October 12, 2012

Written by Serge Andréfouët and Joseph Campanozzi

The French Polynesian scientists participating on the Society Islands mission took the opportunity to quantify the abundance of a number of invertebrate species that have, or may have, a commercial and food subsistence role in the near future. In particular, they investigated the abundance of a number of sea cucumbers species, giant clams (only Tridacna maxima is found everywhere in French Polynesia) and also the imported green snails, Turbo marmoratus and Trochus niloticus. Trochus snails were brought to Tahiti from Vanuatu nearly 50 years ago, and then transplanted to selected islands throughout French Polynesia.

The giant clam is prized for its flesh all over the Pacific Islands, but also for the aquarium market.

Read the rest of Thriving Alien and Declining Local Invertebrates »