ATOLL RESEARCH BULLETIN - Smithsonian Institution

ATOLL RESEARCH 

BULLETIN 

136. Coral Islands of the Western Indian Oeean 

Ed&& by D. R. S&dalars

ATOLL RESEAlPCH BU1,LETIN 

No. 136 

CORAL ISLANDS OF THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN 

Edited by 

D. R. Stoddart 

Issued by 

THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 

Washington, D.C., U.S .A. 

August 28, 1970

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

The Atoll Research Bulletin is issued by the Smithsonian 

Institution as a part of its Tropical Biology Program. It is 

co-sponsored by the Museum of Natural History, the Office of Environ- 

mental Sciences, and the Smithsonian Press. The Press supports and 

handles production and distribution. The editing is done by the 

Tropical Biology staff in the Museum of Natural History. 

The Bulletin was founded and the first 117 numbers issued by the 

Pacific Science Board, National Academy of Sciences, with financial 

support from the Office of Naval Research. Its pages were largely 

devoted to reports resulting from the Pacific Science Board's Coral 

Atoll Program. 

The sole responsibility for all statements made by authors of 

papers in the Atoll Research Bulletin rests with them, and statements 

made in the Bulletin do not necessarily represent the views of the 

Smithsonian nor those of the editors of the Bulletin. 

Editors 

F. R. Fosberg 

M.-H. Sachet 

Smithsonian Institution 

Washington, D. C. 20560 


Department of Geography 

University of Cambridge 

Downing Place 

Cambridge, England

C. J. Bayne 

Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 

U.S.A. 

C. W. Benson 

Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England 

B. H. Cogan 

Department of Entomology, British Museum (Natural History), 

London, S.W.7. 

A. W. Diamond 

Culterty Field Station, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland 

F. R. Fosberg 

Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. 

J. Frazier 

Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, England 

P. Grubb 

Department of Zoology, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana 

A. Hutson 

Department of Entomology, British Museum (Natural History), London, 

S.W.7. 

J. F. G. Lionnet 

Department of Agriculture, Port Victoria, Mahe', Seychelles 

I. S. C. Parker 

Box 21199, Nairobi, Kenya 

J. F. Peake 

Department of Zoology, British Museum (Natural History), London, 

S.W.7. 

M. E. D. Poore 

The Nature Conservancy, 19 Belgrave Square, London, England 

S. A. Renvoize 

The Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, 

England 

F. Staub 

Royal Road, Curepipe, Mauritius 


Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England

J. D. Taylor 

Department of Zoology, British Museum (Natural History), London, 

S.W.7.

Introduction 


Contents 

Geography and ecology of Farquhar Atoll 

D. R. Stoddart and M. E. D. Poore 

Plants of Farquhar Atoll 

F. R. Fosberg and S. A. Renvoize 

An old record of a Blue Pigeon Alectroenas species 

and sea-birds on Farquhar and Providence 

D. R. Stoddart and C. W. Benson 

Geography and ecology of Cosmoledo Atoll 

C. J. Bayne, B. H. Cogan, A. W. Diamond, 

J. Frazier, P. Grubb, A. Hutson, M. E. D. 

Poore, D. R. Stoddart, and J. D. Taylor 

Plants of Cosmoledo Atoll 


Land (including shore) birds of Cosmoledo 

C. W. Benson 

Geography and ecology of Astove 

C. J. Bayne, B. H. Cogan, A. W. Diamond, 

J. Frazier, P. Grubb, A. Hutson, M. E. D. 

Poore, D. R. Stoddart and J. D. Taylor 

Plants of Astove 


Note on the Lepidoptera of Astove Atoll 


Land (including shore) birds of Astove 

C. W. Benson 

Ecological change and effects of phosphate mining 

on Assumption Island 

D. R. Stoddart, C. W. Benson, and J. F. Peake 

Plants of Assumption Island 


Geography and ecology of Desroches 


Page

15. Plants of Desroches 


16. Geography and ecology of Remire 


17. Plants of Remire (Eagle) Island, Amirantes 


18. Geography and ecology of African Banks 


19. Plants of African Banks (Iles Africaines) 


20. An introduction of Streptopelia picturata into 

the Amirantes 

C. W. Benson 

21. Geography and ecology of Tromelin Island 

F. Staub 

22. Some ornithological observations from the 

western Indian Ocean 


Appendix: Names of Islands 


Page 

167

TABLES 

Page 

1 . Scientific studies at Farquhar Atoll ............ 10 

2 . Marine fauna recorded from Farquhar Atoll ......... 18 

3 . Insects recorded from Farquhar Atoll by the 

Percy Sladen Expedition . . . . . . . . . . . 

4 . Scientific studies at Cosmoledo Atoll . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

5 . Mollusca collected on Cosmoledo Atoll. 1968 . . . . . . . . 46 

6 . Crustacea (Decapoda) collected on Cosmoledo 

Atoll. 1968 ....................... 46 

7 . Insects recorded from Cosmoledo Atoll by the 

Percy Sladen Expedition ................. 47 

8 . Scientific studies at Astove ................ 85 

9 . Mollusca collected on Astove. 1968 ............. 91 

10 . Crustacea (Decapoda) collected on Astove. 1968 . . . . . . . 92 

11 . Insects recorded from Astove by the Percy 

Sladen Expedition .................... 92 

12 . Scientific studies at Assumption Island .......... 123 

13 . Monthly rainfall at Assumption ............... 126 

14 . Insects recorded from Assumption by the Percy 

Sladen Expedition .................... 133 

15 . Scientific studies at Desroches .............. 157 

16 . Insects recorded from Desroches by the Percy 

SladenExpedition . ................... 160 

17 . Scientific studies at Remire ................ 173 

18 . Insects recorded from Remire by the Percy 

Sladen Expedition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 

19 . Scientific studies at African Banks ............ 188 

20 . Meteorological data. mean monthly figu.res 1955.1968. 

Tromelin ........................ 200

vi 

Page 

21 . Fregataminorcolonies onTromelin ............. 207 

22 . Breeding birds and occasional visitors. Tromelin ...... 208 

FIGURES 

1 . The Southwest Indian Ocean ............. Frontispiece 

Page 

2 . FarquharAtoll ....................... 8 

3 . Cosmoledo Atoll ...................... 39 

4 . The Aldabra Group ..................... 40 

5 . Astove ........................... 84 

6 . Assumption ......................... 122 

7 . Desroches ......................... 156 

8 . Remire ........................... 172 

9 . Ombrothermic diagram for Tromelin ............. 198 

10 . Tromelin. showing distribution of breeding 

bird colonies ...................... 198

Farquhar Atoll (following p. 26) 

PLATES 

1. Scaevola community on high dunes, north end of South Island 

2. Unvegetated barachois, lagoon shore, north end of South Island 

3. Cay sandstone outcrop on eroding lagoon shore, North Island 

4. Scaevola and Casuarina on eroding seaward shore, North Island 

5. Prograding lagoon shore with Scaevola and Casuarina, North Island 

6. Conglomerate platform outcropping on the sides of the channel 

between the northern Manaha Island and North Island; view towards 

the lagoon 

7. Open Casuarina woodland on old dunes, North Island 

8. Woodland of Cocos and Casuarina on old dunes, North Island; note 

the hurricane damage to coconuts 

9. Replanting of coconuts in hurricane-damaged area of North Island 

Open woodland of - Cocos with Fimbristylis on flat gravel 

North Island 

spread, 

11. Coconut woodland with grove of wild Carica papaya, north end of 

North Island 

12-16. Sooty Terns and Noddies on Goelette Island. Note the low 

herb-mat vegetation, and the scarcity of dwarf shrubs 

17. Copra sheds at Settlement, North Island 

Assumption Island (following p. 145) 

18. Low champignon cliffs and perched beach, east coast, view towards 

the south 

19. Pocket beach in the champignon cliffs, continuous with the higher 

perched beach; north of the high dunes, east coast 

20. Eroded inner edge of the reef flat where it passes beneath the 

beach at the foot of the high dunes, east coast

viii 

21. Transverse erosional grooves in the reef flat, backed by a rocky 

erosion ramp, beach, and high dunes; east coast 

Outer edge of the reef flat near the high dunes, east coast 

Small dunes on the perched beach, which is densely covered with 

grasses; east coast, looking north 

Clumps of Suriana maritima and scattered Fimbristylis on the 

eroding seaward face of the highest dune 

Scaevola and Fimbristylis on the high dunes 

View from the summit of the highest dune. with -- Tournefortia scrub, 

across the low mixed scrub of the centre of Assumption. The 

line of Casuarina trees on the west shore marks the Settlement 

The lee slope of the highest dune, with Tournefortia and Scaevola 

Tournefortia and Suriana forming the littoral hedge on the 

prograding west coast, view north from Settlement 

Suriana and Pemphis forming the littoral hedge near the northern 

end of the west coast 

Leafless Pisonia in the low mixed scrub in the centre of the 

is land 

Flat platin almost devoid of soil and vegetation, northern end of 

the island; Ficus in the foreground 

- 

Nephrolepis biserrata in a solution hole, north end 

Agave, massive Terminalia, and Cocos at the site of the old 

settlement; note the water tankbehind the coconut 

Labourers' huts at Settlement; compare with the illustration 

given of similar quarters in Fryer (1910) 

Guano railway and sheds at Settlement

Desroches (following p.165) 

36. Scaevola and Casuarina on the south coast near Pointe Helene 

37. Suriana on the south coast near Muraille Bon Dieu 

38. Massive beachrock near the centre of the south coast 

39. Massive beachrock at the southwest point 

40. Scaevola and Cocos on the lagoon shore at Settlement 

- 

41. Mixed Cocos and Casuarina woodland near La G'uigui 

- 

42. Labourers' quarters at Settlement, the path flanked by - Cocos 

and Hymenocallis 

43. Labourer's quarters at Settlement 

Tromelin (following p. 209) 

44. Sula sula rubripes: chick with "brown and white" parents 

-- 

45. -- 

Sula sula rubripes: chick nearly fledged to "bro~m" juvenile form 

46. Sula sula rubripes: "brown" juvenile 

-- 

47. Sula sula rubripes: adult "brown and white" form with few white 

-- 

scapular markings. 

-- 

Sula sula rubripes: adult "brown and white" form with back nearly 

white 

49. Sula sula rubripes: adult "white" form 

-- 

50. Sula dactylatra melanops: parents with chick 

51. Tromelin Meteorological Station 

52. Male and four females of Fregata minor with Red-footed Booby in 

flight 

53. Nesting colony of Fregata minor and Sula sula rubripes near 

-- 

airstrip, with Tournefortia thickets and herb-mat vegetation

Fig. 1. The Southwest Indian Ocean

CORAL ISLANDS OF TIIE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN 

1. INTRODUCTION 


As part of the programme of research on Aldabra Atoll in the 

southwest Indian Ocean, which began in August 1967 (Stoddart 1967, 

1969a), it has been possible for parties from the Royal Society 

Expedition to Aldabra to visit other western Indian Ocean coral 

islands from time to time. These visits, though brief, have been 

important for two reasons. First, the arguments for the conservation 

of Aldabra itself for scientific research rested, at least in part, 

on a comparative analysis of the ecological status of neighbouring 

islands. Second, much of the available information on these islands 

is many decades old, and some have never been described. This 

series of reports aims first, therefore, to record the new information 

obtained during visits in 1967 and 1968 to seven such islands, and 

second, to provide succinct summaries and guides to the large but 

scattered literature, much of it taxonomic in nature, but which 

contains occasional references to them. In this way it is hoped to 

provide convenient accounts of these islands for the use of future 

workers, and also to indicate to visiting scientists at the Aldabra 

Research Station the possibilities for investigation of particular 

problems or particular groups elsewhere in the western Indian Ocean. 

A certain amount of repetition in bibliographical lists, acknowledge- 

ments etc., has been unavoidable to maintain the independence of the 

chapters on the different islands. 

The coral islands of the western Indian Ocean (Figure 1) may be 

taken to comprise the following groups: 

(a) the islands of the Mozambique Channel, including Europa; 

(b) the Aldabra group, including Aldabra, Assumption, Cosmoledo 

and Astove; 

Atoll Research Bulletin No. 136: pp. 1-5, 1970.

(c) the Farquhar group, comprising Farquhar, St Pierre and 

Providence; 

(d) the Amirantes, including (from north to south) African Banks, 

Remire, D'Arros, St Joseph, Desroches, Poivre, Etoile, 

Boudeuse, Marie-Louise, and Desnoeufs; 

(e) Bird and Dennis Islands, northern Seychelles Bank; 

(f) Cargados Carajos; 

(g) isolated islands, including Gloriosa, Agalega, Tromelin, 

Coetivy and Alphonse. 

Most early navigators completely neglected the coral islands in 

the accounts of their travels. Thus Owen, who surveyed Farquhar and 

other islands in the 1820s, referred to the islands of the Amirantes 

simply as "low, sandy, sterile, and altogether insignificant" (Owen, 

1833, 11, 159), and neither he, nor Fairfax Moresby, after whose 

- 

ships the Menai and Wizard islands on Cosmoledo Atoll are named, nor 

Wharton, who carried out the first thorough hydrographic survey in 

the 18705, pay much attention to island form, vegetation or animal 

life. The first useful accounts are generally those dated from the 

period 1890-1910, by Abbott, Dupont and others. Two major expeditions, 

in H.M.S. Alert in 1882, to the Amirantes and Gloriosa, and by H.M.S. 

Sealark in=, to most of the western Indian Ocean islands, resulted 

in large collections and many records scattered through a large 

literature. While the collections in total were large, however, 

individual islands were often represented by small and inadequate 

collections. Gardiner (1936, Gardiner and Cooper 1907) contributed 

brief accounts of many islands to the Reports of the Percy Sladen 

Trust Expedition, and J. C. F. Fryer (1910) wrote useful accounts of 

Bird and Dennis Islands in addition to his work on the Aldabra group. 

Apart from Vesey-FitzGerald's work in the 19305, the most 

important subsequent investigations have been those of Baker (1963) 

and Piggott (1961, 1968), who visited all of the British-administered 

islands during a geological and soil survey in 1960, and of Gwynne, 

Wood and Parker, who collected plants and birds during a cruise in 

1967 (Gwynne and Wood 1969). Summaries of the earlier work on 

Assumption, Astove, Gloriosa, Cosmoledo, Farquhar, St Pierre and 

Providence were published by Stoddart (1967b). 

The present series of studies is based on visits by Royal Society 

Expedition personnel to Farquhar, Cosmoledo, Astove, Assumption, 

Desroches, Remire, and African Banks. In addition, there have been 

excellent recent reports on Europa Island (Legendre 1966) and on 

Cargados Carajos Shoals (Staub and ~uiho 1968). Gibson-Hill (1952) 

summarised data from Agalega, and Brygoo (1955) published observations 

on Tromelin. These western Indian Ocean studies are linked with others

in the central Indian Ocean, in the southern Maldives (Stoddart 1966) 

and in the Chagos Archipelago (Stoddart and Taylor, in preparation). 

These permit some preliminary generalisations on regional variation 

in Indian Ocean reefs and islands (Stoddart 1969b). 

Important gaps remain, however, even at the level of the summary 

reports presented in this Bulletin. Though large collections of 

marine and terrestrial fauna were made at Coetivy in 1905, there is 

no account of this island available. There has been no study in this 

century of Gloriosa (though Guilcher and others (1965) give aerial 

photographs), in spite of its probable importance in the colonisation 

of the Aldabra group from Malagasy. Apart from the three islands 

discussed here, there is no account of the fauna and flora of the 

Amirantes, and our knowledge of Agalega is very patchy. Tromelin 

has been among the least well known of all these islands; the 

account included here (Staub 1970) follows a visit to the island in 

1968 by M. France Staub of Curepipe, Mauritius. 

It is, of course, unfortunate that more comprehensive accounts 

were not compiled seventy years ago, for Coppinger, Abbott, Gardiner 

and others were able to give tantalising references to island features 

then largely unaltered by man. Since that time the sandy islands have 

been almost entirely planted with coconuts, and the rocky islands 

generally devastated by surface guano mining. The effect of the latter 

on island ecology is well illustrated by Assumption, though the case of 

Remire suggests that at least partial recovery is possible over a 

period of a few decades, but endemic species once extinct cannot be 

brought back. It is possible that more information on the former 

state of these islands still exists in manuscript form or in Government 

archives: we have, for example, been fortunate to have had the loan of 

diaries and papers belonging to Mr H. A'C. Bergne and Sir John Fryer, 

dating from 1900-1910, which contain important information on the 

islands they visited. There is no doubt that modern work can now in 

many cases only record the state of island ecologies intensely disturbed 

and modified by man, and with the exception of marine life it is now 

difficult to attempt to reconstruct the state of island ecosystems 

before human exploitation began. 

The islands treated in this report fall into two main groups: 

(a) elevated reef-limestone islands, including Cosmoledo, Astove and 

Assumption, which share many of the characteristics of Aldabra; and 

(b) sand cays on sea-level reefs, including Farquhar, Desroches, 

Remire and African Banks. They also experience considerable variation 

in rainfall, though records have not been kept on any of them except 

Assumption and Tromelin. Interpolation from known island records 

(Stoddart 1969b) suggests that Cosmoledo, Astove and Assumption have 

1000 mm or less per annum, Farquhar about 1200 mm, and Desroches, 

Remire and African Banks, in the northern Amirantes, about 1500 mm.

Acknowledgements 

Specific acknowledgements and thanks are given in many individual 

papers in this Bulletin, but I wish to thank here the following: 

Captain C. R. K. Roe, D.S.C., R.N., and the officers and crew of 

H.M.S. Vidal, for making the 1967 visit to Assumption possible; and 

CaptainM.illiams and Captain T. Phipps for their aid with M.F.R.V. 

Manihine during visits to the other islands in 1968. The cooperation 

of Mr Basil Bell, Director of the East African Marine Fisheries Research 

Organization, Zanzibar, helped to make these visits in Manihine a 

success. 

The Lessees and Managers of the islands visited, for their 

hospitality and assistance during our short visits. 

The Royal Society of London, which is sponsoring the Aldabra 

investigations, and whose support thus made these visits possible. 

The Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund, whose grant to C. W. Benson 

enabled the March 1968 visit to Astove and Cosmoledo to take place. 

Mr J. A'C. Bergne and Lady Joan Fryer for the loan of manuscript 

records made by the late Mr H. A'C. Bergne and the late Sir John 

Fryer, respectively; and the Librarian of the Old India Office 

Library, for access to Fairfax Moresby's manuscripts. 

References 

Baker, B. H. 1963. Geology and mineral resources of the Seychelles 

Archipelago. Mem. Geol. Surv. Kenya, 3: 1-140. 

Brygoo, E. 1955. Observations sur les oiseaux de Tromelin. Naturaliste 

Malgache, 7: 209-214. 

Fryer, J. C. F. 1910. Bird and Dennis Islands, Seychelles. Trans. 

Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 14: 15-20. 

Gardiner, J. S. 1936. The reefs of the western Indian Ocean. I. 

Chagos Archipelago. 11. The Mascarene Region. Trans. Linn. Soc. 

London, ser. 2, Zool., 19: 393-436. 

Gardiner, J. S., and Cooper, C. F. 1907. Description of the 

Expedition, 11. Mauritius to Seychelles. Trans. Linn. Soc. 


Gibson-Hill, C. A. 1952. Notes on the birds reported from the Agalega 

Islands, western Indian Ocean. Bull. Raffles Mus. 24: 257-269.

Guilcher, A., Berthois, L., Le Calvez, Y., Battistini, R., and Crosnier, 

A. 1965. Les r6cifs coralliens et le lagon de l'tle Mayotte 

(Archipel des Comores, 0c6an Indien) . Paris: Office de la 

Recherche Scientifique et Technique Outre-Mer, 1-210. 

Gwynne, M. D., and Wood, D. 1969. Plants collected on islands in the 

western Indian Ocean during a cmise of the M.F.R.V. "Manihine", 

Sept.-Oct. 1967. Atoll. Res. Bull. 134: 1-15. 

Legendre, R. 1966. Mission scientifique i lfi'le Europa. M&. Mus. 

Nat. Hist. Natur., N.S., s6r. A, Zool., 41: 1-220. 

Owen, W. F. W. 1833. Narrative of voyages to explore the shores of 

Africa, Arabia and Madagascar; performed in H.M. Ships Leven 

and Barracouta. London, 2 vols. 

Piggott, C. J. 1961. A report on a visit to the Outer Islands between 

October and November 1960. Directorate of Overseas Surveys, Land 

Resources Division, typescript, 1-71. 

---------- 1968. A soil survey of Seychelles. Directbrate of 

Overseas Surveys, Land Resources Division, Tech. Bull. 2: 1-89 

Staub, F. 1970. Geography and ecology of Tromelin Island. Atoll Res 

Bull. (this issue). 

Staub, F., and ~ugho, J. 1968. The Cargados Carajos Shoals or St 

Brandon: resources, avifauna and vegetation. Proc. Roy. Soc. 

Arts Sci. Mauritius, 3(1): 7-46. 

Stoddart, D. R.. 1966. Reef studies at Addu Atoll, Maldive Islands: 

preliminary results of an expedition to Addu Atoll in 1964. Atoll 

Res. Bull. 116: 1-122. 

---------- 1967a. Ecology of Aldabra Atoll, Indian Ocean. Atoll Res. 

Bull. 118: 1-141. 

---------- 1967b. Summary of the ecology of coral islands north of 

Madagascar (excluding Aldabra). Atoll Res. Bull. 118: 53-61. 

---------- 1969a. Retrospect and prospect of Aldabra research. 

Nature, 221: 1004-1006. 

---------- 1969b. Regional variation in Indian Ocean coral reefs. 

Marine Biological Association of India, Symposium on Corals and 

Coral Reefs, in press. 

Stoddart, D. R., and Taylor, J. D., editors. In preparation. 

Geography and ecology of Diego Garcia Atoll, Chagos Archipelago. 

Atoll Res. Bull.

2. GEOGRAPHY AND ECOLOGY OF FARQIJHAR ATOLL 


Introduction 

Farquhar Atoll (lOO1l'S, 51°07'E) lies 285 km northeast of 

Madagascar and 1150 km from the coastline of Africa. It is roughly 

triangular in shape, with an area of 170 sq km. Apart from small 

sand cays on the northern rim (Iles des ~gpose's, du Milieu, Lapin) 

dry land is confined to the eastern or windward side. Total land 

area, by planimetry from Figure 2, is 7.5 sq km or 4.4 per cent of 

the area of the atoll. 

The first chart of Farquhar was made by Margaro in 1776 and 

published, with additions by W. F. W. Owen in 1824, as Admiralty 

Chart 718 in 1878. This chart is very rudimentary. The atoll was 

surveyed by Cdr W. J. L. Miharton in 1878, with a large-scale survey 

of the lagoon entrance by Lt. J. T. A. White, and these surveys 

formed the basis of a revision of Chart 718 in 1879. Wharton's 

survey, with some recent additions, is the basis of present charts; 

it is detailed only for the northern rim and the eastern islands. 

Figure 2 is based on air photograph cover of the atoll flown in 1960, 

with topographic control and bathymetry from the Admiralty chart: 

while reef features are shown in detail, this map should not be 

used for navigational purposes. 

The first biological observations on record are those of Fairfax 

Moresby in 1822, but these remained unpublished. The Percy Sladen 

Expedition spent three days on Farquhar in 1905, when Stanley Gardiner 

worked over North Island, especially the seaward reef, and the 

entomologist Bainbrigge Fletcher, over South Island. The collections 

made were small and heterogeneous; determinations published for 

various groups in the Percy Sladen Expedition Reports are listed, 

with citations, in Table 1. Most attention was given during this 

visit to the insects, and Table 2 lists the determinations on insects, 

by orders and families, in the Expedition Reports. Collections made 

in some groups, such as the corals, remain unpublished; other groups 

were neglected. Thus it is difficult to gain an impression of the 

ecology of Farquhar from the work of the Percy Sladen team. 

Apart from a visit in 1937 by Vesey-FitzGerald, who reported on 

the birds (1940, 1941), little further work was done on Farquhar until 

Atoll Research Bulletin No. 136: pp. 7-26, 1970

Fig. 2. Farquhar Atoll. Data reproduced from BA Chart No. 718 with the sanction of the Controller, 

HM Stationery Office and of the Hydrographer of the Navy.

the 1960s. The atoll was visited in 1960 by the geologist B. H. 

Baker and the agronomist C. J. Piggott, and though no collections 

were made several useful accounts were published (Baker 1963, 80-85; 

Piggott 1968, 56-57; Piggott, unpublished, 48-53). In 1967 M.F.R.V. 

Manihine called at Farquhar with a party collecting for the National 

Museum, Nairobi, and including I. S. C. Parker, D. Wood and M. D. 

Gwynne; birds and plants were collected (Gwynne and Wood 1969, Parker 

1970). On 19 September 1968 Manihine revisited Farquhar with a Royal 

Society party comprising T. S. Westoll, M. E. D. Poore and D. R. 

Stoddart. Stoddart and Poore traversed North Island, Iles Manahas, 

and the northern half of South Island, and visited Goelette; plants 

were collected and observations made on birds. In spite of the 

brevity of these visits, and of the others listed in Table 1, it is 

possible to give some account of the ecology of the atoll, and to 

indicate areas in which more detailed work is required.

Table 1. Scientific Studies at Farquhar Atoll 

- Date - Study 

1504 Discovered by 3020 de Nova; named 

after him. 

1776 Charted by M. Margaro 

1821 May Lieut. Hay, schooner - Eliza 

1822 March 12 Lieut. Hay, Wizard and - Menai 

1822 July 26 Visit by Fairfax Moresby, bird 

notes 

Chart additions by W. F. W. Owen; 

renamed after Sir R. Farquhar, 

Governor of Mauritius 

Further charting by Lt Hay 

French chart by M. Lieutard 

Hydrographic chart by W. J. L. 

laarton 

1905 Sept. 28- 

Oct. 2 Percy Sladen Expedition: J. S. 

Gardiner, C. F. Cooper, T. B. 

Fletcher 

1937 L. D. E. F. Vesey-FitzGerald, 

bird studies, economic insects 

1956 W. Travis, underwater and general 

observations 

1957 Dec. 7 W. D. Hartman, land birds 

1960 Sept. 26- 

29 B. H. Baker (geology) and C. 3. 

Piggott (soils) 

1961 Sept. 28- 

Oct. 3 P. 0. Wiehe, plants 

1967 Oct. 3 M. D. Gwynne, D. Wood, I. S. C. 

Parker, collections of plants 

and birds 

1968 Sept. 19 D. R. Stoddart, M. E. D. Poore, 

T. S. Westoll, collection of 

plants, observations of 

geomorphology and birds 

Reference 

Moresby (1842) 

Stoddart and 

Benson (1969) 

Gardiner and 

Cooper (1907), 

Gardiner (1936) 

Travis (1959) 

Hartman (1958) 

Baker (1963) 

Piggott (1961, 

1968) 

Fosberg and 

Renvoize, this 

issue 

Parker (1970) ; 

Gwynne and Wood 

(1969) 

This report

Lagoon and reefs 

Geomorphology 

Knowledge of the reefs and submarine topography comes entirely 

from hydrographic surveys and aerial photographs (Figure 2), but it 

is clear that Farquhar lagoon is one of the most complex in topography 

and presumably in geomorphic history in the world. Three main 

divisions may be noted: (1) the main lagoon basin, 17 km long and 

with a greatest width of 7.5 km; (2) a triangular area on the south 

side, extending 4.5 km southwards from the rim of the main lagoon 

basin; and (3) a submerged spur at the northwest corner, extending 

for 7 km northwestwards with depths of 11-30 m. 

The main lagoon basin is crossed by a series of narrow continuous 

ridges, up to 5 km long, trending approximately NE-SW. Air photographs 

suggest that these are not active reefs at the present time. These 

ridges divide the basin into three parts: a western part with apparently 

smooth floor at depths of 10-15 m, with hardly any reef knolls; a 

central part with very numerous knolls and patches, and depths 

probably about 8-10 m; and an eastern part with ridges and few knolls, 

and depths of 4-11 m. The southern triangular extension is crowded 

with knolls and patches, with deep holes of up to 16.5 m. The 

southern reef flat here is wide, with much coral growth around broad 

shallow entrances. Nothing is known of the northwest extension apart 

from the bathymetry shown in Figure 2. 

The asymmetry of the shallow features of the atoll is thus marked; 

it is emphasised further by the character of the peripheral reef. 

The eastern reef flat is rocky, straight, and tidally emergent; it 

is largely covered with detrital islands. The reef on the south side 

is apparently actively growing, and its flat is low enough for coral 

growth. The reef flat on the west and north sides is poorly defined, 

with only small patches rising to intertidal levels. Air photographs 

show that the peripheral reef flats, both of the main basin and of 

the southern triangle, truncate structures within the lagoon. Thus 

lagoonal ridges near Goelette and South Island pass into reef flat 

deposits, and in the southern triangle debris sheets from the reef 

front are burying reef knolls in the back reef area. 

There is only one entrance to the lagoon, a narrow channel 

6-10 m deep near the north point, though much water must enter the 

lagoon over the windward reef flat south of Goelette and leave over 

the leeward reefs. 

Bottom topography seaward of the peripheral reefs is also unusual. 

Gn the eastern side depths of less than 30 m are found between 1 and 

2.5 km from the reef edge, though the floor then falls more steeply 

to depths of hundreds of metres. Along the north coast the zone 

less than 30 m deep is 1 km or less wide, though broadening at the 

northwest point.

These features are impossible to interpret without field investi- 

gation, but they probably result from a complex history, possibly 

involving differential movement or tilting of the atoll itself. The 

central oval lagoon is probably an old feature, though its linear 

ridges are uncommon in atoll lagoons elsewhere. The straight windward 

reef appears to be retreating lagoonward, truncating lagoon features 

and leaving a shelf at 20-30 m to seaward. It is possible that the 

southern triangular reef area is a recent addition to the atoll, perhaps 

formed by reef growth on a former submarine spur similar to that now 

extending to the northwest. The sharp distinction in the main lagoon 

between ridges, apparently largely reefless, and the adjacent deeper 

floor may result from karst erosion of old reef ridges during Pleistocene 

low sea level stands. 

There is no information on the modern reefs. Gardiner (1936, 

432-433) noted the absence of a boulder zone and fissured (algal) 

zone on the eastern reef flat, which he correctly stated was a 

rock flat with few corals. He described Heliopora and Porites in 

the lagoon, together with much Cymodocea. Living reefs are certainly 

damaged by frequent tropical cyclones, and some effects are described 

by Travis (1959, 69-73). 

Islands 

The eastern reef flat has a width of 1-1.5 km, and the islands 

standing on it are of simple form and structure. South Island, the 

largest, is 5.7 km long, 0.6-0.9 km wide, and has an area of 3.9 sq km. 

The crescentic North Island measures 8.5 km in length along its 

axis, is 0.2-1 km wide, and has an area of 3.2 sq km. Most of 

South Island is formed of dunes, both active coastal dunes up to 

20 m high (Plate I), and older inland dunes forming a hummocky surface. 

The lagoon shore of South Island is formed by a wide sand ridge, in 

places enclosing infrequently-flooded unvegetated areas (Plate 2), 

floored with poorly-sorted sands and gravels, which resemble the 

barachois of the Chagos atolls. On North Island the dunes are lower, 

and are found in the centre and on the lagoon side of the island as 

well as on the seaward side. Beaches are generally sandy, with local 

beachrock on the lagoon side up to 1 m above low water level (Plate 3). 

Seaward beaches on North Island are eroding (Plate 4), with resulting 

truncation of vegetation zones: dune faces are also eroding both on 

North Island and at the north end of South Island. Lagoon beaches 

by contrast are prograding (Plate 5). The only cobble beach seen was 

on the north side of South Island, facing the channel between it and 

the Manahas. Gravel is found in places on the island surfaces and 

on the floors of the South Island barachois, but is not common. 

The three small Manahas islands are of considerable physiographic 

interest. Each is a cay of sand and gravel, resting on a platform 

of cemented cay deposits which extends up to 200 m seaward of the 

islet (Plate 6). The platform outcrops along the sides of channels 

between the islets, where it has a width of only a few metres, and

esembles outcrops of clastic rocks on the sides of similar channels 

(hoa) - in the Tuamotu atolls. Such a conglomerate platform, which is 

quite distinct from the intertidal reef platform, was not seen on the 

main islands, except patchily on the lagoon shore of North Island, 

but may be forming beneath them as a cay sandstone. The surface of 

the Manahas conglomerate stands about 0.5 m above high water level, 

and is fretted by subaerial erosion. 

Goelette is a small flat featureless island with seaward beaches 

of imbricate cobbles; it consists of sand and gravels, partly 

phosphatised (Baker 1963, 85). It has no beachrock. There are several 

small islets on the northern reef, but they have not been visited. 

Gardiner (1936, 432) claimed to find "evidence in isolated masses 

of rock on the outer sides of the encircling reef, and especially on 

the islets, of an almost continuous or quite continuous reef that 

stood up for 10 feet or more above the water level, and formerly 

surrounded the whole bank, apparently about covering the existing 

reef". If these features exist they may be storm-cast reef-blocks: 

no trace of them was seen in 1968, though elevated reef-rock. would 

be expected if the history of the atoll has been as complex as the 

lagoon bathymetry suggests. 

Piggott (1968) distinguishes four soil series on the Farquhar 

islands: (1) the Farquhar Series, developed on fine dune sands; (2) 

Shioya Series, on non-dune calcareous sands; (3) small areas of 

phosphatic hardpan soil described as Jemo Series, though differing 

in some respects from the type Jemo Series described by Fosberg (1954); 

and (4) a small area of Saline Marsh on South Island. The parent 

materials of the Farquhar Series are relatively homogeneous, finer 

and more angular than those of Shioya Series, and Farquhar Series 

soils are generally developed on rolling topography with a deep 

water table. Parent materials of Shioya Series range from sands 

to gravels. Baker (1963) has given analyses of guano and phosphatic 

rock from Piggott's Jemo Series. 

Tropical cyclones are common on Farquhar, and major storms 

occurred in 1893, 1926, 1950 and 1954. Apart from their effects on 

reefs, these storms have led to beach erosion, cutting back of dunes, 

and the mantling of island surfaces with coarse deposits. 

Vegetation 

Though plants were collected on Farquhar by Fletcher during the 

Percy Sladen Expedition in 1905, no list was ever published. The 

following paper by Fosberg and Renvoize describes collections made 

by Gwynne and Wood in October 1967 and by Stoddart and Poore in 

September 1968. The latter collection totalled 62 species of flowering 

plants, one moss and one lichen, to which can be added ten species 

of flowering plants recorded as sight records only. Gwynne and Wood 

(1969) record 47 species, including 16 sight records.

Both flora and vegetation differ markedly from those of elevated 

limestone islands in the Aldabra group, and resemble more those of the 

sand cays of the Amirantes and the central Indian Ocean. No rainfall 

records have been kept, but with probably 1200 mm/yr Farquhar is 

considerably wetter than Aldabra and Asswnption. Both the raised 

limestone community and the mangrove community are absent on Farquhar. 

The islands are simple sand cays with dunes, but the vegetation, 

though characteristic of such habitats, is complicated by a long 

history of human interference, with the result that there is a strong 

gradient in number of introduced species southwards from the settlement 

on the North Island. The channel between North and South Islands forms 

a major break in this gradient, and though both of the main islands 

are largely covered with coconuts, North Island has many more introduced 

species of herbs and grasses in the ground layer than has South. 

Nesting seabirds also influence the vegetation, particulary on the 

smaller islands. Farquhar is affected by a major cyclone about once 

in 25 years, when the littoral vegetation and also the trees, especially 

the coconuts, are subject to major damage. 

Nine vegetation types can be distinguished on Farquhar on the 

basis of our brief reconnaissance in 1968: 

(1) Seaward beach without dunes: where the beach is stable there 

is a hedge of Scaevola, Tournefortia, Pemphis and Suriana; 

where the beach is retreating, inland species such as 

Casuarina are found at the beach crest. 

(2) Seaward coastal dunes: these are covered with a mosaic of 

Suriana, Scaevola and Tournefortia, with Fimbristylis and 

Portulaca. 

(3) Inland stable dunes : mainly under coconuts and Casuarina, 

with a ground cover of grasses (Plates 7, 8 and 9). 

(4) Inland sand or fine gravel areas, under coconuts or Casuarina, 

with considerable diversity in ground cover (Plate 10). 

(5) Lagoon beach, mainly edged by Scaevola, Suriana and Pemphis. 

(6) Barachois, edged by Pemphis and Suriana, with a sparse 

irregular cover of grasses and sedges. 

(7) Inland depressions with standing water or wet ground. These 

are uncommon; one on North Island has a solitary Rhizophora. 

(8) Herb mat community dominated by Boerhavia and Achyranthes, 

found in the tern-nesting area on Goelette Island. 

(9) Vegetation in the main settlement and also adjacent to 

individual houses elsewhere, dominated by introduced decorative 

and cultivated plants. 

North Island 

The vegetation of North Island has been much affected by recent 

cyclones: the seaward beach has eroded, and many coconuts and Casuarina 

trees have been broken inland. The main vegetation type is coconut 

woodland in the flatter inland areas. Apart from Casuarina and, 

especially in the north, wild Carica papaya (Plate ll), few other trees

are present, and those which are found are concentrated near the 

lagoon shork beach hedge. They include Cordia subcordata, a Ficus, 

and Hernandia sonora, none of them common; Guettarda speciosa and 

Thespesia populnea were not seen. According to Piggott (1968, 36) 

wild Carica is an indicator of phosphatic soils, and groves of this 

species were erowing wild on ~oEth Island as earlv as-1905 (Gardiner 

&d Cooper 1967, 14i). 

The sward beneath the coconuts is extremely variable, more 

especially in the north where it is clearly freauentlv cut. In 

adhition to grasses (Cenchrus echinatus, itar aria horizontalis, 

Stenotaphrum dimidiatum, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Chloris barbata) 

and sedges (Fimbristylis cymosa, Cyperus dubius, Cyperus ligularis), 

and the vine Cassytha, there are more than twenty species of flowering 

plants present. Those collected include: 

Ipomoea tuba 

Kalanchoe pinnata 

Laportea aestuans 

Launaea intybacea 

Lippia nodiflora 

Parthenium hysterophorus 

Passiflora suberosa 

Phy llanthus amarus 

Phyllanthus maderaspatensis 

Portulaca oleracea 

- Sida cf. parvifolia 

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis 

Striga asiatica 

Tribulus cistoides 

Turnera ulmifolia 

Vernonia cinerea 

Turnera is particularly conspicuous in many places, but often there is 

a very diverse assemblage with no single dominant. The fern 

Nephrolepis biserrata is present and locally abundant on the ground. 

The coconuts are generally 10-12 m tall. In the middle of the 

island many are snapped off and crownless (Plate 8). Newly planted 

coconuts towards the southern end are 2-3 m tall. Mature Casuarina 

trees throughout the island reach 20 m in height. 

The seaward beach on North Island is sandy and retreating (Plate 

4). Broken, sometimes dead, juvenile Casuarina line much of the beach 

crest, with a zone of spindly Scaevola taccada to landward. Pemphis 

is also found on the seaward beach. The ground under the shrubs is 

often bare, but Triumfetta procumbens was collected on the beach 

itself. The lagoon shore is prograding, with a dense hedge of 

-- 

Scaevola taccada and Suriana maritima, and occasional trees of 

Casuarina and Cordia. 

Dunes carry a distinctive vegetation. On active dunes, as at 

the southern tip of the island, there is a shrub layer of bushy 

Scaevola taccada 1.5 m high, with a largely bare ground surface dotted 

with rosettes of Fimbristylis cymosa and Eragrostis: the ground here 

is being eroded by wind and the sedges and grasses stand on small

pinnacles. Non-active dunes are common over the island and carry 

mature Casuarina woodland with a mixed ground vegetation. 

One small marshy area in the centre of the island contains a 

solitary tall Rhizophora, the only mangrove seen on Farquhar, with 

a dense ground cover of Stenotaphrum. 

The main settlement at the north end of North Island contains 

several trees not seen elsewhere, in addition to tall Casuarina and 

Hernandia sonora. These include Ochrosia oppositifolia, Moringa 

oleifera, Terminalia catappa, Calophyllum inophyllum, and Tabebuia 

pallida, the last a New World decorative. Cultivated plants 

Lf economic value include Gossypium hirsutum, Agave, Gsa, Ricinus 

communis, various cucurbits, and maize; decoratives include a red- 

flowered- Opuntia, catharanthus roseus, Bidens sulphurea, i-ieliotropium 

indicum, Solanum cf, melongena, Malvastrum coromandelianum, Gaillardia 

lanceolata and Zinnia elegans. The whole area of the settlement has 

the appearance of long-continued human occupation and alteration. 

Manaha Islands 

These three small islets between North and South Islands are 

covered with a tall woodland of - Cocos and Casuarina. Each has a 

littoral hedge of Tournefortia argentea, Scaevola taccada and Suriana 

maritima. The " eround veeetation " beneath the coconuts consists of 

abundant vines of Ipomoea tuba, clumps of Fimbristylis cymosa, and 

little else. The contrastwith the diversity of similar ground 

vegetation on North Island is very striking. 

South Island 

Like North Island, South Island has a small settlement, not 

permanently occupied, at its northern end; a large part of the 

island is covered with dunes; and most of the rest by coconut or 

Casuarina woodland. In the coconut woodland few other trees are 

present (rare Hernandia sonora and Cordia subcordata) and there are 

few shrubs. The ground cover is similar to that under coconuts on 

North Island, but fewer species are present. Grasses include 

Eragrostis sp., Cenchrus echinatus, and Dactyloctenium aegyptium; the 

sedges Fimbristylis cymosa and CE ligularis. Other flowering 

plants noted in the ground layer include: 

Achyranthcs as= Phyllanthus anlarus 

- Boerhavia - . diFfusa . - - Portulaca cf. austra 

la filiformis - Sida sp.

A single bryophyte, collected on the surface of old dunes in heavy 

shade, can only be determined as - Brywn sp. or Pohlia sp. by C. C. 

Townsend. 

The seaward dunes are covered with a dense growth of Scaevola 

taccada, with Suriana maritima and some Tournefortia argentea. The 

lagoon beach is lined mainly with Scaevola and Suriana, and the long 

inlets or barachois by Suriana and Pemphis acidula. The lichen Usnea 

was collected from Suriana on the margins of one of the barachois. 

The small settlement has introduced trees, particularly Moringa 

oleifera but also including a single young Barringtonia asiatica. 

- Musa sp., Ricinus communis and Amaranthus dubius are cultivated, and 

the decoratives include Mirabilis jalapa and Gaillardia lanceolata. 

Goelette Island 

The tern-breeding island of Goelette is almost devoid of trees 

(one Cocos and one Casuarina, both small and sickly) and shrubs 

(somelow~uriana maritima and Tournefortia argentea on the northwest 

shore). Almost the whole island is covered with a low mat of Ipomoea 

- pes-caprae vines, the sedges Fimbristylis cymosa and Cyperus ligularis, 

and especially Boerhavia diffusa and Achyranthes aspera, the latter 

forming the tallest vegetation apart from the rare trees and shrubs. 

No species not present elsewhere on the atoll were found on Goelette, 

but the absence of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, dominant in similar 

bird colonies on Desnoeufs, Amirantes (Ridley and Percy 1955), and 

present on North Island, may be noted. 

Fauna other than Birds 

Both the land and marine fauna of Farquhar are very inadequately 

known, for apart from Gardiner's party in 1905 no attention has been 

paid to any group except the birds. Gardiner's own collections were 

small by comparison with those he made on other islands during the 

Percy Sladen Expedition. A single marine alga is recorded (Gepp and 

Gepp 1909), but the collections of marine fauna, other than pelagic 

forms, are very small (Table 2). Gardiner and Cooper (1907, 144-145) 

described the Green Turtle nesting on Farquhar, and it still does so. 

According to Rothschild (1915) the Giant Land Tortoise Geochelone 

gigantea formerly existed on Farquhar but has become extinct. No 

evidence for this statement is known,,either historically or in the 

fossil record. However, two Giant Tortoises from Aldabra are present 

on North Island: one of these was seen in 1968, in the coconut 

woodland near the south end of the island, and is considerably larger 

than any tortoise now living on Aldabra, presumably in response to the 

wetter climate, richer vegetation, and absence of competition. 

Boulenger (1909) recorded two reptiles, a Hemidactylus and a Phelsuma, 

but neither was seen in 1968. Two crabs (Cardisoma, Coenobita) are

18 

Table 2. Marine Fauna recorded from Farquhar Atoll 

Group Number of species Reference 

- 

Coelenterata Hydroids 

Siphonophorae 

Medusae 

Alcyonaria 

Annelida Polychaeta 

Echinodermat a 

Crustacea Decapoda Anomura 

Stomatopoda 

Mollusca Gastropoda 

Pteropoda 

Heteropoda 

Brachyura 

Jarvis (1922) 

Browne (1926) 

Browne (1916) 

Thomson and 

Mackinnon (1910) 

Potts (1910) 

Bell (1909) 

Laurie (1926), 

Borradaile (1907) 

Borradaile (1907), 

Rathbun (1911) 

Tattersall (1912) 

Melvill (1909) 

Tesch (1910) 

Tesch (1910) 

recorded by Borradaile (1907), and nine species of Arachnida (Neumann 

1907, Hirst 1911). There are no native mammals. Bainbrigge Fletcher 

collected insects in 1905, and this accounts for the 66 species of 

insects recorded in the Percy Sladen Reports: citations of Farquhar 

material in these Reports are keyed in Table 3. 

Group 

Apterygota 

Orthoptera 

Dermaptera 

Hemiptera 

Neuroptera 

Lepidoptera 

Coleoptera 

Hymenoptera 

Diptera 

Table 3. Insects recorded from Farquhar Atoll 

by the Percy Sladen Expedition 

Number of Speci-es Reference 

Carpenter (1916) 

Bolivar (1912, 1924) 

Burr (1910) 

Distant (1909, 1913), 

Green (1907) 

Needham (1913) 

Fletcher (1910), Fryer 

(1912), Meyrick (1911) 

Arrow (1922), Champion 

(1914), Fleutiaux (1923), 

Gebien (1922), Grouvelle 

(1913), Scott (1912) 

Cameron (1907), Cockerel1 

(1912), Forel (1907), 

Meade-Waldo (1912) 

Lamb (1922) 

It is clear from this record that little can be said about the 

invertebrate fauna of Farquhar, either marine or terrestrial, without 

further collecting.

Breeding land birds 

Birds 

- 

The number of land birds is very small by comparison with that on 

the elevated limestone islands, and all four species recorded may have 

followed human settlement. Apart from a possible Alectroenas, now 

extinct (Stoddart and Benson 1970), and a dubious sighting of "a 

solitary and shy warbler which I could not identify" by Travis 

(1959, 66), the native land bird fauna of Farquhar may have been 

nil. The following species are recorded. 

Foudia madagascariensis 

Native according . to Gardiner, introduced according to 

Hartman (1958). Common everywhere, especially on North 

Island in 1968. 

Streptopelia picturata 

Recorded (as Turtur picturatus) as "very common in Farquhar", 

probably introduced from Madagascar, by Gadow and Gardiner 

(1907, 107). No other record known; not seen in 1968. 

