Alivereti Naikatini

A molecular phylogeny of Pacific honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae) reveals extensive paraphyly and an isolated Polynesian radiation

We investigated the molecular phylogenetic placement of 14 species of Pacific island honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae) in the broader context of an existing family-level phylogeny. We examined the evolutionary history of Pacific honeyeater lineages to assess the accuracy of current taxonomies and to evaluate their biogeographic history. We compare these biogeographic patterns to other Pacific birds to identify emergent patterns across lineages. We found strong support for a previously unknown endemic radiation in central Polynesia, which comprises five genera: Meliarchus, Guadalcanaria, Gymnomyza, Xanthotis, and Foulehaio. Conversely, other Pacific lineages were found to be strongly allied with continental radiations (e.g., Philemon eichhorni, P. cockerelli, and Lichmera incana). Our results necessitated taxonomic changes, both at the generic level (e.g., Xanthotis, Melidectes/Vosea, and Glycifohia/Gliciphila) and regarding species limits within polytypic species. Here, we discuss species limits in Foulehaio and Gymnomyza and recommend elevating three nominal subspecies of Foulehaio to species status, each of which forms well-differentiated clades.

Botanical Diversity at Savura, a Lowland Rain Forest Site along the PABITRA Gateway Transect, Viti Levu, Fiji

ABSTRACT Savura is one of the seven focal sites of the Pacific-Asia Biodiversity Transect (PABITRA) Gateway Transect in Fiji. The site is composed of tropical lowland rain forest located in southeastern Viti Levu and consists of two adjacent watershed reserves, the Savura Forest Reserve and the Vago Forest Reserve. A total of 560 indigenous species (52% endemic) of vascular plants is recorded for this focal site. Savura has been chosen for the establishment of a large permanent plot of 12 ha following the methods proposed by the Centre of Tropical Forest Science (CTFS). This involves the recording of name, diameter at breast height (DBH), and precise location of every tree with 1 cm or more DBH. A total of 5,494 individuals with a total basal area of 2,752 m2 was recorded in the first 6,000 m2 of this CTFS/PABITRA permanent plot. The Myristicaceae (species of the genus Myristica) was the dominant family in numbers of individuals (14.4%) and basal area (35.6%). Tree ferns (Cyatheaceae [8.2% of individuals, 14.6% basal area]) and the Clusiaceae (8.6% of individuals, 12.8% basal area) are other major components. After this initial census, subsequent censuses will be carried out every 5 yr and should give insights on spatial dynamics, recruitment and mortality, and long-term changes in populations of tree species.

Linkages between measures of biodiversity and community resilience in Pacific Island agroforests: Community Resilience

Designing agroecosystems that are compatible with the conservation of biodiversity is a top conservation priority. However, the social variables that drive native biodiversity conservation in these systems are poorly understood. We devised a new approach to identify social-ecological linkages that affect conservation outcomes in agroecosystems and in social-ecological systems more broadly. We focused on coastal agroforests in Fiji, which, like agroforests across other small Pacific Islands, are critical to food security, contain much of the countrys remaining lowland forests, and have rapidly declining levels of native biodiversity. We tested the relationships among social variables and native tree species richness in agroforests with structural equation models. The models were built with data from ecological and social surveys in 100 agroforests and associated households. The agroforests hosted 95 native tree species of which almost one-third were endemic. Fifty-eight percent of farms had at least one species considered threatened at the national or international level. The best-fit structural equation model (R2 = 47.8%) showed that social variables important for community resilience-local ecological knowledge, social network connectivity, and livelihood diversity-had direct and indirect positive effects on native tree species richness. Cash-crop intensification, a driver of biodiversity loss elsewhere, did not negatively affect native tree richness within parcels. Joining efforts to build community resilience, specifically by increasing livelihood diversity, local ecological knowledge, and social network connectivity, may help conservation agencies conserve the rapidly declining biodiversity in the region.

Conservation genomics of the silktail (Aves: Lamprolia victoriae) suggests the need for increased protection of native forest on the Natewa Peninsula, Fiji

Effective conservation relies on accurate taxonomy, because we cannot protect what we do not know. Species limits among phenotypically differentiated and allopatrically distributed populations on Southwest Pacific islands are poorly understood. This likely has led to an underestimate of species richness in the Southwest Pacific, and, consequently, a biased application of conservation effort. The silktail Lamprolia victoriae is a bird species endemic to Fiji. Two subspecies are known from Vanua Levu and Taveuni Islands, but uncertainty remains whether they should be considered one or two species. If the latter, increased conservation effort is warranted to protect forest habitat where isolated populations occur only on the Natewa Peninsula. Here, we address this question by examining 8859 single nucleotide polymorphisms produced by restriction-site associated DNA sequencing. We find that the silktail is best considered two species, due to high genetic differentiation and low gene flow between the two subspecies. These differences match known phenotypic differences (size and plumage), as well as allopatric island distributions. We suggest that the silktail be used as an icon for conservation efforts of the heavily degraded forest habitats on the Natewa Peninsula. Finally, we reassess the divergence age estimates of Lamprolia and its relatives, Chaetorhynchus and Rhipidura, in light of new phylogenomic evidence from oscine passerines.

Survey of Endemic, Native, and Invasive Vertebrates in the Sovi Basin, Fiji, 2003–2015

Abstract The Sovi Basin is a site within the Pacific-Asia Biodiversity Transect (PABITRA) network. It is located in Naitasiri Province, Viti Levu, and represents the largest area of undisturbed lowland forest within the Fiji Islands. It is considered to be one of the most biologically diverse areas within the Polynesia-Micronesia biodiversity hot spot. Four intensive surveys conducted between 2003 and 2015 assessed vertebrate fauna within the Sovi Basin. The study confirmed the biological importance of the site when compared with other locations within Fiji: 85%, 50%, 39%, and 38% of the Viti Levu fauna of birds, mammals, herpetofauna, and ichthyofauna were recorded during the surveys, respectively. In addition to the rich native and endemic fauna, invasive species were recorded (mongoose, feral pigs, black rats, red-vented bulbuls, tilapia, and cane toads), the impact of which is completely unknown. Further monitoring and possible management of these invasive species is needed to ensure that the Sovi Basin is appropriately managed for nature conservation. In addition, emerging threats such as a proposed mining scheme and agricultural activities are discussed in relation to the ecological integrity of the site for conservation purposes.

Alectryon vitiensis: A New Species of Sapindaceae Endemic to Fiji

Abstract. A new species of Alectryon Gaertn. (Sapindaceae) endemic to the Fijian archipelago is described as A. vitiensis Buerki, Lowry, Munzinger & Callm. based on morphological and molecular evidence. It can easily be distinguished from the two congeners currently known from Fiji by its smaller leaves, subsessile leaflets, apetalous flowers, and crested fruits. A phylogenetic analysis using ITS sequence data shows that the new species is closely related to two Australian endemics, A. diversifolius (F. Muell.) S. T. Reynolds and A. oleifolius (Desf.) S. T. Reynolds, but differs in having compound leaves covered with a golden indument. Moreover, the Australian taxa are associated with dry habitats, whereas the new species from Fiji is confined to evergreen humid forests. Among apetalous species (all of which belong to a well-supported clade), A. vitiensis morphologically most closely resembles the generic type, A. excelsus Gaertn., endemic to New Zealand, but they differ from one another in the type of indument covering their branches and leaves and the arrangement, shape, and nature of the indument on their leaflets; and they belong to different clades. The new species is provisionally assigned a conservation status of “Endangered” according to the IUCN Red List criteria.