One of the long term objectives of Operation Wallacea is the establishment of a species database for the Wakatobi Marine National Park. This year progress has been made on the shrimp fauna (8.2), the Opisthobranch fauna (8.3), the reef fish records (8.4) the marine mammal (8.5) and turtle (8.6) sightings in the Wakatobi.

In common with many localities in the Indo-West pacific, the caridean shrimps fauna of Sulawesi is poorly known. The last intensive collections in the area, especially the Banda Sea region, stem from the Dutch Siboga expedition around the turn of the century. The extensive collections of this expedition were worked on by De Man and Holthuis, and even today form the basis of modern shrimp taxonomy. These collections were mainly made by dredges, whilst very few shore parties and relatively shallow water collections were carried out. Also, these collections were made before, the commensal associations of many species of shrimps were realized and as such, much basic ecological information was missing.

Since then, only sporadic collections have been carried out in the area, mainly as part of other collections. In fact, no specific collecting efforts have been carried out in relation to shrimps. As a result the caridean shrimp fauna of Sulawesi amounts to approximately 20 species from shallow water coral reef systems. This is perhaps surprising, as the Banda Sea and the Sulawesi area are situated in what is understood to be the centre of biodiversity of the IWP area.

An assessment of the biodiversity richness of the area thus appears long overdue.

The aim of the project is to assess the caridean shrimp fauna in the Tukangbesi Archipelago, for two basic reasons. Firstly, a taxonomic collection (with voucher specimens) will be built up as a record of the biodiversity of the area. Secondly, as efforts get underway into reef rehabilitation in the area studied, the compiled caridean shrimp data base can serve as a record of future changes.

Methods essentially consist of identifying potential hosts of caridean shrimps and thoroughly searching these for the presence of shrimps. If identified, these are collected and brought to shore for preservation and future identification. As work is being carried out within a marine reserve area, special consideration is given to collecting low numbers of specimens. If the species can be positively recognized underwater, only a single (voucher) specimen is collected. If the identification is doubtful or can not be fully completed, then two or three specimens are collected (preferably of both sexes). Furthermore destructive sampling is limited, both in scope and extent to non-Scleractinian host species, in order to limit the side effects of taxonomic collecting.

Completion of the report is contingent upon release of the samples by LIPI for taxonomic analysis. Three papers on various aspects of the Caridean shrimp fauna in the Wakatobi have been drafted by Dr Sammy de Grave, University of Oxford and will be submitted for publication in early 2003..

Introduction

Initial work on establishing an inventory of Opisthobranch species for the Wakatobi was conducted in a two week period in 1997. This was then further extended in the 1998 season (March – end December), continued in 1999 (May-November) and for a shorter period in 2000 (August-October). A summary of the findings in these periods is listed below.

Over the period 1997 - 2000 a total of 301 species of Opisthobranch from 4 Orders representing 37 Families have been recorded.

During 1997-2000 information on Opisthobranch species was collected using visual census, and each species photographed. In the case of species which could not be identified from literature available at the Marine Base on Pulau Hoga, these were allocated a temporary identification number and specimen number. Annotated illustrations were made of these together with details of depth, time, substrate, exposure where found along with a note of any other behavioural points of interest such as movement, feeding, laying of egg masses. These data have then been forwarded to international Opisthobranch experts for identification. The samples are with LIPI and in cases where a new species is suspected the sample will need to be borrowed to complete type descriptions for publications. A total of 181 species have been positively identified, 94 of these after confirmation of the species with international experts. There are a further 120 species still awaiting confirmation or description as new species.

During 1999 and 2000 additional data on all species has been gathered on relative abundance, typical depth range, habitat, and substrate on which they were found.

Reports

A paper entitled An Initial Checklist of the Opisthobranch Fauna of the Wakatobi Marine National Park will be produced by March 2001 by Lindsay Warren from Operation Wallacea.

A report containing the species list of Opisthobranchs identified to date, a photograph of each species and notes on their identification and distributional data in the National Park will be produced for the National Park authorities by March 2001 by Lindsay Warren from Operation Wallacea.