Geopelia striata 

Introduced before 1905 and then common around North Island 

settlement (Gardiner and Cooper 1907, 144). d collected on 

North Island by Parker, 3 October 1967. Common, especially 

on the northern half of North Island, 1968. 

Bubulcus ibis 

p collected on Goelette by Parker, 3 October 1967. Breeding 

in Suriana bushes on Goelette, September 1968; six adult 

birds. 

Possibly resident shore birds 

-- Migrants 

Ardea cinerea 

Sight, Manahas, September 1968. 

Butorides striatus 

Sight, North Island, September 1968. 

Arenaria interpres 


Squatarola squatarola 

As - S. helvetica in Gadow and Gardiner (1907), 1 specimen. 

Charadrius alexandrinus 

Sight record, as Aegialitis cantiana, in Gadow and Gardiner 

(1907).

Limosa lapponica 

1 specimen taken, 1905 (Gadow and Gardiner 1907). 

Crocethia alba 


Erolia testacea 

p collected by Parker, Goelette, 3 October 1967. 

Dromas ardeola 


Other species are recorded from Providence Bank by Watson and 

others (1963, 187). Charadrius leschenaultii and Numenius phaeopus 

in particular are likely to occur. 

Sea birds 

The main sea bird breeding ground is on Goelette Island (Plates 

14, 15 and 16), and has been exploited in the past for terns' eggs 

(Ridley and Percy 1955). Vesey-FitzGerald (1941, 525) recorded that 

"about 25,000 birds [Sterna fuscata] were reared in 1937 after heavy 

egg-collecting" on this island; he also recorded Sterna sumatrana and 

roosting Anous tenuirostris. Travis (1959, 62-63) found few if any 

Sooty Terns on Goelette, the whole being covered with Noddies, but 

the time of vear of his visit is not clear. Parker in October 1967 

collected four species of terns (Sterna albifrons, S. fuscata, - S. 

sumatrana, S. dougalli) on Goelette,dndas~eus bergii . He 

found several thousand vouna Sooty Terns on the island, all more than 

half fledged and the majority fuliy fledged, and he noted a large 

number of dead or dying birds (Parker 1970). A large number of 

Noddies Anous stolidus also nest on Goelette, but were already fledged 

at the time of Parker's visit. In September 1968 we found many 

thousands both of Sterna fuscata and Anous stolidus on Goelette, 

in large discrete flocks. Again most of the terns were fledged, and 

there were laree " numbers of dead birds. The whole island was covered 

with ticks (Amblyomma sp.?), in contrast to similar bird colonies on 

African Banks. 

The only other sea bird definitely known to nest on Farquhar is 

the Red-footed Booby -- 

Sula sula. Travis (1959, 64-65) records nesting 

boobies with chicks in Casuarina on the east side of South Island. 

This colony was seen, in tall Casuarina stained white by the birds, 

on the lagoon shore of South Island in 1968. Other sea birds may 

nest on the small remote sand cays of the northern reef, but these 

have not been investigated. 

The following sea birds have been recorded from Farquhar: 

Sula dactylatra 

Recorded by Vesey-FitzGerald (1941) from Goelette.

Sula sula 

-- 

Recorded from South Island by Vesey-FitzGerald (1941) and 

Travis (1959), and seen in 1968. Breeds in Casuarina. 

Fregata minor 

Sight, September 1968; not common. 

Sterna dougallii 

9 collected by Parker on Goelette, 3 October 1967. 

Sterna sumatrana 

Recorded by Vesey-FitzGerald (1941) on Goelette; od collected 

by Parker on Goelette, 3 October 1967. 

Sterna fuscata 

Breeds in thousands on Goelette. Recorded bv Vesev-FitzGerald 

(1941) and later visitors. 099 collected bi ~arkek on 

Goelette, 3 October 1967. 

Sterna albifrons 

999~0' collected by Parker on Goelette, 3 October 1967. 

Anous stolidus 

Recorded by Parker on Goelette; present in thousands in 

September 1968. 

Anous tenuirostris 

Recorded as roosting on Goelette by Vesey-FitzGerald (1941). 

-- 

Gygis alba 

Recorded by Stoddart and Poore, September 1968: probably 

the "small white g11" noted by Moresby in 1821-2 (Stoddart 

and Benson 1969). 

Settlement 

Farquhar was discovered by Joao de Nova in 1504, but apart from 

the French hydrographic survey in 1776 and the British in 1824, nothing 

is known of its history until the early nineteenth century. The atoll 

was apparently uninhabited when a ship named the St Abbs was wrecked 

-- 

there in 1855, though Lieut. Hay had found a fishing settlement 

established on 12 March 1822 (Moresby 1842, 680). A small fishing 

station was established soon afterwards (Lieutard 1868), and planting 

of coconuts followed: a considerable number were planted on North 

Island by a Mauritian firm in 1870 (Findlay 1882, 546-547). According 

to a visiting Stipendiary Magistrate (reported in Bergne 1900), 

however, coconut trees were not bearing by 1879. At this time the 

population numbered 40 men, with an export of salt fish and turtle 

valued at Rs 14,000. More coconuts were planted by James Spurs about 

1885 (Gardiner and Cooper 1907, 143), but many were destroyed in the

cyclone of 1893. In 1895 the coconuts which survived were in full 

bearing, producing about 70,000 nuts per month, and supporting a 

population of 100 men, women and children (Bergne 1900). Planting 

began on South Island as late as 1905 (Gardiner and Cooper 1907, 143). 

Piggott (1961, 82) has swnmarised the history of the coconut 

plantations. By 1950 they were yielding 30 tons of copra per month. 

30,000 trees were destroyed, however, in the major cyclone of that 

year. In spite of replanting, copra production in 1960 was only 20 

tons per month, and 24 tons in 1967. 

The settlement (Plate 17) in 1968 consisted of 39 people, all 

resident on North Island, with 31 head of cattle, 2 donkeys, and 2 

horses, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and bees. Maize has 

been cultivated at least since 1905. The economic development of 

the atoll is limited both by the recurrent cyclones and by the great 

distance to ~ahd, in both respects comparing unfavourably with 

competing plantations in the Amirantes and on Coetivy. 

From 1814, when Mauritius came under British rule, Farquhar 

was administered as part of the Colony of Mauritius, and while the 

new Colony of Seychelles was formed in 1903, Farquhar was not 

transferred to it until December 1921. In 1965 Farquhar was detached 

from the Seychelles and became part of the British Indian Ocean 

Territory. As such it is covered by the provisions of an agreement 

between Britain and the United States governing the use of B.I.O.T. 

for defence purposes for a period of not less than fifty years. 

References 

Arrow, G. J. 1922. Coleoptera, Erotylidae and Endomychidae, from the 

Seychelles, Chagos, and Amirantes Islands. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 

ser. 9, 10: 73-83. 



Bell, F. J. 1909. Report on the Echinoderma (other than Holothurians) 

collected by Mr J. Stanley Gardiner in the western parts of the 

Indian Ocean. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 13: 17-22. 

Bergne, H. A'C. 1900. Fair record of islands in the Indian Ocean. 

Manuscript. 

Bolivar, I. 1912. Orthoptera: Acrydiidae, Phasgonuridae, Gryllidae. 

Trans. Linn. Sac. London, ser. 2, Zool., 15: 263-292. 

----------- 1924. Orthoptera Dictyoptera (Blattidae and Mantidae), 

and supplement to Gryllidae, of the Seychelles and adjacent 

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---------- 1913. Rhynchota, Part I: suborder Heteroptera. Trans. Linn. 


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---------- 1941. Further contributions to the ornithology of the 

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---------- 1950. Nesting habits of some aculeate Hymenoptera in the 

Seychelles. Proc. Entom. Soc. London, ser. A, 25: 75-80.

FARQUHAR ATOLL 

1. Scaevola community on high dunes, north end of South Island 

2. Unvegetated barachois, lagoon shore, north end of South Island

3. Cay sandstone outcrop on eroding lagoon shore, North Island 

4. Scaevola and Casuarina on eroding seaward shore, North Island

5. Prograding lagoon shore with Scaevola and Casuarina, North Island 

6. Conglomerate platform outcropping on the sides of the channel 

between the northern Manaha Island and North Island; view towards 

the lagoon

7. Open Casuarina woodland on old dunes, North Island 

8. Woodland of Cocos and Casuarina on old dunes, North Island; note 

the hurricane damage to coconuts

9. Replanting of coconuts in hurricane-damaged area of North Island 

10. Open woodland of Cocos with Fimbristylis on flat gravel spread, 

North Island 

-

11. Coconut woodland with grove of wild Carica papaya, north end of 

North Island 

12. Sooty Terns and Nod6ies on Goelette Island. Note the low 

herb-mat vegetation, and the scarcity of dwarf shrubs

13-14. Sooty Terns and Noddies op Goelette Island. Note the low 


15-16. Sooty Terns and Noddies on Goelette Island. Note the low 


17. Copra sheds at Settlement, North Island

3. PLANTS OF FARQUHAR ATOLL 


USNEA sp. 

South I., Stoddart & Poore 1368 (K) . On Suriana. 

Unidentified moss 

Stoddart & Poore s. n. 

NEPHROLEPIS BISERRATA (Sw.) Schott 

S. l., Wiehe 10174 (MALI)*; North I., Stoddart & Poore 1342 

(K, US); Gwynne & Wood 1179 (EA). 

CYMODOCEA CILIATA Ehrenb. ex. Aschers.? 

South I. "Alt . 10 ft", Gwynne & Wood 1216 (EA) . 

Small, internodes condensed, leaf-tips sharply and prominently 

denticulate. 

THALASSIA HEMPRICHII (Ehrenb . ) Aschers . 

South I., Gwynne & Wood 1216 (EA). (Fragment mixed with 

Cymodocea coll. ) 

CENCHRUS ECHINATUS L. 

South I., Gwynne & Wood 1201 (K, EA); North I., Stoddart & 

Poore 1341 (K). 

CHLORIS BARBATA Sw. 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1364 (K) 

DACTYLOCTENIUM AEGYPTIUM (L.) Willd. 

S. l., Wiehe 10162 (MAU); North I., Stoddart & Poore 1361 (K, 

US) ; South I., seen by Stoddart, 1968. 

DIGITARIA TIMORENSIS (Kunthl Bal. 

South I., Gwynne.6 wood 1202 (K, EA): North I., Stoddart & 

Poore 1357 (K, US) 

DIGITARIA sp. 

Wiehe 10163 (MAU) 

*Wiehe collections cited from Mauritius Herbarium have not been 

seen by the authors. 

Atoll Research Bulletin No. 136: pp. 27 - 33, lg70.

ELEUSINE INDICA (L.) Gaertn. 

South I., Gwynne & Wood 1200 (K, EA), 1206 (EA) . 

- 

ERAGROSTIS sp. 

S. l., Wiehe 10178 (MAU); North I., Stoddart & Poore 1360 (K); 

South I., seen by Stoddart, 1968. 

LEPTURUS REPENS R. Br. 

North I., Gwynne & Wood 1186 (EA) . 

PANICUM MAXIMUM Jacq. 

S. l., Wiehe 10179 (MAU); South I., Gwynne & Wood 1203 (EA). 

PANICUM (near) UMBELLATUM Trin. 

S. l., Wiehe 10183 (MAU) . 

PASPALUM DISTICHUM L. (P. vaginatum Sw.) 

S. I., Wiehe 10187 (MAU); North I., Gwynne & Wood 1182 (K, EA). 

PENNISETUM POLYSTACHION (L.) Schult . 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1332 (K, US). 

PENNISETUM PURPUREUM Schum. 

S. I., Wiehe 10160 (MAU); North I., Gwynne & Wood 1184 (EA). 

STENOTAPHRUM DIMIDIATUM (L. ) Brongn . 

S. l., Wiehe 10161 (MAU); North I., Stoddart & Poore 1359 (K, US) 

STENOTAPHRUM MICRANTHUM (Desv .) Hubb . 

S. l., Wiehe 10159 (MALI) ; South I., Gwynne & Wood 1197 (EA) . 

ZEA MAYS L. 


CYPERUS DUBIUS Rottb. 

S. l., Wiehe 10165 (MAU) : North I., Stoddart & Poore 1348 (K, 

US) ; South I., seen by Stoddart, 1968. 

CYPERUS KYLLINGIA Endl. 

North I., Gwynne & Wood 1183 (EA): Stoddart & Poore 1334 (K, US). 

FIMBRISTYLIS CYMOSA R. Br. 

S. l., Wiehe 10164 (MAU); North I., Gwynne & Wood 1181 (EA); 

Stoddart & Poore 1349 (K); South I., Gwynne & Wood 1213 (EA) ; 

Stoddart & Poore 1370 (K, US); Manaha Islets, seen by Stoddart, 

1968. 

COCOS NUCIFERA L. 

North, South, and Manaha Islets, seen by Stoddart, 1968.

AGAVE SISALANA Perr. 

North I., seen by Stoddart, 1968. 

MUSA SAPIENTUM L. 

North and South Islets, seen by Stoddart, 1968 

CASUARINA EQUISETIFOLIA L. 

North, South, and Manaha Islets, seen by Stoddart, 1968. 

LAPORTEA AESTUANS (Gaud. ) Chew 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1344 (K). 

FICUS BENGHALENSIS L. 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1336 (K, US); Gwynne & Wood 1188 (EA). 

BOERHAVIA DIFFUSA L. 

S. l., Wiehe 10173 (MAU) ; North I., Gwynne & Wood 1185 (EA) ; 

Stoddart & ~ooreT352 (K, US); South I., Gwynne & Wood 1211 (K, 

EA) . 

MIRABILIS JALAPA L . 

South I., Gwynne & Wood 1199 (EA); Stoddart & Poore 1371 (K, US) 

ACHYRANTHES ASPERA L . 

S. I., Wiehe 10172 (MAU); North I., Stoddart & Poore 1346 (K, US); 

South I., Gwynne & Wood 1189 (K, EA) . 

AMARANTHUS DUBIUS Mart. ex Thell. 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1324 (K, US); South I., seen by 

Stoddart, 1968. 

AMARANTHUS sp. 

S. l., Wiehe 10190 (MAU). 

PORTULACA cf. AUSTRALIS End1 . 

South I., Stoddart & Poore 1369 (K) 

PORTULACA OLERACEA L. 

S. I., Wiehe 10193 (MAU) ; South I., Gwynne & Wood 1205 (EA) ; North 

I., Stoddart & Poore 1328 (K, US). 

PORTULACA sp . 

S. l., Wiehe 10177 (MU) . 

CASSYTHA FILIFORMIS L. 

S. l., Wiehe 10196 (MAU); North I., Stoddart 4 Poore 1321 (K, US); 


HERNANDIA SONORA L. 

North I., Stoddart 4 Poore 1345 (K, US); South I., seen by Stoddart, 

1968.

GYNANDROPSIS GYNANDRA (L.) Briq. 

S. I., Wiehe 10167 (MAU); South I., Gwynne & Wood 1204 (K, EA); 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1343 (K, US) . 

MORINGA OLEIFERA Lam. 

North I., Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1379 (K, US); South I., 

seen by Stoddart, 1968. 

KALANCHOE PINNATA (Lam.) Pers. 

North I., stoddart. fi Poore 1322 (K, US) ; South I., seen by Stoddart, 

1968. 

DESMANTHUS VIRGATUS Willd. 

S. I., Wiehe 10184 (MAU). 

INDIGOFERA sp. 

S. l., Wiehe 10175 (MAU) 

LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA (Lam .) de W i t 

North I., Gwynne & Wood 1186 (K, EA) . 

TRIBULUS CISTOIDES L. 

North I., Stoddart fi Poore 1339 (K, US); South I., Gwynne & Wood 

1193 (K, EA). 

- 

SURIANA MARITIMA L. 

North I., Gwynne & Wood 1187 (EA); Stoddart & Poore 1333 (K, US); 

South and Manaha Islets, seen by Stoddart, 1968. 

ACALYPHA INDICA L. 

S. l., Wiehe 10192 (MU) "first observed after 1950 cyclone"; 

North I., Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1382 (K). 

EUPHORBIA HIRTA L. 

S. I., Wiehe 10188 (MAU); South I., Gwynne & Wood 1198 (EA); 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1354 (K) . 

EUPHORBIA PROSTRATA Ait. 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1355 (K); South I., seen by Stoddart, 

1968. 

PEDILANTHUS TITHYMALOIDES (L .) Poit . 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1326 (K). 

PHYLLANTHUS AMARUS Schum. & Thonn . 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1350 (K); South I., seen by Stoddart, 

1968. 

PHYLLANTHUS MADERASPATENSIS L. 

S. l., Wiehe 10170 (MAU); South I., Gwynne & Wood 1212 (EA); 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1362 (K, US).

PHY LLANTHUS (near) TENELLUS Roxb . 

S. I., Wiehe 10189 (MAU). 

RICINUS COMMUNIS L. 

North and South Islets, seen by Stoddart, 1968. 

TRIUMFETTA PROCUMBENS Forst. 


ABUTILON sp. 

S. l., Wiehe 10198 (MU) . 

GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM L. 

S. l., Wiehe 10186 (MAU); South I., Gwynne & Wood 1191 (K, EA). 

MALVASTRUM COROMANDELIANUM (L.) Garcke 

S. l., Wiehe 10191 (MU);. North I., Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 

1378 (K, US) ; South I., Stoddart & Poore 1367 (K- 

- P 

SIDA PARVIFOLIA DC. 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1327 (K, US); South I., Gwynne & Wood 1210 

(K, EA). 

CAiOPHY LLUM INOPHY LLUM L . 


TURNERA ULMIFOLIA L. 

S. l., Wiehe 10169 (MAU); North I., Stoddart 4 Poore 1351 (K, US); 


PASSIFLORA FOETIDA var. HISPIDA (DC.) Killip 

S. l., Wiehe 10189 (MAU) . 

PASSIFLORA SUBEROSA L. 


CARICA PAPAYA L. 

North I., seen by Stoddart, 1968. 

CUCURBITA cf. MAXIMA Duch. ex Lam. 


CUCURBITA PEP0 L. 

South I., Gwynne & Wood 1190 (EA). 

MELOTHRIA MADERASPATANA (L. ) Cogn . 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1340 (K); South I., Gwynne & Wood 1194 

(K, EA); Ile Goelette, Gwynne & Wood 1219 (EA). 

PEMPHIS ACIDULA Forst. 

S. l., Wiehe 10197 (MAU); North I., Gwynne & Wood 1180 (K, EA) ; 

Stoddart & Poore 1330 (K, US).

RHIZOPHORA MUCRONATA Lam. 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1331 (K, US) 

TERMINALIA CATAPPA L. 


BARRINGTONIA ASIATICA (L.) Kurz 

South I., Stoddart & Poore 1386 (K, US). 

OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA (L.) Mill. 

North I., photo by Stoddart, 1968 (determination verified by Lyman 

Benson, 1969). 

CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS (L.) G. Don 


OCHROSIA OPPOSITIFOLIA (Lam.) K. Schm. 

North I., Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1385 (K) 

IPOMOEA TUBA (Schlecht.) G. Don 

S. I., Wiehe 10200 (MAU); Goelette I., Gwynne & Wood 1218 (EA); 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1337 (K, US)- & Wood 

1209 (K, EA); Manaha Islets, seen by Stoddart, 1968. 

- 

CORDIA SUBCORDATA Lam. 

North I., Stoddart & Poore 1335 (K, US); South I., seen by Stoddart, 

1968. 

HELIOTROPIUM INDICUM L. 

North I., Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1375 (K, US). 

TOURNEFORTIA ARGENTEA L. f. 

North and South and Manaha Islets, seen by Stoddart, 1968. 

LIPPIA NODIFLORA (L.) Michx. 

S. l., Wiehe 10166 (MAU); North I., Stoddart & Poore 1365 (K, US). 

STACHYTARPHETA JAMAICENSIS (L.) Vahl 

S. l., Wiehe 10180 (MAU); North I., Stoddart & Poore 1358 (K, US) 

SOLANUM MELONGENA L. 


SOLANUM NIGRUM L. 


STRIGA ASIATICA (L.) 0. Ktze 

S. I., Wiehe 10195 (MAU) ; North I., Stoddart 6 Poore 1347 (K, US) ; 


TABEBUIA PALLIDA (Lindl.) Miers 

North I., Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1380 (K) .

ASYSTASIA BOJERIANA Nees 

S. I., Wiehe 10182 (MU). 

SCAEVOLA TACCADA (Gaertn.) Roxb: 

North, South, and Manaha Islets, seen by Stoddart, 1968. 

BIDENS PILOSA L. 

S. I., Wiehe 10194 (MU); North I., Stoddart & Poore 1363 (K, US). 

BIDENS SULPHUREA (Cav.) Sch .-Bip. 

North I., Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1374 (K) 

GAILLARDIA LANCEOLATA Michx? 

South I., Stoddart & Poore 1372 (K, US), 1373 (K, US); Gwynne & 

Wood 1207 (K, EA), - 1208 (K, EA). 

LAUNAEA INTYBACEA (Jacq .) Beauv . 

S. l., Wiehe 10181 (MAU); North I., Stoddart & Poore 1325 (K). 

PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS L. 

S. l., Wiehe 10185 (MAU); South I., Gwynne & Wood 1195 (EA); North 

I., Stoddart 6 Poore 1353 (K, US). 

SPILANTHES sp. 

S. I., Wiehe 10176 (MU) . 

VERNONIA CINEREA IL.1 Less 

. . 

S. l., Wiehe 10171 (MAU) ; South I., Gwynne & Wood 1196 (EA) ; North 

I., Stoddart & Poore 1356 (K, US). 

ZINNIA ELEGANS Jacq. 

North I., Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1377 (K)

4. AN OLD RECORD OF A BLUE PIGEON ALECTROENAS SPECIES 

AND SEA-BIRDS ON FARQUHAR AND PROVIDENCE 

D. R. Stoddart and C. W. Benson 

While working on manuscripts in the Old Indian Office, London, 

Stoddart found the following statement in a document about voyages 

in the southwest Indian Ocean in 1821-22, written by Captain (later 

Admiral of the Fleet Sir) Fairfax Moresby: 

"Jean de Nova i.e. Farquhar and Providence ... like the Amirantes, 

Coetivy and Alphonse are the resort of Millions of Birds of which, 

the Frigate Bird, the Fou, a beautiful small white gull, a variety 

of various coloured Gannet, and the Tropic Bird are the principle: 

In S. Pierre and Providence a species of small blue pigeon are in 

great abundance, and so seldom disturbed that they do not fly at 

Man's approach, but are knock'd down with Sticks, we found them 

excessively good eating, these birds build and nest on the Mapou 

tree and other Dwarf trees which cover the surface of the 

islands . .. (1 

The "small blue pigeon" must have been a species of Blue Pigeon, 

Alectroenas. We know of no other reference to its occurrence on Farquhar, 

Providence or St Pierre. Stoddart spent 19 September 1968 on Farquhar, 

traversing most of the atoll land (see maps in Stoddart and Poore 1970 

and Watson, Zusi and Storer 1963, 184), but saw no blue pigeons. The 

genus Alectroenas is endemic to the Malagasy Region. It was formerly 

represented on Mauritius, and is still so on Malagasy (Madagascar), the 

Comoros, Aldabra and the Seychelles (Goodwin 1967, 380-384). There may 

also have been a form on Rodriguez, A. rodericana (Milne-Edwards), known 

only from bones (Hachisuka 1953, 1807. According to Rountree and others 

(1952, 187), the Mauritius form, A. nitidissima (Scopoli), became extinct 

about 1831, though Renshaw (1939)~ives the date as early as 1826. 

Penny (1967, 272) writes of the "declining numbers" and edibility of A. 

ulcherrima (Scopoli) in the Seychelles. The Comoro form, A. s. sganyini 

YBonaparte), was reported by Benson (1960, 52) as very confydidi;ig and 

excellent eating, though still plentiful. Nevertheless representations 

were made at the Conference of the International Council for Bird 

Preservation in New York in 1962 for its proper protection (IX Bull. 

I.C.B.P., 1963, 38, 41). We can confirm that on Aldabra A. sganzini 

minor Berlepsch is extremely confiding. It is still plenFiful in the 

southeast of the atoll. Tameness and palatability, both mentioned in 

Moresby's account, were undoubtedly the undoing of Alectroenas on St 

Pierre and Providence, and presumably Mauritius too. 

Atoll Research Bulletin No. 136: pp.35 - 36, 1970.

Of the other species (sea birds) mentioned in Moresby's account, 

Watson and others (1963, 185-188) mention neither frigatebirds Fregata 

spp. nor tropicbirds Phaethon spp. "Fou" is French for a gannet, so 

that it would appear that there were at least two Sula spp. Watson and 

others (1963) list both S. dactylatra and sula as breeding on Farquhar. 

The "beautiful small white gull" was presmably the Fairy Ten -- 

Gygis alba, 

which according to Watson and others (1963) breeds on Providence. 

Acknowledgement 

Unpublished Crown-copyright material in the India Office Records 

transcribed in this paper appears by permission of the Secretary of 

State for Foreign and Commonwealth Relations. 

References 

Benson, C. W. 1960. The birds of the Comoro Islands. Ibis, 103b: 105-106. 

Goodwin, D. 1967. Pigeons and doves of the world. London. 

Hachisuka, M. 1953. The dodo and kindred birds. London. 

Moresby, F. No date (?1822). Memoir on the isles in the Indian Ocean. 

Manuscript. London, India Office, Records Department, MS 51: 1-70. 

Penny, M. 1968. Endemic birds of the Seychelles. Oryx, 9: 267-275. 

8 

Renshaw, G. 1939. Some extinct birds. 5. The Pigeon Hollandais. Bird 

Notes and News, 18(5): 109-110. 

Rountree, F. R. G., Gue'rin, R., Pelte, S., and Vinson, J. 1952. Catalogue 

of the birds of Mauritius. Mauritius Inst. Bull. 3(3). 

Stoddart, D. R. and Poore, M. E. D. 1970. Geography and ecology of 

Farquhar Atoll. Atoll Res. Bull., this issue. 

Watson, G. E., Zusi, R. L., and Storer, R. E. 1963. Preliminary field 

guide to the birds of the Indian Ocean. Washington.

5. GEOGRAPHY AND ECOLOGY OF COSMOLEDO ATOLL 

C. J. Bayne, B. H. Cogan, A. W. Diamond, J. Frazier, P. Grubb, 

A. Hutson, M. E. D. Poore, 0. R. Stoddart, J. D. Taylor 

Introduction 

Cosmoledo Atoll, go41'S, 47'35'E, is located 110 km east of Aldabra. 

It consists of eight main islands and numerous islets on the atoll rim, 

surrounding a large and open lagoon. The two largest islands, Wizard and 

Menai, are those usually visited by scientists. There has been no 

detailed survey of Cosmoledo at any time, though many expeditions have 

called there for brief visits (Table 4). The main published accounts 

are those by Dupont (1907, 8-12), Fryer (1911, 428-430), Travis (1959, 

111-156), Baker (1963, 86-92), and Piggott (1961, 27-30; 1968, 53-54). 

Ten members of the Royal Society Expedition to Aldabra visited Menai 

and Wizard Islands in March 1968, and five more visited Menai only in 

September 1968: this paper summarises earlier work and adds new infor- 

mation from the Royal Society surveys. 

The main hydrographic survey of Cosmoledo was by W. J. L. Wharton 

in 1878, published as Admiralty Chart 718 in 1879. This chart, with 

revisions by H.M.S. - Owen in 1964, is still current. The atoll was 

covered by aerial photography in 1960, and Baker (1963, 87, 89, 91, 93) 

used air photographs to prepare sketch maps of the geology of the main 

islands. Figure 3 is based primarily on the 1960 air photograph cover, 

with topographic control and bathymetry from the 1967 edition of Admiralty 

Chart 718. This map should not be used for navigational purposes without 

further field survey. 

Geomorphology 

Cosmoledo stands on the northern of two presumably volcanic peaks, 

45 km apart, rising from the ocean floor at 4000-4400 m depth. At the 

4000 m isobath the volcanic massif is 85 km long N-S and 33-52 km wide: 

the Cosmoledo peak becomes distinct from that on which Astove stands at 

a depth of 1000 m (Figure 4). Outside the peripheral reef of Cosmoledo, 

the sea floor falls gently to 50 m, over a distance of 0.5-1 km, and then 

more steeply: the 500 m isobath generally lies 1-1.5 km from the surface 

reefs. 

The atoll has maximum dimensions of 14.5 x 11.5 km, and a total 

area of 152 sq km. The peripheral reef flat varies in width from 1 to 

2.5 km, averaging about 1.5 km, and encloses a shallow lagoon, opening to 

the south in two major channel systems. The greatest depths in the lagoon 

Atoll Research Bulletin No. 136: pp.37 - 56, 1970.

- Date 

1822 July 31 

1875 Oct. 17 

1907 

1908 Sept. 1-5 

1906 Sept. 14-19 

1937 Sept.-Nov. 

1953 Nov. 

1956 

1957 Dec. 10-12 

1959 Oct.9-Nov.27 

1964 March 13-14 

1967 Oct. 5-6 

1968 March 6 

1968 Sept. 14 

Table 4. Scientific Studies at Cosmoledo Atoll 

- Study Reference 

Cant. F. Moresbv in shivs 

Wizard and ~enai 

Capt . Niej ahr, Hermann 

Friedrich 

Hydrographic - - survey by W. J. 

i. Wharton 

Agricultural survey by S. C. 

E. Baty 

Visit by H. A'C. Bergne 

Chart emendations by L. 

Ferrari 

H. L. Thomasset, insects 

J. C. F. Fryer: general 

observations, insects 

R. Dupont: plants, insects 

L. D. E. F. Vesey-FitzGerald: 

vegetation, birds 

Italian Zoological Expedition: 

C. Prola, F. Palombelli, F. 

Prosperi, S. Nievo 

H. Legrand: Lepidoptera 

W. D. Hartman: land birds 

H. Legrand, M. Gerber: 

Lepidoptera 

B. H. Baker, geology; C. J. 

Piggott, soils 

R. E. Honegger: birds, 

Moresby (1822) 

Niej ahr (1876) 

Adm. Ch. 718 (1879) 

Bergne (1900) 

Bergne (1901) 

Fryer (1911, 428-30) 

Dupont (1907, 8-12) 

Berio (1956) 

Legrand (1965) 


Legrand (1965) 

Baker (1963) ; Piggott 

(1961,1968) 

reptiles Honegger (1966, unpub. 

H.M.S. - Owen; Cmdr D. W. 

survey, birds 

a, unpub .b) 

Haslam: 

Bourne (1966) 

M. D. Gwynne, D. Wood, I. S. 

C. Parker: plants, birds Parker (1970); Gwynne 

and Wood (1969) 

C. W. Benson, B. H. Cogan, 

A. W. Diamond, F. R. Fosberg, 

J. Frazier, A. Graham, P. Gntbb, 

A. Hutson, K. McKenzie, S. A. 

Renvoize This report; Benson 

(1970); Fosberg and 

Renvoize (1970) 

C. J. Bayne, J. C. Gamble, 

M. E. D. Poore, D. R. Stoddart, 

T. S. Westoll This report

Fig. 4. The Aldabra Group

are found at the inner ends of these two channels and in the channels 

themselves, though where these bifurcate and disappear there is much 

coral growth between the branches with depths of less than 1 m. Most of 

the central lagoon basin is more than 5 m deep; a small area at the 

head of the southwest channel reaches more than 6 m, and a larger area 

at the head of southeast channel more than 7 m. Maximum recorded depth 

is 8.2 m. Coral growth is important only around the branching channel 

systems and also where the lagoon narrows towards Menai Island, here 

forming a reticulate reef network similar to that at I-Iitaddu, Addu Atoll. 

Irregularities on the lagoon floor can be seen on air photographs, but 

the general simplicity of form and absence of knolls and patches contrasts 

markedly with the Farquhar lagoon. Maximum depths in the main channels 

range from 5 to 11 m; other passages through the peripheral reef which 

are navigable by small boats do not intersect the reef flat itself, and 

have depths of 1 m or less. 

There are eight main islands on the atoll rim, with numerous small 

islets; the total land area is approximately 5.2 sq km, or 3.4 per cent 

of that of the whole atoll. Wizard Island (Grande Ile), on the windward 

side of the atoll, is 3.2 km long and has an area of 1.6 sq km. It 

consists of low elevated reefrock largely covered with sand and gravel, 

and with coastal dunes on the seaward side up to 17 m high. The crests 

of these dunes are aligned parallel to the prevailing Trades, and Baker 

(1963) states that reefrock pavement is exposed in the dune slacks. The 

seaward beach, at least in the centre, consists of sand and cobbles over- 

lying a smooth inclined rock pavement, rising from a potholed and eroded 

reef flat. The central part of the island is formed by a sand plain, 

and the lagoon shore is a gently sloping sand beach with, in places, 

ledges of reef limestone. 

Menai Island on the lee side has a land area of 2.3 sq km. The 

area of raised reefrock is larger than on Wizard. On the seaward side 

the rock reaches 2-4 m in height, forming undercut headlands separated 

by sandy beaches. The rock declines in height to about 1 m on the 

lagoon side, where there is a large area of mangrove. Several dune areas 

are located between the reefrock and the mangrove, and the dunes at the 

south point, about 8-10 m high, are still. active. Older vegetated dunes 

at the north end rise to 10-15 m. On the seaward side the raised reef- 

rock is partly covered with sand, and north of the settlement the old 

undercut cliffline is fronted by a wide area of recent sand. The elevated 

reefrock at the south point is a massive reef limestone with much Acropora; 

it resembles the main Aldabra limestones but there is no inland ridge 

at about 8 m as on Aldabra. There is probably no basis in fact for 

Niejahr's (1876, 244) report of lava blocks on Menai. 

The other islands of the atoll rim were not visited by Royal Society 

parties, but Piggott (1961) visited North, Grand Polyte, Pagoda and South 

Islands. North Island he describes as being formed entirely of eroded 

champignon, with some sand on the south side, the whole formerly covered 

with guano, now largely scraped away and remaining only in holes. Grand

Polyte, about 250 m wide, is formed in the north of raised reefrock stand- 

ing about 1.6 m above high water, and in the south of sandy flats; central 

dunes rise to about 5 m. South Island, about 200 m wide, consists entire- 

ly of raised reef limestone. 

The soils of the Cosmoledo islands can be classed into Piggott's 

(1968) main soil series: most of the islands, especially on rock, are 

covered with phosphatic Desnoeufs Series with a very shallow A horizon; 

Farquhar Series soils are forming on dunes; and in some areas there are 

soils approximating to Shioya Series, but always mixed with dune sands. 

Vegetation 

The flora of Cosmoledo is similar to that of Aldabra, and plants 

collected in 1968 and by Gwynne and iVood (1969) in 1967 are listed by 

Fosberg and Kenvoize (1970). Three main vegetation types can be distin- 

guished: (1) raised reefrock vegetation; (2) sand vegetation, including 

dunes; and (3) mangrove vegetation. The raised reefrock vegetation has 

some of the species present on Aldabra, and notably Pemphis, Sideroxylon 

and Ficus, with Sarcostemma, but the small area, degree of human inter- 

- 

ference, and lack of investigation combine to explain the absence in 

recent records of such characteristic species as Lomatophyllum and 

Solanum. Sand vegetation has been much affected by man, except for the 

littoral vegetation of Scaevola, Tournefortia and Suriana. Most of the 

sand areas, except the dunes, support coconuts, with a ground cover of 

grasses, sedges, herbs and vines, including many introduced weeds and 

cultivated species. Stable dunes are covered either with Casuarina 

woodland or with a scrub of Scaevola and Suriana. The mangrove vegetation 

is tall and includes at least six species: Avicennia marina, Rhizophora 

mucronata, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Sonneratia alba, Xylocarpus granatum 

and Ceriops tagal. Apart from the extension of coconut woodland and 

attendant introduction of aliens on the sand areas, and the clearing of 

reefrock vegetation during guano digging on the North Island, the 

vegetation of Cosmoledo has probably changed little since Moresby (1822, 

30) recorded that "here we saw a few Cocoa Nut trees, the Mapou Pisonia, 

some Latannia, and trees that resemble the Filahoe Casuarina of the 

Mauritius". 

Recent observations of vegetation are available only for Menai and 

Wizard Islands. Piggott (1961) mentions a mixed scrub with Pemphis and 

much wild cotton on raised reefrock at North Island, with Scaevola on 

recent sand. He again found a Pemphis scrub on reefrock on Grand Polyte, 

and the same species on the dunes and also on the southern sand flats. 

together with 'Scaevola and Tournefortia. On the raised reefrock of south 

Island he describes "a few Pemphis and Pisonia grandis (mapou) shrubs but 

little other vegetation".

Menai Island 

The seaward shore of Menai has a characteristic beach-crest hedge of 

Scaevola taccada, Tournefortia argentea and Suriana maritima, with Cordia 

-- 

subcordata on the landward side of the hedge. Pemphis acidula is found 

on rocky headlands. The vegetation of the sandy area north and south of 

the settlement is most diverse. Cocos nucifera is common though patchy 

in its distribution. Tall Casuarina equisetifolia is found at the 

settlement itself; this species was noted by Moresby in 1822, and Fryer 

(1908) found it "apparently of great age" sixty years ago. Guettarda 

speciosa, Cordia subcordata, Thespesia sp., and Grewia salicifolia are 

the only other trees noted. Scattered shrubs are more numerous near the 

southern end of the i.sland, where they include Allophylus africanus (3 m 

tall), Premna obtusifolia (4 m), Azima tetracantha, Acalypha claoxyloides, 

and Caesalpinia major; north of the settlement we also noted Vernonia 

-- 

aldabrensis. The ground cover is very diverse. North of settlement 

Fimbristylis - cymosa is dominant; to the south there is a cover of grasses 

(Eragrostis sp., Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Lepturus repens), sedges 

(Fimbristylis - cymosa, Cyperus ligularis), the vine Cassytha filiformis, 

and a number of flowering plants, including Launaea intybacea, L. 

sarmentosa, Ipomoea -- pes-caprae, Boerhavia repens, Pleurostelma cernuum, 

Passiflora suberosa, Euphorbia ~p.,~arvifolia, - 

Evolvulus alsinoides, 

Hypoestes aldabrensis, Cleome strigosa and Asparagus umbellulatus. 

At and near the settlement other species are found. These include 

cultivated trees Moringa oleifera, Terminalia catappa and Carica 

papaya, decoratives such as Pedilanthus tithymaloides, Catharanthus roseus 

and Solanum melongena, and a number of other introductions, such as Agave, 

Gossypium hirsutum, Ricinus communis and Panicum maximum. Maize is also 

- 

cultivated. 

The sand dune vegetation varies with the age and stability of the 

dune. The active southern dunes are covered with clumps of the sedges 

Fimbristylis cymosa and Cyperus ligularis, and patches of the grass 

Dactyloctenium aegyptim. On the lower dunes there is a mosaic of the 

shrubs Scaevola, Tournefortia and Suriana; two trees of Pisonia grandis 

nestle in the lee of the southernmost dune, as they do in the lee of Dune 

Jean-Louis on Aldabra. The northern dunes are most subdued and closely 

vegetated, with an open woodland of Casuarina, scattered shrubby growths 

of Colubrina asiatica and Turnera ulmifolia, and a surface cover with 

much Fimbristylis, together with Eragrostis sp., Dactyloctenium 

aegyptium, Crotalaria laburnoides and Achyranthes aspera. 

The lagoon sand beach, where not directly colonised bv manprove. " ~. ~, is -- 

a narrow ledge with low Scaevola, ~ournefortia and ~uriana; with such 

plants as Tribulus cistoides and Portulaca oleraceay At the north end 

Sesuvium portulacastrum forms a thick mat between the beach proper and the 

mangrove zone. 

43

The mangrove vegetation has not been examined in detail. At the north 

end it consists of mature Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata 10-15 

m tall; at the south end of an outer zone of Avicennia, much of it dying, 

apparently because of the burial of pneumatophores by sediment, together 

with Rhizophora and Sonneratia alba. Bruguiera gymnorhiza and Ceriops 

tagal are found in open inlets south of the settlement, lagoonward of the 

raised reefrock. 

The champignon zone was crossed north of the settlement, where it is 

not very deeply dissected. Euphorbia abbotti was not seen, though previous- 

ly reported from the atoll. The vegetation of shrubs (Pemphis acidula, 

Sideroxylon ineme) and a tree (Ficus thonningii) is 2-3 m high. 

Sarcostemma viminale is abundant (but curiously not Plumbago aphylla, also 

previously recorded), together with the low, spreading woody shrub 

Salvadora angustifolia. 

Wizard Island 

Less is known of the vegetation of Wizard than of Menai. The seaward 

beach has a scrub of Scaevola and Suriana, with a ground cover of 

Sporobolus virginicus, Launaea sp., and Euphorbia sp. The dunes have a 

dense growth of Tournefortia argentea, 1-2 m tall with about 30 per cent 

dead wood, and Suriana maritima. Sporobolus is not common on the dunes, 

-- 

where the ground cover consists of clumps of Fimbristylis, rosettes of 

Eragrostis, and Boerhavia. 

Between the seaward dunes and the lagoon coast there is a meadow of 

Dactyloctenium 0.5 m thick, extending up to a line of Agave at the foot 

of the dunes. This central plain also includes Ipomoea, Achyranthes, 

Boerhavia, Microstephanus, Plumbago aphylla, Solanum nigrum, species of 

Portulaca, Sporobolus virginicus, Cassytha, Cassia occidentalis, and a 

very few dwarf Sideroxylon and Premna. Near the lagoon beach, there is 

a belt of tall scrub. which is less diverse than similar communities 

on Aldabra. It includes Acalypha, Azima, Achyranthes, Thespesia 

populneoides, Allophylus, and Ipomoea - pes-caprae. The first three of 

these species tend to be locally dominant, the - Azima reaching up to 3 m 

in height. Achyranthes is the commonest species, often forming pure 

stands in which Blue-faced Boobies nest, and in places extending up to the 

top of the lagoon shore dunes. Vines of Ipomoea - tuba drape many of the 

shrubs. 

South of the tall scrub is an area of extremely uneven champignon. 

The vegetation is dominated by Pemphis, with Ipomoea - tuba and Cassytha. 

Other species noted include Phyllanthus, Acalypha, Achyranthes and Abutilon. 

Red-footed Boobies nest in this champignon scrub, which appears to be 

very little disturbed by human activities.

A coastal woodland on the lagoon - shore includes moderate-sized mangroves, 

mostly Avicennia but also Xylocarpus. Other trees include Pisonia, 

Abutilon, Cordia, and the shrubs Suriana and Pemphis. 


Little is known of the marine fauna of Cosmoledo, though it is 

probably similar in composition and zonation to that of Aldabra. Marine 

animals were collected in the boulder zone at the edge of the reef flat 

immediately south of Menai settlement, on a small cliffed promontory 

close to the village, and to the south of it. In the first area the fauna 

was rather limited, and hermit crabs were the most conspicuous animals, al- 

though on the edge of the reef flat the fauna resembled the inshore fauna 

under boulders at West Island settlement, Aldabra. The champignon promon- 

tory rose steeply, and while not heavily pinnacled, had rock pools nearly 

1 m in diameter. The fauna resembled the sorav-zone fauna on the too of 

cliffs on the south coast of Aldabra, and included Nerita textilis, 

Littorina, Crassostrea cucullata, and several species of grapsid crabs. 

From this promontory southwards the cliffs are colonised by chitons, dorid 

nudibranchs, barnacles and small prosobranchs. The reef flat is covered 

with marine ancriosoerms. and coral growth on the edee is not luxuriant. 

Animals noted on tie lagoon beach a; Wizard include Grapsus tenuicrustatus, 

Ocypode ceratopthalma, Coenobita perlatus, C. rugosa and Acanthopleura 

Lrevispinosa. Table 5 lists marine mollusca collected on Cosmoledo by 

P. Grubb in 1968 and identified by J. D. Taylor. and Table 6 Decaood 

Crustacea, also collected by ~rubb and identified by Taylor; both'collections 

are now in the British Museum (Natural History). 

Turtles nest on Cosmoledo. On Wizard, the central part of the sea- 

ward beach, for a distance of about 100 m, is riddled with at least 50 

turtle pits, though there was no sign of turtle activity on the lagoon 

beach. There is a turtle pen on Menai north of the settlement. Before 

the Augusr. 1968 Green Turtle Protection legislation, at least two Green 

Turtle were taken each month for food, according to the Manager, and 

Hawksbill were taken for export. 

The terrestrial fauna, so far as is known, is a small one. Land 

mollusca are represented by two (possibly three) species collected by 

Thomasset (Connolly 1925). Land crustacea, apart from some of the 

species listed in Table 6, include Birgus latro, reported by Honegger 

(no date) on Wizard, Grand Polyte and South Islands, and Cardisoma 

carnifex. The reptile fauna formerly included the Giant Land Tortoise 

Geochelone gigantea. The date of its extinction is not known, nor do we 

know of any historical account of it still living, but Fryer (1911) 

reports finding fossil eggs in the champignon. There are three other 

reptiles (Boulenger 1911). Ablepharus boutonii has been recorded 

from Wizard and Menai; none were seen on Menai in 1968, though it 

was common on Wizard. Hemidactylus mercatorius occurs on both islands, 

and was seen on Menai in 1968. Phelsuma abbotti was seen in 1968 on 

-

46 

Table 5. Mollusca collected on Cosmoledo Atoll, 1968 

Gastropoda 

Monodonta australis Lamarck Thais aculeata Deshayes 

Turbo marmoratus 

Phasianella aethiopica Philippi 

- T. hippocastanum (Linnaeus) 

- T. tuberosa (Roding) 

Nerita albicilla Linnaeus Engina mendicaria (Linnaeus) 

- N. plicata Linnaeus 

- N. textilis Dillwyn 

Littorina undulata Gray 

Cerithiwn echinatum Lamarck 

Hipponyx conica Schwnacher 

Cantharus undosus (Linnaeus) 

Chrysame fraga (Quoy and Giamard) 

Strigatella acuminata (Swainson) 

- S. litterata (Lamarck) 

- S. paupercula (Linnaeus) 

Lambis lambis (Linnaeus) Imbricaria film (Wood) 

Strombus gibberulus Linnaeus 

- S. mutabilis (Swainson) 

Cypraea arabica Linnaeus 

Oliva episcopalis Lamarck 

Vasum turbinellus (Linnaeus) 

Conus arenatus Hwass 

- C. caputserpentis Linnaeus - C. chaldeus Roding 

- C. carneola Linnaeus - C. ebraeus Linnaeus 

- C. caputdraconis - Melvill - C. flavians Lamarck 

- C. helvolis Linnaeus - C. musicus Hwass 

- C. histrio Gmelin - C. tessulatus Born 

- C. - lynx Linnaeus 

Terebra affinis Gray 

- C. moneta Linnaeus - T. cerithina Lamarck 

- C. tigris Linnaeus 

- C. vitellus 

Amphineura 

Cymatiwn nicobaricum (Roding) Acanthopleura brevispinosa 

- C. pileare (Linnaeus) 

(Sowerby) 

Drupa ricinus (Linnaeus) Bivalvia 

Morula granulata (Duclos) Isognomon dentifer (Krauss) 

M. uva Roding 

Donax faba (Gemlin) 

- - -- 

Collected by P. Grubb; identified by J. D. Taylor; incorporated into the 

collections of the British Museum (Natural History), accession number 

2213. All species were collected on the beach of Menai Island. 

Table 6. Crustacea (Decapoda) collected on Cosmoledo Atoll, 1968 

Wizard Island 

Ocypode ceratopthalma (Pallas) : 

Menai Island 

Grapsus tenuicrustatus (Herbst) 

2d, 29 

Geograpsus stormi (de Man): 10' 

Eriphia laeuimana (Guerin) : Id 

Epixanthus frontalis (Milne 

Edwards): 3d 

Leptodius quinquedentatus 

(Krauss): 40' 

Petrolisthes .- lamarckii (Leach) 

Pagurus pedunculatus (Herbst) 

Clibanarius striolatus (Dana) 

Calcinus laevimanus (Randall) 

Coenobita rugosus (Milne Edwards) 

Collected by P. Grubb; identified by J. D. Taylor; incorporated into 

the collections of the British Museum (Natural History).

