed-warblers in the Pacific did not follow a regular, stepping-stone-like pattern. The phylogeny also suggests a previously undetected case of reverse colonization (from island to continent) for the Australian lineage and indicates that A. luscinius, as currently defined, is not monophyletic. We discuss the supertramp strategy of reed-warblers in the Pacific and show that, although Pacific reed-warblers meet some of the supertramp criteria in their aptitude for colonizing remote archipelagos, their life history characteristics do not fit the model.

Epigonus carbonarius, a new species of deepwater cardinalfish (Perciformes: Epigonidae) from the Marquesas Islands, with a redefinition of the Epigonus oligolepis group

A new epigonid fish, Epigonus carbonarius, is described on the basis of four specimens (50.8–95.3 mm standard length) collected from off Nuku Hiva Island, Marquesas Islands. This species belongs to the Epigonus oligolepis group, redefined in this study. It is distinguished from the three recognized species of the group by the following combination of characters: a small number of total gill rakers (21–23) and pyloric caeca (6), presence of lingual teeth, and absence of teeth from posterior part of vomer. A key to the species in the E. oligolepis group is provided.