The Tukang Besi islands in south east Indonesia is situated in an area of known high coral reef diversity within the Wallacea region. To date there has been sparse ecological information regarding distribution and diversity of coral reef fish species in the area, but we would expect high diversity in the islands despite intense pressure on coral reef resources. Indeed, for much of Indonesia there is little published information concerning reef fish species especially site specific data. This paper is a result of surveys conducted between 1996 and 2000 in the Tukang besi islands in south east Sulawesi, and provides a preliminary list of a total of 432 reef fish species representing 64 families.

Introduction

The earliest documentation for reef fish for the Indonesian archipelago was in Weber and de Beaufort in Fishes of the Indo-Australian Archipelago (1911-1926). Since then there has been little information concerning area specific diversity in the archipelago. Data on the distribution and diversity of reef fish in Indonesian waters has been largely limited to surveys conducted in the 19^th century by Bleeker and more recently in the 20^th century by Allen et al. In total around one thousand species of coral reef fish have been recorded in Indonesian waters. The most intensive study was conducted in Maumere Bay in Flores (Kuiter & Allen, published in Tomascik et al, 1997) who produced a fish list of 1133 species representing 94 families.

Blue-faced Angel Fish ; Photo Adam Powell

This is the largest number of fish recorded in any one location. Although being the center of biological diversity for coral reefs, there has to date been sparse area specific information regarding reef fish distribution and richness for the archipelago. The Tukang Besi islands in south east Sulawesi has had very little research conducted. Before 1996 research had been limited to a Dutch expedition in 1989 largely to investigate the topography and geology of the area, although some coral identification was conducted at some sites during this survey. Further ecological work in the islands has been sparse. Prior to 1996 there was no data available. Since then surveys have been conducted by the UK based organisation Operation Wallacea from a research centre on Hoga Island. This report is a result of surveys around the islands.

During 1996-2000 information on reef fish species was conducted during the May-October season. The data was collected using visual census, photography and fishery sampling. A number of marine scientists and a photographer have produced the list and they are listed as authors. The list represents a preliminary checklist of species found in the island group.

Several species require confirmation of their identification or occurrence and distribution in the area, and these will be sent to ichthyologists. The final checklist is likely to include around 430 species in 64 families. Comparisons with other areas will be made from the literature in terms of perceived richness and recommendations for further taxonomic surveys on fish of particular groups.

A paper entitled A Preliminary Checklist of Reef Fish in the Tukangbesi Islands will be produced by December 2000 by Sarah Curran from Operation Wallacea.

The Tukang Besi islands appears to be a rich area for sightings of marine mammals. Prior to 1995 with the start of Operation Wallacea’s survey work, there had been no information available on marine mammals using the area. Since then recordings have been sporadic and unstandardised. In 2000 all sightings that had been recorded were compiled and entered into Excel spreadsheets. Since there are no effort data available, it is not currently possible to come to conclusions regarding population sizes, densities or distribution. However a list of those species present can be compiled and some conclusions drawn regarding their relative occurrence.

Dolphins in the Tukang Besi ; Photo Sarah Curran

There are currently around 31 species of cetacean recorded in Indonesian waters. Of these only 9 have been recorded in and around the study site - Sulawesi and the Banda sea. These species are:

(Source: Tomascik et. al. 1997)

Introduction

Like the marine mammal sightings, turtle sightings have been sporadically recorded or anecdotal. All reported sightings from the 1996 , 1997 and 1998, 2000 season have been compiled with preliminary analysis on relative sightings frequency. There are currently six species of marine turtle recorded in Indonesian waters, but as yet only two are previously recorded in south east Sulawesi. Of the other four species, little is known about the demographics throughout the waters of the archipelago.

Measuring Turtles ; Photo Sarah Curran

(* previously recorded in South East Sulawesi)

In Tukang Besi four turtle species (Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead and Olive Ridley) have been seen over the last 5 years of the Operation Wallacea research programme. Anecdotal reports from local villages that describe a large and aggressive turtle suggest that the Leatherback turtle may also use the area. Preliminary data are presented for relative frequency of sightings as a percentage of total per species in Wakatobi over the period of sightings.

Report

A paper entitled Turtle Records from the Tukangbesi Islands from 1996 – 2000 will be produced by January 2001 by Sarah Curran from Operation Wallacea and Alex Tasker from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London.