Menai but not on Wizard; it is more brightly coloured than the Aldabra 

Phelsuma. Honegger (1966) distinguished P. abbotti menaiensis on 

Menai and - P. abbotti subsp. on Wizard, Grand Polyte and South Island. 

Insects were collected on Cosmoledo by Fryer in 1908, and forty 

species are recorded in the Percy Sladen Expedition Reports; these records 

are keyed in Table 7. Of these, only two species were Lepidoptera. 

Legrand's (1965) collections of Lepidoptera on Menai totalled 70 species, 

including 1 new genus, 24 new species, and 3 new subspecies, mostly 

Microlepidoptera, though some of these may need revision. B. 15. Cogan 

and A. Hutson made a transect of Wizard Island in March 1968, collecting 

insects on a transect at the narrowest point between lagoon and seaward 

shore. Insects were abundant in number if not in variety, but unlike 

Astove only the smaller species appeared to be well represented. Many 

of the larger species were apparently scarce, perhaps as a result of the 

lack of permanent fresh water. Acridid grasshoppers were present in some 

numbers, and females of the large Cyrtacanthacris tatarica tatarica L. 

were common. Butterflies and Odonata were nowhere common, and the small 

Lycaenid Syntarucus pirithous L. was the only species to be seen in any 

number. The morning visit to Wizard was followed in the afternoon by 

3-4 hours on Menai, but because of rain the collections were totally 

unrepresentative of the fauna there. The only insect of note recognised 

in the collections so far is a species of Pipunculid fly, the first record 

of this interesting parasitic family of Diptera in the Aldabra group. 

Most of Legrand's collecting was carried out on Menai, and the 1968 

collections may be the first on Wizard. Cosmoledo has a small faunal 

element that it shares with Astove and none of the other islands in the 

Table 7. Insectsrecorded from Cosmoledo Atoll 


- Group Number of species Reference 

Orthopt era 11 Bolivar (1912, 1924) 

Dermaptera 1 Burr (1910) 

Hemiptera 8 Distant (1913) 

Lepidoptera 2 Fryer (1912) 

Coleoptera 11 Champion (1914), Gebien 

(1922), Schenkling (1922), 

Scott (1912, 1926), 

Sicard (1912) 

Hymenoptera 5 Cockerel1 (1912), Turner 

(1911) 

Diptera 1 Lamb (1922) 

Odonata 1 Campion (1913), Blackman 

and Pinhey (1967)

group, for example a Dolichopodid fly genus Sciapus sp. n. and a Trypetid 

fruit fly Coelotrypes vittatus. The majority of species, however, found 

on Cosmoledo are found throughout the Aldabra group of islands. 

Birds 

- 

The bird fauna of Cosmoledo is smaller than that of Aldabra and has 

attracted little attention. Earlier treatments are those of Fryer (1911), 

Vesey-FitzGerald (1940, 1941), Hartman (1958), Bourne (1966), and Watson 

and others (1963). Benson (1970a) deals in detail with t'le land and shore 

birds in the following chapter, drawing on the earlier literature and on 

collections and observations made during the Royal Society visits and from 

that by I. S. C. Parker. 

Of the seven recorded land birds, only two are common: Cisticola 

- cherina, which Benson believes to be native and not introduced, and, less 

abundant, Nectarinia sovimanga. Hartman (1958) reported Zosterops 

r n a d e r a ~ ~ a t ~ c b e ~ ethe n aMarch i ; 1968 party did not see it 

at all, though Stoddart and Poore saw it on Menai in September. Two 

land birds are probably extinct, the flightless Rail Dryolimnas cuvieri 

and the Turtledove Streptopelia picturata. Abbott (in Ridgway 1895) and 

Fryer (1911) both reported the existence of a rail on Cosmoledo, the 

latter specifying South Island, though he did not land there and observe 

it. It is possible but very doubtful that both Dryolimnas and Streptopelia 

both still survive on South Island. Two other land birds are recorded: 

Geopelia striata was seen briefly by Benson, and there are a few crows 

Corvus albus. Possible resident shore birds, all seen in 1968, are 

AFdeacEa, Egretta garzetta, Bubulcus ibis, and Butorides striatus. 

Benson (1970a) lists a dozen migrants recorded from the atoll. This 

paucity in species (seven true land birds at most, plus four possibly 

resident shore birds) contrasts with the eighteen species of land birds 

recorded for Aldabra. Endemism is also low. thoueh " Benson (1970bl has 

discussed a well-marked subspecies of Nectarinia sovimanga, only otherwise 

known on Astove. 

Sea birds have been briefly noticed by several previous workers, 

notably Dupont (1907), Vesey-FitzGerald (1941), Honegger (unpublished), 

Gaymer (unpublished), and observers on H.M.S. - Owen in 1964 (Bourne 1966). 

Diamond vj-sited Wizard in the morning and Menai in the afternoon of 6 

March 1968. Three species nest in large numbers on Wizard: - Sula 

dactylatra, -- 

Sula sula and Sterna fuscata. At least 200 pairs of White 

Booby S. dactylatra were occupying clearings in the long grass on the 

west sTde of the island or on the dune ridge to the east. Most were 

displaying at empty nest sites or in apparently inactive attendance at 

past sites. Only five occupied nests were found, four with single eggs 

and the other with two. There were also two fully-feathered juveniles, 

both of which regurgitated large flying-fish (probably Cypsilurus sp.). 

On Ascension Island in the Atlantic, Dorward (1962) found that territories 

of this species were defended outside the breeding season, and that

although eggs were laid in most months of the year there was a marked 

peak of laying in one or two months. He found the incubation period to 

be 42-46 days, and fledging to take about 120 days; so that the near- 

fledged chicks found on Wizard in March would have come from eggs laid 

in the previous October. The eggs found would have been laid in the 

previous six weeks, and there were no younger chicks; hence, as the great 

majority of the birds had neither eggs nor young, the main laying period 

must be between March and October. Vesey-FitzGerald (1941) describes 

this species as breeding on four islands of the atoll (West North, East 

North, Grand Polyte, South) but not on Wizard, presumably during his 

visit between September and November 1937. 

Towards the south end of Wizard, low bushes appear among the long 

grass and finally merge into dense clumps 2-3 m high, covered with thorny 

creepers and penetrable only with the greatest difficulty. These bushes 

were occupied by nesting Red-footed Boobies Sula sula, whose numbers were 

-- 

impossible to estimate with any accuracy but which were well in excess 

of 150 pairs. On the lagoon shore at least 20 pairs were nesting in a 

small clump of Avicennia mangrove, which on Aldabra is avoided as a nest- 

ing site. Those nests whose contents could be seen either contained eggs 

or were empty, while on Aldabra, and on Menai Island on Cosmoledo, most 

nests contained eggs or half-grown chicks. All the adults seen were of 

the white phase. 

Along the dune ridge, and in clearings in the long grass to the 

north of the landing place on the lagoon shore, many fragmented skeletons 

and feathers of the Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata were found; Vesey-FitzGerald 

(1941) describes this species as nesting on Wizard. They clearly suffer 

heavy mortality, similar to that on Goelette Island, Farquhar Atoll 

(Stoddart and Poore 1970); whether this is from predation, starvation or 

disease on Cosmoledo is not known, but the most likely culprits would 

seem to be cats, of which two were seen and one shot, and which cause 

serious losses to Sooty Terns on Ascension Island (Ashmole 1963). Baker 

(1963) refers to a tern-breeding area at the north end of Wizard, and 

though no living Sooty Terns were seen on the island they were heard and 

seen over the ships at night, and a few were seen between Astove and 

Cosmol.edo early on 5 March. 

The other sea birds seen on Wizard were three Red-tailed and two 

Yellow-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon rubricauda and P. lepturus; two Blacknaped 

Terns Sterna sumatrana; and a single female Great Frigate Bird 

Fregata minor. Honegger (unpublished) reported that - P. rubricauda nests 

on Cosmoledo in March. 

Diamond also covered the northern half of Menai Island, from the 

settlement round to the lagoon shore mangroves. Red-footed Boobies, 

many with half-grown chicks, were nesting in the mangroves, particularly 

the tall Rhizophora on the landward fringe. A few Frigate birds Fregata 

sp. were seen soaring over tall mangroves on Chauve-souris island; the 

only Frigate bird certainly identified on the atoll was a female Great 

Frigate bird Fregata minor harrying mite Boobies on Wizard. At dusk 

there was a large flight of Red-footed Boobies in from the sea, flying

low and fast over the dunes and usually avoiding the attention of the few 

Frigate birds soaring in wait. 

Stoddart and Poore noted soaring Frigates over the south end of Menai 

in September 1968, and large numbers of boobies on an island to the south 

of Menai. Piggott (1961) mentions large numbers of boobies on Grand 

Polyte, and also bird colonies on Pagoda and South Island, all of which 

need investigation. 

The following list swnmarises the records of sea birds on Cosmoledo; 

for similar lists of the land and shore birds, see the accompanying paper 

by Benson (1970a). 

Puffinus l'herminieri 

Heard at night over the settlement on Menai; reported by local 

fishermen to Diamond. 

Phaethon rubricauda 

Said to breed by Vesey-FitzGerald (1941) and reported by Honegger 

(unpublished) on the nest in March. H.M.S. - Owen reported this 

species over Menai (Bourne 1966), and Diamond saw three on Wizard. 

Phaethon lepturus 

Sight record by R. D. T. Gaymer on 1 October 1965; two seen by 

Diamond on Wizard. 

Sula dactylatra 

Reported breeding by Vesey-FitzGerald (1941) on West North, East 

North, Polyte and South Islands, and by Diamond on Wizard. Also 

recorded by H.M.S. - Owen (Bourne 1966). 

-- 

Sula sula 

Reported by Vesey-FitzGerald (1941) on Menai, East North, Grand 

Polyte, Wizard and South Islands. Reported by Honegger (unpublished) 

breeding in trees on Grand Polyte, by-Diamond in mangroves on Menai, 

and by Stoddart and Poore on island south of Menai. Gaymer 

(unpublished) found a large colony with many young, 1 October 1965, 

on Chauve-souris, 200 per annum reportedly being taken for food. 

Recorded by H.M.S. - Owen in March (Bourne 1966); collected by 

Parker in September. 

Sula leucogaster 

Reported by locals to Diamond as breeding. Collected by Parker, 5 

October 1967. 

Fregata arie 1 

Reported by locals to Diamond as breeding. Said to breed on islets 

by Vesey-FitzGerald (1941). 

Fregata minor 

Diamond identified one female on Wizard: locallv reoorted to breed. 

Said to breed on islets by vesey-FitzGerald (1941) .'

Hydroprogne caspia 

Sight, Vesey-FitzGerald (1941). 

Sterna anaethetus 

On islets in October (Vesey-FitzGerald 1941). 


Breeds on Wizard Island (Vesey-FitzGerald 1941; Diamond, this paper). 



2 seen by Diamond on Wizard, 1968. 

Thalasseus bergii 

Sight record by Gaymer, 1 October 1965. 


Breeding on islets, according to Vesey-FitzGerald (1941). 

Settlement 

Little is known of the history of settlement on Cosmoledo. It is 

more hospitable than Aldabra and presumably more attractive to early 

sailors, though permanent settlement may have been hindered by lack of 

fresh water. Moresby (1822, 30) reported that "the Cosmoledo Isles are 

sometimes resorted to for fish, where a few blacks are left, who wait the 

vessels return". The atoll was settled by the time of a visit by Sebert 

Baty in 1895 (Bergne 1900). Two to three hundred coconuts had been 

planted, maize grew fairly well, and goats thrived in numbers. There was 

at that time a reservoir on Menai holding 1300 velts (1950 gallons) of 

water, and one iron roof for catchment, together with one roof and 500 

velts (750 gallons) capacity on Wizard. There was also on Menai a "large 

iron pan in which one man is able to distill 6 velts (9 gallons) of water 

a day including wood cutting and carrying". It was said that the atoll 

could provide work for twelve labourers. When H. A'C. Bergne visited it 

in 1901 there were two men on Menai, though seventeen were left there in 

the season: nine to take turtle, six for fishing', and two for preparing 

fish and shell. James Spurs was in charge of the atoll, which had two 

pirogues, a coxugated iron house, and labourers' huts made from piled-up 

turtle carapaces. Bergne (1901) found that half a dozen goats on Menai 

were not doing well, in contrast to the rats. In a good season 5000 lb 

of maize could be produced, but there were frequent failures of the 

harvest. In addition to the 2 persons on Menai, there was one on Wizard, 

though no plantation, and four on Northeast. The exploitation of guano 

had already begun on Northeast Island: Bergne stated that 120 tons had 

already been removed, at Rs 60 per ton, and that 300-400 tons were left. 

The only island now inhabited is Menai, where there is a settlement 

with water tanks, a manager's house, labourers' houses and a small 

cemetery. There are fishing huts on Wizard and some of the other islands.

Guano is no longer worked on Northeast Island, though several hundred tons 

remain in cavities; Baker (1963) also estimates reserves on Grand Polyte, 

not yet worked, at 3700 tons. 

The goats formerly reported on Menai are no longer there, but are 

reported by Piggott (1961) for Northeast Island. Rabbits have been 

introduced on South Island, according to Dupont (1907) before 1906, 

though according to Honegger (unpublished) about 1930. Two cats were 

seen on Wizard in 1968. 

Until 1903, when it was transferred to the new colony of Seychelles, 

Cosmoledo was administered as part of Mauritius: it still forms part of 

Seychelles, and was not included in the British Indian Ocean Territory in 

1965. The atoll is now leased, with Aldabra and Assumption, by Mr H. 

Savy of Mahd, and is used primarily as a fishing station. There are 

few coconuts, and Piggott (1961) reported the average yield to be only 

two nuts per palm per annum. 


We thank the Director, East African Marine Fisheries Research 

Organization, Zanzibar, Mr Basil Bell, and Captain M. Williams and Captain 

T. Phipps, M.F.R.V. Manihine, for the opportunities for Royal Society 

parties to visit Cosmoledo in March and September 1968; and also the 

Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund, a grant from which to C. W. Benson made 

the first visit possible. Unpublished Crown-copyright material in the 

Indian Office Records quoted in this paper appears by permission of the 

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Relations. We thank Lady 

Joan Fryer for the loan of the late Sir John Fryer's manuscript diary 

of his visit to Cosmoledo in 1908, and other material, and Mr J. A'C. 

Bergne, for the loan of his father's journal of a visit to Cosmoledo in 

1901, and other papers, and both Lady Fryer and Mr Bergne for permission 

to quote from these documents. 

References 

Ashmole, N. P. 1963. The biology of the Wideawake or Sooty Tern Sterna 

fuscata on Ascension Island. Ibis, 103b: 297-364. 


Archipelago. Geol. Surv. Kenya Mem. 3: 1-140. 

Benson, C. W. 1970a. Land (including shore) birds of Cosmoledo. Atoll 

Res. Bull., this issue. 

---------- 1970b. The white-eye Zosterops maderaspatana (Linn.) of Menai 

Island, Cosmoledo Atoll. Bull. Brit. Ornith. Club, 89: 24-27.


Manuscript. 

---------- 1901. Rough notes of a voyage to the Aldabra group. Manuscript. 

Berio, E. 1956. Eteroceri raccolti dal Dr Carlo Prola durante la 

spedizione alle isole delliAfrica orientale, con descrizione die 

specie nuove. Bull. Soc. Entom. Ital. 86: 82-87. 

Blackman, R. A. A. and Pinhey, E. C. G. 1967. Odonata of the Seychelles 

and other Indian Ocean island groups, based primarily on the Bristol 

University Expedition of 1964-1965. Arnoldia, 3(12): 1-38. 



---------- 1924. Orthoptera Dictyoptera (Blattidae and Mantidae), and 

supplement to Gryllidae, of the Seychelles and adjacent islands. 

Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 9, 13: 313-359. 

Boulenger, G. A. 1911. List of the Batrachians and Reptiles obtained by 

Prof. Stanley Gardiner on his second expedition to the Seychelles 

and Aldabra. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 14: 375-378. 

Bourgogne, J. 1963. Sur deux Psychidae exotiques, dont une esphce 

inconnue des fles Aldabra-Cosmoledo. Bull Soc. Entom. France, 

68: 260-263. 

Bourne, W. R. P. 1966. Observations on islands in the Indian Ocean. Sea 

Swallow, 18: 40-43. 

Burr, M. 1910. Dermaptera. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 14: 

123-133. 

Campion, H. 1913. Odonata. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 15: 

435-446. 

Carcasson, R. H. 1964. New African butterflies. J. East Afr. Nat. Hist. 

SOC. 24(4): 67-72. 



Cockerell, T. D. A. 1912. Hymenoptera, Apoidea. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 

ser. 2, Zool., 15: 29-41. 

Connolly, M. 1925. Notes on a collection of non-marine Mollusca from the 

islands of the Indian Ocean. J. Conchol. 17: 257-266.

Distant, W. L. 1913. Rhynchota. Part I: suborder Heteroptera. Trans. 


Dorward, D. F. 1962. Comparative biology of the White Booby and the Brown 

Booby Sula spp. at Ascension. Ibis, 103b: 174-220. 

- 

Dupont, R. 1907. Report on a visit of investigation to St Pierre, Astove, 

Cosmoledo, Assumption and the Aldabra Group. ~ahe': Seychelles 

Government, 1-51. 

Fosberg, F. R., and Renvoize, S. A. 1970. Plants of Cosmoledo Atoll 

Atoll Res. Bull., this issue. 

Fryer, J. C. F.. 1908. Diary. Manuscript. 

---------- 1911. The structure and formation of Aldabra and neighbouring 

islands--with notes on their flora and fauna. Trans. Linn. Soc. 


---------- 1912. The Lepidoptera of the Seychelles and Aldabra, 

exclusive of the Orneodidae and Pterophoridae and of the Tortricina 

and Tineina. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 15: 1-28. 



Gwyrine, M. D., and Wood, D. 1969. Plants collected on islands in the 

western Indian Ocean during a cruise of the M.F.R.V. "Manihine", 

Sept.-Oct. 1967. Atoll Res. Bull. 134: 1-15. 

Hartman, W. D. 1958. Report on some land birds of Farquhar, St Pierre, 

Astove, Cosmoledo, Assumption and Aldabra. Seychelles Govt. Bull. 

21. 

Honegger, R. 1966. Beobachtungen an der Herpetofauna der Seychellen. 

Salamandra, Zeitschr. f. Herpet. u. Terrarienkunde, 2(1-2): 21-36 

---------- 1967. The Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas japonica Thunberg) in 

the Seychelles Islands. Brit. J. Herpetol., 4: 8-11. 

---------- Unpublished a. Some notes on wildlife and wildlife 

conservation on the Seychelles and other Indian Ocean islands. 

World Wildlife Fund Project 28. Typescript, 1-11. 

---------- Unpublished b. Some notes and observations on Giant Tortoises 

Testudo gigantea Schweigger living and extinct of the Iildian Ocean 

Islands. World Wildlife Fwd Project 28. Typescript, 1-30.

Lamb, C. G. 1922. Diptera: Asilidae, Scenopinidae, Dolichopodidae, 

Pipunculidae, Syrphidae. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 

18: 361-416. 

Legrand, H. 1965. ~6~ido~t&es des ?les Seychelles et dtAldabra. ~6m. 

Mus. Nat. Hist. Natur., S . A, Zool., 37: 1-210. 

Mamet, R. 1943. A revised list of the Coccoidea of the islands of the 

western Indian Ocean, south of the equator. Mauritius Inst. Bull., 

2: 137-170. 

Moresby, F. No date (1822?). Memoir on the isles in the Indian Ocean. 

London, India Office, Records Department, MS 51: 1-70. 

Niejahr, Capt. 1876. Aus den Reiseberichten der Brigg "Hermann Friedrich", 

Captain Niejahr. Ann. Hydrogr. Marit. Meteorol. 4: 243-250. 



Resources Division, typescript, 1-71; Chapter 6, Cosmoledo, 27-30. 

---------- 1968. A soil survey of Seychelles. Directorate of Overseas 

Surveys, Land Resources Division, Tech. Bull. 2: 1-89. 

Ridgway, R. 1895. On birds collected by Dr W. L. Abbott on the Seychelles, 

Amirantes, Gloriosa, Assumption, Aldabra and adjacent islands, with 

notes on habits, etc., by the collector. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 18: 

509-546 (actual date of publication June 24, 1896). 

Schenkling, S. 1922. Coleoptera: Cleridae. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 

2, Zool., 18: 325-329. 

Scott, H. 1912. Coleoptera, Lamellicornia and Adephaga. Trans. Linn. Soc. 


---------- 1926. Coleoptera from the Seychelles and adjacent islands: 

Carabidae (supplement), Cryptophagidae (supplement), Dermestidae, 

Lymexylonidae, Rhipiceridae, Sphindidae, Throscidae, Brenthidae. 


Sicard, Dr. 1912. Coleoptera, Coccinellidae. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 

ser. 2, 15: 361-366. 

Smith, J. L. B. 1955. The fishes of the family Anthiidae of the western 

Indian Ocean. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 12, 8: 337-350. 

---------- 1955b. The fishes of the family Pomacanthidae in the western 

Indian Ocean. Ann Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 12, 8: 377-384.

Smith, J. L. B. 1956. The fishes of Aldabra, Part VI. Ann. Mag. Nat 

Hist. ser. 12, 9: 817-829. 


Farquhar Atoll. Atoll Res. Bull., this issue. 



Turner, R. E. 1911. Fossorial Hymenoptera from the Seychelles and 

other islands in the Indian Ocean. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 

ser. 2, Zool., 14: 367-374. 

Vesey-FitzGerald, L. D. E. F. 1940. The birds of the Seychelles. I 

The endemic birds. Ibis, ser. 14, 4: 480-489. 



---------- 1942. Further studies of the vegetation on islands in the 

Indian Ocean. J. Ecol. 20: 1-16. 


guide to the birds of the Indian Ocean. Washington: Smithsonian 

Institution, 1-214.

6. PLANTS OF COSMOLEDO ATOLL 


CYMODOCEA CILIATA Ehrenb. ex Aschers. 

Menai I., south part, Fosberg 49854 (US, K) . 

HALODULE WRIGHT11 Aschers . 

Menai I., south part, Fosberg 49851 (US, K) . 

THALASSIA HEMPRICHII (Ehrenb.) Aschers. 

Menai I., south part, Fosberg 49852, 49853 (US, K) 

DACTYLOCTENIUM AEGYPTIUM IL.1 . , Willd. 

Menai I., s. l., Gwynne & Wood 1263 (K, EA); south of Settlement, 

Stoddart 8 Poore 1228 (K); north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 

- 1254 (K); Wizard I., central part, Fosberg 49794 (US, K); Renvoize 

1264 (US, K). 

- 

DACTYLOCTENIUM PILOSUM Stapf 

Wizard I., central part, Fosberg 49800 (US, K), Renvoize 1262 

(US, K); north end, Fosberg & McKenzie 49828 (US). 

DAKNOPHOLIS BOIVINII (Camus) Clayt. 

Wizard I., central part, Fosberg 49805 (US, K); Renvoize 1263 

(US, K); Menai I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1237 (K, EA). 

DIGITARIA HORIZONTALIS Willd 

Menai I., s. l., Gwynne & Wood 1238 (K, EA); north end, Fosberg 

49786 (US, K) . 

- 

ENTEROPOGON SECHELLENSIS hr. & Schinz 


(US, K). 


Wizard I., Fosberg 49813a (US); north end, Fosberg 49830 (US, K); 

central part, Renvoize 1261 (US, K); Menai I., south of Settlement, 

Stoddart & Poore 1224 (K); north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 

- 1260 (K); south part, Fosberg 49849 (US, K). 


Menai I., s. l., Gwynne & Wood 1249 (EA); north end, Fosberg & 

McKenzie 49789 (u-ement, Stoddart & Poore 1261 

(K, US); Renvoize 1240 (US, K), Renvoize 1252 (US,K). 

Atoll Research Bulletin No. 136: pp. 57 - 65, 1970.


Menai I., s. l., Fosberg 49776 (US); south of Settlement, Stoddart 

& Poore 1221 (K, U S ) ; d , Fosberg & Grubb 49776 (US). 

- 

PANICUM VOELTZKOWII Mez 

Wizard I., near south end, Fosberg & Grubb 49819 (US, K); north 

end, Fosberg & McKenzie 49827 (US, K). 

SPOROBOLUS VIRGINICUS Kunth 

Wizard I., near south end, Fosberg & Grubb 49825a (US). 

STENOTAPHRUM MICRANTHUM [Desv.) Hubb. 

Menai I., Fosberg 49783 (US); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1241 

(US, K). 

ZEA MAYS L. 

Menai I., north of Settlement, Renvoize 1251 (US, K) 

CYPERUS LIGULARIS L. 

Menai I., south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1227 (K); south 

part, Fosberg 49838 (US, K). 


Wizard I., central part, Fosberg 49806b (US); Menai I., south of 

Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1235 (K, US). 


Menai I., seen by Stoddart, 1967, and by Fosberg, 1968; north of 

Settlement, Renvoize 1254 (US, K) . 


Wizard and Menai I., seen by Fosberg, 1968. Menai I., Renvoize 

s. n.. March 1968, spirit collection only (K, US). 

- 

ASPARAGUS UMBELLULATUS ~- - - Sieb. .-. . ~ 

Menai I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1265 (K, EA); north end, Fosberg & 

Grubb 49774 (US); south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1207 (K); 

north of Settlement, Renvoize 1237 (US, K). 

LOMATOPHYLLUM BORBONICUM Willd. 

Reported by Hemsley (1919) on authority of Dupont, no specimen 

seen by Hemsley. 


"Dupont records this from all islands [in the Aldabra Group]", 

Hemsley (1919); seen by Stoddart, 1967, and by Fosberg on Menaj 

I., 1968. 

FICUS AVI-AVI B1. 

Menai I., north of Settlement, Renvoize 1249 (US, K).

FICUS NAUTARUM Baker 

"Dupont records this species from all of the islands [in Aldabra 

group]", Hemsley (1919). 

FICUS THONNINGII B1. 

"Dupont records this species from ... Cosmoledo ..." Hemsley (1919); 

Menai I., north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1257 (K); Gwynne & 

Wood 1241 (EA); north end, Fosberg & Grubb 49765 (US, K) , - 49768 

(US, K). 

BOERHAVIA DIFFUSA L. 

Menai I., Gwynne & Wood 1258 (EA) . 

BOERHAVIA ELEGANS Choisy 

Wizard I., s. I., Thomasset in 1902 (K); central part, Renvoize 

1226 (US, K). 

- 

BOERHAVIA REPENS L. 

Wizard I., central part, Fosberg 49792 (US, K) , - 49806 (US, K); 

Menai I., south part of S-oddart - & Poore 1240 (K, US) 

PISONIA GRANDIS R. Br. 

Wizard I., central part, Fosberg 49807 (US, K); Menai I., south of 

Settlement , Stoddart & Poore 1241 (K) . 

ACHYRANTHES ASPERA L. 

Wizard I., s. l., Gwynne & Wood 1224 (EA); central part, Renvoize 

- 

1219 (US, K); Menai I., north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1249 

(K); central part, Fosberg 49748 (US, K); south part, Fosberg 49850 

(US, K) . 

ACHYRANTHES CANESCENS R. Br. 

E. North I., Vesey-FitzGerald 5990 (K); Wizard I., Thomasset in 

1902 (K) . 

SESWIUM PORTULACASTRUM L. 


PORTULACA cf. AUSTRALIS Endl. 

S. I., Thomasset 214 (K); Wizard I., near south end, Fosberg & 

Grubb 49823 (US, K); Renvoize 1260 (US, K); Renvoize 1221 (US, K). 


Wizard I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1223 (EA) ; central part, Fosberg 

- 49802 (US, K); Menai I., north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 

1245 (K). 

- 


Wizard I., near south end, Fosberg & Grubb 49818 (US); Menai I., 

south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1233 (K); north of Settlement, 

Renvoize 1246 (US, K) .

CLEOME STRIGOSA (Boj.) Oliv. 

Wizard I., s. l., Thomasset in 1902 (K); central part, Fosberg 

49796 (US, K); Renvoize 1229 (US, K); Menai I., s. l., Gwynne & 

Wood1251 (K, EA); south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1216 (K) 


Menai I., north end, Fosberg & Graham 49782 (US, K); south of 

Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1218 (K). 

CAESALPINIA BONDUC (L.) Roxb. 7 


CAESALPINIA MAJOR (Medic.) Dandy 6 Exell 

Menai I., south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1211 (K). 

CASSIA OCCIDENTALIS L. 

Menai I., south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1200 (US, K, EA); 

Wizard I., central part, Renvoize 1220 (US, K). 

CROTALARIA LABURNOIDES Klotzsch 

Menai I., north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1250 (K, US). 

GAGNEBINA PTEROCARPA (Lam.) Baill. 

"'Very common and also in Cosmoledot--Thomasset" Hemsley (1919). 

ERYTHROXYLON ACRANTHUM Hemsl. 

Menai I., Gwynne & Wood 1233 (K, EA); north end Fosberg & Grubb 

49771 (US, K). 


Wizard I., s. I., Thomasset in 1903 (K); central part Renvoize 1225 

(US, K); Menai I., north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1248 (K). 


Wizard I., central part, Renvoize 1231 (US, K); Menai I., Vesey- 

FitzGerald 5986a (K); south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1238 

(K) . 

XYLOCARPUS MOLUCCENS IS (Lam. ) Roem . 

Wizard I., near south end, Fosberg & Grubb 49820 (US, K); Renvoize 

1266 (K). 

- 

ACALYPHA CLAOXYLOIDES Hutch . 

S. l., Thomasset 243 (K); Menai I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1240 

(K, EA); south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1231 (K); E. North 

Is., Vesey-FitzGerald 5989 (K); Wizard I., central part, Fosberg 

49804 (US, K, Fo). 

- 


Menai I., Fosberg 49844 (US, K) .

EUPHORBIA ABBOTTII Baker 

"Duoont records this from all the islands of the Sevchelles reeion - 

except Gloriosa, but not from the Seychelles Archipelago" Hemsley 

(1919); s. l., Fryer 52 (K) ; Menai I., north end, Fosberg & Grubb 

- 49764 (US, K). 


Menai I., south part, Fosberg 49848 (K, US). 

EUPHORBIA sp. (near E. PROSTRATA Ait.) 

S. I.,-Thomasset 232 (K); wizard- I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1230 (K, 

- 

EA); near south end, Fosberg & Grubb 49816 (US, K); central part, 

Fosberg 49799 (US, K); dunes in center, Fosberg 49806a (US, K); 

central part, Renvoize 1228 (US, K); Menai I., south of Settlement, 

Stoddart & Poore 1222 (K). 

PEDILANTHUS TITHYMALOIDES L . , . Poit . 

Menai I., south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1214 (K), - 1202 

(US, K, EA). 

PHYLLANTHUS AMARUS Schum. & Thonn. 

Wizard I., north end, Fosberg & McKenzie 49826 (US); central part, 

Renvoize 1222 (US, K) . 

PHYLLANTHUS CHELONIPHORBE Hutchinson 

Menai I., north end, Fosberg & Graham 49788 (US); Renvoize 1242 

(US, K). 

PHY LLANTHUS so. 

Wizard I., north end, Fosberg & McKenzie 49831, - 49826 (US); near 

south end, Fosberg & Grubb 49815a (US). 


Menai I., north end, Fosberg & Grubb 49775 (US) 

MAYTENUS SENEGALENSIS (Lam.) Exell 

Menai I., north end, Fosberg & Grubb 49781 (US); north of Settlement, 

Renvoize 1245 (US, K). 

ALLOPHYLUS ALDABRICUS Radlk. 

Menai I., south of Settlement, Stoddart 6 Poore 1205 (K, US); north 

end, Fosberg & Grubb 49770 (US, K); north of Settlement, Renvoize 

1248 (US, K) . 

- 

COLUBRINA ASIATICA (L.) Brongn. 

Wizard I., central part, Fosberg 49811 (US, K); Renvoize 1257 (US, 

K); Menai I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1262 (K, EA), 1256 (EA) ; north 

of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1246 (K). 

- 

GOUANIA TILIAEFOLIA Lam. 

Wizard I., s. I., Thomasset in 1903 (K).

SCUTIA MYRTINA (Burm. f .) Kurz 

Menai I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1244 (EA); Fosberg & Grubb 49773 

(US). 

CORGfORUS AESTUANS L . 


(US, K). 

GREWIA SALICIFOLIA Schinz 

Menai I., s. l., Gwynne & Wood 1257 (K, EA); north of Settlement, 

Renvoize 1239 (US, K); south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1212 

(K); north end, Fosberg & Grubb 49763 (US, K). 

P 

ABUTILON ANGULATUM (G. & P.) Mast. 

S. l., Thomasset 226 (K); Wizard I., central part, Fosberg 49803 

(US, K). 

GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTWl L. 

Wizard I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1226 (K, EA); central part, Fosberg 

49812 (US, K); Renvoize 1233 (US, K); Menai I., south of Settlement, 



S. l., Stoddart & Poore 1217 (K); Wizard I., near south end, Fosberg 

& Grubb 49815 (US, K) ; central part, Renvoize 1235 (US, K) ; Menai 

I., south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1230 (K). 

SIDA "VESCOANA Bail lon" 

Wizard I., s. I., Thomasset in 1902 (K), (possibly a form of - S. 

parvifolia DC.) . 

TNESPESIA POPULNEOIDES (Roxb.) Kostel 

Menai I., north end, ~osberg & Grubb 49766 (US); Renvoize 1238 

(US, K) . 


Menai I., north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1247 (K). 




Seen on Menai I. by Stoddart, 1967. 

CUCUMIS MELO L. 

Menai I., s. 1, Gwynne & Wood 1255 (EA); Wizard I., central part, 

Fosberg 49797; Renvoize 1224 (US, K); Renvoize 1267 (K). 

CUCURBITA MAXIMA L. 

Menai I., north end, Fosberg 49787 (US).


S. I., Thomasset 217 (K); FitzGerald 5988 (K) ; Menai I., south of 

Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1242 (K); Wizard I., central part, 


BRUGUIERA GYMNORHIZA (L.) Lam. 

Menai I., s. l., Gwynne & Wood 1259 (K, EA); south of Settlement, 

Stoddart and Poore 1209 (K, US). 

CERIOPS TAGAL (Perr.) C. B. Rob. 

Menai I., south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1210 (K, US) 

RHZ ZOPHORA MUCRONATA Lam. 

Menai I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1261 (K, EA); south of Settlement, 


SONNERATIA ALBA (L.) J. E. Sm. 

Menai I., lagoon side, south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1223 

(K) . 


Menai I., south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1213 (K) 

AZIMA TETRACANTHA Lam. 

Wizard I., central part, Fosberg 49808 (US, K); Menai I., s. l., 

Gwynne & Wood 1243 (EA); south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1237 

(K) ; north end, Fosberg & Grubb 49779 (US, K) . 

SALVADORA ANGUSTIFOLIA Turr. 

S. l., sont 289 (K), 5 (K); Menai I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1247 

(K, EA), 1242 (EA); nor??h of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1258 (K); 

Renvoize 1243 (US, K) ; north end, Fosberg 49784 (US, K) , 49785 (US) 

PLUMBAGO APHYLLA Boj. ex Boiss. 

Wizard I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1227 (EA); central part Fosberg 49809 

(US, K); Renvoize 1232 (US, K). 

SIDEROXYLON INERME L. subsp. CRYPTOPHLEBIUM (Baker) J. H. Hemsley 

Wizard I., central part, Fosberg 49813 (US, K) ; Menai I., north end, 

Fosberg & Graham 49782a (US); north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 

1255 (K), 1256 (K). 

- - 



PLEUROSTELMA CERNUUM IDecne.1 Bullock 

Wizard I., central part, Fosberg 49801 (US, K); Renvoize 1227 (US, 

K); Menai I., s. l., Gwynne & Wood 1234 (K, EA), 1252 (EA) ; south 

of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1219, -- 

1203, 1204 (K).

SARCOSTEMMA VIMINALE R. Br. 

Menai I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1239 (EA); north of Settlement, 

Stoddart & Poore v o i z e 1244 (US, K). 

P 

EVOLVULUS ALSINOIDES L. 

S. l., Thomasset in 1902 (K); Wizard I., north end, Fosberg & 

McKenzie 49832 (US) ; central part, Renvoize 1259 (US, K) ; south end, 

Gwynne & Wood 1231 (EA); Menai I., south of settlement, Stoddart & 

Poore 1229 (K). 

IPOMOEA PES-CAPRAE (L.) R. Br. 


(US, K); Menai I., south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1232 (K). 

- 

IPOMOEA TUBA (Schlecht . ) Don 

Wizard I., central part, Fosberg 49793 (US, K); Renvoize 1223 (US, K) 


Wizard I., near south end, Fosberg & Grubb 49821 (US, K); Menai I., 

south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1236 (K); north end, Fosberg 

& Grubb 49767 (US). 


Menai I., south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1234 (K); Wizard I., 

central part, Renvoize 1256 (US, K). 

AVICENNIA MARINA (Forsk .) Vierh. 

S. l., Fryer 22 (K); Wizard I., near south end, Fosberg & Grubb 

(US, K); Menai I., s. l., Gwynne & Wood 1260 (K, EA) ; north 

of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1259 (K); south of Settlement, 


CLERODENDRUM GLABRUM E. Mey. (C. minutiflorum Bak.) 

"Dupont records this from-~osmoledo," Hemsley, (1919) ; s . I., 

Thomasset in 1902 (K, 2 sheets). 

PREMNA OBTUSIFOLIA R. Br. 

Menai I., s. l., Gwynne & Wood 1250 (EA); north end, Fosberg & 

Grubb 49780 (US, K); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1236 (US, K); 

south of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1206 (K), - 1226 (K). 

SOLANUM ALDABRENSE C. H. Wright 

"Dupont records this from ... Cosmoledo", Hemsley (1919) 

SOLANUM MELONGENA L. 

Menai I., north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1244 (K). 


Wizard I., north end, Fosberg & McKenzie 49829 (US); central part, 

Renvoize 1258 (US, K).

HYPOESTES ALDABRENSIS Baker 

Wizard I., s. l., Gwynne & Wood 1225 (K, EA); near south end, 

Fosberg & Grubb 49817 (US, K); Menai I., s. l., Gwynne & Wood 

1264 (EA); north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1252 (K). 

- 

GUETTARDA SPECIOSA L. 

Menai I., s. I., Vesey-FitzGerald 5987 (K); north of Settlement, 


POLYSPHAERIA MULTIFLORA Hiern 

Menai I., north end, Fosberg & Grubb 49772 (US). 

TARENNA TRICHANTHA (Bak . ) Brem. 

S. I., Dupont 279 (K). 

TRIAINOLEPIS FRYER1 (Hems 1. ) Brem. 

S. I., Thomasset 242 (K) . 

SCAEVOLA TACCADA (Gaertn.) Roxb. 

Wizard I., near south end, Fosberg & Grubb 49824 (US); Menai I., 

north of Settlement, Renvoize 1253 (US, K) . 

LAUNAEA INTYBACEA (Jacq. ) Beauv . 

Menai I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1253 (EA); north of Settlement, 

Stoddart & Poore 1262, - 1201 (K, US); Renvoize 1247 (US, K). 

1,AUNAEA SARMENTOSA - fWilld. l Alst 

S. I., Dupont 35 (K); Wizard I., s. I., Gwynne & Wood 1229 (EA); 

central part, Fosberg 49791 (US, K); Renvoize 1217 (US, K); 

Menai I., south of Settlement, Stoddart 8 Poore 1243 (K, US). 

VERNONIA ALDABRENSIS Hemsl. 

Menai I., north end of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1251 (K); north 

end, Fosberg & Grubb 49777 (US, K).

7. LAND (INCLUDING SHORE) BIRDS OF COSMOLEDO 

C. W. Benson 

Introduction 

Excepting a brief reference by Abbott to a rail (see below), the 

earliest reference to birds on Cosmoledo seems to be by Bergne (1901), 

who had the lease of Aldabra, including also Cosmoledo, at the beginning 

of the century. Dr D. R. Stoddart has brought to my notice the list of 

birds made by Bergne, as a result of his visit to Cosmoledo between 9 

and 12 October 1901. In addition to five sea birds and a "curlew", it 

includes four species to be referred to below. Dupont (1907) drew up a 

fairly comprehensive list of birds as a whole. Fryer (1911, 430) thought 

that land birds were scarce on Cosmoledo, which was "too broken into 

small islands to be suitable for a land fauna". Vesey-FitzGerald (1940, 

486-488) gives an account of the land, exclusive of shore, birds of the 

Aldabra archipelago, including Cosmoledo, which he visited in 1937. 

According to Williams (1953) and Benson (1969) he also collected sunbirds 

and a white-eye on Menai Island in April 1952. But he has recently 

explained to me that he only visited Cosmoledo the once, in 1937, and 

that these specimens were merely collected at his request, and that at 

the time he was in Africa. Hartman (1958), who spent 10-12 December 

1957 on Cosmoledo, visiting Menai and West North Islands, also gives an 

account of the land birds. H.M.S. - Owen called at Menai on 13-15 March 

1964, and some observations are given by Bourne (1966). The Bristol 

Seychelles Expedition, of which R. Gaymer was a member, visited Menai 

on 9 November 1964, and Gaymer made a further visit to Menai on October 

1965. He has kindly made his observations available. I. S. C. Parker 

collected specimens for the National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi, on Menai 

on 6 October 1967. 

A grant from the Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund, made at the 

instance of Dr Dean Amadon, Lamont Curator of Birds in the American 

Museum of Natural History, enabled me to visit Cosmoledo and Astove 

myself, on the M.F.R.V. Manihine, during the time that I was working 

on Aldabra, in January-March 1968. We were on Cosmoledo on 6 March: on 

Wizard Island from about 0900 to 1300 hours, and on Menai Island from 

1600 to 1845 hours. My own observations were augmented by many from 

A. W. Diamond and P. Gmbb. Some additional observations were made on 

Menai Island by Dr M. E. D. Poore and Dr D. R. Stoddart during a 

further visit by M.F.R.V. Manihine, on 14 September 1968. 


In addition to the generous assistance from the Chapman Fund, I am 

much indebted to various other persons. Dr R. H. Carcasson, the former 

Director, and A. D. Forbes-Watson, lent me the specimens collected by 

Parker for the National Museum of Kenya, and permitted me to make use of 

them in this paper. They also seconded to me a skinner, Loriu Lokiru, 

who worked for me throughout my time on Aldabra, and accompanied me to 

Cosmoledo and Astove. Professor Charles G. Sibley and Mrs Eleanor H. 

Stickney lent me the material collected by Hartman in the Aldabra 

archipelago as a whole, in the Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale 

University, and which was brought to my notice by R. K. Brooke, of 

Rhodesia, while on a visit to that Museum. A. M. Hutson, of the 

Department of Entomology, British Museum (Natural History), has identified 

the stomach contents of my specimens. Dr D. W. Snow and his staff in the 

Bird Room, British Museum (Natural History), have given me the necessary 

facilities for the comparative study of specimens. My orvn from Cosmoledo 

and Astove are to be presented to the American Museum of Natural History, 

while Parker's land birds from these two atolls have recently been donated 

by the National Museum of Kenya to the British Museum (Natural History). 

I thank Mr J. A'C. Bergne for the opportunity to make use of unpublished 

observations made by his father on Cosmoledo in 1901. 

Resident true land birds 

Dryolimnas cuvieri White-throated Rail 

Abbott (in Ridnway 1895, 5291 had it at second-hand that rails 

"swarm" on cosmoledo (and stove); while according to Fryer (1911, 430, 

under D. abbotti ?), a rail still existed in 1908 on South Island, 

cosmol~do. We were unable to land on South Island, which has no human 

settlement, so that it is possible that this species does still exist 

there. This is worth further investigation. 

Streptopelia picturata Malagasy Turtledove 

This species is listed by Dupont (1907, as Turtur saturatus) for 

Cosmoledo, and Bergne (1901) mentions a brown "Tourterelle des Iles", 

but no other reference to its occurrence has been traced. However, one 

of the labourers on Aldabra, who had previously lived on Cosmoledo for 

more than ten years, assured me that it still occurs on South Island. 

Like the case of the rail, this is worth further investigation. A relic 

population might still survive--in contrast to the situation on 

Assumption, where extirpation is complete. 

Geopelia striata Barred Ground-Dove 

On Menai, I had a quick view of a small long-tailed dove, which I 

took to be this species, not Oena capensis, which occurs in Malagasy as 

well as in Africa. I only saw the one bird, which may represent a not 

very successful artificial introduction. Elsewhere, as in the 

Seychelles and on Farquhar, this eastern species evidently thrives 

(Watson et al. 1963, 170, 188; Stoddart and Poore 1970), but there seems 

to be no previous suggestion of its occurrence in the Aldabra archipelago.

Cisticola cherina Malagasy Grass -Warbler 

Bergne (1901) lists "Allouette", French for a lark. He may well 

have seen Cisticola cherina, brown above striped blackish, and white 

below, in general colour resembling a typical lark. It is not mentioned 

by Dupont (1907), nor by Fryer (1911). It is recorded from Menai by 

Vesey-FitzGerald (1940, 488), and apparently from both Menai and West 

North Islands by Hartman (1958). Gaper found it plentiful on Menai in 

November 1964 and October 1965, as I and Diamond did on Wizard and Menai. 

Diamond often heard a "tic" alarm-call, reminiscent of that of a Robin 

Erithacus rubecula in England. Stoddart and Poore heard this call and 

saw birds both on the southern dunes on Menai and on the path across 

champignon north of settlement in September 1968. On Wizard Diamond 

found a nest containing three eggs, in a bushy Achyranthes 0.6 m above 

the ground. This is rather high: the greatest height which Rand (1936, 

450) gives is 450 mm. The entrance was near the top. Hartman (1958) 

and Watson et al. (1963, 198) imply that the bird was artificially 

introduced to Cosmoledo and Astove. This seems most unlikely, and it is 

virtually certain that colonisation (from Malagasy) was unaided by man. 

There may be no instance of the successful artificial introduction of an 

insectivorous warbler in any part of the world. 

