• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.108-118
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• 2014

Micronesia is an island nation located north of Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Ocean. A survey was conducted on Chuuk, which is one of the four main islands of Micronesia, from 11-25 Nov 2012. Echinoderms collected at one intertidal area as well as at 16 SCUBA diving points of 10-40 m depths in the subtidal zone were identified based on morphological characteristics. In total, 35 species from 165 individuals were identified: two crinoids, eight asteroids, four ophiuroids, seven echinoids, and 14 holothuroids. Among them, one asteroid, one ophiuroid, one echinoid, and two holothuroids were newly recorded from Micronesia.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2013

Micronesia is an island nation located north of Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Ocean. A survey was executed on Kosrae, which is one of the four main islands of Micronesia, during January 23-30, 2011 and January 8-15, 2012. The echinoderms were collected at eight intertidal areas and at 12 SCUBA diving points at depths of 10-50 m in the subtidal zone. They were identified based on morphological characteristics. In total, 50 species from 276 individuals were identified: three crinoids, 11 asteroids, seven ophiuroids, 10 echinoids, and 19 holothuroids. Among them, two crinoids, five asteroids, three ophiuroids, four echinoids and two holothuroids were newly recorded from Kosrae.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.343-376
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• 2013

The Federated States of Micronesia consists of four states of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae, which are located in the West Pacific Ocean. In order to investigate molluscan fauna of Kosrae Island, field survey was made twice from 21st to 30th of January, 2011 and from 6th to 17th of January, 2012 for four localities including 10 intertidal and 14 subtidal zones of Kosrae Island. The mollusk samples collected were identified based on their morphological characteristics, comprising a total of 120 species from 30 families through this survey. In this study, we provided species list and illustrations for 120 species identified, and combined these with the previous record, resulting in a total of 208 species from 47 families in Kosrae Island.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.196-205
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• 2014

This paper describes six new species of sponges in the genus Agelas from Kosrae Island, The Federated States of Micronesia. Most Agelasid sponges are known from only tropical regions. All the new Agelas species; A. fragum n. sp., A. kosrae n. sp., A. purpurea n. sp., A. bakusi n. sp., A. vansoesti n. sp. and A. incrustans n. sp. are compared with other valid species that were studied. Six new species differ from the other species by morphology, growth form, skeletal fibres, habitats and spicule size. Agelas fragum n. sp. is characterized by its tuberculate surface and primary fibres with brush-like spicules. Agelas kosrae n. sp. is differs in skeletal structure and have tertiary fibres. Agelas purpurea n. sp. is characterized by primary, secondary and tertiary fibres are all cored with spicules. Agelas bakusi n. sp. is similar to Agelas clathrodes in shape, but differs in the primary fibres. Agelas vansoesti n. sp. is characterized by having acanthostrongyles. Agelas incrustans n. sp. is distinguished by its encrusting and not cavernous interior.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.687-698
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• 2021

We present quantitative estimations of changes in the areal extent of coral reef habitats at Weno Island, Micronesia, using high-spatial-resolution remote sensing images and field observations. Coral reef habitat maps were generated from Kompsat-2 satellite images for September 2008 and September 2010, yielding classifications with 78.6% and 72.4% accuracy, respectively, which is a relatively high level of agreement. The difference between the number of pixels occupied by each seabed type was calculated, revealing that the areal extent of living corals decreased by 8.2 percentage points between 2008 and 2010. This result is consistent with a comparison of the seabed types determined by field observations. This study can be used as a basis for remediation planning to diminish the impact of changes in coral reefs.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.180-187
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the reproductive characteristics of the Neon damselfish Pomacentrus coelestis in Chuuk lagoon (7°27' N, 151°53' E), Micronesia, Equatorial Pacific Ocean. The specimens used in this study were collected from August 2009 to September 2010 from around the coral reef area at a depth of 3-10 m in the northwest coast of Weno Island. Overall, 228 individuals were collected over 14 months from this area, of which 115 were females and 108 were males. Among 108 males, 30 were found to be hermaphrodites and the sex of 5 individuals could not be determined. The overall sex ratio was approximately 1.06:1 (female:male), and the ratio of sexually active individuals was 0.79:1. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) fluctuated and showed the highest value of 8.43±1.21 in December 2009 and the lowest value of 3.36±0.71 in September 2009 in sexually active females. Males showed the highest GSI value of 2.64±0.93 in June 2010 and the lowest value of 0.35±0.06 in July 2010. Based on the fluctuation of GSI, the trends in the appearance of monthly sexually active individuals, and biopsy of the gonads, P. coelestis was found to be a hermaphrodite species of protogynous type and is considered to be reproductively active throughout the year.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2016

