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
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
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 Data from PlantNote had been used to populate the Vanuaflora website, but had become outdated and largely defunct, with no new uploads since 2015.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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
These are small round birds of the forest floor. They are only found in the Solomon Islands (Santa Cruz Islands) and on Santo in Vanuatu. They live in old growth forest, 300-1000m elevation. It is believed the Santa Cruz Ground Dove forages only on the ground, but perches on low branches and roosts in trees. Their diet includes seeds, berries and young shoots it finds when foraging the forest floor, insects and worms. It’s call is a slow series of up to 15 low woop
noises.
They are medium sized bird found on the highest peaks of Santo island, usually between 1200-1700m elevation. They are reported to nest in holes in trees, low to the ground. The birds have been seen feeding on insects, fruit and seeds. They are usually seen no more than 5m above the forest floor, although occasionally perch in the canopy. They fly quickly and directly in the sub-canopy.
In Vanuatu, the impact of invasive species on the forests and related
biodiversity is evident. The threat and nuisance posed by invasive
species have been a concern for a number of years. However, it is
only more recently that invasive species have been given increased
attention.
These are medium-sized microbats that roost in caves. They forage in forests using a special skill called echolocation. They are insectivorous which means they feed only on insects such as moths, butterflies, bees, beetles, ants and termites. These bats may not exist in Vanuatu. The are only 2 records, one from the 18th century and the other a
specimen labeled as from Santo in 1929. It is possible it was not labeled correctly and the bat was actually collected from Fiji, where the bats are more commonly seen.
Skinks are lizard reptiles. The Anatom Skink lives in undisturbed forest away from humans. It lives in trees, from
rainforest to dry coastal forests on Aneityum island in southern Vanuatu (and it is not found on neighbouring
islands). Females lay about 4-5 eggs at a time and it is thought the females descend to the ground to lay them in the forest floor litter near the base of a tree. Skinks eat small invertebrates (mostly insects) although the diet of this species is largely unknown. It is very difficult to find.
Dugongs are herbivores (plant-eaters) that feed mostly on seagrass, up to 40 Kg every day. Female dugongs have their first calf when they are between 7 and 17 years. The have calves every 2 - 5 years depending on the quality and quantity of the seagrass available. If there is not much seagrass the time between calves will be longer the females will mature and have their first calf later. They live in many countries in the Pacific and Indian ocean basins. They can be found in coastal regions of the tropics and sub-tropics, usually found where there is seagrass in shallow calm
These are micro-bats that use sonar to find their food (echolocation). They eat insects and can be seen flying around to catch them in coconut groves, on farmland, in forests and even over the sea, near to the coast. They are found on Malo and Santo but their biggest population is in Fiji. Not very much is know about them. They roost in large numbers often thousands, inside caves. They breed seasonally with the young being born around December.
In Vanuatu they are found on Ambae, Aneityum, Efate, Emae, Erromango, Gaua, Malakula, Malo, Mota Lava, Espirito Santo and Tanna. They roost in caves in large colonies and come out to feed in the forests or in gardens. They eat lowers and fruits and can travel to different areas depending on what is flowering in which season.
These are small fruit bats. They are endemic to Vanuatu and are only found on Mota and Vanua Lava in the Banks group. They roost in trees individually or in small groups. We don’t know much about their biology or ecology because they haven’t been studied very much by scientists. They have been seen feeding on coconut flowers and the fruit of Vaveli tree.
This tree is in the palm family. The Montgomery Palm was once thought to be a separate species but now botanists think that it belongs to the Veitchia arecina species. Montgomery palms grow as tall canopy trees at low altitudes often in shallow soil, on coral substratum or close to rivers and streams. They are also found in lowland rainforests up to 350m in elevation.