Vesey-FitzGerald (1940, 488) collected a specimen on Astove. It 

was sent to the British Museum, but cannot now be found. Hartman 

collected a male on Menai, Parker three males on Menai and two on Astove. 

In all, sixteen specimens are available from these two islands and 

Wizard. Twelve of them are adult, in breeding dress. Their measurements 

in mm, and of material in this dress from Malagasy, in the British Museum, 

with the addition of a few in the University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge, 

are as follows: 

Wing - Tail 

Culmen from base 

Malagasy 

19 da' 50 - 52 (50.8) 37 - 42 (39.4) 11.5 - 13 (12.3) 

15 09 45 - 48 (47.1) 36 - 41 (38.9) 11 - 13 (13.0) 

Astove 

3 0'0' 51 52 53 38 39 40 12.5 13 13 

3 99 47 47 48 34 38 39 12 12.5 12.5 

Cosmoledo: Menai Island 

4 o'd 51 52 52 52 37 38 39 42 11.5 11.5 12 12.5 

Cosmoledo: Wizard Island 

2 do' 50 50 38 39 12.5 13 

3 juv.m 47 48 48 40 42 42 12 12 one broken 

1 juv.9 45 41 11 

The juveniles are suffused with rusty above and on the flanks, as 

described by Lynes (1930, 113) for Malagasy. The juvenile female is 

also washed with sulphur on the chin, throat and chest. Whereas my 

adults had the palate wholly black, all four juveniles had black 

restricted to a small area in the centre, the female without any black

at all. Also, they had irides grey-brown instead of red-brown, and in 

two at least skull-ossification had barely started. Probably none is 

more than about two months old (from date of hatching), and they are 

assumed to be from eggs laid not earlier than December. They are probab- 

ly fully grown, nevertheless their measurements are kept separate. 

The wing-lengths suggest that, while the Astove and Menai birds are 

similar in size to those from Malagasy, those from Wizard are slightly 

smaller, particularly if the juveniles are taken into consideration. 

Weights (in g) also tend to bear this out. Using also data from Parker's 

specimens as well as my own, the result is as follows: 

Astove 

3 do" 9 10 10.8 

3 ?? 8.4 8.5 10.8 

(The heaviest female contained an enlarged, yolking egg) 

Cosmoledo: Menai Island 

3 da' 10 10 10 

Cosmoledo: Wizard Island 

2 da' 9.5 9.7 

3 juv.n'd 8 9 9.4 

1 juv.9 8.2 

It can be seen that the Wizard males are lighter than those from 

Astove and Menai, the only exception being the Astove male weighing only 

9 g. Also, the juvenile female from Wizard is slightly the lightest 

female. The investigation could be taken further by trapping and 

weighing of live birds at the same time of day. 

As to colour, absolutely no variation could be discerned, and the 

known range of Cisticola cherina must be extended to include Astove and 

Cosmoledo. The two atolls may have been colonised quite recently, though 

in 1937, according to Vesey-FitzGerald, the species was already abundant 

on Astove. It is a pity that Nicoll (1906, 705) was unable to visit 

Astove and Cosmoledo, as we could have been reasonably sure from the 

account that he would have written what the situation was in 1906, and 

the inference from Bergne that it was already on Cosmoledo in 1901 would 

have been further illuminated. The fact that neither Dupont nor Fryer 

mentions it does not necessarily mean that it was absent at the time 

of their visits. Unlike Nicoll, they were not primarily ornithologists. 

Nicoll (1906, 686-692) visited Gloriosa in 1906, but makes no mention 

of - C. cherina. It would be interesting to know whether it is there 

now. 

Perhaps in due course Aldabra and Assumption will also be colonised. 

S. A. Renvoize (personal communication) is unaware of any difference in 

the species of grasses on the four atolls to account for its presence 

only on Cosmoledo and Astove. On the other hand, from the physiognomical 

aspect, on Aldabra there is no habitat comparable to the fairly open 

plantations with grassy ground cover found on Menai and Astove, or the 

low scrub on Wizard and Astove.

It would be interesting to ascertain how extensive the breeding 

season is on Cosmoledo and Astove. Parker's specimens, collected in 

early October, were already in breeding dress. The differences between 

breeding (summer) and non-breeding (winter) dress are clearly and correct- 

ly given by Lynes (1930, 112). For south-central Africa, Benson, Brooke 

and Vernon (1964, 83) give 82 egg-laying records for the related C. 

juncidis, all within the period November-June (only three for ~ovgmber, 

and a marked fall-off in the last three months). Yet Rand (1936, 449) 

expresses the opinion that cherina probably breeds throughout the year 

in Malagasy, and gives several records suggesting egg-laying in August 

and September (one definitely for the latter month). Nor are specimens 

in breeding dress on Cosmoledo and Astove in early October in keeping 

with the data for juncidis. Thus cherina would appear for some reason 

to be more plastic in its season. As would be expected in juncidis 

too, breeding was still under, way on Cosmoledo and Astove in March. 

Apart from the nest with eggs found by Diamond, the heavy female collect- 

ed on Astove held an egg measuring as much as 10 x 15 mm. 

In order of predominance (numbers of individual specimens in each 

group), the stomach-contents of my specimens as a whole, including those 

from Astove, were: 

Hemiptera: Homoptera and Heteroptera, including one Reduviidae 

nymph 

Coleoptera: including Nitidulidae and Curculionidae 

Orthoptera: including Tettigonoidea and Acridoidea 

Diptera: including Fannia sp. larvae (Muscidae), Scenopinidae, and 

Asilidae 

Hymenoptera: winged ants 

Neuroptera: Myrmelionidae 

Arachnida: small spiders 

Corvus albus Pied Crow 

Listed from Cosmoledo by Dupont (1907, as C. scapulatus) and by 

Bergne (1901, as "Corbeau"). Vesey-FitzGerald 1940, 488) gives it as 

a visitor only. Hartman (1958) records a pair from West North Island; 

Bourne (1966) a pair on Menai, "the first for many years". I saw a pair 

on Menai, but was told that these were the only birds on the atoll as a 

whole. But Gaper's information is that there were as many as five on 

Menai when he was there on 1 October 1965. Two of these he saw. 

Zosterops maderaspatana Malagasy White-eye 

Vesey-FitzGerald (1940, 488, as Z. aldabrensis) records it as common 

on Cosmoledo (no particular island specified), as does Hartman (1958) 

for Menai. The only other record of white-eyes on Cosmoledo is of one 

seen by Gaymer on Menai on 1 October 1965. None was seen by any of our 

party on either Wizard or Menai, though it was seen by Stoddart and Poore 

on Menai in September 1968. 

Three specimens collected on Menai have been studied (Benson 1969), 

and described as a distinct subspecies, differing from the population 

of nominate maderaspatana on Astove in being paler green above and paler

yellow on the throat and under tail-coverts. But it has since been 

ascertained from Vesey-FitzGerald that the specimen collected in his 

name (on 15 April 1952) was kept in alcohol, probably for several months, 

before being skinned by J. G. Williams in Nairobi. It is also understood 

from Mrs Stickney that Hartman's specimens may have been in alcohol for 

as long as one year. It is possible that the pallor of all three Menai 

specimens may be due to immersion in alcohol, and the validity of - Z. m. - 

menaiensis Benson requires further investigation. The special interest 

of Hartman's two specimens is however that they are partially grey and 

partially green above. It is unlikely that this was caused by alcohol. 

They seem to closely resemble the only known specimen of Z. hovarum 

Tristram, which probably came from Malagasy. The other specimen is 

wholly green above. 

Nectarinia sovimanga Souimanga Sunbird 

The species is listed from Cosmoledo by hpont (1907, as Cinnyris 

abbotti). Fryer (1911, 430) records a Cinnyris; Vesey-FitzGerald (1940, 

487) records the species as "especially common" on Menai; Hartma11 (1958) 

as "very common" on Menai, "common" on West North T5land; and Bourne 

(1966) "many" Nectarinia sp. on Menai. On Wizard we did not find it to 

be common. On Menai it was more so, though not as numerous as Cisticola 

cherina. Vesey-FitzGerald found a nest containing young (he does not 

say how many) on West North Island on 5 October, and Hartman saw a nest 

containing two eggs on Menai, during 13-15 December. Gaymer reports 

that the birds were plentiful on Menai in November 1964 and October 1965. 

I collected on Wizard two old nests, now in the British Museum (Natural 

History). Each was about 1 m above the ground, attached to a bush 

identified by S. A. Renvoize as Azima tetracantha. This plant is well 

equipped with large spines, which might help protect the nests and their 

contents from any enemies. Three juvenile males collected by Parker on 

Menai on 6 October, the bills of which are recorded as "black with yellow 

gape", and a juvenile female by Vesey-FitzGerald on 15 April, for further 

details of all four of which see below, are probably only about one month 

old from date of hatching, suggesting egg-laying respectively in August 

and late February or early March. On Aldabra, occupied nests with eggs 

have been found throughout the period August to March, and presumably 

this also applies on Cosmoledo. There may even be some breeding 

throughout the year, as with some Mectarinia spp. in south-central Africa 

(Benson, Brooke and Vernon 1964, 93-95). 

Taking into consideration the material (Benson 1967, 85) in which 

- N. s. buchenorum was represented by only three specimens, all from Menai, 

andthat recently collected, including Hartman's specimens (Astove, 2 

19 ; Menai 2dd lp ; Assumption id 1 juv.9 ; Aldabra id ), revised 

measurements in mm are as follows :

Wing Tail Culmen from base 

- - 

Astove (buchenorum) 

7 dd 54 - 57 (55.1) 39 - 43 (40.6) 17.5 - 20 (19.1) 

5 99 50 - 53 (50.8) 35 - 36 (35.2) 16 - 19 (17.5) 

2 juv. 99 49 50 33 35 16.5 19 

Cosmoledo: Wizard (buchenorum) 

1 d 55 39.5 20 

Cosmoledo : Menai (buchenorum) 

6 ob' 54 - 57 155.5) 39 - 44 (40.2) 18 - 20 (18.8) 

3 juv. ob' 52 53 55 34 36 37 

2 99 51 53 33 36 

1juv.9 50 31 

Assumption (abbotti) 

6 do' 53 - 55 154.3) 37 - 41 (39.2) 

1 9 49 

1 juv. 0 49 

Aldabra (aldabrensis) 

20 ob' 51 - 55 (52.7) 33 - 40 (37.8) 18 - 21 (19.5) 

2 juv. dd 50 51 32 33 19.5 20 

12 09 47 - 50 (48.4) 30 - 35 (32.5) 17 - 19 (18.2) 

Specimens not indicated as juvenile are certainly fully grown, and 

measurements of wing indicate that Astove and Cosmoledo birds are larger 

than those from Aldabra, with Assumption birds intermediate. Astove 

and Cosmoledo birds also average larger than those from Malagasy and 

Gloriosa, see figures for the latter two areas in Benson 1967, 85. They 

also have proportionately shorter bills than any others. 

Of the material now available, much more comprehensive than I had 

previously, in the first instance adult males may be considered. The 

existence of an off-season dress was denied (Benson 1967, 88), but it 

is now evident that, as in some African species (Skead 1967, 20-24), it 

does exist, at least in aldabrensis and abbotti, and probably in all the 

subspecies. Ten specimens of aldabrensis are in full metallic (breeding) 

dress, with the red chest-band fully developed. Most of the remainder 

(another ten) have this dress only partially developed, with the upper- 

side largely dull olive, and the lower bbdomen always dull olive-yellow 

instead of dingy white. They appear to represent an off-season dress. 

In the white of the abdomen, those in breeding dress only differ from 

specimens of apolis, of dry south-western Malagasy, in that it is less 

bright, not so pure a white. Three of the males of abbotti, collected 

by Nicoll on 12-13 March, also appear to be in an off-season dress. The 

other three differ from males in breeding dress of aldabrensis in having 

the abdomen mainly black, with a relatively little dingy white on the 

lower abdomen, while the rump and upper tail-coverts have some metallic 

green instead of being plain black. All the males from Astove and 

Cosmoledo (buchenorum) appear to be in breeding dress, with no constant

difference apparent between the two atolls. White on the abdomen has 

almost disappeared. In some specimens the process is complete, in others 

some of the feathers of the lower abdomen have whitish fringes. Metallic 

green on the rump is more extensive than in abbotti, while the lower back 

is black instead of olive as in abbotti and aldabrensis. 

I stated (1967, 84) that buchenorum can also be distinguished by 

the brownish, less reddish tone of the chest-band. This is not borne 

out by the relatively long series now available. The colour in the type 

of buchenorum the only adult male of this subspecies which I had pre- 

viously seen is almost a brick-red, and is quite accurately reproduced in 

the colour plate accompanying the original description (Williams 1953). 

According to the colour-chart of Villalobos-Dominguez and Villalobos 

(1947), it is nearest to SSO 8"(9). Specimens of nominate sovimanga are 

about the same, though the band is narrower, as it also is in apolis. In 

the other males of buchenorum the colour is more scarlet in tone, accord- 

ing to the same colour chart nearest to S g0(6). Only Hartman's two 

males from Menai show some tendency to brick-red. In apolis, abbotti 

and aldabrensis the colour is always scarlet rather than brick-red, and 

the latter colour is only normal in nominate sovimanga. The type of 

buchenorum, also two females, one adult, one juvenile, were collected in 

Vesey-FitzGeraldts name on the same day (15 April 1952) on Menai. He 

has told me that, like the specimen of Zosterops maderaspatana, they were 

kept in alcohol before being skinned in Nairobi. According to Mrs 

Stickney, certain of ~artm&'s specimens were also in alcohol prior to 

skinning, and this is the cause of the brick-red chest-band in some of 

the adult males, which are otherwise normal in colour. 

Of adult females, Vesey-FitzGerald's specimen does not appear to 

have been affected by alcohol, but a Hartman specimen from Menai lacks 

the usual wash of yellow on the underside, and was in alcohol for one 

year. Material of nominate sovimanga is distinctly washed with olive on 

the upperside, and a relatively bright yellow below. In buchenorum 

(disregarding Hartman's female from Menai), abbotti and aldabrensis the 

upperside is brown with little or no olive wash, and the yellow wash on 

the underside is much less bright. In these respects these three subspecies 

from the Aldabra archipelago do not seem distinguishable from 

one another. Four specimens of apolis are like those from the Aldabra 

archipelago on the upperside, though perhaps a trifle paler. On the 

underside they are white with no yellow wash except for a slight sign of 

it in two from Tabiky. Four of the Astove specimens show a variable 

degree of orange-red fringing to the feathers of the chest, and the one 

which has this most pronounced, collected by Parker, also has some 

metallic bluish-green fringes to the feathers of the crown, nape and 

mantle. One old specimen of aldabrensis in the British Museum also shows 

slight signs of this orange-red fringing. M. P. Stuart Irwin has shown 

me in the National Museum of Rhodesia, Bulawayo, females of two African 

species, N. bifasciata and mariquensis, the odd individual of which 

shows thesame tendency to red fringing on the chest. 

(1966) also note this in - N. bourieri. 

Benson and Irwin

Of six specimens whose extreme youth is shown by uniform sooty chin 

and throat, a male from Aldabra and three collected by Parker on Menai 

agree with each other in being washed with dull olive above and olive- 

yellow below. But a juvenile female each from Menai and Assumption, 

respectively Vesey-FitzGerald and Hartman specimens, lack any olive 

above or yellow below. This is certainly attributable to immersion in 

alcohol. Another juvenile male from Aldabra, somewhat older, agrees 

best in colour and pattern with adult females, though has some olive 

above. It lacks the sooty chin and throat. The younger of the two 

Aldabra juvenile males, and one of the three from Menai, have no metallic 

feathers at all, the others only a few. Two juvenile females from Astove 

are like adult females but are more olive above. 

It may be helpful to give the following summary of the subspecies, 

based onlv on males in breedine dress. notine that females of nominate 

v 'z 

sovimanga are richest in colour, apolis the least so, the other three 

subspecies rather richer than apolis: 

- N. - s. sovimanga (Gmelin): Abdomen yellow, black restricted to uppermost 

part. Chest-band brick-red, relatively narrow. Wina - 51-56 mm. 

~loribsa and Malagasy except the- dry southwest. 

- N. - s. apolis (Hartert): Like last, but abdomen white, chest-band 

scarlet. Dry southwestern Malagasy. 

N. s. buchenorum (Williams): Abdomen almost or completely black; 

chestrbaih scarlet, and broader. Lower back black instead of olive as in 

the last two; rump and upper tail-coverts metallic green instead of black 

Larger, wing 54-57 mm. Bill proportionately shorter than in all four 

other subspecies. Astove and Cosmoledo. 

N. s. abbotti (Ridgway): Like buchenarum, but some white on lower 

abdom&n,lower back olive, metallic on rump less extensive. Slightly 

smaller than last, wing 53-55 mm. Assumption. 

N. s. aldabrensis (Ridgway): Like abbotti, but lower abdomen wholly 

dingy?vhFte (not so bright as in apolis or nominate sovimanga); rump and 

upper tail-coverts wholly black, without any metallic. Wing 51-55 mm. 

Aldabra. 

No plausible explanation can be offered for the extensive black in 

the male of buchenorum, both on the abdomen and on the lower back. If 

it is the effect of melanism, then it is puzzling that the female shows 

no richness of colour. It is very like the female of abbotti and 

aldabrensis, and only slightly richer than in the dry country apolis. 

The males of apolis and of aldabrensis (in breeding dress) are rather 

similar. The only colour differences are that apolis has the scarlet 

chest-band narrower, and the abdomen a brighter white, with the black 

on the upper abdomen more restricted. 

While on Astove, Diamond noted that this species appeared to be 

larger than on Aldabra, thus agreeing with inference made above from 

wing-lengths. The following weights in g from specimens collected by 

me do not support this very well:

Astove 

3 0%: 6.8 7.6 7.6 

2 ?'? 6.0 7.2 

(The heavier female contained an enlarged, yolking egg) 

1 d 7.2 

19 6.9 

Wizard 

Aldabra 

12 dd 6.4 - 7.9 (7.1) 

6 OO 5.7 - 6.8 (6.3) 

Nevertheless, trapping and weighing the live birds at the same time of 

day might well demonstrate a more marked difference. 

In adults of buchenorum which I collected on Astove and Wizard, 

males had the flesh-coloured palate suffused with black, whereas in 

females there was no such suffusion. The stomach-contents of specimens 

collected by Parker on Menai consisted of fragments of insects, in- 

cluding some Coleoptera. Those of a male and a female taken by me on 

Wizard consisted of small Arachnida (spiders) and Homoptera. 

Serinus mozambicus Yellow-fronted Serin 

Bergne (1901) lists "Sourin", "greyish yellow" in colour. This 

name may be a corruption of "Serin". S. mozambicus is a common and wide- 

spread species in southern Africa, and-is sometimes kept as a cage bird. 

It is greyish green above, yellow below. It has been introduced to 

Desroches, in the Amirantes (Watson et al. 1963, 182), as well as to 

Mauritius and Reunion (ibid., 148, 159), and an introduction to Cosmoledo 

would not be surprising.ut there is no subsequent record, and so 

presumably it died out long ago. 


Ardea cinerea Grey Heron 

Listed by Dupont (1907). Between us, Diamond, Grubb and I saw at 

least five individuals -on Wizard, and two more on Menai. 

Egretta garzetta Little Egret 

Dawson (1966, 7, under - E. dimorpha) records that it occurs on 

Cosmoledo "in large flocks", though we have no evidence of this. There 

were however at least five birds on Wizard at the time of our visit. I 

counted three dark phase individuals, one white. On Menai, Diamond 

counted 13 dark phase birds, four white. Bourne (1966) refers to egrets 

and herons as abundant on Menai, of which some at least were presumably 

- E. garzetta. 

Parker collected a female on Menai, and I collected a female on 

Wizard. Some particulars for them are:

Locality Menai Wizard 

Wing 277 nun 

Culmen from base 90 nun 

Culmen exposed 88 mm 

Colour of plumage bluish grey, 

chin, throat and 

outer primary 

coverts white 

Colour of soft parts upper mandible 

blackish, lower 

blackish at tip; 

rest pale horn; 

front of tarsi black, 

back and toes 

greenish yellow 

Weight - 

287 nun 

92 mm 

90 mm 

similar, but in 

fresher dress, 

bluish grey darker 

bill black; orange- 

yellow at base and 

around eye; legs 

black, feet yellow; 

irides yellow 

According to me (Benson 1967, 68), E. assumptionis does not seem 

recognisable, and these two specimens mu3 be assigned to E. g. dimorpha, 

of Malagasy and the Aldabra archipelago. Their bill-lengtFs are lower 

than the minimum given by Grant and Mackworth-Praed (1933, 193) for 

assumptionis. 

Bubulcus ibis Cattle-Egret 

No earlier record has been traced. Inland on Wizard, there were 

some fifty individuals at least. In the south, Grubb counted 15, about 

half with buffy breeding plumes. I saw another 34 in the north, includ- 

ing one flock of 19. One bird was seen on Menai. This is not strictly 

a "shore" bird at all, but is best treated with other Ardeidae spp. 

Butorides striatus Little Green Heron 

Listed by Dupont (1907, as B. atricapillus). Only one individual 

was seen by us on Wizard, and a total of five on Menai. No specimen 

has been collected, but most likely Cosmoledo birds are - B. s.-crawfordi, 

- 

as on Assumption and Aldabra. 

Migrants 

Unless otherwise indicated, the following records of shore birds 

are from Diamond, Grubb or myself. 

Squatarola squatarola Grey Plover 

Eight on Wizard, also noted on Menai. One on Wizard was mainly in 

breeding dress. 

Charadrius leschenaultii Great Sand-Plover 

Listed by Dupont (1907, as Aegialitis geoffroyi). On Menai and 

Wizard in small flocks.

Nwnenius phaeopus Whimbrel 

Listed -- bv Du~ont (1907). About 30 on Wizard. some perch in^ on 

- Agave inflorescences or on tops of Tournefortia bishes. 'Also noted on 

Menai, where Parker collected one. 

Nwnenius arquata 

Listed by Dupont (1907), but not seen by us 

Curlew 

Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit 

About five seen by Diamond on Menai. 

Tringa nebularia Greenshank 

Listed by Dupont (1907, as Totanus glottis). One on Wizard, two 

on Menai . 

Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper 

Listed by Dupont (1907), but not seen by us. 

Arenaria interpres Turnstone 

Listed by Dupont (1907). Large numbers on Menai (Bourne 1966). 

At least 100 on Wizard. Also seen on Menai. 

Crocethia alba Sanderling 

Seven seen by myself on Wizard, noted by Diamond on Menai. 

Erolia minuta 

Listed by Dupont (1907), but not seen by us 

Erolia testacea 

In small flocks on Menai and Wizard. 

Little Stint 

Curlew-Sandpiper 

Dromas ardeola Crab-Plover 

Listed by Dupont (1907). Bourne (1966) records 20 on Menai. At 

least 50 on Wizard, over 30 on Menai. 

Of true land birds, Vesey-FitzGerald (1940, 488) records a Broadbilled 

Roller Eurystomus .- glaucurus on Wizard on 6 October 1937. It 

was presumably E. g. glaucurus, well known as a migrant from its 

breeding quarters in Malagasy to Africa. Gaymer also reports one 

seen on Menai on 9 October 1964 and again on 1 October 1965. He saw 

a single Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops superciliosus on Menai on 1 

October 1965. This would be unusually early for the palaearctic M. 

- s. persicus, two of which I definitely saw on Aldabra on 22 March-1968. 

The earliest arrival date for the subspecies in Zambia is given as 

late October (Benson and White 1957, 51). Gaymer's record is presumed 

to refer to M. s. superciliosus, suspected of migrating from breeding 

quarters in KalZgasy to Africa. On Menai, I saw a Red-backed Shrike 

Lanius collurio, an adult female or an immature bird, perched at the 

top of a Tournefortia bush. This seems to be the only record of this 

palaearctic species from the Malagasy Region, and it can only be of a 

stray individual. Other palaearctic land birds may be expected to 

occur on Cosmoledo occasionally. The number of such species recorded 

by now from Aldabra is about 14.

Summary 

1. An account is given of the land (including shore) birds of 

Cosmoledo. 

2. Of the resident true land birds: 

(a) A rail Dryolimnas cuvieri and a turtledove Streptopelia 

picturata are said to have existed some 60 years ago, but are now 

extinct exceut uerhaus on South Island. 

(bj su war bier Cisticola cherina may be a recent coloniser 

from Malagasy, and is undifferentiated from the parent stock, except 

that specimens from Wizard Island are rather small in size. There is 

a well-marked subspecies of a sunbird Nectarinia sovimanga, confined 

to Cosmoledo and Astove. A white-eye Zosterops maderaspatana, only 

known from Menai Island, may belong to the same subspecies as on Astove. 

Two out of the three specimens collected are remarkable for being 

partially grey above. The first two of these species are plentiful, 

the white-eye less so. 

(c) A crow Corvus albus occurs in small numbers. There is 

one record of a dove Geopelia striata, probably introduced by man. 

Another such introduction may haveen a serin Serinus mozambicus, 

but it has apparently died out. 

3. The number of species of resident true land birds is much 

less than on Aldabra (see list in Stoddart, Benson and Peak 1970), 

despite the fact that Cosmoledo is nearer to Malagasy, the principal 

source of colonisation. But the land area of Cosmoledo is much less. 

4. There are four possibly resident herons or egrets (family 

Ardeidae) . 

5. Of migrants, eleven species of shore birds which breed in the 

Palaearctic Region have been recorded; also the Crab Plover Dromas 

ardeola and three species of true land bird. 

References 

Benson, C. W. 1967. The birds of Aldabra and their status. Atoll 

Res. Bull. 118: 63-111. 

---------- 1969. The white-eye Zosterops maderaspatana (Linn.) of 

Menai Island, Cosmoledo Atoll. Bull. Brit. Ornithol. Club,. 89: 

24-27. 

Benson, C. W., Brooke, R. K., and Vernon, C. J. 1964. Bird breeding 

data from the Rhodesias and Nyasaland. Occas. Papers Nat. Mus. S. 

Rhodesia, 27B: 30-105. 

Benson, C. W. and Irwin, M. P. Stuart. 1966. The sunbirds Nectarinia 

bouvieri and batesi. Bull. Brit. Ornithol. Club, 86: 62-65. 

Benson, C. W. and Penny, M. J. In preparation. The land birds of 

Aldabra. 

Benson, C. W. and White, C. M. N. 1957. Check list of the birds of 

Northern Rhodesia. Lusaka. 

--

Bergne, H. A'C. 1901. Rough notes of a voyage to the Aldabra group. 

Manuscript. 

Bourne, W. R. P. 1966. Observations on islands in the Indian Ocean. 

Sea Swallow, 18: 40-43. 

Dawson, P. 1966. A survey of the sea birds of the Seychelles Islands. 

001. Rec. 40: 1-11. 

Dupont, R. 1907. Report on a visit of investigation to St Pierre, 

Astove, Cosmoledo, Assumption and the Aldabra Group. Mahe': 

Seychelles Government, 1-51. 

Fryer, J. C. F. 1911. The structure and formation of Aldabra and 

neighbouring islands--with notes on their flora and fauna. Trans. 

Linn. Soc. London, Ser. 2, Zool., 14: 397-442. 

Gaymer, R. 1967. Observations on the birds of Aldabra in 1964 and 1965 

Atoll Res. Bull. 118: 113-125. 

Grant, C. H. B. and Mackworth-Praed, C. W. 1933. On the relationship, 

status and range of Egretta garzetta, Demigretta gularis, D. 

schistacea, -- D. asha, and D. dimorpha, a new subspecies, an;f the 

correct type-locality of Egretta garzetta. 

Club, 53: 189-196. 

Bull. Brit. Ornithol. 



21. 

Lynes, H. 1930. Review of the genus Cisticola. Ibis, ser. 12, 6, suppl. 

Nicoll, M. J. 1906. On the birds collected and observed during the 

voyage of the 'Valhalla', R.Y.S., from November 1905 to May 1906 

Ibis, ser. 8, 6: 666-712. 

Rand, A. L. 1936. The distribution and habits of Madagascar birds. 

Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 72: 143-499. 

Ridgway, R. 1895. On birds collected by Doctor W. L. Abbott in the 

Seychelles, Amirantes, Gloriosa, Assumption, Aldabra, and adjacent 

islands, with notes on habits, etc., by the collector. Proc. U.S. 

Nat. Mus. 18: 509-546 (actual date of publication June 24, 1896). 

Skead, C. J. 1967. The sunbirds of southern Africa. Cape Town 

Stoddart, D. R., Benson, C. W., and Peake, J. F. 1970. Ecological change 

and the effects of phosphate mining on Assumption Island. Atoll 



Farquhar Atoll. Atoll Res. Bull., this issue.

Vesey-FitzGerald, L. D. E. F. 1940. The birds of the Seychelles. I. The 

endemic birds. Ibis, ser. 14, 4: 480-489. 

Villalobos-Dominguez, C. and Villalobos, J. 1947. Atlas de 10s Colores. 

Buenos Aires. 


guide to the birds of the Indian Ocean. Washington. 

Williams, J. G. 1953. Revision of Cinnyris sovimanga: with description 

of a new race. Ibis, 95: 501-504.

8. GEOGRAPHY AND ECOLOGY OF ASTOVE 

C. J. Bayne, B. H. Cogan, A. W. Diamond, J. Frazier, P. Grubb, 

A. Hutson, M. E. D. Poore, D. R. Stoddart, J. D. Taylor 

Introduction 

Astove, 10°6'S, 47'4S1E, is an elevated atoll with a nearly continuous 

land rim, located 35 km south of Cosmoledo Atoll and 145 km southeast 

of Aldabra. There have been fewer visits by scientists to Astove 

than to many of the neighbouring islands, and older records are particularly 

scarce. Fryer called there briefly in 1908 (Fryer 1911), 

following Dupont in 1906 (Dupont 1907). The main accounts are those by 

Vesey-FitzGerald (1942), Baker (1963), and Piggott (1961a, 1961b, 1968). 

Table 8 lists scientific visitors to Astove. This account is based on 

the literature, and on observations made during two visits by Royal 

Society Expedition personnel, the first by ten members on 5 March and 

the second by five on 14 September 1968. Most of these observations 

were made on the western side of the atoll, though some members visited 

the northern part of the east side, and Stoddart walked round the whole 

land rim. The first hydrographic survey of Astove was by H.M.S. - Owen in 

1964 (Admiralty Chart 718, 1967); Figure 5 is based on small-scale 

aerial photography carried out in 1960, with details added from Baker 

(1963) and Piggott (1961b, 1968). 

Geomorphology 

Astove has maximum surface dimensions of 4.6 x 2.8 km: the land 

area is 4.25 sq km, that of the lagoon 5 sq knl, and the total, including 

peripheral reef, about 9.5 sq km. It stands on the southernmost of two 

presumably volcanic peaks which rise from the ocean floor at depths of 

4000-4400 m; Cosmoledo stands on the adjacent peak to the north. The 

atoll lagoon is very shallow, with large areas less than 0.5 m, and it 

has a restricted tidal range. According to the lessee, the lagoon level 

gradually falls in the two weeks preceding neaps until a large part of 

the floor is exposed. Between neap and spring tides the level rises. 

Thus flow into the lagoon is greater than out of it during spring tides, 

and vice versa during neaps. The diurnal cycle is damped within the 

-- 

lagoon. The lagoon entrance at the south point is approximately 100 m 

wide, and also shallow. 

Much of the west rim of Astove is formed of elevated reef-rock, 

which rises to 4-5 m above sea level. In the north the reef-rock is 

fairly smooth and partly covered with sand, but further south it is 

Atoll Research Bulletin No. 1.36: pp. 83 - 99, 1970.

\ 

/ 

\ 

/ 0 1000 

\ 1 

\ ,.,' Metres 

, / 

'- 

REEF LIMESTONE a 

'--- 

---5OO- 

, 

/ u 

' DEPTHS IN METRES 

PEMPHIS @ SETTLEMENT 

L_? DUNES rn SESUVIUM FLATS @ PLAINE PAILLE-EN-QUEUE 

WIT14 AVICENNIA 

SAND 8 GRAVEL MANGROVE a PLAiNE ST. GEORGES 

Fig. 5. Astove

Table 8. Scientific Studies at Astove 

- Date - Study 

1895 S. C. E. Baty, agricultural survey 

and rudimentary chart 

1901 H. A'C. Bergne, general observations 

1906 Sept.10-14 R. Dupont, fauna, flora, agricultural 

potential 

1907 H. L. Thomasset, insects 

1908 Aug.28- J. C. F. Fryer, insects, general 

Sept . 1 observations 

1910X R. Dupont, insects, plants 

1937 Oct. L. D. E. F. Vesey-FitzGerald, 

vegetation and birds 

1952 Nov. E. S. Brown, insects 

1956 W. Travis, underwater and general 

observations 

1957 Dec.9 W. D. Hartman, land birds 

1960 Oct. 6-9 B. H. Baker, C. J. Piggott, geology 

and soils 

1964 March 16 

1964 

1967 March 8 

1967 Oct. 7 

1967-8 

1968 March 5 

1968 Sept. 15 

1969 June 

H.M.S. - Owen, Cmdr D. W. 

survey, birds 

Haslan~: 

R. E. Honegger, reptiles 

J. F. G. Lionnet, H. A. Beamish, 

insects 

M. D. Gwynne, D. Wood, I. S. C. 

Parker, collections of plants and 

birds 

Mrs R. M. Veevers-Carter and Miss 

T. Ridgway, collection of plants 

C. W. Benson, B. H. Cogan, A. W. 

Diamond, F. R. Fosberg, J. Frazier, 

A. Graham, P. Grubb, A. Hutson, K. 

McKenzie, S. A. Renvoize 

C. J. Bayne, J. C. Gamble, M. E. D. 

Poore, D. 

Westoll 

R. Stoddart, T. S. 

A. W. Diamond, J. Frazier 

Reference 

Bergne (1900) ; 

Adm.Ch.718(1911) 

Bergne (1901) 

Dupont (1907) 

Fryer (1908, 

1911, 1912); 

Gardiner (1936) 

Travis (1959) 


Baker (1963) ; 

Piggott (1961a, 

1961b, 1968) 

Bourne (1966) 

Honegger (1966) 

Lionnet (1970) 

Parker (1970) ; 

Gwynne and Wood 

(1969) 

Fosberg and 

Renvoize (1970) 

This report 

This report 

This report 

* J. A. de Gaye collected Lepidoptera, now in the Rothschild Collection, 

British Museum (Natural History), on Astove at a date unknown, probably 

c. 1910.

deeply dissected with large solution holes and is comparable to some of 

the more extreme Aldabra champignon. The reef-rock is known on Astove 

as @, a name which might be adopted for smoother-surfaced raised 

limestone which is more irregular than Aldabra platin and stands at a 

higher level. Baker (1963, 92-97), who calculates the area of raised 

reef-rock to be 236 ha or nearly 50 per cent of the total land area, has 

noted that the solution holes are arranged in straight lines in the reef- 

rock surface. 

The reef-rock outcrops to form low cliffs along the southwest coast, 

but further north there is a seaward sand strip up to 500 m wide (forming 

Grand Anse) between the sea and the raised limestone. There is also a 

discontinuous sand strip on the lagoon side of the limestone: it is more 

complete in the north, where there are vegetated dunes 5-6 m high. 

The eastern rim of Astove consists of low sand and gravel spreads 

overtopped on the seaward coast by active dunes up to 18 m high. These 

are highest and steepest in the north and become progressively lower and 

smaller southwards. There is no raised reef-rock outcropping on the 

surface of the east rim. Much of the seaward coast is rocky, however, 

though with the appearance of a massive bedded beach conglomerate, with 

seaward dip, rather than a raised reef-rock. This is a rough-water 

coast during the Southeast Trades, and because of the narrowness of the 

reef platform the beaches are formed by gravel, cobbles and rubble as 

well as sand. Patches of horizontally-bedded sandstone outcrop in places 

along the lagoon shore, but these may be of recent origin exposed only 

by the enlargement of the lagoon, and hence do not necessarily result 

from uplift. 

The northern area linking the east and west rims, Plaine Paille- 

en-Queue, is a largely unvegetated gravel fan that appears to have been 

recently deposited. It may be either a recent channel fill in a 

depression formerly separating the two rims, or a cyclone deposit. It 

is surmounted along the seaward coast by a low sandy beach. 

The fringing reef surrounding the land rim is narrow, with an 

average width of 250 m. On the east side it is an erosional feature, 

with potholes and deep grooves normal to the shore. The reef front is 

exceptionally steep, especially on the west side, where the bottom 

plunges so steeply that ships are unable to anchor and a cable must be 

taken inshore by small boat and an anchor lodged on the reef flat. A 

buoy formerly moored outside the reef near the settlement has been 

washed away. 

Fryer (1911) considered that the raised reef-rock indicated a 

relative uplift of Astove by at leas-t 18 m. The asymmetry of the atoll 

is striking, with reef-rock confined to the western side, with its 

straight, vertical (faulted?) coast, and absent from the east side. 

This suggests tilting rather than simple eustatic emergence of the atoll 

rim; the asymmetry is also evident in the 100 and 500 m isobaths (Figure 

5). No evidence has yet been seen on Astove either of an 8 m ridge or

of a newer limestone at the 4 m level, as on Aldabra, but observations 

have been rapid and the reef-rock areas have been much altered by 

phosphate mining in the past. 

The usual soil series have been distinguished by Piggott (1961): 

Desnoeufs Series on the limestone, now largely removed for phosphate; 

Farquhar Series on the dunes; and a variable Shioya Series, including 

gravelly loamy sand and loamy sand. 

Vegetation 

Previous workers have recorded 58 species of flowering plants from 

Astove (Dupont 1907, Vesey-FitzGerald 1942). Recent collections have 

been made by Gwynne and Wood (1969) in 1967, by Veevers-Carter and 

Ridgway in 1967-68, by Fosberg and Renvoize in March 1968, and by Stoddart 

and Poore in September 1968. These collections are listed in the 

following paper (Fosberg and Renvoize 1970). The flora resembles that of 

Aldabra, though the area of sand is much greater, and there has been more 

interference by man. The following vegetation types can be distinguished: 

1. Pemphis hedge on leeward cliffs. 

2. Scaevola hedge on leeward sand beach. 

3. Mixed scrub on raised reef-rock. 

4. Coconut woodland on leeward sand plains. 

5. Coconut woodland on leeward stable dunes. 

6. Casuarina woodland on the western rim. 

7. Lagoon beach scrub of Scaevola and Pemphis. 

8. Scrub of Suriana maritima on high dunes, with ground cover of 

Fimbristylis cymosa, and with scrub of Tournefortia and Scaevola 

in protected situations. 

9. Grasslands of the exposed sand and gravel plains of the north 

and east sides. 

10. Sesuvium mat of the eastern lagoon shore, with occasional 

Avicennia. 

11. Dwarf mangrove woodland of lagoon islets. 

The characteristics of these types can best be described in terms of 

their distribution round the atoll rim. 

West rim 

The raised limestone vegetation is similar to that of Aldabra, but 

more open. Thespesia populneoides (3 m) and Grewia salicifolia are the 

only common trees, and Pisonia grandis, Euphorbia abbotti and Sideroxylon 

inerme, all previously recorded, were not seen. The most common shrubs 

are Vernonia aldabrensis (1-2 m), Colubrina asiatica (2-3 m), - Azima 

tetracantha and Gagnebina pterocarpa. Other characteristic plants are 

Capparis cartilaginea, Lomatophyllwn borbonicum, Cassia occidentalis and 

Euphorbia hirta. North of the settlement the limestone outcrop is 

narrower, with fewer and smaller shrubs (mainly Vernonia aldabrensis and 

Colubrina asiatica) and with a ground cover of Ipomoea tuba, Cassytha 

filiformis, Plumbago aphylla, Sarcostemma viminale, Launaea intybacea, 

Boerhavia elegans, Asystasia bojeriana and Vernonia cinerea. This

esembles the vegetation of the more disturbed areas on the limestone 

near the West Island settlement on Aldabra. 

The sand strip south of the raised reef-rock has a seaward hedge of 

Pemphis acidula 3-4 m tall, then a low dune area under woodland of Cocos 

and Casuarina. Cordia subcordata is common in the lee of the emp phis 

hedge. The ground cover in the woodland consists of grasses 

(Dactyloctenium - aegyptium, Enteropogon sechellensis, Cenchrus echinatus), 

with Cassytha, Vernonia cinerea and other plants. Gossypium hirsutum, 

Caesalpinia, and Ricinus communis are common under the coconuts and in 

the more open areas. There is a large ornamental tree of ~abebuia 

pallida at a small fishermen's hut in this section. 

- 

Further north the lagoonward sand strip has a discontinuous hedge 

of Suriana maritima and Pemphis acidula, with a woodland of Cocos and 

Casuarina on low hummocky dunes. Guettarda speciosa is quite common, 

Tournefortia argentea much less so. The woodland has a low tree storey 

of Guettarda, and a ground layer of long vines of Ipomoea pes-caprae and 

- I. - tuba, with Digitaria horizontalis, Fimbristylis cymosa,Boerhavia - 

repens and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis . 

The seaward sand area on the west rim has a littoral hedge of 

Suriana maritima and Scaevola, with Guettarda; Tournefortia is again 

uncommon. The coconut woodland is mostly 5-10 m tall, with some 

Guettarda and Vernonia beneath, but generally there is no shrub layer 

and only a ground cover of grasses, sedges, vines and herbs. This carpet 

includes Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Cenchrus echinatus, Sporobolus 

virginicus, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Euphorbia prostrata, Sida 

parvifolia, Boerhavia, Ipomoea tuba, Achyranthes aspera and Fimbristylis 

cymosa. Immediately south of the settlement the coconut woodland has a 

layer of scattered shrubs, with Maytenus, Barleria sp., Grewia salicifolia 

and Vernonia aldabrensis as wellastr~uettarZ'Z-- 

At the settlement there is a grove of tall Casuarina trees, a 

single Hernandia, and common introduced plants. Catharanthus roseus and 

Ipomoea pes-caprae are plentiful round the houses, and Agave is 

cultivated. 

East rim 

The vegetation of the east rim differs markedly from that of the 

west, largely in the almost complete absence of trees, except for some 

small chlorotic coconuts on Plaine St George, in the lee of the highest 

dunes, but also in the absence of raised limestone and its characteristic 

plants. 

The high northern dunes are covered on their seaward side with a 

dense scrub of Suriana maritima, overgrown with Cassytha. Bare areas, 

especially on the tops of the dunes, have clumps of Fimbristylis cymosa, 

Euphorbia sp., and Boerhavia; and immediately in the lee there is less

luxuriant Suriana, with Scaevola and Tournefortia on more protected 

sites, and a ground cover of Fimbristylis cymosa and Sporobolus, with 

Portulaca oleracea, Euphorbia sp., and Sida parvifolia. The gravel and 

sand plains lack not only trees but also shrubs: the gravel spreads are 

coverkd with mats of plumbago aphylla and Cassytha fiiiformis, the sand 

with Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Eragrostis sp. cf. riparia, Sporobolus 

virginicus, Fimbristylis cymosa, Cleome strigosa, Stachytarpheta 

jamaicensis and Ipomoea -- tuba. Much of this ground is burnt over 

frequently. 

The lagoon shore is fringed with a low (1-2 m) scrub of Pemphis 

acidula or Suriana maritima, which is very difficult to penetrate, and 

much which is dead. On the lagoonward side of the Pemphis there 

is normally a zone of bare silty sand, then a belt of fleshy Sesuvium 

portulacastrum, extending along most of the lagoon shore, forming a mat 

up to 80 m wide. There are very occasional stunted trees of Avicennia 

marina up to 2 m tall in this Sesuvium zone. 

The islets near the south end of the lagoon support a dwarf mangrove 

woodland (1-1.5 m high) of Lumnitzera racemosa and Rhizophora mucronata, 

the former on the windward eroding shores, the latter (more rarely) on 

higher drier areas. Suriana and Pemphis are both present on these islets. 

The northern gravel spread of Plaine Paille-en-Queue has a very 

sparse vegetation cover, with a line of windbreak Casuarina at its west 

end, and a mosaic of Stachytarpheta, Achyranthes, Boerhavia, Plumbago., 

Dactyloctenium and Fimbristylis. Cassytha is widespread. Pemphis 

acidula forms a hedge along the lagoon shore. 


Small faunal collections were made by Fryer in 1908: in addition to 

insects, he collected two spiders (Hirst 1911) and two reptiles 

(Boulenger 1911). Honegger (1966) collected reptiles more recently, and 

Legrand (1965) and Lionnet (1970) the Lepidoptera. Further collections 

were made by the Royal Society party in March 1968. 

The littoral fauna and flora resemble those at Aldabra. On the 

west rim, near the Settlement, the reef flat is sandy and covered with 

marine grasses, of which Cymodocea predominates toward the seaward edge. 

Low overhanging cliffs tothe north have a fauna which includes the 

snails Nerita plicata and Nerita -- undata, the large chiton Acanthopleura 

brevispinosa, the limpet Cellana cernica, a red xanthid rock crab, and 

the grapsid Grapsus tenuicrustatus. Echinometra matthai was also 

collected on the flat. On the east coast, near the high dunes, the 

cliff is formed by a rough champignon sloping down to an abrasional 

flat. The cliff lacks the pinnacles and pools of similar cliffs at 

Cinq Cases, Aldabra, and there is no spray fauna such as that associated 

with Cinq Cases rock pools. Grapsus tenuicrustatus, Coenobita rugosa 

and - C. perlatus were observed here. Round the lagoon shore there are

wide muddy flats. In the north there are abundant - Uca holes in the mud, 

as well as numerous large elliptical holes occupied by the giant portunid 

crab Scylla serrata. On the lagoon shore there are many mollusc shells, 

both of bivalves and Cerithium. Table 9 lists the marine mollusca and 

Table 10 the Decapod Crustacea collected by P. Grubb in 1968, and 

identified by 3. D. Taylor. 

Astove is an important nesting ground for Green Turtle, Chelonia 

mydas, though on a smaller scale than formerly: Baty in 1895 was told 

of 150 being taken in a single 24 hour period (Bergne 1900). Hirth 

(FA0 1967) considers that Astove has the largest Green Turtle rookery 

in the Aldabra group, though he gives no evidence for this. Hawksbill 

turtle are said to be rare. 

Of the land fauna, Rothschild (1915) records the former existence of 

the Giant Land Tortoise Geochelone gigantea, now extinct, and Fryer 

(1911) records the finding of remains in the raised limestone. No 

historical records of its presence on Astove are known. Three other 

reptiles are found: Phelsuma astricta astovei FitzSimons (Mertens 1962), 

a brightly coloured form; Hemidactylus mercatorius (Honegger 1966); and 

Ablepharus boutonii. All were seen in 1968 in the settlement area, and 

Ablepharus was also seen on lagoon islets. All three genera are common 

on southwest Indian Ocean coral islands. Among the land Crustacea, 

Birgus latro and Cardisoma carnifex are conspicuous. 

