In reverse Chronological order:
Buden, Donald W. The Birds of Kapingamarangi Atoll,
including first record of the Shining Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx
lucidus) from Micronesia. Notornis 45: 141-153 (1998)
©1998 Ornithological Society of New Zealand.
Twenty species of birds are recorded from Kapingamarangi Atoll,
southern Micronesia, 14 sea and shore birds and six land birds.
Eleven are documented or probable breeders or former breeders.
The Micronesian Starling (Aplonis opaca) is the only
native, resident, land bird, and it is common and widespread,
averaging 5.7 birds per hectare atoll-wide among the 31 islands.
A kingfisher is reported from Kapingamaringi for the first time,
and a recently collected specimen of shining cuckoo (Chrysococcyx
lucidus) is the first record for Micronesia and first report
of the nominate (New Zealand) subspecies north of the Bismark
Archipelago.
Buden, Donald W. Morphological Variation and Distributional
Ecology of the Giant Micronesian Gecko (Perochirus scutellatus)
of Kapingamarangi Atoll. Pacific Science (1998), Volume
52, Number 3: 250-258.
Distribution, habitat preferences, and intraspecific variation
in the giant Micronesian gecko (Perochirus scutellatus)
are discussed for the first time based on 136 recently acquired
specimens together with field observations spanning aproximately
two months. Only two specimens, both adult males, have
been reported previously in the literature. Perochirus scutellatus
is a large (up to 132 mm snout-vent length and 60 g body mass),
sexually dimorphic (males larger than females), arboreal, and
predominately diurnal gecko known only from Kapingamarangi Atoll
(on 18 of 31 islands). Adults occur mainly on tree trunks
(mainly Guettarda speciosa), with densities as high
as 25 per tree and encounter rates of up to approximately 150
per hour. Juveniles were encountered mainly in Cocos
leaf axils during the day and in Scaevola bushes along the strand
line at night. Adults are cryptically colored on lichen-coverecd
limbs and trunks, being mottled dark brown to pale gray, with
small, scattrered whitish flecks and patches, and often faintly
washed with yellow green. Juveniles tned to be paler,
brighter (more yellow green), and more uniformly colored than
adults.
Buden, Donald W. Rediscovery of the Pohnpei Mountain Starling
(Aplonis pelzelni). The Auk, 113(1):229-230, 1996.
A specimen of the Pohnpei Mountain Starling (Aplonia pelzelni)
salvaged on 4 July 1995 is the first confirmed record since J.T.
Marshall collected two on 7 March 1956. This species is endemic
to Pohnpei, a moderately sized (about 355 km2) heavily forested
and ruggedly mountainous (about 800 m high) tropical Pacific
island. In the most recent literature, A. pelzelni has been reported
variously as possibly "near extinction," "possibly
extinct," and "extinct."
Buden, Donald W. Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals of Ant Atoll,
Eastern Caroline Islands. Micronesica 29(1): 21-26, 1996.
Thirteen species of reptiles, 25 birds, and seven mamals are
recorded from Ant Atoll, five of the reptiles, nine birds, and
two mammals for the first time. None is endemic to the atoll.
All occur on Pohnpei, the nearest high island, and most are widely
distributed in Oceania. Established introductions include include
the Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) and at least four
mammals (Rattus rattus, Rattus exulans, Felis Catus, Sus
scrofa). The Micronesian Starling (Aplonis opaca)
is the most numerous land bird, followed closely by the Micronesian
Honeyeater (Myzomela rubratra). Wolouna Island is an
important sea bird nesting area, hosting about 6000 pairs of
Black Noddies (Anous minutus) and smaller numbers of
at least five other species. Subsistence hunting may have a minimal
impact on these seabird populations, but an increasing number
of recreational visitors and exploitive hunters may present a
future threat to populations.
Buden, Donald W. Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals of Pakin Atoll,
Eastern Caroline Islands. Micronesica 29(1): 37-48, 1996.
Fifteen species of reptiles, 18 birds, and five mamals are
recorded from Pakin Atoll. None is endemic to Pakin and all of
the residents tend to be widely distributed throughout Micronesia.
Introduced species include four mammals (Rattus exulans,
Canis familiaris, Felis Catus, Sus scrofa), the Red Junglefowl
(Gallus gallus) among birds, and at least one lizard
(Varanus indicus). Of the 17 indigenous birds, ten are
presumed or documented breeding residents including four land
birds, a heron, and five terns. The Micronesian Honeyeater (Myzomela
rubratra) is the most common land bird, followed closely
by the Micronesian Starling (Aplonis opaca). The vegetation
is mainly cocos forest, considerably modified by the periodic
cutting of the undergrowth, deliberately set fires, and the rooting
of pigs. Most of the present vertebrate species do not appear
to be seriously endangered by present levels of human activity.
But the Micronesian Pigeon (Ducala oceanica) is less
numerous on the settled islands, probably reflecting an increased
hunting pressure, and sea turtles (especially Chelonia mydas)
and their eggs are harvested indiscriminately.
Buden, Donald W. Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals of Mokil and
Pingelap Atolls, Eastern Caroline Islands. Micronesica 28(1):
9-23, 1995.
This is the first systematic survey of vertebrates on Mokil
and Pingalap atolls, Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia.
Fourteen species of reptiles, 17 birds, and four mamals are recorded
from Mokil Atoll, five of the reptiles and four of the birds
for the first time. Eleven speicies of reptiles, 20 birds, and
four mammals are recorded from Pingelap Atoll, two of the reptiles
and 14 of the birds for the first time. Previous records of of
the lizard Lipinia noctua and four birds on Mokil are considered
hypothetical or represent introductions that never became established,
and they have been omitted from the faunal list. No terrestrial
vertebrate is endemic to any of the islands and all the resident
species tend to be widespread in Micronesia. The established
introductions include all of the mammals (Felis catus, sus
scrofa, Rattus exulans), and the Red Junglefowl (Gallus
gallus), and the monitor lizard (Varanus indicus).
Introduced dogs (Canis familiaris) have been extirpated
in recent years. The Micronesian Starling (Aplonis opaca)
is the only resident land bird, occurring on Mokil but not on
Pingelap. All the terrestrial reptile species occur in forest,
the most common habitat, but show perch site selectivity and
other habitat preferences.
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