A collaborative bird survey of East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands

Callaghan, Corey T.; Kekeubata, Esau; Waneagea, Jackson; Alabai, Maasafi; Esau, Tommy; MacLaren, David; Major, Richard E.

doi:10.15560/15.6.1119

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 8 publications

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“…For the Kwaio community, particularly those living away from the coast, frogs are an important source of protein and are strongly incorporated into cultural beliefs. As part of collaborative biodiversity research led by the Kwaio community (Alabai et al 2019;Callaghan et al 2019;Lavery et al 2018), we conducted a survey for B. dendrobatidis in East Kwaio on Malaita, the first published survey for the pathogen in the Solomon Islands and in the Solomon Islands archipelago.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Apparent absence of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in frogs in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands

Alabai¹,

Esau²,

Kekeubata³

et al. 2021

Pac. Conserv. Biol.

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A major driver of global biodiversity loss is disease. One of the most devastating wildlife diseases known is chytridiomycosis, which is caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and is implicated in population declines in over 500 frog species. Thought to originate in Asia, B. dendrobatidis now has a global distribution, likely due to human movement and trade. The pathogen has yet to be detected in Melanesia, but there have been few surveys for B. dendrobatidis in the region, and none in the Solomon Islands archipelago, a biogeographic region with a unique and culturally important frog fauna. We swabbed 200 frogs of eight species in three genera in lowland and highland sites in East Kwaio on the island of Malaita in the Solomon Islands. All frogs tested negative for the pathogen but it is possible that the pathogen is present despite non-detection, so further surveys for the pathogen are needed throughout the country. Despite this, it is safest to take a precautionary approach and assume that B. dendrobatidis has not yet been introduced to the Solomon Islands, and that naïve native amphibian populations may be at risk of decline if the pathogen is introduced. Protocols are needed to prevent the accidental import of infected frogs via tourism or in logging or mining equipment. Monitoring of frog populations near areas of high risk such as ports is also recommended. The frogs of the Solomon Islands archipelago are biologically unique and culturally significant, and protecting them from the potentially devastating impacts of B. dendrobatidis is vital.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Apparent absence of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in frogs in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands

Alabai¹,

Esau²,

Kekeubata³

et al. 2021

Pac. Conserv. Biol.

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Integrating traditional knowledge, science and conservation in the search for undescribed mammals on Malaita, Solomon Islands

Lavery

Alabai²,

Esau³

et al. 2020

Pac. Conserv. Biol.

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Basic knowledge of species diversity and distributions underpins the study of island biogeography and is fundamental for conservation planning. In Solomon Islands, new mammals continue to be described and several lineages are yet to be documented from large islands where, presumably, they should occur. On Malaita and Makira, no giant rats (Solomys or Uromys), or monkey-faced bats (Pteralopex) have been documented by scientists, but traditional knowledge suggests they exist. In East Kwaio, Malaita, we combined traditional knowledge and scientific methods to survey mammals and search for these taxa. Camera traps, mist nets, spotlight surveys, echolocation call recorders, rat traps and active searches were used to produce an inventory of the island’s mammals. No Solomys, Uromys or Pteralopex were captured. However, detailed accounts suggest that giant rats and monkey-faced bats were present as recently as 1996 and 2002 respectively. Moreover, we consider the presence of gnawed Canarium nuts an indicator that giant rats still persist. The human population of Malaita is dense, hunting pressure appears high, feral cats are common, and logging is rapidly reducing primary forests. A notable feature of this work has been the commitment towards collaboration and upskilling landowners in mammal survey techniques. This collaboration has helped fuel a growing conservation movement on Malaita and led to the designation of three large conservation areas. Gathering evidence for the existence of undescribed mammals on Malaita is paramount for reducing further extinctions in Melanesia. Continued support for skilled community members in East Kwaio will be key to collecting this evidence.

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A collaborative bird survey of East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands

Cited by 2 publications

References 8 publications

Apparent absence of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in frogs in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands

Apparent absence of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in frogs in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands

Integrating traditional knowledge, science and conservation in the search for undescribed mammals on Malaita, Solomon Islands

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