Table 11 keys the literature on the small recorded insect fauna of 

Astove found in the Percy Sladen Expedition reports. Collections made 

by Cogan and Hutson in 1968 will probably increase the known insect 

fauna from less than 30 to more than 100 species, in spite of only about 

six hours collecting. The vegetation on Astove, like that on Cosmoledo, 

is more luxuriant than on Aldabra, and this is reflected in the insect 

population. This shows a great variety of form, including many of the 

species found on Aldabra and Cosmoledo, with one or two striking addi- 

tions. The large dark brown Hemipteran Anoplocnemis curvipes (Fab.) 

was particularly noticeable, and although this species has been taken in 

Aldabra in the past it has not been found there during the present 

expedition. The composition of the insect fauna appears to be very 

similar to that of the other islands in the Aldabra group. It consists 

of a large Ethiopian element with strong Malagasy connections, the 

remainder consisting of cosmotropical species together with a small 

number of endemics. These generalisations are based on previously 

recorded material and a preliminary survey of the 1968 material. So 

far the 1968 collections have been found to include one Dolichopodid 

fly of the genus Sciapus endemic to Astove, and a probable new sub- 

species of the Pierid butterfly Colotis evanthides Holl. 

Astove is noted for its Lepidoptera (see also the subsequent paper 

by Lionnet, 1970), but this is not the result of a very rich fauna, but 

of favourable conditions for the presence of very large numbers of 

certain species, such as Acraea ranavalona Boisd. and Junonia clelia 

epiclelia Boisd. Another Junonia, J. rhadama Boisd., a brilliant blue 

-

Gastropoda 

Table 9. Mollusca collected on Astove, 1968 

Trochus flammulatus Lamarck Bursa granularis ~oding 

Tectus mauritianus (Gould) Tonna perdix (Linnaeus) 

Turbo argyrostomus Linnaeus Quimalea pomum (Linnaeus) 

Nerita albicilla Linnaeus Drupa margariticola (Broderip) 

Nerita plicata Linnaeus Morula granulata (Duclos) 

Nerita polita Linnaeus Nassa francolina (Brugui6re) 

Nerita textilis Dillwyn Engina mendicaria (Linnaeus) 

Nerita undata Linnaeus Nassarius grandiosa (Minds) 

Phasianella aethiopica Nassarius muricatus (Quoy and Gaim.) 

Philippi Latirus craticulatus (Lamarck) 

Philippia hybrida (Linnaeus) Peristernia nassatula (Lamarck) 

Cerithium articulatum Adams Cantharus undosus (Linnaeus) 

and Reeve Mitra stictica (Link) 

Cerithium columna Sowerby Strigatella litterata (Lamarck) 

Cerithium echinatum Lamarck Chrysame fraga (Quoy and Giamard) 

Hipponyx conica Schumacher Pterygia nucea (Gmelin) 

Strombus gibberulus Linnaeus Vasum turbinellus (Linnaeus) 

Strombus mutabilis Swainson Conus arenatus Hwass 

Polynices melanostoma (Gmelin) Conus coronatus Gmelin 

Cypraea annulus Linnaeus Conus ebraeus Linnaeus 

Cypraea carneola Linnaeus Conus flavians Lamarck 

Cypraea erosa Linnaeus Conus pulicarius Hwass 

Cypraea helvola Linnaeus Conus rattus Hwass 

Cypraea histrio Gmelin Terebra affinis Gray 

Cypraea isabella Linnaeus 

Cypraea lynx Linnaeus Bivalvia 

Cypraea moneta Linnaeus 

Cypraea vitellus Linnaeus Modiolus auriculatus Krauss 

Phalium achatina Lamarck Septifer bilocularis (Linnaeus) 

Cymatium nicobaricum (Roding) Gafrarium pectinatum (Linnaeus) 

Cymatium pileane (Linnaeus) 


collections of the British Museum (Natural History), accession number 

2214.

Table 10. Crustacea (Decapoda) collected on Astove, 1968 

Grapsus tenuicrustatus (Herbst) : 2 9 ld 

Metopograpsus messor (Forskil): 29 ovig. 

Pachygrapsus polyodus (Stebbing) : Id 

Percnon guinotae Crosnier: Id 

Thalanita prymna (Herbst) : Id Charybdis orientalis (Dana) : 29 ovig. 

Actaea ruppelli (Krauss) 

Chlorodiella niger (Forsk8l) : Id 

Phymodius monticulosus (Milne Edwards) 

Phymodius ungulatus (Milne Edwards): 2d 

Epixanthus frontalis (Milne Edwards) : Id 39 

Xanthias lamarckii (Milne Edwards): 2@ 

Liomera monticulosus (Milne Edwards): Id 

Lachnopodus subacutus (Stimpson): 19 

Atergatis f loridus (Linnaeus) : 2d 

Zozimnus aeneus (Linnaeus) : 19 

Eriphia laevimanus (~u6rin) : 19 

Eriphia scabicula (Dana) : 19 

Lybia tessellata (Latreille): Id 19 

Madaens granulosus (Haswell) : 19 

Coenobita perlatus ~(Milne Edwards) : 19 

Coenobita mgosus (Milne Edwards) 

Pagurus megistos (Herbst) : 1 

Pagurus pedunculatus (Herbst) : 3 

Calcinus elegans (Milne Edwards): 2 

Calcinus laevimanus (Randall) 

Clibanarius striolatus (Dana) 

Clibanarius virescens (Krauss) 


collections of the British Museum (Natural History). 

Table 11. Insects recorded from Astove by the Percy Sladen Expedition 

- Group 

Orthoptera 

Hemiptera 

Lepidoptera 

Coleoptera 

Hymenoptera 

Diptera 

Number of species Reference 

Bolivar (1912, 1924) 

Green (1907), Distant 

(1913), Mamet (1943) . 

Fryer (1912) 

Champion (1914), Gebien 

(1922), Schenkling (1922), 

Scott (1912) 

Burr (1910), Turner 

(1911) 

Lamb (1912)

Nymphalid, is found on Astove, presumably colonising from Malagasy, but 

it has progressed no further in the Aldabra group. Unfortunately it 

appears to be decreasing in numbers and was not seen by the 1968 party. 

Fryer in 1908 found it not uncommon along the lagoon shore (Fryer 1912). 

Another less pleasant part of the insect fauna, very much in 

evidence, is the mosquito Aedes (Ochlerotatus) -- fryeri Theo., found in 

very large numbers. This species breeds in brackish and salt water in 

the crab-holes along the shore, and the human inhabitants must often sit 

in clouds of smoke for protection in the evenings. 

- Birds 

The land bird fauna is small and very similar to that of Cosmoledo; 

it is considered in detail by Benson (1970) in a later paper. Of the 

six probably resident land birds, two (Dryolimnas cuvieri, Streptopelia 

picturata) have not been recorded since 1906 and 1908 respectively 

(Dupont 1907, Fryer 1911) and are certainly extinct. Corvus albus is 

present in very small numbers. Cisticola cherina is the most abundant 

land bird, followed by Nectarinia sovimanga; the white-eye Zostero s 

h-4- 

maderaspatana is not common. In addition to these land bir s considered 

by Benson, Stoddart was informed that pigeons inhabited a large bird box 

in a tall Casuarina at the settlement, but he did not see the birds, 

which may have been recently introduced. Benson lists four shore birds 

as possibly resident: Ardea cinerea, Egretta garzetta, Bubulcus ibis and 

Butorides striatus. Adults and young of Ardea cinerea were seen in June 

1969 by Frazier and Diamond. 

The sea bird fauna is unusuali~ impoverished, presumably as a 

result of the lack of suitable habitat for tree-nesting birds (the absence 

of mangroves, for example), the degree of human interference, and the 

continuity of the land rim and resulting lack of isolated refugia. Sea 

birds have been recorded by Dupont (1907), Vesey-FitzGerald (1941), and 

Bourne (1966). Diamond made observations on the western rim briefly 

in March 1968. The only sea birds seen were one or two adult Caspian 

Terns Hydroprogne caspia and three Crested Terns Thalasseus bergii. The 

site of a small colony of terns, probably Sooty Terns Sterna fuscata, was 

found on the islet Petit Astove off the western extremity of the atoll. 

Frazier saw the Caspian Tern in the lagoon on the same occasion, and 

Stoddart two of the same species on the eastern rim in September 1968. 

Frazier also saw the Crested Tern over the lagoon in March. 

Previous records are scanty, and often refer to the Aldabra 

archipelago generally rather than to Astove itself. They may be swnmarised 

as follows: 


Recorded from the archipelago by Watson et al. (1963).

-- 

Sula sula 

Recorded by Watson et al. (1963) as "formerly" occurring. Seen on 

the west side by Hartman (1958) and by H.M.S. - Owen (Bourne 1966). 

Fregata ariel 

Fregata minor 

Both species recorded generally in the archipelago by Dupont (1907) 

Hydroprogne caspia 

Seen in March bv Diamond and Frazier on the west side and in the 

lagoon; in September by Stoddart on the east side; and in October by 

Vesey-FitzGerald (1941, 527). Young seen with adults in June 1969 

by Frazier and Diamond. 

Sterna fuscata? 

Colony probably of this species on Petit Astove, noted by Diamond. 


Recorded by Dupont (1907), as - S. minuta. 


Recorded by Bourne (1966); three seen by Diamond. Young seen with 

adults in June 1969 by Frazier and Diamond. 

-- 

Gygis alba 

Recorded by Dupont (1907). 

Seychellois labourers on Aldabra, who were familiar with Astove, said 

that both "Diament" (a Creole term covering three species of tern but 

here most likely to be the Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana) and 

Audubon's Shearwater Puffinus l'herminieri nest on Astove. Even if this 

were confirmed, Astove would scill have the most impoverished sea bird 

avifauna in the archipelago. In addition to the lack of trees for 

nesting of such species as Fregata spp., -- Sula sula and -- 

Gygis alba, there 

are very few of the small islets favoured by Noddy Terns Anous stolidus, 

Black-naped and Crested Terns, Sterna sumatrana and Thalasseus bergii 

and Yellow-billed and Red-tailed Tropic Birds Phaethon lepturus and - P. 

rubricauda. 

Settlement 

Little is known of the early history of Astove. A Portuguese slaver 

-- Don Royal is said to have been wrecked there, probably in the eighteenth 

century, and the survivors to have lived on the atoll for 30-40 years. 

Other vessels were certainly wrecked, and the remains of some can still 

be found on the western reefs. Two old graves formerly existed on the 

west shore. At the time of Sebert Baty's survey in 1895 (Bergne 

1900), the atoll was uninhabited, and there were only six coconut palms 

on the entire island, one of them at the landing place on the west side.

In that year James Spurs left four men there for fishing and built a hut 

100 m south of the palm tree on the west shore. Because of lack of rain 

for six months, water had to be landed for these first settlers. Bergne 

(1901) found the settlement deserted six years later and the buildings 

destroyed. Though Baty had forecast that maize would probably be a fail 

ure, 150 acres (60 ha) had been cleared for this crop by 1901, a few 

hundred coconuts had been planted, and tomatoes and pumpkins had been 

cultivated. Five labourers were left there, and Fryer (1908) found 

gourds, pumpkins, water melons, maize and tobacco to be cultivated. 

No details have been traced of the progress of the guano mining 

industry on the atoll. According to Baker (1963, 92-97), 72,162 tons of 

guano were exported between 1927 and 1960, leaving reserves (Baker 1963, 

124) of less than 5,000 tons. Baker's analyses of the guano gave a 

phosphate (total P205) content of 25-29 per cent. 

By 1960 (Piggott 1961) 100 ha were planted to coconut palms, but the 

yield (15 tons per annum or 7 nuts per tree per year) was very poor, 

presumably as a result of low rainfall, cyclones, or poor management. 

Piggott states that the maximum area possible for coconut growing is 240 

ha. Since Piggott's survey the lease has changed hands, and the present 

lessee, Mr R. M. Veevers-Carter, is vigorously developing the plantations 

with the aid of a tractor and small labour force. Maize has long been 

grown on the low stable dunes in the wet season. Other crops include 

sisal, cotton, sweet potatoes. Baty in 1895 had found numerous rats but 

no goats. Chickens and pigs were introduced at an early stage, and the 

present lessee has introduced turkeys, ducks and cattle. Giant Tortoises 

have been introduced from Aldabra, and the lessee hopes to introduce many 

other animals, and to establish a turtle hatchery. He is at present 

building a large new house south of the present landing point. 

Between 1814, when the administration of Mauritius passed from the 

French to the English, and 1903, when the new colony of Seychelles was 

formed, Astove was administered from Mauritius. It now forms part of the 

Colony of Seychelles, and was not included in the British Indian Ocean 

Territory in 1965. 


We thank Mr and Mrs R. M. Veevers-Carter* for their hospitality and 

kindness during our two visits to the atoll, and Miss T. Ridgway for her 

* We regret to announce the untimely death of Mr. Mark Veevers-Carter 

in Mombasa on March 11, 1970 [Eds.].

assistance. Also Mr Basil Bell, Director, East African Marine Fisheries 

Research Organization, Zanzibar, and Captain M. Williams and Captain T. 

Phipps, M.F.R.V. Manihine, for the opportunities for Royal Society 

parties to visit Astove in March and September 1968; and the Frank M. 

Chapman Fund, a grant from which to C. W. Benson made the first visit 

possible. We thank Lady Joan Fryer for the loan of the late Sir John 

Fryer's manuscript diary of his visit to Astove in 1908, and other 

material, and Mr J. A'C. Bergne, for the loan of his father's journal of 

a visit to Astove in 1901, and other papers, and both Lady Fryer and Mr 

Bergne for permission to quote from these documents. 

References 

- 


Archipelago. Geol. Surv. Kenya Mem. 3: 1-140. 

Benson, C. W. 1970. Land (including shore) birds of Astove. Atoll Res. 

Bull., this issue. 


Manuscript. 

---------- 1901. Rough notes of a voyage to the Aldabra Group. 

Manuscript. 






Boulenger, G. A. 1911. List of the Batrachians and Reptiles obtained by 

Prof. Stanley Gardiner on his second expedition to the Seychelles 



Swallow, 18: 40-43. 


435-446. 




Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 16: 139-190.

FAO. 1967. Report to the Governments of the People's Republic of South- 

ern Yemen and the Seychelles Islands on the Green Turtle resource in 

South Arabia, and the status of the Green Turtle in the Seychelles 

Islands. Based on the work of Dr H. Hirth, FAO/TA Marine Turtle 

Biologist. Rept.FAO/UNDP(TA) 2467: 1-59. 

Fosberg, F. R. and Renvoize, S. A. 1970. Plants of Astove. Atoll Res. 


Fryer, J. C. F. 1908. Diary. Manuscript. 


islands--with notes on their flora and fauna. Trans. Linn. Soc. 


---------- 1912. The Lepidoptera of Seychelles and Aldabra, exclusive 

of the Orneodidae and Pterophoridae and of the Tortricina and 

Tineina. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 15: 1-28. 

Gardiner, J. S. 1936. The reefs of the western Indial? Ocean. I. Chagos 

Archipelago. 11. The Mascarene Region. Trans. Li.nn. Soc. London, ser. 

2, Zool., 19: 393-436. 

Gebien, H. 1922. Coleoptera, Heteromera: fenebrionidae. Trans. Linn. 


Green, E. E. 1907. Notes on the Coccidae collected by the Percy Sladen 

Trust Expedition to the Indian Ocean, supplemented by a collection 

received from & R. Dupont, Director of Agriculture, Seychelles. 


Gwynne, M. D., and Wood, D. 1969. Plants collected on islands in the 

western Indian Ocean during a cruise of the M.F.R.V."Manihinet', 




-, 




Salamandra, Zeitschr. f. Herpet. u. Terrarienkunde, 2(1-2): 20-36. 

Lamb, C. G. 1912. Diptera: Lonchaeidae, Sapromyzidae, Ephydridae, 

Chloropidae, Agromyzidae. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 

15: 303-348. 

Legrand, H. 1965. ~e'pidopt2res des ?les Seychelles et dlAldabra. ~6m. 

Mus. Nat. Hist. Natur., S&. A, Zool., 37: 1-210.

Lionnet, J. F. G. 1970. Note on the Lepidoptera of Astove Atoll. Atoll 



western Indian Ocean, south of the equator. Mauritius Inst. Bull. 2: 

137- 170. 

Piggott, C. J. 1961a. A report on a visit to the Outer Islands between 


Resources Division, typescript, 1-71; Chapter 4, Astove, 17-23. 

---------- 1961b. Notes on some of the Seychelles Islands, Indian Ocean. 

Atoll Res. Bull. 83: 1-10. 



Rothschild, W. 1915. On the gigantic land-tortoises of the Seychelles and 

Aldabra-Madagascar group, with some notes on certain forms of the 

Mascarene group. Novitates Zool., 22: 418-442. 


2, Zool., 18: 325-329. 



Smith, J. L. B. 1955. The fishes of the family Pomacanthidae in the 

western Indian Ocean. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 12, 8: 377-384. 

---------- 1955b. The fishes of the family Anthiidae of the western 


---------- 1956. The fishes of Aldabra, Part VI. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 

ser. 12, 9: 817-829. 

Travis. W. 1959. Beyond the reefs. New York: E. P. htton (London: 

Allen and Unwin) , 1-221. 

Turner, R. E. 1911. Fossorial Hymenoptera from the Seychelles and other 

islands in the Indian Ocean. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 

14: 367-374. 

Vesey-FitzGerald, L. D. E. F. 1940. The birds of the Seychelles. I. The 

endemic birds. Ibis., ser. 14, 4: 480-489. 




Indian Ocean. J. Ecol. 20: 1-16.



Institution, 1-214.

CYMODOCEA [CILI ATA] 

Seen by Grubb (1968). 

9. PLANTS OF ASTOVE ISLAND 


CENCHRUS ECHINATUS L. 

S. I., Ridgway 8 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 8 (EA); north of Settlement, P 

Stoddart & Poore 1286 (K); West side, Stoddart & Poore 1279 (K); P 

Grand Anse, Fosberg 49704 (US, K); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1212 

(US, K). 

.- , ---- 

DACTYLOCTENIUM AEGYPTIUM fL.1 Willd 

S. l., Gwynne & Wood 1320 (K, EA); Ridgway 31 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 31 

(EA); north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1287 (K); East side, 

Stoddart & Poore 1312 (K); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49691 (US, K); 

Settlement, Renvoize 1188 (US, K). 


S. 1. , Ridgway 90 (Fo) ; Veevers-Carter 90 (EA) 

DAKNOPHOLIS BOIVINII ICamus) Clavt 

S. l., ~eevers-carter i9 (~k); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49696 (US, K); 

north of Settlement, Renvoize 1192 (US, K). 

DIGITARIA HORIZONTALIS Willd. 

North of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1290 (K); Grand Anse, Fosberg 

49693 (US, K), - 49703 (US, K). 

DIGITARIA TIMORENSIS (Kunth) Bal . 

S. I., Gwynne & Wood 1323 (EA); Ridgway 29 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 39 

(EA); Settlement, Renvoize 1191 (US, K). 

ENTEROPOGON SECHELLENSIS (Baker) Dur. & Schinz 

S. l., Ridgway 30 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 30 (EA); in coconut plantation, 

~osberg-6 Frazier 49747 (US, K); West side, Stoddart & Poore 1278 

( K , n v o i z e 1193 (US, K) . 

- 

ERAGROSTIS so. 

S. l., Fryer 4 (K), Fryer in 1908 (K) ; Ridgway 14 (Fo) ; Veevers- 

Carter 14 (EA); East slde, Stoddart & Poore 1313 (K); Settlement, 



ERIOCHLOA SUBULIFERA Sta~f 

Grand Anse, ~osberi49735 (US, K); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1211 

(K) . 


S. I., Ridgway 98 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 98 (EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 

49694 (US, K); Settlement, Renvoize 1179 (US, K). 

- 


S. I., Ridgway 28 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 28 (EA); north of Settlement, 

Renvoize 1195 (US, K); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49689 (US). 

PANICUM VOELTZKOWII Mez? 

S. 1. , Ridgway 115 (Fo) . 

PENNISETUM POLYSTACHION (L.) Schultes 

S. l., Ridgway 54 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 54 (EA). 

SPOROBOLUS VIRGINICUS Kunth 

S. I., Ridgway 2 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 2 (EA) ; Gwynne & Wood 1310 (EA) ; 

north of island, Stoddart & Poore 1288 (K); lagoon shore, back of 

Grand Anse, Fosberg 49743 (US, K); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1216 

(US, K). 

STENOTAPHRUM MICRANTHUM (Desv.) Huhb. 

S. I., Ridgway 89 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 89 (EA); Settlement, Renvoize 

1208 (US, K). 

- 


S. l., Ridgway 78 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 78 (EA); East side, Stoddart 

& Poore 1307 (K). 


S. l., Vesey-FitzGerald 5963d (K); Ridgway 33 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 33 

(EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49695 (US, K); north of Settlement, 

Stoddart & Poore 1282 (K); Renvoize 1190 (US, K); lagoon beach, 



Seen by Stoddart, 1968, Fosberg, 1968. 

ASPARAGUS UMBELLULATUS Sieh . 

S. l., Ridgway 112 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 112 (EA) 

DRACAENA REFLEXA Lam. 

Dupont records this from Astove acc. Hemsley (1919). 


". . .On the authority of Dupont, also [on] Astove.. ." Hemsley (1919). 

S. l., Ridgway 60 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 60 (EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 

49726 (US, K); West side, Stoddart & Poore 1270 (K); Gwynne &, Wood 

1295 (K, EA). 

-

DIOSCOREA NESIOTIS Hemsl. 

S. l., Ridgway 100 (Fo) ; Veevers-Carter 100 (EA) ; Grand Arise, 

Fosberg 49723 (US, K). 


"Dupont records this from all the islands in his table ..." Hemsley 

(1919); s. I., Ridgway 50 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 50 (EA). 


"Dupont records this species from all the islands in his tabular 

view" Hemsley (1919). 

FICUS THONNINGII B1. 

"Dupont records this species from Astove. ..I1 (as F. aldabrensis) 

Hemsley (1919); s. l., Ridgway 117 (Fo), - 97a (FO)~ Veevers-Carter 

58 (EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49733 (US, K). 

- 

FICUS sp. (aff. F. avi-avi) 

S. l., Ridgway 97b (Fo); Veevers-Carter 97 (EA). 


S. l., Veevers-Carter 21 (EA); north of Settlement, Stoddart & 

Poore 1300 (K, US); Renvoize 1187 (US, K). 


"Dupont also records this on Astove" Hemsley (1919); s. I., Fryer 9 

(K); Gwynne & Wood 1314 (K, EA); Ridgway 21 (Fo); Grand Anse, 

Fosberg 49702 (US), 49677 (US, K); north of Settlement, Stoddart & 

Poore 1294 (K, US). - 


S. I., Gwynne & Wood 1300 (EA); (Fo); Veevers-Carter 86 

(EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49683 


S. l., Gwynne & Wood 1317 (EA); Ridgway 41 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 41 

(EA); north of Settlement, - 

Stoddart & Poore 1284 (K); Renvoize 1198 

(US, K); Grand Anse, Fosberg & Frazier 49748 (US, K); Fosberg 49707 

(US, K), - 49727 (US, K). 

AMARANTHUS DUBIUS Mart. ex The1 1. 

S. I., Ridgway 73 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 73 (EA). 

SESWIUM PORTULACASTRUM IL. 1 L. 

S. l., Gwynne & Wood 1318 (EA) ; Ridgway 77 (Fo) ; Veevers-Carter 77 

(EA); lagoon shore back of Grand Anse, Fosberg 49745 (US); East 

side, Stoddart & Poore 1308 (K, US). 


S. l., Thomasset 214 (K)



(EA); lagoon shore back of Grand Anse, Fosberg 49744 (US); in 

coconut plantation, Fosberg & Frazier 49756 (US); East side, 

Stoddart & Poore 1317 (K) . 



49706 (US, K); north of gftlement, Stoddart & Poore 1289 (K); 




49686 (US, K) . 

- 

CAPPARIS CARTILAGINEA Decne. 

S. I., Gwynne & Wood 1291b (K, EA); Fryer 5 (K); Ridgway 53 (Fo); 

Veevers-Carter 53 (EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49718 (US, K); West 

side, Stoddart & Poore 1272 (K, US). 

CLEOME STRIGOSA (Boj .) Oliv. 

. . 

"Also Astove ..." Hemsley (1919); s. l., Gwynne & Wood 1303 (EA); 

- 

Fryer 10 (K); Ridgway 19a (Fo), 19b (Fo); Veevers-Carter 19a, b 

(EA); East side, Stoddart & Poore 1310 (K); Grand Anse, Fosberz 

49676 (US, K); n o r t h n v o i z e 

- 1181 (US, K) . 

MAERUA TRIPHYLLA var. PUBESCENS (K1.1 DeWolf 

S. I., Ridgway 23a (Fo), - 23b (Fb), - 23c (Fo), - 113 (Fo); Veevers- 

Carter 23 (EA). 


S. I., Ridgway 75 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 75 (EA) 

CAESALPINIA BONDUC (L.) Roxb. 

Grand Anse, Fosberg 49678 (US). 

CAESALPINIA WOR (Medic.) Dandy & Exell 

S. I., Ridgway 44 (Fo) ; Veevers-Carter 44 (EA) . 

CASSIA OCCIDENTALIS ~~~ L. - 

~ 

S. l., Ridgway 42 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 42 (EA); in coconut planta- 

tion, Fosberg & Frazier 49752 (US, K); West side, Stoddart & Poore 

1274 (K, US); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1205 (US, K). 

- 

GAGNEBINA PTEROCARPA (Lam.) Baill. 

S. l., Ridgway 12 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 12 (EA) ; West side, Stoddart 

& Poore 1268 (K). 

SOPHORA TOMENTOSA L. 

S. l., Ridgway 95 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 95 (EA).

TAMARINDUS INDICA L. 


TEPHROSIA PUMILA var. ALDABRENSIS (Drumm. & Hemsl.) Brumrn. 

S. I., Ridgway 99a (Fo) , - 99b (Fo) ; Veevers-Carter 99a, b - (EA) . 

VIGNA UNGUICULATA subsp. DEKINDTIANA (Harms) Verdc. 



S. I., Ridgway 51 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 51 (EA) ; Grand Anse, Fosberg 

49690 (US, K). 

- 


S. I., Ridgway 76 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 76 (EA); lagoon shore back of 

Grand Anse, Fosberg 49741 (US, K); East side, Stoddart & Poore 1315 

- 

(K); north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1292 (K, US); Settlement, 


ACALYPHA CLAOXYLOIDES Hutch. 

S. l., Thomasset 243 (K); Ridgway 111 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 111 (EA); 

Grand Anse, Fosberg 49730 (US). 



EUPHORBIA ABBOT'TII Baker 

"Dupont records this from all the islands of the Seychelles region 

except Gloriosa. . ." Hemsley (1919) . 


S. I., Ridgway 26 (Fo); - 

Veevers-Carter 26 (EA); West side, Stoddart 

& Poore 1267 (K); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1197 (US, K). 

EUPHORBIA sp. (near E. PROSTRATA Ait.) 

S. l., Thomasset 232 (K); Ridgway 4 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 4, 17 (EA); 

-- 

East side, Stoddart & Poore 1306, 1311, 1319 (K); on coastal- 

windswept sand, Vesey-FitzGerald 5963 (K); Grand Anse, Fosberg 

49681 (US, K); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1182 (US, K). 

- 

PEDILANTHUS TITHYMALOIDES (L.) Poit. 


PHYLLANTHUS AMARUS Schum. & Thonn 

S. l., Ridgway 27 (FO); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49712 (US) ; north of 


PHYLLANTHUS CHELONIPHORBE Hutchinson 

S. l., Ridgway 58 (Fo); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49715 (US, K).

PHY LLANTHUS sp . 

S. l., Veevers-Carter 27 (EA) 

PHY LLANTHUS MADERASPATENS IS L . 

S. l., Gwynne & Wood 1325 (EA); Ridgway 25 (Fo); north of Settlement, 

Renvoize 1196 (US, K); Grand Mse, Fosberg 49734 (US), -- 49701 (US, K), 

49716 (US, K). 


S. I., Ridgway 81a (Fo), - 81b (Fo); Veevers-Carter 81a, b (EA); West 

side, Stoddart & Poore 1275 (K); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49r98 (US, K, 

Fo, Mo, NY); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1199 (US, K). 

MAYTENUS SENEGALENSIS (Lam.) Exell 

S. l., Gwynne & Wood 1302 (K, EA); Ridgway 32 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 

- 32 (EA); lagoon shore back of Grand Anse, Fosberg 49740 (US, K); 

south of Grand Anse, Fosberg & McKenzie 49762 (US, K). 

MYSTROXYLON AETHIOPICUM (Thunb.) Loes. 

S. I., Vesey-FitzGerald 5963d (K); Ridgway 105 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 

105 (EA). 

- 

ALLOPHYLUS AI.DABRTCIJS -. - - - - - R~ndl . - - -. k . . 

S. I., Ridgway 93 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 25a, b, - 93 (EA); north of 

Settlement, Renvoize 1206 (US, K); Grand Anse, Fosberg & Grubb 49729 

(US, K), Fosberg & McKenzie 49761 (US). 

.--, 

COLUBRINA ASIATICA fL.'I Rronvn. ----~ 0.- 


- 22 (EA); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1215 (US, K); Grand Anse, 

Fosberg 49684 (US, K); West side, Stoddart & Poore 1273 (K, US). 

SCUTIA MYRTINA (~urm. f .) Kurz 

S. l., Gwne & Wood 1294 (EA); Vesey-FitzGerald 5963c ( ) Ridgway 

- 16 (Fo), 106 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 106, 

- 

16 (EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 

49708 US^ 

CORCHORUS AESTUANS L. 


49692 (US), - 49728 (US); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1202 (US, K). 

GREWIA SALICIFOLIA Schinz 


49751 (US, K). 

-- 

TRIUMFETTA PROCUMBENS Forst. 

S. I., Ridgway 7 (Fo) ; Veevers-Carter 7 (EA) .

ABUTILON ANGULATUM (G. ' P.) Mast. 

S. l., Thomasset 2 6 (K) "Thomasset's specimens are labelled 

Astove.. ." ~emsle~-T1919); s. I., Ridgway 56 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 

56 (EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49737 (K, US). 

- 


S. I., Gwynne fr Wood 1328 (K, EA); Ridgway 1 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 1 

(EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49679 (US); West side, Stoddart & Poore 

1277 (K, US); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1189 (US, K). 

- 

HIBISCUS ABELMOSCHUS L. 


HIBISCUS TILIACEUS L . 


49687 (US, K). 

- 



(EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49682 (US, K); East side, Stoddart & Poore 

1320 (K). 

- 

SIDA "VESCOANA Baillon" 

S. I., Vesey-FitzGerald 5962 (K) (probably only a variant of - S. 

parvifolia) . 

THESPESIA POPULNEOIDES (Roxb .I Kostel . 

S. l., Gwynne & Wood 1297 (EA); Ridgway 74 (Fo) ; Veevers-Carter 74 

(EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49717 (US, K); West side, Stoddart & Poore 

- 1269 (K); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1201 (US, K). 

FLACOURTIA RAMONTCHII L'Herit. 

S. I., Ridgway 114 (Fo) . 


S. I., Ridgway 61 (Fo) . 



49714 (US). 

- 

CUCUMIS PROPHETARUM ssp. DISSECTUS (Naud.) Jeffrey 



"Thomasset notes that this is also common in Astove. . . I t Hemsley 

(1919); s. l., Ridgway 68 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 68 (EA); lagoon 

shore back of Grand Anse, Fosberg 49738 (US, K); East side, Stoddart 

& Poore 1316 (K); north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1283 (K). 

BRUGUIERA GYMNORHIZA (L.) Lam. 

S. l., Ridgway 102 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 101 (EA).

108 

RHIZOPHORA MUCRONATA Lam. 

S. I., Ridgway 101 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 102 (EA); East side, 


LUMNITZERA RACEMOSA Willd. 

S. I., Ridgway 103 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 103 (EA); East side, 




TERMINALIA BOIVINII Tul. 



S. l., Ridgway 80 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 80 (EA); West side, Stoddart 

& Paore 1266 (K). 


S. l., Gwynne & Wood 1290 (K, EA); Fryer 2 (K) ; Ridgway 18 (Fo) ; 

Veevers-Carter 18 (EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49710 - (US, K); north of 

Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1298 ( K Y 

SIDEROXYLON INERME L. subsp. CRYPTOPHLEBIUM (Baker) J. H. Hemsley 

S. l., Gwynne & Wood 1309 (EA) ; Ridgway 109 (Fo) ; Veevers-Carter 109 

(EA) ; Grand Anse, Fosberg 49722 (US). 

CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS (L. ) Don 

S. l., Gwynne & Wood 1327 (EA); Ridgway 52a (Fo), 52b (Fo); Veevers- 

Carter 52a, b (EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49680 (US,K), West zde, 

Stoddart & core 1263 (K, US). 

SARCOSTEWA VIMINALE R. Br. 

S. l., Gwynne & Wood 1293 (EA); Fryer 1 (K) ; Ridgway 13 (Fo) ; 

Veevers-Carter 13 (EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49709 (US, K); north of 

-art - 

& Poore 1295 (KY 

SECAMONE FRYER1 Hemsl. 

S. I., Gwynne 6 Wood 1296 (K, EA); Ridgway 70 (Fo), 116 (Fo); 

Veevers-Carter 70 (EA) ; Grand Anse, Fosberg 49721 (UTK) . 


S. l., -- Fryer 8 (K) ; Ridgway 3 (Fo) ;. Veevers-Carter 3 (EA) ; Grand 

Anse, Fosberg 49731 (US, K). 

IPOMOEA BATATAS (L.) Lam. 

S. l., Ridgway 65 (Fo) ; Veevers-Carter 65 (EA) 

-

IPOMOEA PES-CAPRAE [L.) R. Br. (sens. lat.) 

S. I., Fryer li (K) ; ~ i d ~ w71A a (Fo); ~ Veevers-Carter 71A (EA) ; 

lagoon shore back of Fosberg 49739 (US, K); north of 

Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1291 (K); Settlement, Renvoize 1178 

(US, K). 

IPOMOEA ~ ~~ TUBA (Schlecht .) Don 

S. l., Ridgway 71b (Fo) ; Veevers-Carter 71b (EA) ; lagoon shore back 

of Grand Anse, Fosberg 49742 (US, K); lagoon coast, Gwynne & Wood 

- 1307 (EA); East side, Stoddart & Poore 1304 (K); north of Settlement, 

Stoddart & Poore 1285 (K, US); Renvoize 1203 (K). 


S. I., Gwynne & Wood 1301 (K, EA); Ridgway 66 (Fo). Veevers-Carter 

- 66 (EA); West side, - Stoddart & Poore 1281 (K, US); north of 




49688 (US, K); East side, Stoddart & Poore 1314 (K). 

AVICENNIA MARINA [Forsk.) Vierh. 

"Dupont records this from Astove.. ." Hemsley (1919) ; s. l., Vesey- 

FitzGerald 5960 (K) ; Ridgway 67 (Fo) ; Veevers-Carter 67 (EA) ; in 

coconut plantation, Fosberg & Frazier 49758 (US, K). 

CLERODENDRUM GLABRUM E. Mey. (C. minutiflorum Bak .) 

S. l., Ridgway 110 (Fo); Veevers-carter 110 (EA) . 

NESOGENES DUPONTII Hemsl. 

S. I., Ridgway 104 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 104, - 5, - 113 (EA). 

STACHYTARPHETA JAMAICENSIS L Vahl 

S. I., Ridgway 38a (~0)'; ~eevers-carter 38 (EA) ; Grand Anse, Fosberg 

49697 (E, K); north of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1293 (K); 

P 

Renvoize 1184 (US, K); East side, Stoddart & Poore 1309 (K). 

--- 

STACHYTARPHETA URTICIFOLIA Sims 

S. l., Ridgway 38b (Fo); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49700 (US, K) . 


Southern part of coconut grove, Fosberg & Graham 49746 (US) 

DATURA METEL L. 


49699 (US, K). 

- 

SOLANUM ALDABRENSE C. H. Wright 

"Dupont records this from.. .Astove.. ." Hemsley (1919). 


S. I., Ridgway 49 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 49 (EA).

OCIMUM AMERICANUM L. 

S. l., Dupont 291 (K); Ridgway 43 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 43 (EA). 

TABEBUIA PALLIDA (Lindl.) Miers 

S. I., Ridgway 63 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 63 (EA); West side, Stoddart 

& Poore 1280 (K, US). 

ASYSTASIA BOJERIANA Nees 

S. I., Ridgway 5 (Fo), 24 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 24 (EA); Fryer 6 

(K, 2 sheets); Gwynne &Tood 1315 (EA), 1324 (EA); north of 

Settlement, Stoddart 6 Poore 1296 (K, ~S);envoize 1183 (K, US); 

Grand Anse, Fosberg 49705 (US, K) . 

BARLERIA sp. (near B. DECAISNIANA Nees) 

Reported from Astove by Hemsley on the basis of a Fryer specimen 

that cannot now be found at Kew (1919); s. l., Ridgway 57 (Fo); 

Veevers-Carter 57 (EA); West side, Stoddart & Poore 1264 (K). 

HYPOESTES ALDABRENSIS Baker 

S. I., Fryer 7 (K); Ridgway 91, 20 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 59, 91, 20 

(EA); Grandse, Fosberg 49713 mS). 

- - 



- 85 (EA); Grand Anse, Fosberg 49685 (US, K); West side, Stoddart & 

Poore 1265 (K). 

HEDYOTIS LANCIFOLIA Schum. 


49724 (US, K). 

- 

HEDYOTIS sp. 

S. l., Ridgway 6 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 6 (EA); G~iynne & Wood 1326 

(EA); rand, Fosberg 49753 (US, K); north of Settlement, 

Renvoize 1209 (uS,K);es, Stoddart 6 Poore 1318 (US, K). 

POLYSPHAERIA MULTIFLORA Hiern 


49725 (US, K); south of Grand Anse, Fosberg & McKenzie 49760 (US). 

- 

TARENNA TRICWANTHA (Bak.) Brem. 

S. l., Ridgway 92 (Fo) ; Veevers-Carter 92, - 35 (EA) ; Grand Anse, 

Fosberg 49720 (US, K); north of Settlement, Renvoize 1204 (US, K). 

- 

SCAEVOLA TACCADA (Gaertn . ) Roxb . 

S. I., Ridgway 84 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 84 (EA); in coconut plantation, 

Fosberg & Frazier 49757 (US). 


S. I., Ridgiay 96 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 96 (EA); in coconut plantation, 

Fosberg & Frazier 49750 (US, K).

LAUNAEA INTYBACEA (Jaca . > P. Beauv. 

S. I., Gwynne '& wdod 1316 (K, EA); Ridgway 47 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 

- 47 (EA); in coconut plantation, Fosberg & Frazier 49749 (US); north 

of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1299 (K); Renvoize 1213 (US, K). 

LAUNAEA SARMENTOSA (Willd.) Alst. 


VERNONIA ALDABRENSIS Hemsl. 

S. I., Vesey-FitzGerald 5963b (K); Gwynne & Wood 1292 (K, EA); 

Ridgway 9 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 9 (~-sber~ 49719 

(US, K); West s i d e , o o r e 1271 (K); north of Settlement, 

Stoddart & Poore 1297 (K); Renvoize 1185 (US, K); East side, 


VERNONIA CINEREA (L.) Less. 

S. l., Ridgway 10 (Fo); Veevers-Carter 10 (EA); in coconut plantation, 

Fosberg & Frazier 49754 (US, K); south of Grand Anse, Fosberg & 

McKenzie 49759 (US) ; West side, Stoddart & Poore i276 (K, US) ; north 

of Settlement, Stoddart & Poore 1301; Renvoize 1210 (US, K).

10. NOTE ON THE LEPIDOPTERA OF ASTOVE ATOLL 


Writing in 1911, J. C. F. Fryer, who had visited Astove as a member 

of the 1908 Percy Sladen Trust Expedition to the Indian Ocean, stated: 

"The time I spent on Astove was insufficient to properly investigate its 

structure and therefore the flora and fauna were quite neglected"; and 

"insects were very numerous and it was a matter of great regret that 

few could be taken: butterflies were more common than on any other island 

and comprised one species, the beautiful Precis rhadama, not noted 

elsewhere". 

On 8 March 1967 the writer spent five hours on the west coast of 

Astove, at Grand Anse, which he devoted to collecting butterflies. These 

appeared to be as numerous as at the time of Fryer's visit. As, with the 

exception of Fryer and the writer, none of the collectors who have 

visited the Aldabra group of islands (Assumption, Cosmoledo and Astove), 

including W. L. Abbott in 1892, A. Voeltzkow in 1902, E. G. B. Meade- 

Waldo in 1905, C. Prola in 1953, G. Cherbonnier in 1959 and H. Legrand in 

1956 and 1959, visited Astove, it is thought desirable to publish a list 

of the species already recorded on the atoll. It is, however, hardly 

necessary to point out that this list could certainly be improved by a 

more thorough investigation. Thus the Royal Society party which visited 

Astove in 1968 collected Acraea ranavalona, Acraea teEpsichore legrandi, 

Junonia clelia epiclelia, Colotis evanthides, Syntarucus pirithous 

(= telicanus) and the hesperiid Pelopidas mathias Fabr., which is a new 

record for the atoll (pers. comm., Dr T. G. Howarth, British Museum 

(Natural History) and the account in Bayne and others (1970)). 

NOCTUIDAE 

Bryophi lopsis nesta (Bainbrigge Fletcher) Collected by Lionnet 

Tarache malgassica (Mabi lle) Collected by Fryer 

PIERIDAE 

Belenois aldabrensis (Holland) Collected by Fryer 

Belenois grandidieri form voeltzkowi (Karsch) Collected by Lionnet 

(see Bernardi 1954) 

Colotis evanthides (Holland) Collected by Lionnet 

DANA1 DAE 

Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus) Collected by Lionnet 


ACRAEIDAE 

Acraea ranavalona Boisduval Collected by Lionnet 

Acraea terpsichore legrandi Carcasson Collected by Lionnet 

NYMPI-1ALIDAE 

Junonia rhadama (Boisduval) Collected by Fryer and 

noted by Lionnet 

Junonia clelia epiclelia (Boisduval) collectid by Fryer and 

Lionnet 

Phalanta phalantha aethiopica (Rothschild 

and Jordan) Collected by Lionnet 

Fryer also reported that he had noticed Colotis (Teracolus) 

pernotatus (Butler), a synonym of C. etrida (Boisduval), on Astove. 

However, since according to ~e~ranz Fryer mistook Colotis evanthides 

(Holland) on Aldabra for the former species, this record is doubtful. 


I am greatly indebted to Mx Henry Legrand, Charg& de Mission and 

Correspondent of the Paris Museum, for kindly undertaking the identifica- 

tion of the specimens captured in 1967, and to Mr Tony Beamish, who 

assisted in the capture of some of them. 

References 

Bayne, C. J., Cogan, B. H., Diamond, A. W., Frazier, J., Grubb, P., Poore, 

M. E. D., Stoddart, D. R., and Taylor, J. D. 1970. Geography and 

ecology of Astove. Aroll Res. Bull., this issue. 

Bernardi, G. 1954. R&ision des Pierinae de $a faune Malgache (Lep. 

Pieridae). M&. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, ser. E, 5: 239-375. 




---------- 1912. The Lepidoptera of Seychelles and Aldabra, exclusive of 

the Orneodidae and Pterophoridae and of the Tortricina and Tineina. 


Le Cerf, F. 1916. Note sur deux pigrides (Lep. Rhopal.) de 1'Ile Maurice 

et de 1'Ilot dtAstove. Bull. Soc. Entom. France, 1916: 112-113. 

Legrand, H. 1965. LJpidoptBres des Clles Seychelles et dfAldabra. ~6m. Mus 

Nat. Hist. Natur., s8r. A, Zool., 37: 1-210.

11. LAND (INCLUDING SHORE) BIRDS OF ASTOVE 

C. W. Benson 

Introduction 

Much detail concerning the birds of Astove, especially on the 

systematics of Cisticola cherina and Nectarinia sovimanga, has already 

been given in the paper on land birds of Cosmoledo (Benson 1970), and 

need not be repeated. The same acknowledgements and other introductory 

remarks also apply. Excepting a brief reference by Abbott to a rail 

(see below), the first mention of birds traced is by Dupont (1907), who 

drew up a list of species as a whole. Fryer (1911, 428) makes a brief 

reference, remarking that birds seemed scarce. Vesey-FitzGerald (1940, 

486-488) includes Astove in his account of land birds of the Aldabra 

archipelago, as does Hartman (1958), who spent 9 December 1957 there. 

H. M. S. Owen called at Astove on 16 March 1964, and a few observations 

are given by Bourne (1966). I. S. C. Parker collected specimens for the 

National Museum of Kenya on 7 October 1967, the day after his visit to 

Menai Island, Cosmoledo. I have had the loan of his specimens, as for 

Menai. A. W. Diamond, P. Grubb and I were on the western arm of Astove 

from about 1100 hours until after sunset on 5 March 1968. Their 

observations, and a few from J. Frazier, have considerably augmented my 

own. Some further observations were made by M. E. D. Poore and D. R. 

Stoddart on both the east and west sides of Astove on 15 September 1968. 

Resident true land birds 


As for Cosmoledo, recorded at second-hand bv Abbott (in Ridewav 1895. 

529), and listed by ~"~ont (1907). Fryer (1911,. 428, under D. apDotti?) 

also records it. There is no subsequent record. 

it is unlikely that it could still exist there. 

Due to hum& activity, 


This species is listed by Du~ont 119071. but no other reference to 

its occurrence has been traced. ks on'cosmbiedo (with the possible 

exception of South Island), it has evidently been extirpated, assuming 

that it really did formerly occur. 

Cisticola cherina Ma1 agasy Grass -Warbler 

Vesey-FitzGerald (1940, 488) found it "abundant", Hartman (1958) 

"common". Diamond and I also found it common, more so even than the 

sunbird. Diamond and Stoddart noted the same call as on Cosmoledo. 


As already recorded in the Cosmoledo account, a female collected contained 

a much enlarged egg. Also, as discussed therein, - C. cherina appears to 

be of recent origin on both Cosmoledo and Astove, and except for some 

tendency to smaller size on Wizard, is still undifferentiated from the 

Malagasy parent stock. 


Listed by Dupont (1907, as C. scapulatus), though Vesey-FitzGerald 

(1940, 488) thought it was only 'E; visitor. Hartman (1958) saw one pair. 

I saw one couple and one single bird. As on Cosmoledo, the population is 

evidently extremely small. 

Zosterops maderaspat ana Malagasy White-eye 

Vesey-FitzGerald (1940, 488') records it as common, though Hartman 

(1958) did not see it. Diamond saw 15 in all, and I saw a few others. 

It would appear to be less common than both the grass-warbler and the 

sunbird. Diamond noted that the call was the same as on Aldabra, though 

stronger. This is perhaps to be expected, since Astove birds are larger 

(Benson 1969). A male collected on 5 March 1968 had testes measuring 

6 x 4, 7 x 5 mm, a female the same day had a yolking egg of diameter 6 mm. 

In order of predominance (numbers of individual specimens in each group), 

the stomach contents of these specimens were: 

Lepidoptera: larvae 

Hemiptera: Homoptera 

Coleoptera: Curculionidae 


Psocoptera 

Hymenoptera: winged ants 

In one specimen there were in addition the apparent remains of a seed and 

some petals. 