We studied the ectosymbionts associating with the sea anemone Stichodactyla gigantea at Kosrae, Micronesia. Ectosymbionts of seven species associated with 60.7% of S. gigantea (n=28), with a mean of 2.4 per anemone and 3.9 per occupied anemone. Anemones hosting one or more ectosymbionts did not differ significantly in size from anemones lacking ectosymbionts and there was no significant correlation between anemone size and the number of ectosymbionts. Of 67 ectosymbionts observed, the sea cucumber Stichopus vastus comprised 23.9%, followed by the shrimp Thor amboinensis (20.9%), unidentified hermit crabs (Paguroidea; 20.9%), the cardinalfish Ostorhinchus novemfasciatus (20.9%), the shrimp Periclimenes brevicarpalis (9.0%), the sea cucumber Holothuria hilla (3.0%), and an unidentified brachyuran crab (1.5%). This study documents the first records of S. vastus, H. hilla, and O. novemfasciatus associating with S. gigantea, and the first locality records of S. gigantea, T. amboinensis, P. brevicarpalis, and S. vastus for Kosrae. Because humans often harvest S. gigantea for food at Kosrae, we recommend protecting the symbiotic assemblage of S. gigantea by establishing a sustainable system of harvesting.

• Mycobiology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.551-558
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• 2021

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is an island country in the western Pacific and is a known biodiversity hotspot. However, a relatively small number of fungi (236 species) have been reported till July 2021. Since fungi play major ecological roles in ecosystems, we investigated the fungal diversity of FSM from various sources over 2016 and 2017 and constructed a local fungal inventory, which also included the previously reported species. Fruiting bodies were collected from various host trees and fungal strains were isolated from marine and terrestrial environments. A total of 99 species, of which 78 were newly reported in the FSM, were identified at the species level using a combination of molecular and morphological approaches. Many fungal species were specific to the environment, host, or source. Upon construction of the fungal inventory, 314 species were confirmed to reside in the FSM. This inventory will serve as an important basis for monitoring fungal diversity and identifying novel biological resources in FSM.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.453-464
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• 2013

Heavy metals in the mangrove sediments of Chuuk and Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia were analyzed to examine the pollution levels of heavy metals using enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index (PLI). The mean concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb in surface mangrove sediments were 642, 125, 46.9, 149, 15.6, 0.14 and 8.55 ${\mu}g$, respectively. Kosrae mangrove sediments showed the highest concentrations of Cr and Ni while Chuuk contains more of other metals such as Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb. Compared to those from other mangrove regions of the world, Cr, Ni and As levels in mangrove sediments from Micronesia were at higher levels whereas Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were at lower to median levels. In core sediment of Chuuk, metal concentrations in the upper part were higher than those in the lower part. Based on the EF and PLI values, As is evaluated as the heaviest contaminant in the surface sediment from Micronesia whilst other metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) are present at slightly lesser levels.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.383-394
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate, through case studies, the usefulness of utilizing local R&D centers under science and technology ODA programs. For the past few decades, advanced countries have supported ODA projects of developing countries, but there have been negative opinions regarding the results. Through a case study of the black pearl cultivation project between the Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology and Micronesia, this study explains the usefulness of actively utilizing Korean R&D centers established and operational in recipient countries. Although black pearl cultivation is not an ODA project, the case study offers valuable insights as it is operated in a similar form and thus highly applicable to future projects. Based on the case study, four implications were derived to ensure the successful operations of science and technology ODA projects in the future. First, there is a need to improve relevance by making use of the technological capacities of local R&D institutes to develop projects that reflect the needs of recipient and donor countries. Second, trust must be established with local communities over the long term in order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of project operations. Third, the proportion of science and technology ODA projects must be expanded to acquire sustainability, and more support should be granted to ODA projects involving marine resources, which are an advantage for countries of Micronesia. Lastly, the locals should be offered employment opportunities and regular training programs to allow for the actual transfer of knowledge instead of mere techniques. The implications derived in this study will prove useful in pursuing science and technology ODA projects, especially with Micronesia.