AN INVESTIGATION OF POISONOUS AND VENOMOUS FISHES AT PALMYRA ISLAND, LINE ISLANDS, DURING 13 APRIL TO 2 MAY 1953
Abstract
About 1200 lb of poisonous fishes were collected off Palmyra Island, one of the Line Islands in the tropical Pacific; until recent years all but the puffers were edible. Collections were made in April during the reproduction period when toxicity was at a maximum. Hook and line, spear, dynamite, and trolling methods were used. The species which were frozen and stored for toxicity studies include: the red snappers Lutjanus bohar, L. vaigiensis, and L. gibbus; the moray eels Gymnothorax pictus, G. javanicus, and G. flavimarginatus; the puffers Arothron hispidus, A. meleagris, and A. nigropunctatus; the parrotfish Acanthurus triostegus; the goatfish Parupeneus; the groupers Serranus spp. and Cephalopholis argus; the triggerfish Balistes flavimarginatus; the sea bass Variola louti; the pomacentrids Abudefduf spp. and lethrinids. Underwater movies were taken for food chain studies. A shipment of reef fishes of Fanning Island was also procured.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 06, 1953
- Accession Number
- AD0012360
Entities
People
- Bruce W. Halstead
- Norman C. Bunker