Astove birds are considered by Benson (1969) inseparable from those 

of Z. m. maderaspatana from the moister parts of Malagasy, and lack the 

yeliow-tone above of Gloriosa birds. The latter can be matched with 

material of Z. m. maderaspatana from the drier parts of Malagasy, in the 

southwest an2 tEe extreme north. Aldabra (though not Cosmoledo) birds 

also tend to be yellowish above. 


This species is listed by Dupont (1907, as Cinnyris abbotti), while 

Fryer (1911, 428) noted a Cinnyris. It is also recorded by Vesey- 

FitzGerald (1940, 488) and by Hartman (1958, as Cinnyris comorensis), the 

latter giving it as "common". Bourne (1966) records "Anjouan Sunbirds" 

(sic) - as "common". We also found it to be common. As already explained 

in the Cosmoledo account, the population of Astove is inseparable from 

N. S. buchenorwn. The misconception that it might be referable to N. 

- - 

comorensis, of Anjouan, in the Comoros, arose from the male and female 

collected by Vesey-FitzGerald (1940) and identified in the British Museum 

as "near Cinnyris comorensis Peters". These specimens cannot now be 

found, but are virtually certainly - N. - s. buchenorwn. As explained by

Benson (1967, 86), N. comorensis is a distinct species, albeit derived 

from sovimanga. Noreasonable doubt whatever can now remain but that 

comorensis is endemic to Anjouan. 

Vesey-FitzGerald describes a nest, apparently unoccupied, placed 1.3 

m above the ground in a bush of Pemphis acidula. I found a similar old 

nest in a bush of Suriana maritima. It was collected, and is in the 

British Museum (Natural History). S. A. Renvoize has pointed out that 

both these plants are spray-zone species. On Aldabra there are some 

casualties among sunbirds' nests due to spray. There was certainly some 

breeding on Astove at the time of our visit, since a female collected 

contained a yolking egg measuring 7 x 8 mm, while three males had enlarg- 

ed testes, in one case both measuring 7 x 5 mm. A female collected by 

Parker also had enlarged gonads. One of two females collected by myself, 

with wing 49, tail 33, culmen from base 16.5 mm, cannot be fully grown 

(see measurements in the Cosmoledo account, Benson 1970), and is probably 

only about six weeks old (from date of hatching). It may thus be 

presumed to have been from an egg laid in January. The stomach-contents 

of two males and two females collected by Parker were insect fragments, 

including Coleoptera. In order of predominance (numbers of individual 

specimens in each group), those of three males and four females collected 

by myself were: 


Hemiptera: Homoptera 

Psocoptera 

Hymenoptera: ants 

Hymenoptera: Parasitica 

Diamond heard the same cat-like "miaaw" call as can be heard on 

Aldabra. Frazier thought that, although the birds were tame, they were 

less so than on Aldabra. On Astove, in general, they would be more 

liable to human disturbance. 


Ardea cinerea Grey Heron 

L i s t e b 6 y Dupont (1907). We saw at least two in the lagoon in 

March 1968. Adults and young were seen in June 1969 by Diamond and 

Frazier, so this bird is probably resident. 

Egretta garzetta Little Egret 

At least two white and three dark phase birds were seen. Diamond 

recorded a disused nest in a Bruguiera bush on an island in the entrance 

to the lagoon. As for Cosmoledo, there is no evidence of the "large 

flocks" recorded by Dawson (1966, 7). 

According to Loustau-Lalanne (1963, 22), "Demiegretta sacra =(asha)" 

-- 

. . . "occurs and breeds only on Astove island". On page 13 he also 

mentions Egretta garzetta as occurring on Astove, stating that it is 

snow-white. No mention of any colour phase is made, though he states

(page 14) that D. asha is "a dimorphic bird, white or grey in colour". 

Dawson (1966, 7T gzstill further, and apparently considers that there 

are no fewer than three species of egret on Astove, i.e. - E. dimorpha, - E. 

garzetta and - D. - asha. According to Watson et al. (1963, 101, 106), D. 

sacra occurs no nearer to Astove than the Cocos-Keeling Islands, and%. 

ashathe Laccadives (merely one record). The latter is placed by ~raFt 

and Mackworth-Praed (1933, 194) as a synonym of D. schistacea. This name 

is a possible source of still further complicatiCn. Forbes-Watson (1966) 

states that he has seen Reef Herons E. schistacea breeding alongside Little 

Egrets E. garzetta at Tananarive, ~aia~as~, and gives sight records from 

the Afrycan coast to as far south as Pemba Island. However, White (1965, 

25) may be correct in regarding schistacea as a yellow-billed subspecies 

of E, garzetta, and its breeding range may not extend south of the 

equytor, accordingly excluding any likelihood of it breeding in Malagasy. 

- E. g. schistacea is not mentioned in the comprehensive account of a 

heronry at Tananarive by Malzy (1967). 

Apart from the three species of Ardeidae treated under the headings 

above and below, there is at present no satisfactory evidence of the 

occurrence of any species anywhere in the Aldabra archipelago in 

addition to Egretta garzetta, the subspecies according to Benson (1967, 

68) being E. g. dimorpha. Two specimens of this subspecies were recently 

collected on ~osmoledo. Contrary to Loustau-Lalanne, there are two 

colour phases. Benson (1967, 96) suggests that E. alba, which breeds in 

-- 

the Comoros, might occasionally occur. But there is still no evidence 

of this. 

Bubulcus - ibis 

Cattle-Egret 

Bourne (1966) records six around the settlement, and six were seen 

in the settlement itself by Stoddart and Poore in September 1968. 

Diamond, Frazier and I each saw one bird in March 1968. Frazier's bird 

was in a coconut tree. 

Butorides striatus Little Green Heron 

Listed by Dupont (1907, as 8. atricapillus). Diamond saw two in 

the lagoon, and one in a plantatFon. On Aldabra, too, this species is 

not strictly confined to coasts. On Astove as well as on ~osholedo the 

subspecies is most likely B. s. crawfordi. 

- - 

Migrants 

Dupont (1907) lists the same eight species from Astove as for 

Cosmoledo. The only further records are the following, from Diamond, 

Grubb or myself, from the shore of the lagoon unless otherwise stated 

(those asterisked are not listed by Dupont): *Squatarola squatarola, 

three; Charadrius leschenaultii, at least three; Numenics phaeopus, 

- 

about ten; Arenaria interpres, about 100; *Crocethia alba, xwo; *Erolia 

testacea, about 100; Dromas ardeola, at least 30. In addition, Grubb 

saw what is thought to have been a Charadrius mongolus (Penny, in press).

No true land bird migrants have as yet been recorded from Astove, 

but as for Cosmoledo there must be occasional occurrences. 

Summary 

1. An account is given of the land (including shore) birds of Astove. 

2. The true land birds are very similar to those of Cosmoledo 

(Benson 1970), and there is the same paucity of species in comparison to 

Aldabra. The rail Dryolimnas cuvieri and turtledove Streptopelia 

picturata, which at one time are said to have occurred, are probably 

extinct. The warbler Cisticola cherina and sunbird Nectarinia sovimanga, 

similar to those of Cosmoledo, are plentiful. The white-eye Zosterops 

maderaspatana, specimens of which are the same as those from the more 

humid parts of Malagasy, is not so plentiful. 

3. Unlike Cosmoledo, there is no evidence that any species has been 

introduced by man. 

4. There are four possibly resident herons or egrets (family 

Ardeidae), though the status of the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis in 

particular requires further investigation. It has been claimed that the 

three species Egretta dimorpha, E. garzetta and Demiegretta asha all 

occur. But p r v t h e r e is oniy the one, E. garzetta (subspecies 

dimorpha), present in a white phase and a daFk phase. 

5. Of migrants, twelve species of shore birds which breed in the 

Palaearctic Region have been recorded; also the Crab-Plover Dromas 

ardeola. No land bird migrants have as yet been recorded. 

References 

Benson, C. W. 1967. The birds of Aldabra and their status. Atoll Res. 

Bull. 118: 63-111. 

---------- 1969. The white-eye Zosterops maderaspatana (Linn.) of Menai 

Island, Cosmoledo Atoll. Bull. Brit. Ornithol. Club, 89: 24-27. 

---------- 1970. Land (including shore) birds of Cosmoledo. Atoll. Res. 

Bull. : this issue. 

Bourne, W. R. P. 1966. Observations on islands i.n the Indian Ocean. Sea 

Swallow, 18: 40-43. 

Dawson, P. 1966. A survey of the sea birds of the Seychelles Islands. 

001. Rec. 40: 1-11. 

Dupont, R. 1907. Report on a visit of investigation to St Pierre, Astove, 

Cosmoledo, Assumption and the Aldabra Group. Mah6: Seychelles 

Government, 1-51. 

Forbes-Watson, A. D. 1966. A further note on Reef Herons in East Africa. 

J. East Afr. Nat. Hist. Soc. 112: 233.




Grant. C. H. B. and Mackworth-Praed. C. W. 1933. On the relationshio. A - 

status and range of Egretta garzetta, Demigretta gularis , D. 

schistacea, D. asha and D. dimorpha, a new subspecies, andthe 

correct typeT1oxty of-~~retta garzetta. 

Club, 53: 189-196. 

Bull. Brit. Ornithol. 



21. 

Loustau-Lalanne, P. 1963. Sea and shore birds of the Seychelles 

Seychelles Soc. Occas. Pub. 2: 1-26. 

Malzy, P. 1967. La hgronni&-e dtAlarobia (Tananarive) . Oiseau et Rev. 

franqaise Ornithol. 37(1-2): 122-142. 

Penny, M. J. In press. Migrant waders at Aldabra, September 1967-March 

1968. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. B. 






guide to the birds of the Indian Ocean. Washington. 

White, C. M. N. 1965. A revised check list of African non-passerine 

birds. Lusaka.

12. ECOLOGICAL CHANGE AND EFFECTS OF PHOSPHATE 

MINING ON ASSUMPTION ISLAND 

D. R. Stoddart, C. W. Benson, and J. F. Peake 

Introduction 

Because of their rugged terrain and lack of surface water, elevated 

reef-limestone islands are often unsuitable for human settlement. As a 

result of greater environmental diversity and possible greater age than 

the sand cays of sea-level coral atolls, such islands frequently possess 

larger and more diverse faunas and floras. Yet because many possess 

large resources of phosphate derived from bird guano, they have often 

been subjected to a degree of human interference uncommon on isolated 

islands before the development of airfields and similar installations. 

Examples of elevated reef islands where such major modification has taken 

place include Makatea in the east Pacific, Nauru, Niue and Ocean in the 

central Pacific, and Christmas in the eastern Indian Ocean. 

The results of massive mining disturbance on island ecology are of 

interest, since they may provide a guide to the results of other kinds 

of major habitat disturbance, including the construction of airfields 

and military bases. Such construction work involves the clearing of 

native vegetation and destruction of habitats, and also the preparation 

of new habitats for colonisation by introduced plants and animals. We 

know little of the long-term resilience of indigenous biotas on islands, 

including those subject to such major interference, except that changes 

involving extinction are irreversible (Stoddart 1968a, 1968b, MacArthur 

and Wilson 1967, Mayr 1965). 

Assumption Island, 27 km southeast of Aldabra, provides an example 

of the ecological effects of surface phosphate mining over the last 

sixty years (Baker 1963). With a fauna and flora similar to those of 

Aldabra, though smaller, before mining began, it provides data on the 

capacity of plants and animals to survive vegetation clearance and human 

settlement, and on the invasions and colonisations which have taken place 

since settlement began. Assumption was visited by a party from the Royal 

Society Expedition to Aldabra on 15-16 September 1967, and this paper 

records the observations made and compares them with previous accounts, 

mostly from pre-mining times. Familiarity with the fauna and flora of 

Aldabra meant that maximum advantage could be taken of this short visit. 

Apart from hydrographic surveys in 1823 and 1878, Assumption was 

first visited by W. L. Abbott, who collected birds, plants and insects 

Atoll Research Bulletin No. 136: pp. 121 - 145, 1970

I I 

. .. Windward perched sand beach Chompignon 

I 

0 mile 

I L..d____] 

Fig. 6. Assumption

in September 1892. The ornithologist M. J. Nicoll spent 12-13 March 

there, and was followed by R. Dupont (birds, insects, plants), 19-21 

September 1906, and by J. C. F. Fryer (geology, general observations, 

insects), 6-13 September 1908. The island was uninhabited until June 

1908, when a guano-mining settlement was established on the northwest 

coast: the observations of these earlier workers thus recorded the pre- 

mining state of the island biota. Table 12 lists these and later 

Table 12. Scientific Studies at Assumption Island 

- Date - Study Reference 

1756 Aug. 15 Nicholas de Morphey, general Horsburgh (1809) 

1823 Richard Owen, hydrographic survey Adm.Ch.718(1878) 

1878 W. J. L. Wharton, hydrographic Adm.Ch.718(1879) 

survey 

1892 Sept. W. L. Abbott, birds Abbott (1893), 

Ridgway (1895) 

1901 Oct. 13 H. A'C. Bergne, general Bergne (1901) 

1906 March 12-13 M. J. Nicoll, birds Nicoll (1906, 1908) 

1906 Sept. 19-21 R. Dupont, birds, insects, plants Dupont (1907) 

1908 Sept. 6-13 J. C. F. Fryer, geology, insects Fryer (1911) 

1910 R. Dupont, insects, plants 

1916 R. Dupont, plants Hemsley (1919) 

1937 L. D. E. F. Vesey-FitzGerald Vesey-FitzGerald 

vegetation, birds (1941, 1942) 

1956 H. Legrand, Lepidoptera Legrand (1965) 

1956 W. Travis, underwater observations Travis (1959) 

1959 H. Legrand, M. Gerber, Lepidoptera Legrand (1965) 

1960 Oct. 13-16 B. H. Baker (geology) and C. J. Baker (1963), 

Piggott (soils) Piggott (1961, 1968) 

1964 H.M.S. Owen, Cdr D. W. Haslam: Bourne (1966) 

- 

survey, birds 

1964 R. E. Honegger, birds, reptiles Honegger (1966) 

1964 Nov. 10 Bristol Seychelles Expedition: This report 

M. J. Penny, M. Penny, R. Gaymer 

and others, birds 

1965 Oct. 3 R. Gaper, birds This report 

1967 March J. F. G. Lionnet, H. A. Beamish, 

insects; H. A. Hirth, turtles 

1967 Sept. 15-16 Royal Society party: D. R. Stoddart This report 

(geomorphology, plants), C. W. 

Benson (birds), J. F. Peake (land 

invertebrates), J. H. Price (marine 

algae), J. M. Boyd, E. N. Wright 

(birds) 

1967 Oct. 8 M. D. Gwynne, D. Wood, I. S. C. Fosberg and Renvoize 

Parker, plants and birds (1970), Parker (1970) 

1968 July 31 Royal Society party: J. Frazier 

R. Hughes, J. Gamble, R. Lowery

scientific investigations. The Royal Society party in September 1967 

consisted of D. R. Stoddart (geomorphology, plants), C. W. Benson (birds), 

J. F. Peake (land invertebrates), J. H. Price (marine algae), J. Morton 

Boyd, and E. N. Wright (birds). A further Royal Society party, comprising 

R. Lowery, J. Gamble, 3. Frazier and R. Hughes, made a brief visit on 

31 July 1968. 

Topography 

Assunlption (Figure 6) is a raised reef-limestone island, probably 

similar in origin to Aldabra but without a central lagoon. It is 6 km 

long, northeast to southwest, and 0.6 to 1.6 km wide, with an area of 

10.5 sq km (compare the land area of Aldabra, 155 sq km). The limestone 

rises to a maximum height of about 6 m above sea-level, and forms cliffs 

along the northern half of the east coast. As on the south coast of 

Aldabra, the cliffs are topped by a perched beach up to 1.8 m thick and 

18 m wide, which at the head of small coves develops into low dunes 

3-4.5 m thick. The perched beach approaches close to the cliff-top along 

the central part of the coast, but moves inland towards the north, re- 

vealing a cliff-top platform of pinnacled limestone. The cliffs are 

undercut only in coves, and when facing seaward are more ramp-like; they 

overlook a rock-cut abrasion platform 90-200 m wide (Plates 20 and 21). 

This platform lacks growing corals, and towards its outer edge has in 

places mushroom residuals of a surface at least 0.6 m higher (Plate 22). 

Several high dunes, their steeper slope facing inland, are found along 

the southeast coast; their heights range from 14-28 m above sea-level. 

The smaller high dunes have a simple outline, but the larger ones are 

cut by valleys on their seaward side and may be eroding. Most of the 

west coast consists of a narrow sand-flat with low dunes, banked against 

a previously eroded cliff-line. The coast below both the high dunes and 

the western sand-flat is formed by a wide sand beach. 

The main body of the island consists of a deeply-pitted and eroded 

champignon, with tidal solution holes up to 6 m deep and generally steep- 

sided. Round the margins of the island there is a higher rim with a less 

dissected and much smoother surface standing 1.2-1.8 m above the 

champignon. This surface may be compared to the pav; of Astove, and to 

the surface of the Aldabra 8 m ridge, where undissected, rather than to 

typical Aldabra platin. Baker (1963, 101) suggests that the slabby lime- 

stone associated with this smoother surface is formed from lithified 

carbonate sands. Phosphates have accumulated both on the surface, where 

large quantities have now been scraped away, and in the solution holes, 

many of which are larger below ground than at the surface. More 

information on mining activities would be needed before attempting an 

explanation of the present surface topography on Assumption. 

Piggott (1961, 1968) divides the soils of Assumption into three types: 

phosphatic Desnoeufs Series on the limestones, now largely dug for 

phosphate; Farquhar Series on the dunes; and variable Shioya Series 

especially on the leeward sand flat.

Climate 

Rainfall records have been maintained at the Settlement since 

November 1964. The total fall for 1965 was 813 mm, for 1966 920.5 mm, 

and for 1967 (to 16 September only) 724.1 mm (Table 13). Rainfall is 

concentrated from December to March, but is rather variable from year to 

year. September and October are almost rainless. Several heavy falls 

have occurred during the period of record: 51.3 mm on 15 April 1965, 

105.9 mm on 17 January 1966, 102.6 mm on 5 March 1966, 59.2 mm on 29 

April 1966, 113.8 mm on 30 April 1966, and 81.3 mm on 14 December 1966. 

In 1966 the heavy falls on the four days mentioned accounted for 42 per 

cent of the total annual rainfall. As at Aldabra the period of the 

Southeast Trades (June-November) is the dry season, that of the north- 

westerlies and calms (December-May) the wet season. No temperature 

records have been kept. 

Vegetation 

The vegetation of Assumption can be described, based on brief 

reconnaissance only, in terms of eight communities: 

1. perched beach community 

2. high dune community 

3. Pemphis community of the cliffs 

4. west coast sand beach community 

5. mixed scrub community of the champignon 

6. herbs and grasses community of the pave' or platin 

7. solution-hole community 

8. settlement vegetation 

Perched beach community (Plate 23) 

The narrow zone of sand perched on top of the seaward cliffs along 

the east coast closely resembles that on the south coast of Aldabra, 

except that the cliff-line is more irregular. The beach is subject to 

constant spray during the Trades and to wave-swash at exceptional tides. 

As a result areas on the seaward side of the perched beach lack 

vegetation cover. The vegetation consists of a mosaic of discrete areas 

of Sporobolus virginicus and Sclerodactylon macrostachyum, bounded 

sharply inland by a transition to the rock-surface cover of Sarcostemma 

viminale and Plumbago aphylla. The dominant Sporobolus turfdenser 

and loneer - (uu . to 230 mml than at Aldabra. where it is close- 

A 

cropped by tortoises. Few other plants are present: small patches of 

Stenotaphrum clavigerum, inconspicuous individuals of Launaea sarmentosa 

and Sida parvifolia, and infrequent shrubs only where small dunes have 

developed

Table 13. Monthly rainfall at ~ssum~tion' 

Jan Feb Mar APT May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total 

1964 26.67 47.75 

1965 151.64 44.96 92.71 170.94 46.48 60.71 31.50 47.50 3.81 6.35 70.61 86.36 813.56 

1966 204.72 59.18 192.28 198.88 32.77 20.07 18.29 9.91 13.46 - 19.81 151.13 920.50 

1967 136.40 184.91 93.98 136.91 14.61 11.94 46.74 59.20 1.272 

Source: Settlement Manager, Assumption 

1. Figures in nun converted from inches and tenths 

2. To 16 September only

High dune community (Plates 24-27) 

The high dunes of the southeast coast have a comparatively gentle but 

irregular seaward slope and a steep landward slope. Vegetation on the 

seaward slope is variable, some areas being dominated by grasses 

(Sporobolus . virginizus - - - - - and Sclerodactylon macrostachyum), others with 

shrubs, but the characteris'tic f~aturss of this comn~unitv are the large - 

areas bf bare and sometimes mobile sand. In the areas dominated by 

grass species the density of the vegetation is frequently so low that 

large areas of bare sand are visible. The dominant shrubs are low windtrimmed 

Scaevola taccada and bushy Suriana maritima, with occasional 

Tournefortia argentea. The ground under the shrubs, and the walls and 

floors of the transverse valleys, are largely bare, with clumps of 

Fimbristylis cymosa and scattered Euphorbia indica 30-60 cm tall. On the 

crest and backslope of the dunes, Tournefortia is the dominant shrub, 

with Fimbristylis and patches of Portulaca sp. and - Sida parvifolia. At 

the foot of the high dunes on the seaward side there is a narrow sand 

flat with Suriana and Tournefortia, and a ground cover of Ipomoea 

- pes-caprae extending onto the beach. In the sheltered area immediately 

landward of the high dunes there is a fleshy mat of Portulaca oleracea 

and a narrow belt of stunted Thespesia populneoides woodland. Some of 

the shrubs on the dunes are overgrown with Cassytha filiformis, and on 

isolated lower dunes to the north Tournefortia and Scaevola bushes are so 

heavily overgrown that they are almost invisible. 

Cliffs 

- 

Cliffs lacking a perched or sea-level sand beach occur at the 

northern end of the island, where there is a small clump of Pemphis 

acidula. Thomasset (in Hemsley 1919) noted Pemphis as "common", but 

-1911, 433) found only "a few trees.. .near the west coast.. .(which) 

do not unite to form bush". Dupont (1907) mapped Pemphis near its 

present position. The present distribution is clearly a small relic of 

a more extensive cover, though with the absence of suitable habitat 

probably less extensive than on Aldabra. 

West coast sand beach community (Plates 28 and 29) 

This has certainly been much altered by man, especially on the sites 

of the present and former settlements. Shrubs are common along this sand 

strip, species including Scaevola taccada, Suriana maritima and 

Tournefortia argentea along the shore, and Clerodendron glabrum 3-5 m 

tall a short distance inland. Sophora tomentosa is oresent but not 

common. In the north, near the oid settlement, there are some rather 

bushy trees of ~ordia-subcordata, which were in flower in September 1967. 

The ground cover between the shrubs largely consists of a thick carpet of 

Cassytha filifomis, with Pennisetwn polystachion, Amaranthus viridis and 

Melanthera biflora. Canavalia rosea is an escape from cultivation near 

the former settlement. The sand-strip vegetation - thus consists of a 

mixture of native and introduced species.

Mixed scrub community 

The mixed scrub on the elevated limestone has clearly been much 

altered by man, and now presents such a diverse form that any generalisations 

are difficult to make. Before mining began it was probably 

comparable to the more open mixed scrub areas of Aldabra. Abbott (1893, 

763) noted that the surface was "not so densely covered with scrub as 

Aldabra", while Nicoll (1908, 107) found it "less thickly covered than 

Gloriosa. The central part is almost bare of vegetation, the only 

growth being a few low bushes (hibiscus [Thespesia?]), and a thin wiry 

grass which springs from the cracks and fissures in the coral". Fryer 

(1911,433) stated that "the vegetation over the majority of the island 

consists of a tangled network of Plumbago (P. aphylla sp.?), Astephanus 

(A. arenarius sp.?) and numerous low bushes-not identified. Small trees 

such as Euphorbia Abbotti, banyan (Ficus sp.?) were not uncommon, while 

Dracaena (D. - reflexa sp.?) oc~urred~~ano-filled pits". 

From the floristic records of Dupont (1907) and Hemsley (1919), it 

appears that the scrub consisted of Thespesia populneoides, Guettarda 

speciosa, Pisonia grandis, Euphorbia abbottii, Ficus nautarum, Ficus P 

aldabrensis and Dracaena reflexa, with a ground cover of Colubrina 

asiatica, Lomatophyllum borbonicum, Solanum aldabrense, Capparis 

cartilaginea, grasses, sedges and herbs. A number of common 

characteristic trees or shrubs of the Aldabra mixed scrub have, however, 

not been recorded on Assumption, and were not seen in 1967: these 

include the trees Grewia salicifolia, Ochna ciliata, Vernonia 

aldabrensis, Terminalia boivinii, and Tricalysia cuneifolia, and the 

--- 

shrubs Mystroxylon aethiopicum, Sideroxylon inerme, Maytenus 

senegalensis, Tarenna supra-axillaris, Apodytes dimidiata and Ehretia 

cymosa. Some may have been present in former times but were not collect- 

ed and are perhaps now extinct on Assumption. 

Guano-mining led to large-scale vegetation clearance. Vesey- 

FitzGerald reported in 1937 that "the central area ... has been largely 

cleared of vegetation. ... A thick secondary mat of Plumbago now covers 

the whole of this country" (Vesey-FitzGerald 1942, 12). There are now 

very few trees or tall shrubs on the champignon. In the south there 

are small trees of Euphorbia abbottii, and in holes some bushy Ficus 

nautarum, but few other shrubs are taller than 2 m, and then on-wards 

the south. Between the settlement and the high dunes the central part 

of the island is dominated by Gossypium hirsutum with a thick ground 

cover of Plumbago aphylla and Sarcostemma viminale. Shrubs collected in 

this sector include Clerodenrum glabrum (1.6 m), Acalypha claoxyloides 

(1-1.3 m), Abutilon fruticosum (mecamone fryeri (0.6-1 m), and 

Capparis cartilaginea. Ficus aldabrensis and Guettarda speciosa, noted 

by Dupont, were not seen in 1967. and the latter mav be extinct ~ on -~ the 

islanh; only one almost leafless-~isonia grandis was seen near the 

northwest coast (Plate 30).

In contrast to the poverty of the shrub layer, the ground vegetation 

is diverse, but patchy. ^Apart. from Plumbago, Sarcostemma and ~ass~tlha, 

-- 

~d the introduced grass Panicum maximum were not seen in 1967, an 

-- - 

Capparis and Lomatophyllum are uncommon. Close to the settlement the 

mixed scrub is being invaded by such common weeds as Stachytarpheta 

jamaicensis and Catharanthus roseus. Dried Nostoc commune was taken 

from bare rock pavement in the centre of the island. In general the 

vegetation is so low over the southern part of Assumption that visibility 

is limited more by the irregularity of the ground than by the height of 

shrubs and trees. 

The patchiness of the vegetation needs to be stressed, as a result 

of the colonisation of workings of different ages. There is a mosaic of 

plant communities varying in their structure, age and species composition; 

these differences can possibly be associated with periods of human 

activity. Shrubs are usually found on the small areas that have escaped 

such activity, on in areas of older workings. 

~av& or platin community (Plate 31) 

The northern part of the island has a much less dissected surface 

and lacks shrubby growth. Along the seaward side it is covered with a 

dense mat of Plumbago and Sarcostemma, but further inland and towards 

the north large areas of ground are bare, except for scattered grasses 

and sedges (Dactyloctenium, Fimbristylis), weeds such as Achyranthes, and 

long trailers of orange vine Cassytha filiformis. In crevices and holes 

it is possible to find a few flowering Hedyotis sp. and Sida parvifolia, 

characteristic on Aldabra of the most exposed and almost unvegetated 

champignon of the southeast coast. This area has probably been worked 

over for phosphate, and the vegetation may be a pioneer one of the bare 

rock pavement which has resulted. 

Solution-hole community 

Solution holes in the champignon now contain the largest: trees on 

Assumption, apart from coconuts and Casuarina. In the centre and south 

of the island Ficus nautarum is characteristic of solution holes, as on 

Aldabra: Dracaena reflexa, said to occur in holes by Fryer, was not seen 

by us. No ferns have previously been recorded from Assumption, though 

Acrostichum aureum is common in shallow holes at the east end of Aldabra. 

Shrivelled Acrostichum was found in several holes at the north end of 

Assumption in 1967, together with, in one case, a fern not then recorded 

but since found on Aldabra, Nephrolepis biserrata (Plate 32).

One hole near the north point also contains several tall trees 

of Ceriops tagal, though no mangroves have been previously recorded from 

Assumption -hey do not occur on the coast. Local informants stated 

that this was the only solution hole with mangroves. In Fryer's 

manuscript journal (Fryer 1908), however, he records several such pits 

with mature mangroves up to 12 m tall, mostly Bruguiera though in one 

case with Ceriops. He was unable to understand how mangroves came to 

colonise such inland holes, at least half a mile from the sea, and 

thought they were formerly more extensive. Most of these inland 

mangroves have probably disappeared through being cut for timber since 

1908. One hole north of the settlement is now used as a pool for keeping 

captive turtles. 

Settlement vegetation 

Before permanent settlement there were "a few casuarina trees, and 

in one spot on the shore three coconut palms" on the west coast (Nicoll 

1908, 107); Sebert Baty in 1895 had found a total of six coconut palms 

. - , . 

[Berene 19001 . At the site of the first settlement (Plate 33) . northern 

part of the west shore, there is a clump of tall Casuarina, a coconut, 

two massive trees of Terminalia catappa, a patch of Caesalpinia bonduc, 

and spreadinn out over the bare platin behind the beach a conspicuous 

area bf ~~ave. At the present settlement there is a woodland bf mature 

Casuarina near the manager's house, with, to the south, a coconut 

plantation of several hundred trees. At the settlement itself there are 

cultivated trees (Moringa oleifera, Carica papaya) and other plants 

(Catharanthus roseus, Datura metel, Gossypium hirsutum, Ipomoea batatas, 

Leonotis nepetifolia, Momordica charantia, Pedilanthus tithymaloides, 

Solanum lycopersicum and Solanum nigrum), together with weeds 

(Achyranthes aspera, Boerhavia elegans, Cleome strigosa, Dactyloctenium 

aegyptiwn, Enteropogon sechellensis, Hypoestes aldabrensis, 

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Vernonia cinerea). Between the settlement 

and the sea there is a narrow hedge of Scaevola taccada, with some 

Tournefortia argentea and Suriana maritima, and a ground cover of 

Canavalia rosea. Two introductions mentioned by Dupont in 1907 were not 

seen in 1967: Abrus precatorius and Albizia fastigiata. 

Flora 

- 

The flora of Assumption has never been properly worked up from the 

earlier collections, though Dupont (1907) published a list of species in 

his table of island plants, and Hemsley (1919) included species collected 

by Fryer, Fox, Dupont and Thomasset in his "Flora of Aldabra". Gwynne 

and Wood (1969) record 8 species, four of them sight records. A list of 

plants collected in 1967 is given in a later paper by Fosberg and 

Renvoize (1970), and the flora is being included in the revision of the 

Aldabra flora now being undertaken.

The publications of Dupont and Hemsley list about 63 species from 

Assumption; with the collections made in 1967, this is increased to 

about 100, or roughly half the number of species found on Aldabra. 

Among the species conspicuously absent from the earlier records are the 

mangroves (species of Avicennia, Bruguiera, Rhizophora, Lumnitzera, 

Sonneratia, Ceriops and Xylocarpus, all found on Aldabra), Pandanus, and 

the ferns; one mangrove and two ferns have since been collected. Of the 

additional species collected in 1967, perhaps 16 represent indigenous 

species present but uncollected at the time of the earlier visits (e.g. 

species of Acalypha, Acrostichum, Boerhavia, Ceriops, Dactyloctenium, 

Euphorbia, Ipomoea, Launaea, Nephrolepis, Nostoc, Pennisetum, Portulaca, 

Sida. Soohora. Sclerodactvlon~. At least 19 species collected in 1967, 

' /, 

or one-fifth of the known flora, represent deliberate introductions or 

weeds which have probably arrived since settlement began in 1908; six 

of these have alsb appeared at Aldabra. These introduced plants include 

species of Agave, ~arica, Catharanthus, Datura, Ipomoea, Leonotis, 

Momordica, Moringa, Solanum and Terminalia. 

Some idea of the contrast between the floras of Aldabra and 

Assumption, and the greater changes in the latter, can be obtained by 

comparing the collections made sixty years ago on each with those made 

in 1966-67 (this comparison includes only Stoddart's collections and not 

the more extensive collections made on Aldabra by Fosberg and Renvoize): 

Aldabra Assumption 

Per cent total flora recorded 

by Hemsley and earlier workers 46 2 8 

Per cent recorded by both Hemsley 

and in present collection 3 8 35 

Per cent recorded only in present 

collection (new records) 16 36 

Total number of species c.200 c.100 

The comparison is only approximate, for the Assumption flora is still to 

be properly collected and the Aldabra collections of 1966-67 were small 

and preliminary, but it is clear that considerable changes have taken 

place in the flora as well as in the vegetation of Assumption since 

settlement began. 

Of the species listed by Hemsley (1919), three have been described 

as endemic (Panicum assumptionis Stapf, Eriochloa subulifera Stapf, 

Stenotaphrum clavigerum Stapf), and twenty could be classed as "regional 

endemics". Since the new records are mainly cosinopolitan weeds and 

cultivated plants, the flora is changing from one typical of the elevated 

reef islands of the southwest Indian Ocean to one dominated by common 

tropical species of no particular regional affinity.

Marine fauna 

The Green Turtle Chelonia mydas was formerly abundant on Assumption. 

Baty (in Bergne 1900) and Nicoll (1908) reported them in great numbers 

close to the shore, and also nesting. Fryer found them plentiful, but 

said that it was no longer possible to take up to two hundred in a night 

as had once been the practice (Fryer 1910, 263). Numbers have declined 

catastrophically, and though turtle still come ashore at one or two 

places on the east coast to lay, for several years it has had to be 

prohibited to take them or their eggs anywhere on Assumption. There has, 

however, been no means of enforcing this prohibition among the island's 

labourers. Little else is known of the marine fauna; J. L. B. Smith 

collected fish at Assumption in 1954, and a few records have appeared in 

his revisions of the Indian Ocean fish fauna (Smith 1955a, 1955b, 1956a, 

1956b). 

Land fauna other than birds 

The only indigenous mammal at Assumption is an insectivorous bat 

Taphozous mauritianus collected by Fryer in October 1908 (Scott 1914, 

163). The fruit-bat Pteropus, found on Aldabra, is absent. The 

indigenous land reptiles formerly included the Giant Land Tortoise 

Geochelone sp., which, however, became extinct before ever being recorded 

alive, as far as can be ascertained. Fryer found the remains of two in 

a solution hole in 1.908, and Honegger found eggs in a guano pit on 1964. 

The geckos Phelsuma abbotti abbotti and Hemidactylus n~ercatorius, and 

the skink Ablepharus boutonii, are also indigenous (Boulenger 1911); 

both Hemidactylus and Ablepharus were collected on the high dunes in 

1967. All three species are found on Aldabra. The land Crustacea 

include Birgus latro, very common in 1906 (Nicoll 1908, 112) and still 

existing. 65 species of insects have been recorded, mainly collected 

by Fryer and Dupont, and the literature on these earlier collections is 

keyed in Table 14. There was no opportunity to collect insects in 1967, 

though members of the Odonata were conspicuous. Blackman and Pinhey 

(1967) review this group on western Indian Ocean islands, with mention 

of Assumption. 

Land (including shore) birds 

Birds form the best known element in the Assumption land fauna, and 

are also the group apparently most affected by guano mining. In 

connection with the following account, we are grateful to Professor 

Charles G. Sibley and Mrs Eleanor H. Stickney for the loan from the 

Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, of material collected 

by Hartman in 1957.

Group 

Orthoptera 

Dermaptera 

Hemipt era 

Lepidoptera 

Coleoptera 

Hymenoptera 

Diptera 

Odonata 

Residents 

Table 14. Insects recorded from Assumption 


Number of species 

10 

Reference 

Bolivar (1912, 1924) 

Burr (1910) 

Distant (1913, 1917) 

Fletcher (1910), Fryer 

(1912), Mampson (1908) 

Aurivillius (1922), 


1922, Scott (1912, 1926) 

Cockerel1 119121. 

, . 

Morley (1912), Turner 

(1911) 

Lamb (1922, 1914), 

Scott (1914) 

Campion (1913) 

There are five land birds which breed lor did so formerly) on 

Assumption, with four more which may do so. These are: 



Centropus toulou Malagasy Coucal 



plus 

Ardea cinerea 

Egretta garzetta 

Bubulcus ibis 


Grey Heron 

Little Egret 

Cattle Egret 

Little Green Heron 

All of these species also breed on Aldabra, which has at least 

seventeen breeding land birds. The following breeding Aldabra land 

birds have never been recorded on Assumution: 

Threskiornis aethiopica sacred Ibis 

Falco newtoni Malagasy Kestrel 

Alectroenas sganzini Comoro Blue Pigeon 

Caprimulgus madagascariensis Malagasy Nightjar 

Hvusioetes mada~ascariensis Mala~asv Bulbul 

" " 

ie'silias aldabranus Aldabra Tsikirity 

Dicrurus aldabranus Aldabra Drongo 

Zosterops maderaspatana Malagasy White-eye 

Foudia eminentissima Red-headed Forest Fody

Nor has the Barn Owl Tyto alba been recorded from Assumption. It 

-- 

certainly occurred (and probably bred) in the past on Aldabra, but 

appears no longer to exist there. The Malagasy Cisticola cherina, which 

Benson found plentiful on Menai and Wizard Islands (Cosmoledo Atoll) and 

on Astove in March 1968, is unkown on Assumption or Aldabra. 

The Assumption subspecies of the White-throated Rail was discovered 

by Abbott in 1892 and named Dryolimnas abbotti by Ridgway (1894a, 74). 

Fryer (in MS) in 1908 found "plenty of the Rail D. abbotti which was 

very tame and very common". Both Abbott in 1892and Nicoll in 1906 

found it abundant. "They were found on all parts of the island, except 

on the swnmit of the sandy hill on the windward side" (Nicoll 1908, 109). 

In spite of the large numbers, Nicoll feared that introduced rats might 

lead to its extinction by predation of eggs (1908, 111). It did duly 

become extinct some time between the establishment of the settlement in 

1908 and Vesey-FitzGerald's visit in 1937, undoubtedly as a result of 

catching for food, destruction of habitat, and predation by introduced 

cats and rats. It was conspecific with Dryolimnas c. cuvieri, of 

Malagasy, as is the Aldabra form. It amears not to have lost the power 

A 

of fiight so completely as - D. - c. aldabranus: see the wing-lengths in 

Benson (1967, 74). 

The turtledove Streptopelia picturata was not definitely recorded 

by Abbott in 1892 (see Ridgway 1895, 522, under Turtur aldabranus), but 

was so by Nicoll (1906, 693; 1908, 109, under T. assumptionis). It was 

"quite common" and "extraordinarily tame" at tFe time of Nicoll 's 

visit, when it nested in the branches of Hibiscus (?) bushes. It was 

mentioned by Fryer in 1908, but not by Vesey-FitzGerald in 1937, and has 

not been seen since. It was probably extirpated by the labourers, again 

for food. It seems to have only differed from the Aldabra population in 

being a little larger (Benson 1967, .75-79). This is supported by wing- 

lengths of recent Aldabra material, four males measuring 166, 167, 169, 

170, and six females 155, 157, 158, 160, 160, 163 nun. 

The coucal Centropus toulou was collected by Abbott (C. insularis 

in Ridgway 1895, 522-523), and was noted as common and tang by Nicoll 

(1906, 494, as C. assumptionis) and by Fryer (in MS). Vesey-FitzGerald 

(1940, 487) sawone in 1937. But it is not mentioned by Hartman (1958), 

neither did Gaper see it in 1964 or 1965, nor Benson in 1967, nor 

Frazier in 1968. Wright in 1967 thought he saw one but was not sure. 

It may also be extinct, extirpated by the labourers for food. According 

to Benson (1967, 80-81), it is (or was) only possibly distinguishable 

from - C. - t. insularis of Aldabra by its slightly shorter tail. The 

following are measurements in mm of further adult Aldabra specimens: 

Wing Tai 1 

dd 149 150 2 3 2 3 

9 165 250 

The smaller male tail-length indicates an overlap in figures for 

insularis and assumptionis, and the latter name is really no longer 

worth maintaining.

The sunbird Nectarinia sovimanga is still relatively flourishing, 

in no apparent immediate danger of extinction, even though its numbers 

have probably been greatly reduced by destruction of the original 

habitat. On the morning of 16 September Benson counted eight males, 

four females and six unsexed birds on the south-east side of the island, 

in the mixed scrub community, and in the afternoon 43 males and 26 

females in the west coast sand beach community, also a few in Casuarina 

trees at the site of the old settlement near the northwest corner of the 

island. Frazier found sunbirds singing in the trees at the present 

settlement. All males observed ameared to be in full breedine dress. 

A - 

Feeding was noticed at flowers of Agave and Tournefortia argentea. 

Although Vesey-FitzGerald (1940, 487) reported it as rare, Hartman (1958) 

found it common, and it is the most plentiful true land bird on Aldabra. 

It is possible that competition from Nectarinia has excluded the white- 

eye Zosterops maderaspatana from Assumption, which, unlike Aldabra, may 

not be large enough for both (Serventy 1951). Nevertheless both have 

been recorded from other small islands--Gloriosa, Astove, and Menai 

Island in Cosmoledo. N. s. abbotti is a valid subspecies, endemic to 

Assumption (Benson 1967, g4-86). This is confirmed by further material 

from Aldabra, Assumption, Cosmoledo and Astove, the subspecies on both 

the latter two islands being N. s. buchenorum. 

- - 

The crow Corvus albus was collected by Abbott in 1892 (Ridgway 1895, 

532, under C. scapulatus). Nicoll (1906, 693; 1908, 109) recorded small 

numbers, ana found several empty nests "built at the tops of the tallest 

trees on the island". He also noted it as "extremely wild". Vesey- 

FitzGerald (1940, 588), however, considered it was only a visitor. 

"About 25" were seen in 1964 (Bourne 1966); and Gaymer recorded about 

"two dozen" in the same year. Benson saw 10 on 15 September 1967 and 

Morton Boyd a total of 15 on the same day: it was seen at the settlement, 

in Casuarina trees at the old settlement site, and over the southeast 

dunes. Frazier saw none in 1968. Probably it does still breed on 

Assumption, as recently definitely established for Aldabra. Breeding may 

take place only at infrequent intervals, and so can be easily overlooked. 

Of the possibly breeding shore birds, Ardea cinerea and Egretta 

garzetta, both collected by Nicoll (1906, 695-696, the latter under 

Demiegretta sacra), have not otherwise been recorded, except that Dupont 

(1907) lists the former. Possibly they no longer exist on Assumption, 

though it is unlikely that they have been molested to the same extent 

(except at possible breeding sites) as the turtledove and coucal 

discussed above. Bubulcus ibis was seen by Gaymer in 1964, and there 

was a flock of about 60 inland, just south of the settlement, in 1967. 

Its status on Assumption is quite uncertain. 

Butorides striatus, recorded by Nicoll (1906, 696, under B. 

crawfordi), and listed by Dupont (1907, under B. atricapillus), was seen 

by Gaymer in 1964, by Benson on the southeast Fhore at low water (three 

adults, one immature) and inland (three adults) in 1967, and by Frazier 

on the southwest coast in 1968. Assumption is the type-locality of

Nicoll's - B. - s. crawfordi, only otherwise recorded from Aldabra (Benson 

(1967, 67). Additional material, now in the British Museum (Natural 

liistory), is available from Aldabra, and A. D. Forbes-Watson has kindly 

donated on behalf of the National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi, a specimen 

collected by I. S. C. Parker in the Amirante Islands, on the reef 

between Darros and St Joseph (S025'S, 53'18'~), on 23 September 1967. 

Wing-lengths in mm of this material are: 

Aldabra dd 159 165 

99 156 158 162 

Amirante Islands 9 169 

One male and one female from Aldabra have the sides of the neck, chest 

and abdomen washed with brown, but the other specimens lack this wash. 

It may be that only the latter are completely adult, the difference thus 

being due to age rather than sex, contra Benson (1967, 68). It is 

impossible to separate the Amirante specimen from those from Aldabra on 

colour, and on present evidence crawfordi must be regarded as extending 

north to the Amirantes. Possibly Amirante birds are a little larger, 

see also further figures in Benson (1967). This is also suggested by 

weights, the Amirante specimen being the heaviest. Those whose wing- 

lengths were given above weighed respectively 164, 158, 168, 163, 177, 

180 g. This recent Aldabra material, collected in 1968, is not markedly 

paler grey below than in any specimen of B. s. rhizophorae, whether 

collected a decade or a century ago, and Thetwo subspecies may only be 

distinguishable on size. It would seem that the type of crawfordi and 

the adult male from Aldabra examined by Benson (1967, 67), so pale 

grey below, are exceptional individuals. 

Migrants 

The following are recorded from Assumption: 

Ardeola - idae 

One seen by Benson to fly onto the island, from the direction 

of Aldabra, at 0800 hours on 16 ~eLtember 1967. It was thought - to be 

this species, now known to occur on Aldabra, whereas - A. ralloides is not. 


Two seen on the southeast coast in 1967. 

Charadrius leschenaultii 

Listed by Dupont (1907, under Aegialitis geoffroyi); three 

seen in 1967. 

Numenius phaeopus 

Listed by Dupont (1907) ; two seen in 1967. 

Numenius arquata 

Listed by Dupont (1907). 

Tringa nebularia 

Listed by Dupont (1907, under Totanus glottis); two seen in 

1967. 

Actitis hrpoleucos 

Listed by Dupont (1907)


Listed by Dupont (1907); 100 seen in March 1964 (Bourne 1966); 

five seen in 1967. 

Crocethia alba 

One seen in 1967. 

Erolia minuta 



Listed by Dupont 11907); 40 seen in March 1964 (Bourne 1966); 

one seen on the sobtheist shore in 1967. 

Hirundo rustica 

On 13 December 1957 Hartman (1958) saw "an unidentified swallow, 

black above, white below, and with a long, forked tail", "in flight over 

the sand dunes". It was very probably this species, for which Benson 

(1967, 95) quotes one sighting for Malagasy in January, while a number 

were seen on Aldabra in March 1968. 

Other migrants must occur occasionally on Assumption. Thus among 

shore birds, Erolia testacea is plentiful on Aldabra, and some 14 

species of palaearctic true land birds have by now been found there. 

Sea birds 

Sea birds were not common in 1967, and have certainly greatly 

decreased in numbers during the last sixty years. It is probable that 

few now nest on Assumption. The following - species have been recorded: 

Phaethon rubric&da 

Collected bv Abbott (Ridewav . - 1895. 5221. who found it breedine - 

in dense thickets or knder a bush, anh by ~Icoii'ii906, 693). Not seen 

in 1967. Loustau-Lalanne (1963, 21, 23) considers it confined to 

Assumption, but this is not correct. Thus Benson (1967, 99) quotes 

records from Aldabra, where it breeds. - P. lepturus has never been 

recorded from Assumption. 

