Phylogenetic studies have demonstrated that Schefflera, the largest genus of Araliaceae,
is grossly polyphyletic, comprising five distinct clades within the family. In an effort
to establish monophyletic genera among the elements that currently comprise Schefflera, the
genus Plerandra is expanded to encompass all of the members of one of these clades. In this
synoptical revision, a new infrageneric classification is presented (along with a key) in which
six subgenera are recognized. Four of these subgenera are newly described (Plerandra
NeoBiota 30: 167-192 (2016). Review article. PDF
Biological control of introduced weeds in the 22 Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs) began in
1911, with the lantana seed-feeding fly introduced into Fiji and New Caledonia from Hawaii. To date, a total
of 62 agents have been deliberately introduced into the PICTs to control 21 weed species in 17 countries.
A further two agents have spread naturally into the region. The general impact of the 36 biocontrol agents
now established in the PICTs ranges from none to complete control of their target weed(s). Fiji has been
2 page document
The Vanuatu National Herbarium, a unit of the Department of Forestry, is pleased to announce the establishment of a new Flora of Vanuatu database and website. This replaces an older database, based on the PlantNote application. Data from PlantNote had been used to populate the Vanuaflora website, but had become outdated and largely defunct, with no new uploads since 2015. The Flora of Vanuatu site combines database and website into a single function, using the Symbiota platform. The URL is pvnh.net.
Booklet
This Invasive Species Media Guide was produced by Live & Learn Vanuatu and funded by the European
Union as a part of the project ‘Testing and modelling preventative measures to limit the spread and
ecological impact of invasive species in Small Islands Developing States (SIDS)’. The central aim of this project is to minimise the spread of invasive species in Vanuatu so as to positively impact on biodiversity, communities’ well-being and food security.
Booklet - 20 pages
This flipchart is designed to help communities learn more about invasive species in
their local area and how to control the spread of invasive species. The objectives of
the flip chart are to:
• Increase awareness and knowledge about invasive species and the most
common invasive species in Vanuatu.
• Develop community knowledge of the major impacts of invasive species on the
natural environment and communities, with a focus on Big Leaf Rope (Merremia
peltata).
• Develop skills in managing invasive species using integrated methods.
Map.
Published by California Academy of Sciences and the Christensen Research Institute. Memoirs of the California Academy of Sciences Number 15. 98 p. PDF
The 72 recognized species of the lizard genus Emoia (Scincidae) are described; 13 of these are new: E. coggeri, E. cyclops, E. digul, E. rrianensis, E. jamur, E. paniai, E. brongersmai, E. montana, E. pseudopallidicrps, E. erronan, E. isolata, E. pseudocyanura, and E. rennellensis. Three new subspecies-E. arnornsis nauru, E. atrocostata australis, and E. physicae pupari-are also described. A new status is recognized for eight species or subspecies: E. atrocostata freycineti, E, bogerti, E. maxima, E. obscura, E. oribata, E. pallidiceps mehelyi, E. popei, and E. veracunda.
W. John Tennent
W. John Tennent, Biogeography and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK;
email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Nachr. entomol. Ver. Apollo, N.F. 25 (1/2): 79-96 (2004)
Following fieldwork in 2000 and 2002, and examination of museum collections in the UK, Australia and the
USA, a tabulated list (Tab. 3) of the butterfly fauna of the Pacific island State of Vanuatu is presented. The number of
Report to Government of Vanuatu
edited by Philippe Bouchet, Herve Le Guyader, Olivier Pascal. Publications Scientifiques du Museum. IRD Editions. Pro-Natura International.
As an island state, Vanuatu has a biodiversity that is unique in many ways, with many endemic
species of fauna and flora. The Government of Vanuatu, through its Ministry of Lands
and Natural Resources, which is responsible for biodiversity management, has given its full
support to the Santo Global Biodiversity Survey. We, the people of Vanuatu, are grateful to
the expedition team for conducting this research on an island of our country. We live in a
world where development is accelerating to the detriment of the biodiversity. Vanuatu is not
Threatened Species Factsheet No. 6.
Vanuatu Environmental Science Society. 2 pages. PDF
The Vanuatu flying foxes can be found in the same areas as the bigger black flying fox but the black ones tend to boost in large groups in big canopy trees such as the nabanga (banyan) whereas the Vanuatu flying foxes roost in small groups in smaller trees often coconuts. They feed on fruit and flowers of trees such as figs, bananas, breadfruit and coconut. They can be seen flying during the day more often than the other flying foxes in Vanuatu.