Sula abbotti 

Collected by Abbott (Ridgway 1893, 599; 1895, 520-522), who 

stated that "a few" breed. According to Fryer (1911, 433) it "inhabits 

the large dune, never descending to low parts of the island." It has 

not been recorded since, and Vesey-FitzGerald (1941, 52) says it was 

extirpated in 1926; the species now only breeds on Christmas Island 

(Indian Ocean). Gibson-Hill (1950) has very fully discussed uncertainties 

in the earlier records. The two specimens collected by Fryer on 

Assumption, and examined by Gibson-Hill, are still extant in the 

University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge. The statement by Loustau- 

Lalanne (.1963, 23) in regard to the Red-footed Booby -- 

Sula sula is presumed 

to be really intended to apply to S. abbotti, though unfortunately 

it is more than "very near extinction" on Assumption. 

Sula dactylatra. (syn. S. cyanops) 

Noted by Abbott (Kidpay 1895, 520) to breed on bare ground on 

the sand dunes; collected by Nicoll (1906, 697). Probably no longer 

breeding in 1937 (Vesey-FitzGerald 1941, 521) but "a few" seen in-1964

(Bourne 1966). Not seen in 1967. Sebert Baty in 1895 found a "camp of 

boobies", species not specified, on guano 600 yards northeast of the big 

dune, and boobies in trees (Sula -- sula ?) all over the island (Bergne 

1900). 

-- 

Sula sula 

Recorded breeding by Nicoll (1906, 697). Four seen in 1967 

Fregata minor (syn. F. aquila) 

~ecorded by Niccll (1906, 692) and listed by Dupont (1907). 

Not seen in 1967, but R. Hughes saw a female in March 1968. 

Fregata ariel 

A group of four males and seven females, all apparently adult, 

seen soaring over the southeast coast in 1967. 


15-20 seen by J. Frazier off the west coast in March 1968. 


Listed by Dupont (1907, under both S. minuta and S. balaenarum). 

About thirty probably this species seen in arch 1964 (~ourne 1966). 


Three recorded in March 1964 (Bourne 1966), and one flock of 

ten, another of four, on the southeast coast in 1967 


Listed by Dupont (1907, under both "Sterna Bersteini" and 

"Sterna Bergi"). 



-- 

Gygis alba 

Collected by Nicoll (1906, 696), listed by Dupont (1907). One 

seen in March 1964 (Bourne 1966). On 16.September 1967 Benson saw one 

lot of ten, four each of two, and one single bird, and E. Wright a 

total of about 20. J. F. Peake found three probably breeding-in a 

solution hole. Frazier saw 4-5 off the west coast on 31 July 1968. 

Introduced animals 

Rats were abundant by the time of Nicoll's visit (before settlement 

began), and were already destroying birds' eggs. Goats were introduced 

"many years" before Abbott's visit in 1893, according to him from Europa 

Island in the Mozambique Channel (Abbott 1893, 763). According to Bergne 

(1901) goats were introduced by H.M.S. - Wasp, Captain Bidenfield, in 1867, 

a crew member on that occasion living on Astove when Bergne visited it in 

1901. Sebert Baty gave the number of goats as 300-400 in 1895 (Bergne 

1900). Dupont (1907, 12) gave the date of introduction as c. 1887 and 

the number in 1906 as "several thousands". Nicoll (1908, 112) found 

twenty, very wild, near the foot of the dunes. Vesey-FitzGerald (1942) 

did not mention them and Gaper thought they were extinct in 1964. We 

saw none in 1967, though we were told that some still existed in the 

north. Dupont was so impressed by the goats as a food resource that he 

suggested the introduction of rabbits and hares (Dupont 1907, 13). Dogs, 

cats and chickens were seen in 1967.

Settlement and Exploitation 

Settlement began in June 1908, and by Fryer's arrival in September 

tracks had been cut through the bush in several directions. The first 

settlement was in the northern part of the west bay, and large rainwater 

tanks were constructed there in 1910. Both contained excellent water in 

1967. At a date unknown the settlement was transferred to the south end 

of the bay, where there is now a manager's house and garden, and a line 

of labourers' huts (Plate 34). There is a short jetty, a boat house, and 

to the north a small cemetery. On the east coast there are two small 

fishing shacks on the dunes. 

Between 1926 and 1945, 161,000 tons of guano were exported, together 

with an unknown amount before 1926. After 1945 the lease lapsed and 

exploitation ceased in 1948; but with the renewal of the lease in 1955 

mining began again. A mechanical crusher and light railway (Plate 35) 

have been installed. Baker (1963) estimated reserves at 160,000 tons 

following his survey in 1960, mostly in solution holes. Because of the 

sharp decline in the price of guano, production was at a standstill in 

1967, and mounds of guano stood at the settlement unable to be shipped. 

Assumption is leased jointly with Aldabra and Cosmoledo by Mr H. Savy 

of ~ah;, for thirty years from 1955 (Stoddart and Wright 1967, 48-50). 

Unlike Aldabra, it still forms part of the Colony of Seychelles, and has 

not been incorporated in the British Indian Ocean Territory. 

Summary and Conclusions 

After sixty years of intensive exploitation and a previous century 

of more casual interference, Assumption has now lost many of the faunal 

and floral elements which formerly characterised the elevated reef 

islands of the southwest Indian Ocean. There is no doubt that at the 

time of settlement in 1908 a number of irreversible changes had taken 

place, particularly the disappearance of the Giant Land Tortoise. The 

Tortoise population on so small an island must clearly have been more 

vulnerable to cropping for food during the late eighteenth and early 

nineteenth centuries than on the much larger island of Aldabra. The 

presence of introduced goats must have initiated vegetation changes, and 

early reports mention the wide distribu'iion of Plumbago. 

Major vegetation and floristic changes, however, followed the 

beginning of phosphate mining, in which vegetation was removed and the 

phosphate scraped from the surface of the ground, leaving a sterile 

rock surface for new colonisation. Many of the species common in Mixed 

Scrub on Aldabra and possibly formerly present on Assumption appear now 

to be absent on the latter, and their place has been taken by weeds 

such as Plumbago, Sarcostemma and Cassy.tha, and escapes such as Gossypim. 

All of these species are rare on Aldabra except close to the settlement 

where man has actively interfered with indigenous vegetation. The only 

areas apparently unaffected by these changes on Assumption are the high

dunes and the windward perched beach, with their typical vegetation of 

. 

Sporobolus, Sclerodactylon, Scaevola, Suriana and Tournefortia, all 

characteristic of similar habitats on Aldabra. Lack of active 

disturbance and the extreme environmental conditions have probably 

restricted invasions in these habitats. In the flora as a whole, 

indigenous elements are possibly being replaced by common weeds, many of 

pan-tropical distribution, and cultivated plants, but further data on 

these processes are required. 

With major vegetation changes and probable continuous predation, 

the bird fauna has changed considerably since 1908. The endemic rail 

Dryolimnas cuvieri abbotti has certainly become extinct, the local 

population of the turtledove Streptopelia picturata possibly so too. Of 

the shore birds, Ardea cinerea and Egretta garzetta may no longer occur. 

Changes in the sea bird population have been considerable. Though a few 

-- 

Sula sula and S. dactylatra have been seen in recent years, the booby 

breeding colonyes over the northern half of the island have disappeared. 

Abbott's Booby - Sula abbotti is now extinct on Assumption, and breeds only 

on faraway Christmas Island. None of the other eight recorded species 

of sea bird is now definitely known to breed, though -- 

Gygis alba probably 

does so. On the other hand, the endemic sunbird Nectarinia sovimanga 

abbotti, the crow Corvus albus, and migrants generally, are probably 

little affected by changes on the island. 

Since settlement began the large breeding grounds on Assumption of 

the Green Turtle have been largely abandoned, and though this decline 

appears to be common throughout the southwest Indian Ocean it has been 

especially catastrophic on Assumption. 

Assumption thus provides an extreme example of ecological change 

brought about by human settlement and exploitation. Since exploitation 

depends on the maintenance of an economic price for phosphate, it is 

possible that the venture will become uneconomic and the settlement could 

be abandoned. If this occurs it will be useful to observe the progress 

of ecological change in the future, as part of the Royal Society's 

continuing programme at Aldabra. 

References 

Abbott, W. L. 1893. Notes on the natural history of Aldabra, Assumption 

and Gloriosa Islands, Indian Ocean. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 16: 759- 

764. 

Aurivillius, C. 1922. Coleoptera (Cerambycidae) from the Seychelles 

Islands, Aldabra, and Rodriguez. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 9, 

10: 421-443. 


archipelago. Geol. Surv. Kenya Mem. 3: 1-140.


Bull. 118: 63-111. 

Benson, C. W. and Penny, M. J. 1968. A new species of warbler from the 

Aldabra Atoll. Bull. Brit. Ornith. Club, 88: 102-108. 

---------- In preparation. The land birds of Aldabra. Phil. Trans. Roy. 

Soc. B. 


Manuscript. 

---------- 1901. Rough notes of a voyage to the Aldabra group. 

Manuscript. 

Blackman, R. A. A. and Pinhey, E. C. G. 1967. Odonata of the Seychelles 

and other Indian Ocean islands groups, based primarily on the 

Bristol University Expedition of 1964-1965. Arnoldia, 3(12): 1-38. 



---------- 1924. Orthoptera Dictyoptera (Blattidae and Mantidae) , and 



Boulenger, G. A. 1911. List of the Batrachians and Reptiles obtained 

by Prof. Stanley Gardiner on his second expedition to the Seychelles 



Swallow, 18: 40-43. 


123-133. 

Campion, H. 1913. Odonata. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 15: 

435-446. 

Champion, G. C. 1914. Coleoptera, Curculionidae. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 

ser. 2., Zool., 16: 393-497. 

Cockerell, T. D. A. 1912. Hymenoptera, Apoidea. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 

ser. 2, Zool., 15: 29-41. 



---------- 1917. Rhynchota. Part 11: suborder Homoptera. Trans. Linn. 

Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 17: 273-322.

Dupont, R. P. 1907. Report on a visit of investigation to St Pierre, 

Astove, Cosmoledo, Assumption and the Aldabra group. Mahe': 

Government Printing Office, 1-51. 





Fosberg, F. R. and Renvoize, S. A. 1970. Plants of Assumption Island. 

Atoll Res. Bull., this issue. 

Fryer, J. C. F. 1908. Diary. Manuscript. 

---------- 1910. The South-west Indian Ocean (being an account of 

Aldabra and certain neighbouring islands, which were not explored 

by Prof. J. Stanley Gardiner in H.M.S. "Sealark"). Geog. 3. 37: 

249-268. 


islands--with notes on their fauna and flora. Trans. Linn. Soc. 


---------- 1912. The Lepidoptera of Seychelles and Aldabra, exclusive 

of the Orneodidae and Pterophoridae and of the Tortricina and 

Tineina. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 15: 1-28. 



Gibson-Hill, C. A. 1950. Notes on Abbott's Booby. Bull. Raffles Mus. 

23: 65-76. 


western Indian Ocean during a cruise of the M.P.R.V. "Manihine", 


Hampson, G. F. 1908. On the moths collected during the cruise of the 

"Valhalla" during the wi.nter 1905-6 by Mr E. G. B. Meade~.Waldo. 

Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 8, 1: 474-492. 


Astove, Cosmoledo, Assumption and Aldabra. Seychelles Govt. Bull. 21. 

Hemsley, W. B. 1919. Flora of Aldabra: with notes on the flora of the 

neighbouring islands. Bull. Misc. Inform. Roy. Botanic Gards. 

Kew, 1919: 108-153.


Salamandra, Zeitschr. f. Herpetol. u. Terrarienkunde, 2(1-2): 20-36. 

---------- Unpublished. Some notes and observations on Giant Tortoises 

Testudo gigantea Schweigger living and extinct of the Indian Ocean 

islands. World Wildlife Fund Project No. 28. Typescript. 

Horsburgh, J. 1809. Directions for sailing to and from the East Indies, 

China, New Holland, Cape of Good Hope, and the interjacent points. 

Part first. London: Black, Parry and Kingsbury, 1-397. 

Lamb, C. G. 1914. Diptera: Heteroneuridae, Ortalidae, Trypetidae, 

Sepsidae, Micropezidae, Drosophilidae, Geomyzidae, Milichidae. 


---------- 1922. Diptera: Asilidae, Scenopinidae, Dolichopodidae, 


18: 361-416. 

Legrand, H. 1965. ~6pidopt6res des i'les Seychelles et d'Aldabra. ~ 6 m . 

Mus. Nat. Hist. Natur. A, Zool., 37: 1-210. 

Loustau-Lalanne, P. 1963. Sea and shore birds of the Seychelles. 

Seychelles Soc. Occas. Papers, 2: 1-26. 

MacArthur, R. H. and Wilson, E. 0. 1967. The theory of island 

biogeography. Princeton: University Press, 1-203. 


western Indian Ocean, south of the equator. Mauritius Inst. Bull. 

2: 137-170. 

Mayr, E. 1965. Avifauna: turnover in islands. Science, 150: 1587-1588. 

Morley, C. 1912. Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 

ser. 2, Zool., 15: 169-179. 

Nicoll, M. J. 1906. On the birds collected and observed during the 

voyage of the "Valhalla", R.Y.S., from November 1905 to May 1906 

Ibis, ser. 8, 6: 666-712. 

---------- 1908. Three voyages of a naturalist, being an account of 

many little-known islands in three oceans visited by the "Valhalla", 

R.Y.S. London: Witherby, 1-246. 

Parker, I. S. C. 1970. Some ornithological observations from the western 

Indian Ocean. Atoll Res. Bull., this issue. 



Resources Division, typescript, 1-71.

Piggott, C. J. 1968. A soil survey of Seychelles. Directorate of 

Overseas Surveys, Land Resources Division, Tech. Bull. 2: 1-89. 

Regan, C. T. 1912. New fishes from Aldabra and Assumption, collected by 

Mr J. C. F. Fryer. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 15: 

301-302. 

Ridgway, R. 1893. Descriptions of some new birds collected on the 

islands of Aldabra and Assunption, northwest of Madagascar, by 

Dr W. L. Abbott. Proc. U.S. Nat. hs. 16: 597-600. 

---------- 1894a. Note on Rougetius aldabranus. Auk, 11: 74. 

---------- 18941,. Descriptions of some new birds from Aldabra, 

Assumption and Gloriosa Islands, collected by Dr W. L. Abbott. 

Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 17: 371-373. 

---------- 1895. On birds collected by Doctor W. L. Abbott on the 

Seychelles, Amirantes, Gloriosa, Assumption, Aldabra and adjacent 





---------- 1914. Mallophaga, Aphaniptera, and Diptera Pupipara. Trans. 





Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 9, 18: 50-76. 

Serventy, D. L. 1951. Interspecific competition on small islands. 

Western Austr. Nat. 3(3) : 59-60. 

Smith, J. L. B. 1955a. The fishes of the family Anthiidae of the 

western Indian Ocean. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 12, 8: 337-350. 

---------- 1955b. The fishes of the family Pomacanthidae in the western 


---------- 1956a. The fishes of Aldabra, Part V. Ann. Mag. Nat. Nist 

ser. 12, 9: 721-729. 

---------- 1956b. The fishes of Aldabra, Part VI. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 

ser. 12, 9: 817-829. 

Stoddart, D. R. editor. 1967. Ecology of Aldabra Atoll, Indian Ocean. 

Atoll Res. Bull. 118: 1-141.

Stoddart, D. R. 1968a. Catastrophic human interference with coral atoll 

ecosystems. Geography, 53: 25-40. 

---------- 19681,. Isolated island communities. Science J. 4(4): 32-38. 

Stoddart, D. R. and Wright, C. A. 1967. Geography and ecology of 

Aldabra Atoll. Atoll Res. Bull. 118: 11-52. 



Turner, R. E. 1911. Fossorial Hymenoptera from the Seychelles and other 

islands in the Indian Ocean. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 

14: 367-374. 

Vesey-FitzGerald, L. D. E. F. 1941. Further contributions to the 

ornithology of the Seychelles Islands. Ibis, ser. 14, 5: 518-521. 


Indian Ocean. J. Ecol. 30: 1-16.

ASSUMPTION ISLAND 

18. Low champignon cliffs and perched beach, east coast, view towards 

the south 

19. Pocket beach i.11 the chanl~):igrlon cliffs, continuous with the higher 

perched beach; north of the high clvnes, cast coast

20. Eroded inner edge of the reef flat where it passes beneath the 

beach at the foot of the high dunes, east coast 

21. Transverse erosional grooves in the reef flat, backed by a rocky 

erosion ramp, beach, and high dunes; east coast

22. Outer edge of the reef flat near the high dunes, east coast 

23. Small dunes on the perched beach, which is densely covered with 

grasses; east coast, looking north

24. Clumps of Suriana maritima and scattered Fimbristylis on the 

eroding seaward face of the highest dune 

25. Scaevola and Fi.mbristylis on the high dunes

26. View from the summit of the highest dune, with ~ournefortia scrub, 

across the low nixed scrub of the centre of ~sswn~tion. The 

line of Casuarina trees on the west shore marks the Settlement 

27. The lee slope of the highest dune, with Tournefortia - and Scaevola

28. Tournefortia and Suriana forming the littoral hedge on the 

prograding west coast, view north from Settlement 

29, Suriana and Pemphis fonning the littoral hedge near the northern 

--- 

end of the west coast

30. Leafless Pisonia in the low rr.ixed scrub in the centre of the 

island 

31. Flat platin almost devoid of soil and vegetation, northern end of 

the island; - Ficus in the foreground

32. Nephrolepis biserrata in a solution hole, north end 

33. Agave, massive Terminalia, and - 

Cocos at the site of the old 

settlement; note the water tank behind the coconut

34. Labourers' huts at Settlement; cornpare with the illustration 

given of similar quarters in Fryer (1910) 

35. Guano'railway and sheds at Settlement

NOSTOC COMNUNE L. 

Seen by Stoddart, 1907 

ACROSTICHUM AUREUM L. 

S. I., Stoddart 1096 (K) . 

13. PLANTS OF ASSUMPTION ISLAND 



Near North Point, Stoddart 1097 (K). 




S. l., - Fox [=Dupont] - 254 (K) (not seen); Stoddart 1072 (K). 

ENTEROPOGON SECHELLENSIS (Bak.) Dur. 6 Schinz 

S. I., Stoddart 1065 (K), - 1109 (K), - 1073 (K); - Price in 1967 (BM) ; 

Dupont 238 (K), - 257 (K); Settlement, Stoddart 1043 (K); West side, 

Frazier 17 (K) . 


S. l., Dupont 109 (K), - 237 (K), - 252 (K). 

ERIOCHLOA MEYERIANA (Nees) Pilg. 

S. l., Stoddart 1063 (K); Dupont 75 (K). 

ERIOCHLOA SUBULIFERA Stapf 

S. l., Fox [Dupont] 258, 261 (K). 

PANICUM ASSUMPTIONIS Stapf 

S. l., Dupont 110 (K, type). 

PENNISETUM POLYSTACHION (L.) Schult. 

Southern part of West shore, Stoddart 1100 (K) 

SCLERODACTYLON MACROSTACHYUM (Benth .) Camus 

S. l., Gwynne & il'ood 1335 (EA) ; Parts of east dunes, Stoddart 1088 

(K). 


148 

SPOROBOLUS VIRGINICUS L. 

Along N. E. Coast, Stoddart 1093 (K). 

STENOTAPHRUM CLAVIGERUM St apf 

East dune 3 mi. from north point, Stoddart 1090 (K) . 

FIMBRIS'NLIS CYMOSA R. Br. 

East dunes, Stoddart 1084 (K); West side, Frazier 21 (K, US). 


Seen by Stoddart, 1967. 

COMMELINA BENGHALENSIS L. 

S. l., Dupont 253 (K) . 



ASPARAGUS UMBELLULATUS Lieb. 

Reported by Hemsley (1919) on authority of Dupont. 


Settlement , Stoddart 1041 (K, US) . 

DIOSCOREA NESIOTIS Hemsl. 

S. l., Dupont 118 (K), 274 (K). 



FICUS NAUTARUM Bak. 

S. I., Stoddart 1078 (K); West side, Frazier 10 (K). 


S. I., Stoddart 1081 (K); Settlement, Stoddart 1062 (K). 


S. I., Gwynne & Wood 1330 (EA) . 


Seen and photographed by Stoddart. 


S. I., Stoddart 1048 (K); West side, Frazier 20 (K) . 

AMARANTHUS DUBIUS Mart. ex Thel. 

East shore N. of Settlement, Stoddart 1106 (K); West side, Frazier 

1 (K, US). 

-

AMARANTHUS VIRIDIS L. 

Settlement, Stoddart 1056bis (K) . 

LAGREZIA MADAGASCARIENSIS (Poir.) Moq. 

S. l., Dupont 248 (K); south of island, Dupont 113 (K) 


S. l., Dupont 216 (K), - 114 (K) ; Stoddart 1092 (K); Thomasset 214 

(K); we-razier 3 (K). This is the plant commonly referred 

to - P. quadrifida, which it does not resemble. 


S. l., Stoddart 1083 (K); West side, Frazier 27 (K, US). 

CISSAMPELOS PAREIRA var. HIRSUTA (Buch . ex DC.) Forman 

Guano pits, Dupont 104 (K, 2 sheets), - 104 (K); Dupont 263 (K) 


S. l., Stoddart 1074 (K) . 

CAPPARIS CARTILAGINEA Decne. 

Seen and photographed by Stoddart, 1967. 

CLEOME STRIGOSA (Boj . ) Oliv. 

Settlement, Stoddart 1059 (K); West side, Frazier 23 (K). 

MAERUA TRIPHY LLA var. PUBESCENS (K1 . ) De Wolf 

S. I., Stoddart 1085 (K); ~u~ont 270 (K), - 260 (K); West side, 

Frazier 11 (K, US). 


Village, Stoddart 1107 (K). 

CAESALPINIA BONDUC (L.) Roxb. 


CANAVALIA ROSEA (Sw.) DC. 

S. l., Frazier 33 (K); Settlement, Stoddart 1046 (K); Dupont 29 (K); 

West side, Frazier 25 (K). 

SOPHORA TOMENTOSA L. 

S. l., Stoddart 1104 (K); Dupont 262 (K) 




S. l., Dupont 107 (K); Settlement, Stoddart 1057 (K).

150 

ACALYPHA CLAOXYLOIDES Hutch. 

West side, Frazier 29 (K, US). 


West side, Frazier 30 (K). 

EUPHORBIA ABBOTTII Baker 

"Dupont records this from all the islands of the Seychelles region 

except Gloriosa ..." Hemsley (1919). S. l., Fryer 52 (K); West 

side, Frazier 32 (K). 



EUPHORBIA INDICA Lam. 

S. I., Stoddart 1089 (K); Dupont 292 (K) . 

EUPHORBIA PROSTRATA Ait . 


PEDILANTHUS TITHYMALOIDES (L.) Poit . 

Settlement, Stoddart 1038 (K) . 

PHYLLANTHUS AHARUS Sch. fi Thonn. 


ABUTILON FRUTICOSUM Guill. 

S. l., Stoddart 1068 (K); West side, Frazier 26 (K, US). 


Settlement, Stoddart 1058 (K); West side, Frazier 19 (K, US). 

SIDA "DIFFUSA" HBK. 

S. l., Dupont 111 (K). 


S. l., Stoddart 1094 (K); Dupont 264 (K). 

THESPESIA POPULNEOIDES (Roxb .) Kostel . 


PASSIFLORA FOETIDA var. HISPIDA (DC.) Killip 

S. l., Gwynne & Wood 1332 (EA); Stoddart 1076 (K). 


S. I., Stoddart 1067 (K). 


Seen by Stoddart, 1967.

MOMORDICA CHARANTIA L. 

S. l., Stoddart 1077 (K); Manager's garden, Stoddart 1108 (K) 



CERIOPS TAGAL (Perr. ) C. B. Rob. 

In deep hole inland, Stoddart 1098 (K). 


Northern part of West shore, abandoned Settlement, Stoddart 1102 

(K, US). 

TERMINALIA BOIVINII Tul. 

S. I., Dupont 272 (K). 


West side, Frazier 12 (K); Settlement, Stoddart 1055 (K) 


S. l., Vesey-FitzGerald 6008 (K); Gwynne & Wood 1334 (EA); 



Settlement, Stoddart 1061 (K); West side, hazier 9 (K). 

PLEUROSTELMA CERNUUM (Decne) Bullock 

S. I., Dupont 249 (K); West side, Frazier 16 (K). 

SARCOSTEWfA VIMINALE R. Br. 

S. I., Stoddart 1075 (K); West side, Frazier 14 (K). 

SECAMONE FRYER1 Hemsl. 

S. l., Gwynne & Wood 1333 (EA); Stoddart 1066 (K); Dupont 115 (K) 

Unidentified Asclepiadaceae 

S. 1 ., Frazier 34 (K) . 


S. l., Gwynne & Wood 1331 (EA); West side, Frazier 28 (K). 

IPOMOEA BATATAS (L. ) Lam. 

S. I., Stoddart 1079 (K), - 1047 (K); West side, Frazier 8 (K) 


Eastern windward beach crest, Stoddart 1087 (K); West side, Frazier 

18 (K). 

- 

IPOMOEA TUBA (Schlecht) G. Don 

S. I., Stoddart 1079 (K) .


Northern part of west shore, Stoddart 1099 (K) 


Settlement, Stoddart 1050 (K). 

CLERODENDRUM GLABRLIM E. Mey. (C. minutiflorum Baker). 

S. l., Stoddart 1069 (K);-West sandy shore, Stoddart 1103 (K); in 

guano pits, Dupont 105 (K) . 

NESOGENES DUPONTII Hemsl. 

S. l., Dupont 250 (K), - 106 (K, type?); Stoddart 1064 (K) 


S. I., Dupont 247 (K). 

STACHYTARPHETA JAMAICENSIS (L. ) Vah 1 

S. I., Stoddart 1054 (K); West side, Frazier 5 (K) 


Settlement, Stoddart 1045 (K); West side, Frazier 13 (K) 

SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L . 




LEONOTIS NEPETIFOLIA (L.) R. Br. 


HYPOESTES ALDABRENSIS Bak. 

S. l., Dupont 101 (K), - 251 (K); Gwynne 6 Wood 1329; Settlement, 

Stoddart 1049 (K); West side, Frazier 6 (K). 

HEDYOTIS sp. 

S. I., Dupont 108 (K), 108bis (K); near South Point, Stoddart 

1095 (US, K). 

- 

TARENNA TRICHANTHA (Bak .) Brem. 

S. l., Dupont 116 (K). 

TRIAINOLEPIS FRYER1 (Hemsl.) Brem. 

S. l., Dupont 259 (K). 



LAUNAEA SARMENTOSA (Willd. ) Alst . 

S. l., Stoddart 1086 (K); Dupont 112 (K).

MELANTHERA BIFLORA (L.) H. Wild (Wedelia biflora (L.) DC.) 

S. l., Stoddart 1105 (K); Settlement, Stoddart 1060 (K) 


S. l., Stoddart 1040 (K); West side, Frazier 24 (K, US, EA).

14. GEOGRAPMY AND ECOLOGY OF DESROCHES 


Introduction 

Desroches is a sand island on the windward rim of a slightly 

submerged atoll located 16 km east of the main Amirante Ridge. The 

atoll is 19-21 km in diameter; its rim has depths of 2-9 m on the north, 

east and south sides, and of 15-18 m on the west side. The lagoon is 

18-31 m deep. There is a sounding of 1598 m between the atoll and the 

Amirante Ridge. Desroches island, which has been described by Baker 

(1963, 60-63), is elongate, 5.25 km long and 0.4-1.1 km wide, with an 

approximate area of 324 ha. Figure 7 is based on aerial photographs 

flown in 1960; there is no detailed land survey. Nothing is known of 

the condition of the peripheral reef of the atoll rim, and whether 

coral is active on it. Gardiner (1936, 435) drew attention to the 

absence of patch reefs and knolls within the lagoon. 

The island is formed mainly of sand, and has a main elevation of 

2-3 m. There is very little surface relief. The south coast especially 

is irregular, with deep bays surrounded by steep beaches of sand with 

cobbles (Plate 37 and 38). Beachrock outcrops patchily on the south 

coast (Plate 39). Beach erosion is taking place at the east and 

especially the western points; at the latter there is a small peninsula 

formed by layers of massive beachrock (Plate 40). No elevated reef- 

rock was seen. Piggott (1968) maps most of the island as Shioya Sand 

and Loamy Sand, with scattered patches of Jemo Series soils. The 

latter occur as rounded lumps of phosphate-cemented sand scattered 

over the surface. 

Table 15 lists previous scientific work on Desroches. Coppinger 

(1883) contributed an important descriptive account following the visit 

of the Alert; Gardiner spent two days there during the Percy Sladen 

Expedition (Gardiner and Cooper 1907); but otherwise the most important 

systematic accounts are the recent ones by Baker (1963) and Piggott 

(1961, 43-47; 1968, 56). 

Vegetation 

.By the time of Coppinger's visit in 1882, the vegetation was 

dominated by "several large groves of tall Casuarina trees, many.. .one 

hundred and eleven feet [34 m] in height". Coconuts had been planted 


Fig. 7 . Desroches

Table 15. Scientific studies at Desroches 

Date - Study Reference 

1770 M. du Roslan: first recorded Findlay (1882) 

c. 1837 

visit 

H. Dufo: mollusca Dufo (1840) 

1882 March 25-29 H.M.S. - Alert, Dr R. Coppinger: Coppinger (1883); 

Collections of birds and Coppinger et al. 

marine fauna. Hydrographic (1884) ; Admiralty 

survey by Capt . J . P . Maclear Chart 724 

1892 Aug. 26 W. L. Abbott: birds Ridgway (1895) 

1905 Oct. 14-15 H.M.S. Sealark: J. S. Gardiner Gardiner and Cooper 

and Percy Sladen Expedition (1907), Gardiner 

1960 Nov. 2-4 

Party 

B. H. Baker, C. J. Piggott: 

(1936) 

Piggott (1961, 43geology, 

soils 47; 1968, 56) Baker 

(1963) 

1965 March 5 W.H.T. Tams and I.W.B. 

insects 

Nye: 

1967 Sept. 24 M. D. Gwynne, D. Wood, I. S. C. Parker (1970); 

Parker: plants, birds Gwynne and Wood (1969) 

1968 Sept. 21 M. E. D. Poore, D. R. Stoddart This report; Fosberg 

General observations; 

collection of plants 

and Renvoize (1970) 

extensively, though few were old enough to bear, and at the time of this 

visit vanilla was being planted round the bases of the Casuarina trees. 

Coppinger noted that the flora was "more extensive than that of the other 

islands"; he recorded Scaevola taccada, a Ficus (possibly introduced), 

the only fern he saw i n i r a n t e s (Nephrolepis), and "herbaceous 

plants of the families Malvaceae, Solanaceae, Cinchonaceae, and 

Convolvulaceae" (Coppinger 1883, 223) . 

Gardiner and Cooper (1907, 155) state that the Casuarina was planted 

about 1835, and though the island was abandoned the tree rapidly spread 

over it. A new settlement was established about 1880, when coconuts were 

planted. At the time of the Percy Sladen visit in 1905 the Casuarina was 

being cut and coconuts were being encouraged. At that time there was an 

enormous clump of Casuarina at the west end, more along the south side to 

the village, and clumps at the east end. Gardiner commented on the lack 

of ground vegetation beneath these trees. 

Thus the vegetation of Desroches, which has been continuously 

managed since 1905, has a long history of human interference. It is now 

actively managed as a copra island, with labourers clearing undergrowth 

and preventing the establishment of shrubs, as well as planting coconuts. 

With the exception of littoral Scaevola, Piggott (1961, 45) found "no 

evidence of the original vegetation. In other ways the flora is very

poor; the number of species is extremely limited and is diminishing under 

the existing system of nearly clean cultivation". This is somewhat 

exaggerated, for though vegetation growth is controlled there is a fairly 

complete ground cover, and our collections in 1968 totalled some 60 

species (Fosberg and Renvoize 1970). There are no rainfall records for 

Desroches, but data for Darros and Alphonse in the Amirantes suggest an 

annual total of about 1500 mm, substantially more than occurs on the 

islands immediately north of Madagascar. 

Undisturbed vegetation is now limited to nearshore areas. On the 

south coast Scaevola taccada is dominant, forming a tall hedge, with 

occasional Suriana maritima and Tournefortia argentea (Plates 37 and 38). 

Guettarda speciosa is commonly found fringing the Scaevola hedge on its 

landward side. On the north coast Scaevola is again dominant (Plate 41), 

forming taller and more open shrubs, with scattered tall trees of 

Ochrosia oppositifolia, Guettarda speciosa, Pipturus argenteus and 

Cordia subcordata. These species are presumably indicative of the 

original " tree flora of the island. Elsewhere the vegetation - is completely 

dominated by tall Casuarina equisetifolia and planted coconuts (Plate 42). 

A few other trees are occasionally found in the centre of the island, 

especially at the southwest end (Guettarda speciosa, Morinda citrifolia, 

large Ficus, Terminalia catappa), but otherwise the only trees on the 

island are huge specimens of Hernandia sonora forming an avenue at the 

settlement. Gardiner and Coooer 11907. 1551 recorded these, together 

with Barringtonia asiatica. We did no; see'the latter, but did record 

Calophyllum inophyllum, also at the settlement. Decorative trees such 

as Delonix r m a m a r i n d u s indicus and economic trees such as 

Carica papaya are found at the main settlement and at smaller settlements 

around the island. A single bryophyte, Calymperes sanctae-mariae Besch. 

(det. C. C. Townsend), was taken on a rotten Casuarina trunk; this 

species has also been collected at Aldabra and Diego Garcia. 

A shrub or tall herb layer is almost absent under the coconuts, 

apart from some Gossypium hirsutum and tall Alocasia near the main 

settlement. The tallest plants of the ground layer are Kalanchoe 

pinnata, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis and Turnera ulmifolia, but especially 

near the settlement the vegetation is kept closely cropped and these 

plants are not important. Grasses collected include species of 

Eragrostis, Stenotaphrum micranthum, Cynodon dactylon, Dactyloctenium 

aegyptium, Eleusine indica, and taller Digitaria horizontalis and 

Enteropogon sechellensis; the sedges Cyperus dubius, Cyperus ligularis 

and Fimbristylis cymosa are all common. The fern Nephrolepis biserrata 

is widespread, especially towards the northeast end of the island. The 

remaining species of the ground layer form a diverse assemblage of 

flowering plants, comprising: 

Bidens pilosa Phyllanthus amarus 

Euphorbia hirta Phyllanthus maderaspatensis 

Euphorbia prostrata Sida parvifolia 

Gynandropsis gynandra Striga asiatica 

Lippia nodiflora Tridax procumbens 

Passif lora suberosa Vernonia cinerea 

-

Cassytha filiformis is very widespread, especially on open ground 

between the seaward Scaevola hedge and the coconut woodland. Ipomoea 

is very uncommon: I. pes-caprae was only found in one place on the 

lagoon beach crest: Aingle specimen of Euphorbia cyathophora was 

found at the settlement cemetery. 

The settlement itself (Plates 43 and 44) has the usual assemblage 

of decorative and economic plants, apart from the trees already mentioned. 

The decoratives include species of Gaillardia, Catharanthus -- roseus, 

Tagetes patula, Pedilanthus tithyma- Mirabilis jalapa; the 

economic plants Moringai- communis, -- 

Agave, Musa, and 

maize. Caesalpinia sp. is also present. 

The combination of Casuarina and Cocos forms a most attractive 

woodland, and Piggott (1961, 44) notedthat "palm yields tend to be much 

higher when next to a large Casuarina and their leaves are rich dark 

green". Nevertheless he later (1968, 56) stated that Casuarina "is 

notorious for the way it reduces fertility. Nothing grows underneath. 

Some still remain and, other than those necessary as windbreaks, should 

be cut down as soon as possible". We feel that more consideration 

should be given to this question before the trees are cut. 


Apart from the birds very little indeed is known of the fauna of 

Desroches. Small collections of marine fauna were made by the Alert 

expedition: they include 8 species of marine Mollusca (Smith 1884), one 

echinoderm (Bell 1884), and either 4 or 8 species (locations are 

doubtful) of Crustacea (Miers 1884). The Percy Sladen party apparently 

completely neglected the marine fauna and flora during their visit. 

Of the terrestrial fauna, a single reptile Hemidactylus brookii 

was recorded by Boulenger (1909), two spiders by Hirst (1911), and three 

species of terrestrial isopods by Budde-Lund (1912). About forty species 

of insects were collected by the Percy Sladen party, and the references 

to the determinations are given in Table 16. 

Land birds 

- Birds 

The following are recorded from Desroches: 

Streptopelia sp. 

According to Coppinger: "I saw only once. But one of the Creoles 

living on the izan; told me that it was an indigenous species, 

and was quite distinct from the domestic pigeons which roost about 

and restrict their range to the houses and trees about the 

settlement" (1884, 225). There is no later record of either; 

Benson (1970) discusses Streptopelia in the Amirantes.

Group 

- 

Orthoptera 

Dermaptera 

Hemiptera 

Lepidoptera 

Coleoptera 

Hymenoptera 

Diptera 

Table 16. Insects recorded from Desroches 


Number of species 

10 

Reference 

Bolivar (1912, 1924) 

Burr (1910) 

Green (1907), Distant 

(1909) 

Fletcher (1910) 

Champion (1914), Scott 

(1912, 1926), Arrow 

(1922) 

Cameron (1907), Fore1 

(1907, 1912), Meade- 

Waldo (1912) 

Theobald (1912) 

Passer domesticus 

Reported (as P. indicus) by Abbott in Ridgway (1895), and included 

by Watson et zl. (1963). Common at the Settlement in 1968. 


Collected bv Abbott on 26 August - 1892 (Ridgway - . 1895), and "with 

great difficultyu by Coppinger (1884, 224) "in the large Casuarina 

grove, near the western end of the island"; "the females were 

nesting". Fairly common at the settlement in 1968 but only 

infrequently seen elsewhere. Status unknown according to Watson 

et al. (1963). 

Francolinus pondicerianus 

Coppinger (1884, 224) noted a "red-legged partridge", Abbott in 

Ridgway (1895) a partridge, and Gardiner and Cooper (1907, 156) 

a wild partridge. Seen in 1968 on the seaward side near the 

cemetery. 

Estrilda astrild 

Coppinger (1884, 224) noted "a very small bird which was to be 

seen every now and then flitting in large flocks among the maize 

plants and low bushes". He thought it a waxbill and it may have 

been this species. There is no later record. 

Serinus mozambicus 

Collected by Coppinger, recorded as Crithagra chrysopyga in 

Sharpe (1884). Coppinger states: "The yellow-breasted finch is 

gregarious, and mostly frequents the tops of the cocoa-nut trees 

and the upper branches of the tall Casuarinas" (1884, 224). One 

specimen collected on 26 August 1892 by Abbott (Ridgway 1895, as 

Serinus icterus). Introduced, according to Gardiner and Cooper 

(1907, 106).

In addition to these records, Coppinger also noted a brown finch 

"not abundant", which "seemed to confine its range to the plantations of 

young coconuts, where it was continually shifting its perch" (1884, 224) 

Shore birds 

Bubulcus ibis 

Recorded as Bubulcus bubulcus by Abbott in Ridgway (1895) and in 

Watson et al. (1963). Not seen in 1968. 


Recorded as Butorides atricapilla by Abbott in Ridgway (1895) and 

in Watson et al. (1963). Seen inland in 1968. 

Migrants 


Recorded by Abbott in Ridgway (1895). Quite common and vocal in 

woodland in 1968. 

Actitis hypoleucos 

Sight record, September 1968 


Listed generally by Parker (1970) after his visit in 1967. 

Sea birds 

- 

Puffinus pacificus 

Seen at sea between Desroches and ~ah6 by Parker (1970). 

Puffinus l'herminieri 

Seen at sea between Desroches and Mahk by Parker (1970). 


Seen by Parker in September 1967 and by Poore and Stoddart in 



Seen by Parker in September 1967 and by Poore and Stoddart in 


Gygis alba 

-- 

"Very common" according to Parker in 1967, but not seen by Poore 

and Stoddart in September 1968. 

Other species of shore birds, migrants and sea birds are likely to 

occur on Desroches in view of the list for the Amirantes in Watson et a1 

(1963, 179-182).

History and Settlement 

Desroches was discovered by Europeans later than most of the islands 

immediately north of Madagascar. The island is said to be identical 

with the "Ile du Berger" discovered by Du Roslan in 1770, when "good 

water" was found. But Du Roslan described the Ile du Berger as consist- 

ing of two separate islands with a channel passable at low water between 

them (Findlay 1882, 128). Such a description would fit Poivre rather 

than Desroches, but Du Roslan's navigation then becomes difficult to 

follow. Ile du Berger was named after his ship I-Ieure du Berger, and 

-- 

Desroches after the Chevalier Desroches, Governor General of the Ile de 

France and Bourbon. 

Casuarina trees were planted during a brief settlement in 1835. A 

new settlen~ez was established in 1875-1880, and coconut planting was 

begun. Since that time the island has been continuously inhabited, and 

Casuarinas have been cut and coconuts planted at intervals. The manager's 

house, offices and plantation works were laid out between 1910 and 1920 

(Plates 43 and 44). By 1882 there were already pigs and poultry on 

the island, and fruit and vegetables were grown (Coppinger 1884, 223). 

Cats and rabbits were noted i.n 1905 (Gardiner and Cooper 1907, 156), but 

there is no further reference to rabbits and the reference may be 

mistaken. There are now pigs and poultry on Desroches, together with 

about seventy semi-feral donkeys formerly used in the coconut mills. 

The manager has a lorry and there is a network of motorable roads. In 

1967 copra production was 179 tons. 

Desroches has clearly changed so much in the last hundred years 

that little evidence of its original biota remains. The vegetation is 

dominated by a man-induced woodland, w2th a characteristic assemblage of 

wide-ranging species beneath the coconuts and Casuarina. There are no 

certain references to breeding land biirds, and the only common species 

in 1968 (the house sparrow and the Madagascar Fody) are both introduced. 

The extent of human disturbance may likewise account for the paucity of 

records of shore birds and sea birds: it is unlikely that any of the 

species noted now nests oil Desroches. No collections o:F the terrestrial 

i.nvertebrates have been made since Gardiner's in 1905, but it is 

proha.ble, .t;fiat like the pl.ants, many of tile species now there represerit 

;icl.i.be-rr;;ie or acciderrtal introtluctloris . 

I?cs'.o(:hes ivas admin:istercii as a ciependency of Seychel:les between 

0 3 : !9h5, iihen it iras irictir.~?o~:c:i'ied in the Drj.tj.sli Indian Ocean 

' / ... ' 

.! $ .,,... ::l't,.Xcy 

.? ..,.. ~ 

. I !:l:i~,, C : . .,, 

192%. i:ol.coi;i:era, Erotylidae and E:fldornycliida.e, fro111 the 

!-.:,:l':i..i:i:les, (:hr3gos, aiii!. P~!~i:ra;ntc?s Islands . (ton , Mag, Nat . f.1j.s.t 

scr, 9, 10: '73-$:3,



Bell, F. J. 1884. Echinodermata. Report on the zoological collections 

made in the Indo-Pacific Ocean during the voyage of H.M.S. "Alert" 

1881-2 (London: British Museum), 509-512. 

Benson, C. W. 1970. An introduction of Streptopelia picturata into the 

Amirantes. Atoll Res. Bull., this issue. 






Boulenger, G. A. 1909. A list of the freshwater fishes, batrachians and 

reptiles obtained by Mr J. Stanley Gardiner's expedition to the 

Indian Ocean. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 12: 291-300. 




Burr, M. 1910. rermaptera. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 

14: 123-133. 

Cameron, P. 1907. Hymenoptera. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 

12: 69-86. 



Coppinger, R. W. 1883. Cruise of the "Alert". Four years in Patagonian, 

Polynesian, and Mascarene water (1878-82). London: W. Swan 

Sonnenschein. 

[Coppinger, R. W., and others.] 1884. Report on the zoological 

collections made in the Indo-Pacific Ocean during the voyage of 

H.M.S. "Alert" 1881-2. London: British Museum (Natural History). 

Distant, W. L. 1909. "Sealark" Rhynchota. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 

ser. 2, Zool., 13: 29-48. 

Dufo, H. 1840. Observations sur les Mollusques marins, terrestres et 

fjuviatiles des ?les ~ichelles et des Amirantes. Ann. Sci. Nat., 

ser. 2, Zool., 14: 45-80, 166-221.

Findlay, A. G. 1882. A directory for the navigation of the Indian Ocean, 

with descriptions of its coasts, islands, etc. London: R. H. Laurie, 

4th edition, 1-1304. 





Forel, A. 1907. Fourmis des Seychelles, Amirantes, Farquhar et Chagos 


---------- 1912. Fourmis des Seychelles, et des Aldabras, resues de 

M. Hugh Scott. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 15: 159-167. 

Fosberg, F. R. and Renvoize, S. A. 1970. Plants of Desroches. Atoll 


Gardiner, J. S. 1936. The reefs of the western Indian Ocean. I. Chagos 

Archipelago. 11. The Mascarene Region. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 

ser. 2, zool., 19: 393-436. 






Tmst Expedition to the Indian Ocean, supplemented by a collection 

received from Mr R. Dupont, Director of Agriculture, Seychelles. 







Lamb, C. G. 1922. Diptera: Asj.lidae, Scenopinidae, Dolichopodidae, 

Pipunculidae, Syrphidae. Trans, Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 

18: 361-416. 

Meade-Waldo, G. 19l2. Hymenopl;cra., Iliploptera. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 

ser. 2, Zooi., 15: 43-44. 

Miers, E. J. 1884, Crustacea.. Rel?ort on the zoological collections 

made in the Indo-Pacific Ocean during the voyage of the I-I.M.S. 

"Alert" 1881-2 (London: British Museum), 513-575.

Parker, I. S. C. 1970. Some ornithological observations from the 

Western I3dian Ocean. Atoll. Res. Bull., this issue. 






Ridgway, R. 1895. On birds collected by Doctor W. L. Abbott on the 

Seychelles, Amirantes, Gloriosa, Assumption, Aldabra and adjacent 


Nat. Mus., 18: 509-546 (actual date of publication June 24, 1896) 






Ann. Mag. Nat. tlist., ser. 9, 18: 50-76. 

Smith, E. A. 1884. Molluscs. Report on the zoological collections made 

in the Indo-Pacific Ocean during the voyage of the H.M.S. "Alert" 


Theobald, F. V. 1912. Diptera, Culicidae. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 

2, Zool., 15: 81-94. 



Institution.

36. Scaevola and Casuarina on the south coast near Pointe Helene 

37. Suriana on the south coast near Muraille Bon Dieu

38. Massive beachrock near the centre of the south coast 

39. Massive beachrock at the southwest point

40. Scaevola and Cocos on the lagoon shore at Settlement 

- 

41. Mixed Cocos and Casuarina woodland near La Guigui 

-

42. Labourers' quarters at Settlement, the path flanked by - Cocos 

and Hymenocallis 

43. Labourer's quarters at Settlement

15. PLANTS OF DESROCHES ISLAND 


CALYMPERES SANCTAE-MARIAE Besch . 

Stoddart & Poore s. n. (Det. C. C. Townsend) 


Stoddart & Poore 1419 (K, US). 

CYMODOCEA CILIATA Ehrenb. ex Aschers. 

Gwynne & Wood 1031a (K, EA) . 

CYNODON DACTYLON (L.) Pers. 

Stoddart & Poore 1390 (K, US) 

DACTYLOCTENIUM AEGYPTIUM fL.1 Willd. 

Gwynne & Wood 1039 (GA)' (small plant with 1-2 spikes about 1 cm 

long, possibly not this species); Stoddart & Poore 1413 (K). 

DIGITARIA HORIZONTALIS Willd. 

Gwynne & Wood 1034 (K, EA); Stoddart & Poore 1414 (K, US). 

ELEUSINE INDICA (L.) Gaertn. 

Gwynne & Wood 1045 (EA); Stoddart & Poore 1405 (K). 

ENTEROPOGON SECHELLENSIS (Baker) Dur. & Schinz 

Stoddart & Poore 1417 (K, US); Gwynne & Wood 1044 (EA). 

ERAGROSTIS TENELLA (L.) Beauv. 

Gwynne & Wood 1033 (EA); Stoddart & Poore 1404 (K), - 1423 (K, US) 


Stoddart & Poore 1393 (K); Gwynne & Wood 1043 (EA). 

STENOTAPHRUM MICRANTNW (Desv. ) Hubb . 


ZEA MAYS L. 

Seen by Stoddart (1968). 

CYPERUS DUBIUS Rottb . 

Gwynne & Wood 1048 (EA), 1036 (EA); Stoddart & Poore 1428 (K) 

- 

Atoll Research Bulletin No. 136: pp. 167 - 170, 1970


Stoddart 4 Poore 1412 (K, US) 


Gwynne & Wood 1032 (EA); Stoddart 4 Poore 1410 (K). 


Seen by Stoddart (1968) 

ALOCASIA? 


AGAVE SISALANA Perr.? 


MUSA SAPIENTUM L. 




FICUS sp. 


PIPTURUS ARGENTEUS Gaud. ex Wedd. 

Stoddart & Poore 1399 (K, P, EA, US) 

MIRABILIS JALAPA L. 





Gwynne 4 Wood 1041 (EA); Stoddart & Poore 1388 (K, US). 

GYNANDROPSIS GYNANDRA (L .) Briq . 




KALANMOE PINNATA (Lam.) Pers. 


CAESALPINIA sp. 


DELONIX REGIA (Boj .) Raf. 

Seen by Stoddart (1968).

TAMARINDUS INDICA L. 




EUPHORBIA CYATHOPHORA Murr. 




EUPHORBIA PROSTRATA Ait . 

Gwynne & Wood 1046 (EA) (no fruit); Stoddart 4 Poore 1415 (K, US). 

PEDILANTHUS TITHYMALOIDES (L.) Poit 


PHYLLANTHUS AMARUS Schum. & Thonn. 


PHY LLANTHUS MADERASPATENSIS L . 

Gwynne & Wood 1050 (EA), - 1040 (EA); Stoddart & Poore 1416 (K, US). 







CALOPHYLLUM INOPHYLLUM L. 

Coppinger in 1822, label mounted "specimen not laid in" (K). Seen 

by Stoddart (1968). 

TURNERA ULMIFOLIA L . 






BARRINGTONIA ASIATICA (L.) Kurz 

Reported by Gardiner & Cooper (1907), not seen during present 

survey.





OCHROSIA OPPOSITIFOLIA (Lam.) K. Schum. 








LIPPIA NODIFLORA L. 


STACHYTARPHETA JAMAICENSIS (L. ) Vahl 


STRIGA ASIATICA (L.) 0. Ktze. 



Gwynne & Wood 1038 (K, EA); Stoddart & Poore 1421 (K). 

MORINDA CITRIFOLIA L. 






GAILLARDIA LANCEOLATA Michx? 


TAGETES PATULA L. 

Stoddart & Poore 1397 (K) 

TRIDAX PROCUMBENS L. 



Coppinger, label mounted "specimen not laid in" (K) ; Gwynne & Wood 

1047 (EA); Stoddart 4 Poore 1411 (K) . 

-

16. GEOGRAPHY AND ECOLOGY OF REMIRE 


Introduction 

Remire or Eagle Island is a small oval-shaped island, 0.8 km in 

diameter and with an area of 80 hectares. It stands at the south end 

of a long north-south trending reef, but is detached from it. Remire 

itself stands on a small reef flat which extends from the shore for 

140-370 m on the northwest and southeast sides (Figure 8). Surrounding 

water depths are generally less than 35 m (Baker 1963, 51-54). 

The island is mainly sandy, with littoral beachrock on the south 

and east shores. Much of the interior, however, has been converted into 

a phosphatic rock, with horizontal pitted and irregular surface, covered 

with loose cobble-size fragments. This plate of phosphate rock, at 

least 1.5 m thick, outcrops at the southeast corner to form a steep 

cliff 3-4 m high on the shore. The phosphate surface is rather 

higher than that of unconsolidated sand, but it has been much modified 

by mining. Braithwaite (1968) has discussed the formation of the 

phosphate rock. Piggott (1968, 60-61) distinguishes the soil of the 

phosphate areas as Jemo Series. 

As in the case of Desroches, Remire was briefly visited by the 

- Alert and Percy Sladen Expeditions in 1882 and 1905. Table 17 lists 

other scientific visitors. The following account is based on a short 

visit on 26 September 1968. 

Vegetation 

The vegetation of Remire has changed considerably since it was 

first discovered. Horsburgh (1852, 182) referred to it as "covered 

with shrubs" and Coppinger (1883, 220) as "covered with a thick growth 

of stunted bushes". Gardiner and Cooper (1907, 157) stated that "there 

are as yet no high trees and the shrubs are as small and stunted as at 

Cargados. A few coconuts have been planted to the north in the last 

ten years. But it is only recently that the last of the guano has been 

removed and the island let for cultivation. A clump of screw-pines 

(Pandanus Balfouri) in the centre of the island was an unusual feature". 

The island is now covered with a dense coconut-dominated woodland 

on the sand areas, and a more open vegetation, with trees but without 


---- REEF EDGE 

0 PHOSPHATIC SANDSTONE 

- 

BEACH ROCK "\ 

\ 

\ 

0 metres 200 \ 

u \ , 

\ 

0 yards 200 -. 

I I 

Fig. 8. Remire (after Baker 1963, Fig. 10)

'Table 17. Scientific studies at Remire 

Date Study Reference 

- - 

1882 March 19-20 

1901 

1905 Oct. 17 

1955 July 5, 

Aug. 16 

1960 Nov. 2 

1967 Sept. 21-22 

1968 Sept. 26 

Explored by Du Roslan 

Explored by M. de la BiolliGre, Horsburgh (1852) 

- 

in the Eagle 

H.M.S. - Alert, R. W. Coppinger: 

general - observations, bird 

collecting; Hydrographic survey 

by Capt. J. P. Maclear 

Visit by G. Naylor for Baty, 

Bergne and Co. 

Percy Sladen Expedition, H.M.S. 

Sealark: J. S. Gardiner, land 

collections, mainly insects 

Viscount Ridley, Lord Richard 

Percy: birds 

B. H. Baker, C. J. Piggott: 

geology, soils 

C. J. R. Braithwaite, B. R. 

Rosen: geology of phosphate 

deposits, modern corals 

M. D. Gwynne, D. Wood, I. S. C. 

Parker: plants, bi.rds 

M. E. D. Poore, D. R. Stoddart: 

plants, general observations 

Coppinger (1883), 

Coppinger et al. 

(1884), Admiralty 

Chart 724 

Bergne (1900) 

Gardiner and Cooper 

(1907), Gardiner 

119361 

Ridlei and Percy 

(1958) 

Baker (1963), Piggott 

(1961, 66-67; 1968, 

60-61) 

Braithwaite (1968) 

Parker (1970), Gwynne 

and Wood (1969) 

This report ; Fosberg 

and Renvoize (1970) 

coconuts. on the ~hosohate areas. A third veeetation tvue consists of 

a littoral hedge surroundirig the island, dominated by Scaevola taccada, 

with Suriana maritima and Tournefortia argentea, with trees on its inner 

edge of Cordia subcordata and Guettarda speciosa. 

The coconut woodland includes much Casuarina equisetifolia, and 

occasional Ficus nautarum, Thespesia populneoides, Terminalia catappa 

and other trees. The settlement area on the west coast is surrounded 

by a row, clearly planted, of tall Ochrosia oppositifolia, and at the 

settlement there are tall trees of Hernandia sonora and Calophyllum 

inophyllum. The ground layer in the coconut woodland consists of the 

following common species: together with grasses (Cenchrus echinatus, 

Stenotaphrum micranthum) and sedges (Cyperus dub&), 

Acalypha indica Euphorbia hirta 

Achyranthes aspera Lippia nodiflora 

Boerhavia repens Phyllanthus maderaspatensis 

Bidens pilosa Sida parvifolia 

Cassia occidentalis Solanum nigrum 

Cassytha filiformis Stachytarpheta jamaicensis 

Cleome viscosa Turnera ulmifolia 

- , 

.

The vegetation of the phosphate area is highly variable. Two 

tree-dominated communities can be distinguished: one with a dense growth 

of Leucaena leucocephala about 5 m tall, the other a more open community 

of Carica papaya with a ground cover on a very irregular surface of 

Ipomoea - pes-caprae and subsidiary Boerhavia repens, Bidens pilosa and 

Stenotaphrum micranthum. On the east side of the island, trees on the 

phosphate are rare, and much of the irregular surface is again covered 

with a thick mat of Ipomoea pes-caprae. Where the surface is smooth, 

probably because of superficial quarrying, the dominance of Ipomoea is 

reduced and other species, such as Tridax procumbens and Cyperus 

ligularis, appear. Weeds on this treeless phosphate are common along 

paths, where they include Eragrostis sp., Dactyloctenium aegyptium, 

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Cassytha filiformis and Portulaca oleracea. 

The settlement has a number of decoratives (Catharanthus roseus, 

Datura metel) and other cultivated plants (Moringa oleifera, Capsicum 

frutescens, Agave, Carica papaya, a large cucurbit) . 

The contrast between the present wooded island and that described 

before 1905 is striking. Remire is at present uninhabited, no clearing 

of ground vegetation takes place, and the growth in many places is very 

dense. 


The - Alert expedition made small collections, mostly of marine fauna, 

including 9 species of marine molluscs (Smith 1884), one sponge (Ridley 

1884), and either 1 or 6 (location uncertain) crabs (Miers 1884). 

Coppinger (1883) recorded a Coenobita as being particularly common. The 

Percy Sladen Expedition made almost no collections of marine fauna and 

flora in 1905. Both the Alert and the Percy Sladen collected a single 

gecko Hemidactylus frenat-unther 1884, Boulenger 1909). Ridley and 

Percy (1958, 43) record in addition Mabuia sechellensis. No lizards 

were seen in 1968. Some 35 species of insects were recorded by the 

Percy Sladen team, in addition to three beetles collected by Coppinger 

(Waterhouse 1884): the references to the Percy Sladen insects are 

tabulated in Table 18. 

Birds 

The bird fauna of Remire shows interesting contrasts with that of 

the neighbouring larger island of Desroches. Neither has any native 

land birds, though more have been introduced to the larger island. Few 

migrants have been recorded on either island, though this largely 

reflects lack of observation. Remire has a much more diverse sea bird 

fauna, dominated by terns, especially Sterna fuscata, -- 

Gygis alba and 

Anous tenuirostris. The island was probably a more important sea bird 

breeding ground in the past, before mining began, and sea bird populations

Group 

- 

Orthoptera 

Dermaptera 

Hemiptera 

Lepidoptera 

Coleoptera 

Hymenoptera 

Diptera 

Table 18. Insects recorded from Remire 


Number of species Reference 

5 Bolivar (1912, 1924) 

1 Burr (1910) 

2 Green (1907), Distant 

(1909) 

8 Fletcher (1910) 

15 Aurivillius (1922), 


(1922), Schenkling 

(1922), Scott (1912, 

1917, 1926), Fleutiaux 

(1923) 

3 Cameron (1907), Fore1 

(1907), Meade-Waldo 

(1912) 

3 Lamb (1912, 1914, 1922) 

may have affected the vegetation and restricted it to shrubs. Ridley 

and Percy (1958) considered the Sooty Tern population to be in danger 

of extinction, and pointed out that the export of eggs had declined from 

300 cases (210 000 eggs) in 1931 to 105 cases (73 500 eggs) in 1954. At 

the time of our visit there were no more than a few hundred terns, mainly 

in tall Casuarina on the southwest coast. The absence of boobies is 

striking. 

Land birds 

There are no native land birds on Remire. Four species of 

introduced land birds have been recorded from time to time: 

Francolinus pondicerianus 

Coppinger (1883, 220) found "a small red-legged partridge, which 

was very abundant, and afforded us some good shooting"; a specimen 

was collected (Bowdler-Sharpe 1884). Not recorded since. 

Gallus gallus 

Coppinger (1883, 220) noted domestic fowl gone wild, with chickens 

which "on being disturbed, rose and took to flight like pheasants". 

Not recorded since. 

Cisticola cherina 

A small active warbler. vossiblv this svecies. was seen in coastal 

Scaevola by Poore and ~tbddart in 1968.' It had the same metallic 

tic-tic-tic call as the Astove and Cosmoledo Cisticola. Not 

previously recorded.


First recorded, d collected, by Parker, 22 September 1967 

Shore birds 

Ardea cinerea 

Three seen by Parker, 22 September 1967 

Migrants 


Seen by Parker, 22 September 1967 

Charadrius leschenaultii 

9 collected by Parker, 22 September 1967. 


Seen and recorded as common by Parker in 1967, seen by Poore and 

Stoddart in September 1968. 


Seen by Parker 22 September 1967. 

Crocethia - alba 

Seen by Parker 22 September 1967 

Sea birds 

Puffinus sp. 

Coppinger (1883) recorded a "night petrel in burrows". There is no 

other record. 


Four seen by Parker, 1967. 

Fregata minor 

"Frigate birds" common, roosting in coconuts (Ridley and Percy 1958, 

18). Seen by Parker, 1967, and by Poore and Stoddart (probably 

this species) in September 1968. 

Fregata ariel 

Seen by Parker, September 1967. 

Sterna anaethetus 

cf 909 collected by Parker, 22 September 1967. 


Reported by Vesey-FitzGerald (1941) to breed, but population reduced 

and spasmodic. Ridley and Percy (1958) found 3200 pairs in two 

separate colonies and considered that the population could be in

danger of extinction because of excessive egg-collecting. d 

collected by Parker, 22 September 1967. A few hundred seen by 

Poore and Stoddart, September 1968. 

Thalasseus beryii 

map collected by Parker, 22 September 1967, who saw about 200. 

seen also by Poore and Stoddart in September 1968. 


d 99 collected by Parker, 22 September 1967, and seen by Poore 



8 QQ collected by Parker on 22 September 1967. Parker reported 

it'to be by far the most common bird & Remire, though he did not 

see it on the other islands he visited (these did not include 

African Banks). Seen also by Poore and Stoddart in September 1968. 

Gygis alba 

-- 

Found nesting by Vesey-FitzGerald (1941). Noted as "very common" 

by Parker, who collected d 99 on 22 September 1967. Seen by Poore 


More species of shore birds, migrants and sea birds will probably 

be recorded, in view of the list for the Amirantes in Watson et al. 

(1963, 179-182). 


Remire was still apparently uninhabited in 1882, though discovered 

in 1770. Coppinger (1883), however, reports finding the ruins of a 

solidly built stone house in the centre of the island. Guano-mining 

was carried on for some years after Coppinger's visit, and was extensive 

in 1900 when visited by H. A'C. Bergne. Huts and a shed were built 

during this period (Bergne 1900). Mining was reported to be complete 

by 1905, according to Gardiner and Cooper (1907). The island has been 

visited regularly during this century for birds' eggs, but it is not 

known how continuous human settlement has been. In 1898 about one third 

of the island had been planted with about 1750 coconuts, which were 

doing well, together with maize and pumpkins (Bergne 1900). Messrs 

Baty, Bergne and Co. held the lease of Remire until 1926. In 1901 there 

were guano sheds and a tramway for the export of guano, and other 

installations included an iron house, a boat house, a store and other 

sheds. Of these there is now no trace. In the last few years, while 

the lease was held for a period by R. M. Veevers-Carter, several new 

buildings were erected, including a large house in Moorish style, 

reservoir, copra drier, and turtle pen; but when Mr Veevers-Carter moved 

to Astove the Seychelles Development Corporation employed only a care- 

taker on Remire, which was uninhabited in September 1968.

Rats have been introduced, but apart from the birds we saw no other 

exotic animals in 1968. 

Remire has been administered as a dependency of Seychelles since 

1903, and was not included in the British Indian Ocean Territory in 1965. 

References 

Aurivillius, C. 1922. Coleoptera (Cerambycidae) from the Seychelles 

Islands, Aldabra, and Rodriguez. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 9, 

10: 421-443. 




Manuscript . 






Boulenger, G. A. 1909. A list of the freshwater fishes, batrachians Bnd 

reptiles obtained by Mr J. Stanley Gardiner's expedition to the 

Indian Ocean. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 12: 291- 

300. 

Bowdler-Shape, R. 1884. Birds. Report on the zoological collections 



Braithwaite, C. J. R. 1968. Diagenesis of phosphatic carbonate rocks on 

Remire, Anirantes, Indian Ocean. J. Sedimen. Petrol. 38: 1194~1212. 




Burr, M. 1910. Dermaptera. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 

14: 123-133. 

Cameron, P. 1907. Hymenoptera. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 

12: 69-86. 


London, ser. 2, Zool., 16: 393-497.


Polynesian and Mascarene waters (1878-82). London: W. Swan 

Sonnenschein. 

Distant, W. L. 1909. "Sealark" Rhynchota. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 

2, Zool., 13: 29-48. 





Fleutiaux, E. 1923. Coleoptera: Melasidae et Elateridae des ~6chelles 

et des Ples voisines. Trans. Entom. Soc. London, 1922: 398-436. 

Forel, A. 1907. Fourmis des Seychelles, Amirantes, Farquhar et Chagos. 


Gardiner, 3. S. and Cooper, C. F. 1907. Description of the Expedition, 





Trust Expedition to the Indian Ocean, supplemented by a collection 

received from Mr R. Dupont, Director of Agriculture, Seychelles. 

Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool:, 12: 197-207. 

Giinther, A. 1884. Reptilia. Report on the zoological collections made 

in the Indo-Pacific Ocean during the voyage of H.M.S. "Alert" 

1881-2 (London: British Museum), 486. 




Horsburgh, J. 1852. The India Directory, or, Directions of sailing 

to and from the East Indies, China, Australia, and the interjacent 

ports of Africa and South America: originally compiled from journals 

of the Honourable Company's Ships, and from observations and 

remarks, resulting from the experience of twentyone years in the 

navigation of these seas. London: W. H. Allen, 6th edition, 2 vols.: 

1-650, 1-890. 

Lamb, C. G. 1912. Diptera: Lonchaeidae, Sapromyzidae, Ephydridae, 

Chloropidae, Agromyzidae. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 

15: 303-348.

Lamb, C. G. 1914. Diptera: Heteroneuridae, Ortalidae, Trypetidae, 

Sepsidae, Micropezidae, Drosophilidae, Geomyzidae, Milichidae 


---------- 1922. Diptera: Asilidae, Scenopinidae, Dolichopodidae, 


18: 361-416. 

Meade-Waldo, G. 1912. Hymenoptera, Diploptera. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 

ser. 2, Zool., 15: 43-44. 

Miers, E. J. 1884. Crustacea. Report on the zoological collections 

made in the Indo-Pacific Ocean during the voyage of H.M.S. 

"Alert" 1881-2 (London: British Museum), 513-575. 




- - - - - - - - - 1968. A soil survey of Seychelles. Directorate of Overseas 


Ridley, S. 0. 1884. Spongiida. Report on the zoological collections 



Ridley, M. W. and Percy, R. 1958. The exploitation of sea birds in the 

Seychelles. Colonial Res. Studies, 25. 


2, Zool., 18: 325-329. 



---------- 1917. Corylophidae (Coleoptera) from the Seychelles and 

Rangoon. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 8, 19: 1-33. 





Smith, E. A. 1884. Mollusca. Report on the zoological collections made 




ornithology of the Seychelles Islands. Ibis, ser. 14, 5: 518-531.

Waterhouse, C. 0. 1884. Coleoptera. Report on the zoological 

collections made in the Indo-Pacific Ocean during the voyage of 

H.M.S. "Alert" 1881-2 (London: British Museum), 576. 




17. PLANTS OF REMIRE (EAGLE) ISLAND, AMIRANTES 


Gwynne & Wood 890 (EA) . 


CYMODOCEA CILIATA Ehrenb . ex Aschers 

"4 m. s.w. of island" Gwynne & Wood 918 (EA); Gwynne & Wood 898 

(K, EA). 

CENCHRUS EMINATUS L. 

Stoddart 6 Poore 1453 (K, US); Gwynne & Wood 872 (EA, K). 


Stoddart & Poore 1458 (K, US); Gwynne & Wood 884 (EA) 

ERAGROSTIS sp . 

Stoddart & Poore 1448 (K, US); Gwynne & Wood 883 (K, EA), - 858 (EA) 


Gwynne & Wood 888 (EA). 

STENOTAPHRUM MICRANTHUM (Desv.) C. E. Hubbard 

Stoddart & Poore 1454 (K, US); - 1470 (K); Gwynne & Wood 871 (K, EA) 

CYPERUS AROMATICUS (Rid1 .) Mattf. et Kiik. 

Gwynne & Wood 879 (EA), - 

892 (EA) . 

CYPERUS DUBIUS Rottb. 

Gwynne 6 Wood 900, 885 (EA); Stoddart & Poore 1456 (K). 







COMMELINA cf. DIFFUSA Burm. f. 






Gwynne & Wood 891 (K, EA). 

LAPORTEA AESTUANS (Gaud.) Chew 

Gwynne & Wood 906 (K, EA) . 



BOERHAVIA DIFFUSA L . 

Gwynne & Wood 877 (K, EA), - 886 (EA) (both very young). 


Stoddart & Poore 1452, 1474 (K) 

- 



AMARANTHUS DUBIUS Mart. ex. Thell. 

Gwynne & Wood 860 (K, EA) . 







CLEOME VISCOSA L. 




CAESALPINIA BONDUC (L.) Roxb.? 

Gwynne & Wood 864 (EA) (only distal part of leaf). 

CASSIA OCCIDENTALIS L. 


LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA (Lam.) de W i t 

Stoddart & Poore 1446, - 1457 (K, US); Gwynne & Wood 888 (K, EA). 




Stoddart & Poore 1459 (K, US); Gwynne & Wood 874 (K, EA). 


Gwynne & Wood 856 (K, EA); Stoddart & Poore 1463 (K). 

EUPHORBIA PROSTRATA Ait. 


PEDILANTHUS TITHYMALOIDES (L.) Poit. 

Gwynne & Wood 905 (EA) (hedge plant). 

PHYLLANTHUS AMARUS Sch. & Thonn. 


PHYLLANTHUS MADERASPATENSIS L. 

Gwynne & Wood 881 (K, EA); Stoddart & Poore 1468 (K, US) 

ABUTILON MAURITIANUM IJaca . l Medic. 

Gwynne & Wood 870 (EL)' (so det. but sterile, could as well be 

A. indicum) . 

- 


Gwynne & Wood 855 (K, EA); Stoddart & Poore 1451 (K) 

THESPESIA POPULNEA (L.) Sol. ex Correa 

Stoddart 4 Poore 1437 (K, US EA); Gwynne & Wood 868 (K, EA). 

CALOPHYLLUM INOPHYLLUM L. 





Gwynne & Wood 876 (K, EA) 



Unidentified Cucurbitaceae 




CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS (L.) Don 

Gwynne & Wood 857 (K, EA); Stoddart & Poore 1467 (K).

186 

OCHROSIA OPPOSITIFOLIA (Lam.) K. Schum. 





Gwynne & Wood 867 (K, EA), - 904 (EA). 



LIPPIA NODIFLORA (L.) Michx. 

Gwynne 6 Wood 878 (K, EA); Stoddart & Poore 1469 (K, US). 

STACHYTARPHETA JAMAICENSIS (L.) Vahl 


CAPSICUM FRUTESCENS L. 



Gwynne & Wood 882 (EA); Stoddart & Poore 1441 (K, US). 


Gwynne & Wood 879 (EA), - 875 (K, EA); Stoddart & Poore 1443 (K, US) 




Gwynne & Wood 865 (EA, K) (glabrous). 



TRIDAX PROCUMBENS L. 

Gwynne & Wood 889 (K, EA); Stoddart & Poore 1473 (K, US)

18. GEOGRAPHY AND ECOLOGY OF AFRICAN BANKS 


Introduction 

The two small islands of African Banks are the most northerly of 

the Amirantes, and are situated on the eastern side of the Amirante 

Ridge (Baker 1963, 48-51). The ridge surface to the west carries 18- 

37 m of water. North Island, the larger of the two African Banks, is 

275 m long and 45-90 m wide; South Island is 230 m long and 70 m wide. 

The islands are 2.9 km apart, and only South Island could be visited 

in 1968. The reef edge lies 450-800 m east of the cays; to the south 

and west there is a wide area of shoal water with reef patches. 

The islands are much smaller, and presumably less stable, than 

others in the western Indian Ocean that have been considered in these 

reports. Horsburgh (1809, 127) reported that "they are almost over- 

flowed at high water spring tides", and Coppinger (1883, 219) described 

one of them (?North Island) as a low flat elliptical cay, built of 

foraminifera1 sand, with "upraised coral sandstone" at its northern 

end, "grooved and honeycombed into various fantastic shapes". Baker 

(1963, 50) mentions relict beachrock extending up to 1.1 km north of 

South Island, indicating considerable shifting of position. 

Table 19 lists scientific visitors to the cays. Apart from H.M.S. 

Alert, all have been concerned with the bird fauna. The Percy Sladen 

Expedition did not call there. 

Vegetation 

The vegetation of South Island consists of scattered bushes of 

Tournefortia argentea, Suriana maritima and Scaevola taccada, all less 

than 2 m tall, with a single coconut and some gnarled trees of 

Tournefortia and a sparse and patchy ground cover of grasses, sedges, 

herbs and vines. Large areas of the ground are quite bare. On the 

seaward beach crest, which is subject to overtopping by waves, there is 

a patch of Paspalwn distichum. The ground cover over the rest of the 

island consists of patches of two species of Portulaca (a small form, 

- P. cf. australis, and a much larger fleshy form), Boerhavia repens, 

Tribulus cistoides, Achyranthes aspera, Sida parvifolia, the sedge 

Cyperus ligularis, and the grasses Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Lepturus 


Date 

- 

1937 Sept. 8, Nov. 

1955 July 5, 

Aug. 17 

1968 Sept. 26 

Table 19. Scientific studies at African Banks 

Study Reference 

- 

Survev bv M. de la ~iollikre* 

, , 

Wreck of H.M.S. Spitfire 

Visit by H.M.S. Menai, Lt. 

Hay, to North Island 

H.M.S. - Alert, R. Coppinger, Coppinger (1883); 

North Island: birds, general Coppinger and others 

observations (1884) 

D. Vesey-FitzGerald: sea Vesey-FitzGerald (1941) 

birds 

Viscount Ridley and Lord 

Richard Percy: sea birds 

Ridley and Percy (1958) 

M. E. D. Poore and D. R. This report 

Stoddart general 

observations, plant collection 

on South Island 

*Lionnet (this issue, Appendix) dates their discovery as 1797. 

repens. Cassytha filiformis is widespread, and completely smothers some 

moribund Scaevola bushes at the southern end. The absence of Stachytarpheta 

may be remarked. 

Coppinger (1883, 219), on the island he visited, mentions "scrubby 

grass and low bushes of the same character as those at Bird Island 

i.e. Tournefortia", with some juvenile Barringtonia but no other tree 

species. 


The fauna of African Banks is dominated by birds and marine life; 

the islands are too small and ephemeral for any large land fauna to have 

established itself. The Alert collected 11 species of marine Mollusca 

(Smith 1884), two species of sponge (Ridley 1884), and two crabs, 

including Coenobita (Miers 1884). Horsburgh (1809, 127) said that 

African Banks "abound with turtle and aquatic birds, but are destitute 

of fresh water". Coppinger (1883, 219) found turtle nests but saw no 

turtle. He also mentions Ocypode. Rothschild (1915) stated that the 

Giant Land Tortoise was found on African Banks in the seventeenth and 

eighteenth centuries, but this is certainly an error, unless it refers 

to an occasional specimen landed from a passing ship. 

Birds 

- 

The bird fauna is dominated by breeding colonies of terns, 

particularly Sooty Terns and Noddies.

Shore birds 

Ardea cinerea 

Two nests in coconuts recorded on North Island by Ridley and Percy 

(1958, 17). 

Migrants 

- 


Seen on South Island by Poore and Stoddart, September 1968 


Seen on South Island by Poore and Stoddart, September 1968 

Sea birds 

Phaethon aethereus 

Sighted from ship off South Island by Poore and Stoddart, September 

1968. 

Sula sula 

-- 

Unfledged gannets recorded by Coppinger (1883) and immature 

wanderers by Vesey-FitzGerald (1941) on 8 September 1937. Booby 

population said to be negligible by Ridley and Percy (1958). 

Sterna dougallii 

Breeds on North Island (Ridley and Percy 1958) 


Collected by Coppinger in 1882 (Bowdler-Sharpe 1884, as S. 

melanauchen) . Recorded as nesting on South Island (Vesey- 

FitzGerald 1941), and as breeding on North Island with a few 

pairs on South Island by Ridley and Percy (1958). Seen on South 

Island by Poore and Stoddart in 1968. 


Recorded as breeding by Vesey-FitzGerald (1941), and as breeding 

on North but no longer on South Island by Ridley and Percy (1958), 

who reported a total population of 43,300 in 1955. Breeding on 

South Island in large numbers in September 1968. 


Recorded by Vesey-FitzGerald (1941). 


Breeding in November on North Island (Vesey-FitzGerald 1941), and 

again recorded as breeding on North Island by Ridley and Percy 

(1958). Present on South Island in September 1968.

- 


Breeds on the eround with the Sootv Tern (Vesev-FitzGerald 1941). 

Breeds mainly on North Island, accbrding to ~ i h l and e ~ Percy (19581, 

but 70 pairs of noddies nesting in bushes on South Island, total 

population - - 5900 in 1955. Present in large numbers on South Island 

in September 1968, mainly in trees and bishes, in contrast to the 

Sooty Tern which was mainly on the ground. 


Breeding on South Island in September 1968, identified by head 

colour and by egg pattern, though difficult to distinguish 

when on the wing from A. stolidus. Nesting in a Scaevola bush. 

- 

Gygis alba 

-- 

Seen at sea near South Island, probably a stray from Remire. 

The sea bird colonies have been much affected by their proximity to 

Mah;, and the population has seriously declined in recent years. Ridley 

and Percy (1958) state that the egg export in 1931 was 2000 cases (1.4 

million eggs), but that it had fallen by 1954 to 108 cases (75, 600 eggs). 

The egg industry is now controlled by legislation in the Seychelles. 


The northern islands of the Amirantes were first surveyed in 1771 

by M. de la ~iollisre. H.M.S. Spitfire was wrecked on South Island on 

21 Aumst 1801. and Lieut. Campbell went in a small boat to Mah6 to 

seek ielp. ~e-arrived there on 2 September, and the Spitfire's crew 

was rescued by H.M.S. Sybille. 

It is unlikely that there has been any permanent settlement on 

either island. There is a small hut on South Island, used by fishermen 

and egg collectors, but no-one was living there in September 1968. 

African Banks have formed part of the Colony of Seychelles since 

1903, and were previously under the administration of Maritius. 

References 



Bowdler-Sharpe, R. 1884. Birds. Report on the zoological collections 




Polynesian, and Mascarene waters (1878-82). London: W. Swan 

Sonnenschein.

[Coppinger, R. W., and others.] 1884. Report on the zoological 

collections made in the Indo-Pacific Ocean during the voyage 

of H.M.S. "Alert" 1881-2. London: British Museum (Natural History) 

Horsburgh, J. 1809. Directions for sailing to and from the East Indies, 

China, New Holland, Cape of Good Hope, and the interjacent points. 

Part first. London: Black, Parry and Kingsbury, 1-397. 

Miers, E. J. 1884. Cmstacea. Report on the zoological collections 



Ridley, S. 0. 1884. Spongiida. Report on the zoological collections 



Ridley, M. W. and Percy, R. 1958. The exploitation of sea birds in the 

Seychelles. Colonial Res. Studies, 25. 

Rothschild, W. 1915. On the gigantic land-tortoises of the Seychelles 

and Aldabra-Madagascar group, with some notes on certain forms of 

the Mascarene group. Novitates Zoo1 . 22 : 418-442. 

Smith, E. A. 1884. Mollusca. Report on the zoological collections made 


1881-2 (Lonion: British Museum), 487-508. 


ornithology of the Seychelles Islands. Ibis, ser. 14, 5: 518-531.

19. PLANTS OF AFRICAN BANKS (ILES AFRICAINES) 


DACTYLOCTENILIM AEGYPTIUM (L.) Willd. 

Southern I., Stoddart & Poore 1434 (K, US). 


Southern I., Stoddart 6 Poore 1438 (K). 

PASPALUM DISTICHLIM L. 

Southern I., Stoddart 6 Poore 1435 (K). 


Southern I., Stoddart & Poore 1432 (K). 





ACHYRANTHES ASPEPJ. L. 




PORTULACA cf. OLERACEA L. 















20. AN INTRODUCTION OF STREPTOPELIA PICTURATA 

INTO THE AMIRANTES 

C. W. Benson 

On 23 September 1967 I. S. C. Parker collected for the National 

Museum of Kenya, Nairobi, two specimens of the Malagasy Turtledove 

Streptopelia picturata on St ~ose~h Atoll, in the Girintes (see map 

in Watson et al. 1963. 1792. Thanks to R. H. Carcasson and A. D. 

Forbes-Watson, I have.had the loan of them, and they have been donated 

to the British Museum (Natural History). 

Both are sexed as females. They have been compared. with material 

of the grey-headed S. p. picturata (Temminck), of Malagasy, in the 

British Museum (Naturai History), from which in colour they do not 

differ. But in wing-length (144, 154 mm) they are smaller, Benson 

(1967, 79) giving a range of 158-170 (mean 166.7) mm for 14 Malagasy 

females, 165-177 (mean 172.5)mm for 12 Malagasy males. They appear to 

represent a recent introduction--more likely artifical than natural-from 

the Seychelles. S. p. picturata was artificially introduced into 

the Seychelles in the zingteenth century, as recently discussed by 

Penny (1968, 271). It has there hybridised extensively with the endemic 

- S. p rostrata (Bonaparte), which in addition to colour-differences, 

inciuding a vinous head, is smaller. Thus Benson (1967, 79) gives the 

wing-length of two females as 146, 147 mm only. Those of Parker's two 

specimens suggest that they do not represent true S. p. picturata but 

- - 

are the result of some hybridisation with rostrata. Some further 

particulars of them are as follows: 

Larger specimen 

(wing 154 mm) 

Weight 135 g 

Irides pale brown 

Skin around eye maroon 

Bill horn-grey, base 

deep maroon 

Feet dull maroon 

Smaller specimen 

(wing 144 mm) 

110 g 

pale brown 

- 

pale horn-grey, soft 

parts tinged maroon 

dull maroon 

Information is very desirable on the extent of this introduction 

into the Amirantes, where there is an endemic, vinous-headed, subspecies, 

- S. p. saturata (Ridgway), discussed by Benson (1967, 76). Parker had 

infhed me that one of the specimens he collected was with a vinousheaded 

bird. He was on St Joseph Atoll for less than a day, and so 


cannot provide any information on the extent of the introduction of 

- S. p. picturata. There is no information about saturata beyond that 

provided from specimens. W. L. Abbott collected it in 1892 on Ile 

Poivre, slightly to the south of St Joseph, and on Alphonse, 47 miles 

(76 km) south of the Amirantes proper (Ridgway 1895, 517). 

References 


Bull. 118: 63-111. 

Penny, M. 1968. Endemic birds of the Seychelles. Oryx, 9: 267-275. 








Location 

21. GEOGRAPHY AND ECOLOGY OF TROMELIN ISLAND 

France Staub 

Introduction 

Tromelin Island, a dependency of ~6union Island, is located at 

1S052' South and 54'25' East, 390 km east of Antongil Bay, Madagascar, 

and 480 km north-northwest of Mauritius. Cargados Carajos shoals are 

about 480 km due east. 

Topography 

The pear-shaped island measures 1750 meters in length and about 

three quarters of this distance at its greatest width (Paulian 1955). 

It consists of coral sand piled up on a coral reef substratum rising 

to an approximate height of six metres above the high water mark in the 

northwestern region. The whole structure crowns an abruptly rising 

submarine cone towering from abyssal depths of about 2500 fathoms. The 

island profile slopes gently from the highest point in the north-west to 

the south-east. To the west, a band of raised reef of the "platin" 

type, met with in some of the Cargados Carajos islets, fringes the beach, 

passing to the south-east into a belt of coral blocks piled up by the 

action of heavy swell and breakers driven by the trade winds. On the 

lee side, sandy beaches occur with formation of small sand dunes. Reefs 

girdle the island at about 150 metres from the coast and are interrupted 

by a pass opposite the north-western coast. Access however to the islet 

is rather difficult and the landing of material for the construction of the 

meteorological station proved a hazardous operation. The airstrip runs 

along the long axis of the island. 

History 

Tromelin Island was first sighted by Captain Briand de la ~euille'e 

on board the - Diane in 1722 and was called Sandy Island (Bourde 1934). 

On the 21st of November, 1776, the Chevalier de Tromelin sailing in 

La Dau hine and returning from a voyage of exploration to Madagascar 

--Tf-E- 

re iscovered the island to which he gave his name. He managed to pick 

up the seven women survivors from the ship LtUtile, wrecked in the 

vicinity fifteen years before and brought them safely back to Mauritius 

(Gardiner and Cooper 1907). 

. % Atoll Research Bulletin No. 136: pp. 197 - 209, 1970.

RED-FOOTED BOOBY 

ISSC+I BLUE-FACED BOOBY 

FRIGATE BIRD 

TROMELIN ISLAND 

Fig. 10. Tromelin, showing distribution 

of breeding bird colonies 

SCALE 

- 

0 w 200 400 METRZS

Climate 

In May 1954, a meteorological station was built on Tromelin Island 

(Platon 1956, Pretceille 1955). It was enlarged later. It is important 

for the air and sea traffic in this southern part of the Indian Ocean 

because it is situated in the cyclone zone of the Agalega-Cargados 

Carajos region where the tracks of cyclones often assume their southern 

curvature. 

The following weather data for the period 1955-1968, obtained from 

the Meteorological Department, ~&nion, through the kindness of Mr. 

E. Davy, Director of the Meteorological Department, Mauritius, is given 

in Table 20. An ombrothermic diagram (Fig. 9) is also included 

interpreting these figures following the method advocated by Bagnouls 

and Gaussen (1953). A dry cool season extending from July to mid-November 

prevails, followed by unstable weather with high precipitation during 

the cyclonic season when the rainfall may exceed 190 mm. 

Objectives and description of visit 

The aims of the visit were mainly to study, within the limits of 

the very short time available, the avifauna and vegetation of the islet 

and to obtain plant material for the Mauritius Herbarium. 

We landed from the military plane, which links up Tromelin once every 

two months with R6union Island, on the 29th of August 1968 at about 

9.30 a.m. and left the next day at 2.15 p.m. having enjoyed the 

hospitality and comfortable quarters of the meteorological station. In 

spite of occasional showers passing over with the southeast trade winds, 

about fifteen hours field work were accomplished. A short 8 mm film 

on Kodachrome I1 was made of the nesting bird colonies and a fair amount 

of photographs both in colour and in black and white were obtained. 

Ornithological observations and collection of plant specimens were made, 

with special reference to studies by previous visitors. 

Previous studies at Tromelin Island 

In November 1953, R. Paulian visited the island, together with a 

party from Madagascar who came to study the possibilities of building 

a weather station there. During his two-day visit, he studied the 

entomological fauna and listed 28 insect species (Paulian 1955). 

Following the erection of the present station in May 1954, E. Brygoo 

accompanied the first relieving party in November of the same year. He 

ringed a hundred Red-footed Boobies and later published his observations 

on the avifauna (Brygoo 1955). On the 23rd February, 1962, R. 0. Morris 

on board H.M.S. - Owen paid a brief visit to the island and subsequently 

published a report about its avifauna (Morris 1964).

Table 20. Meteorological data, mean monthly figures 1955-1968, Tromelin 

JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC. 

Rainfall, mm 175.8 146.0 193.3 109.3 68.0 53.3 61.8 46.8 33.2 29.2 50.3 78.1 

Number of rainy 

days per month 12 14 15 12 10 11 12 12 9 7 6 10 

Maximum 

temperature "C 30.0 30.0 29.9 29.3 28.2 26.9 25.9 25.8 26.4 27.3 28.3 29.7 

Minimum 

temperature OC 25.0 25.3 25.1 24.7 23.5 22.1 21.1 20.8 21.3 22.2 23.6 24.8 

Pressure at sea 

level (millibars) 1010.4 1009.5 1010.7 1012.0 1014.5 1016.8 1017.7 1018.1 1017.6 1016.7 1014.4 1012.3 

Humidity % 8 2 82 83 82 80 82 82 82 82 8 1 82 81 

Insolation 

(hours) (period 

1960-1968) 254.5 235.6 244.2 244.4 247.2 234.4 228.7 233.6 250.1 268.5 272.2 292.0

Vegetation 

The vegetation consists mainly of two communities as shown in Plate 

45. These are: (1) A Tournefortia argentea L. f. shrubbery, one half to 

one metre high, extending around the island but becoming more scattered 

towards the centre, that is, along both sides of the airstrip. Towards 

the north-western end, some Tournefortia trees may reach two and a half 

metres, (2) an herb-mat consisting mostly of Boerhavia diffusa L. along 

with scattered colonies of Sida cf. grewioides Cuill. et. Perr., with 

occasional clumps of ~ortulacaoleracea L. The first plant to colonise 

the airstrip after weeding is usually the species of - Sida mentioned above. 

R. Paulian noted the rare occurrence of Achyranthes aspera L. and 

Ipomoea pes-caprae L. but we did not find the two plants during our short 

visit. The presence of rabbits recently introduced and now feral, may 

account for the absence or rarity of these species which are very common 

on Cargados Carajos 480 km due East, from where birds, wind, and currents 

could probably transport to Tromelin a supply of seeds or torn strands. 

About a dozen coconut trees have been introduced and planted along the 

track to the meteorological station. 

Marine fauna 

In the short time available, it was not possible to study in any 

detail the marine fauna. However, tracks left by turtles coming to lay 

their eggs were quite frequent on the northern beaches and these were 

said to be mostly green turtles (Chelonia mydas L.) by the staff members. 

The Hawksbill or Caret (Eretmochelys imbricata L.) was reported to be 

scarcer. The capture of a Jackfish (Caranx sp.) on hook and line was 

witnessed on the east coast of the island. The small extent of the 

lagoon and the rapid deepening of the waters outside the reef would 

possibly not sustain a richly varied marine life. Pelagic fish would 

probably be more often encountered. 

Fauna other than birds 

A few rats were seen hiding in the shade of the Tournefortia bushes 

during the day. R. Paulian notes that rats (Rattus norvegicus L.) and 

mice (Mus musculatus L.) were swarming in the southern part of the island 

in 1953. We found that their number seemed to have been very much 

reduced, probably due to pest control. There were however quite a number 

of rabbits all over the island, congregating on the more protected 

northern side. 

Great numbers of hermit-crabs, housed mostly in the shells of - 

Turbo 

argyrostomus L. were observed at dusk climbing the Tournefortia shrubs. 

They preyed upon the caterpillars of an insect, Utetheisa pulchelloides 

Hampson (sensu Jordan 1938), which were themselves actively feeding 

on leaves of the latter plants.

Insects of Tromelin 

The following list records the insects known from the islet and was 

kindly compiled by Mr. Raymond Mamet, Sugar Industry Research Institute, 

Mauritius : 

Collembola 

One undetermined species. 

Thysanura 

One undetermined species 

Periplaneta americana L. (cosmopolitan) 

Blatta orientalis L. (tropicopolitan) 

Symploie sp. 

Embioptera 

Oligotoma saundersi Westw. under bark of Tournefortia (cosmopolitan) 

Isoptera 

Cryptotermes domesticus Hav. (Ceylon, Eastern Indian Ocean and 

Pacific Ocean up to Panama) 

Psocoptera 

One undetermined species. 

Hemivtera 

Creontiades pallidus Ramb. (Continental Africa, Arabia, Madagascar, 

Mediterranean region) 

Stenarus leucochilus Reuter on Tournefortia (East Africa, Pemba 

Islands, Madagascar, Mauritius) 

Geocoris insularis China (endemic) 

Pictinus pauliani China on Tournefortia (endemic) 

Homopt era 

Igerna bimaculicollis St21 on Tournefortia (South Africa, 

Kilimandi aro . Madanascar1 - 

Pulvinaria tromelini Mamet on Achyranthes aspera (endemic) 

Coleoptera 

Cratopus adspersus Wat. on Tournefortia (Amirantes, Chagos, Coetivy, 

Seychelles, Farquhar, Cargados Carajos, Aldabra, Astove, Cosmoledo, 

Assumvtion. Maldives) 

Dryotribus mimeticus Horn on dead wood of Tournefortia (Florida, 

West Indies, Galapagos, Hawaii, Adkle and Nyew Tyew Islands, North 

Western ~ustralia, ~hekian~) 

Stephanoderes vulgaris Schauf. on dead wood of Tournefortia 

(Madagascar)

Hymenoptera 

Pheidole mevaceohala a F. (wide distribution1 

A 

Apanteles sp. near - sphingivorus Granger. A parasite of Utetheisa 

(Lepid .) (Madagascar) 

Lepidoptera 

Utetheisa pulchelloides Hampson (sensu Jordan 1938) on Tournefortia 

(Africa, throughout Indian Ocean up to Gilbert Isls.) 

Loxostege coelatalis Walk. (Ceylon) 

Diptera 

Sichopogon reginaldi ~Lguy (endemic) 

Ornithoctona plicalilis van Olfers. Host: probably frigate birds 

(Mauritius, Philippines, New Hebrides, Samoa, Comoros, Madagascar) 

Sarcophaga spinosa Villn. (Mediterranean region) 

Sarcophaga sp . 

Acanthonotiphila scotti S6guy on inflorescences of Tournefortia 

(endemic) 

Hippelates longiseta Lamb. on inflorescences of Tournefortia 

(Seychelles, Amirantes, Cargados Carajos) 

Siphunculina signata Woll. (Madeira, Cargados Carajos) . 

Birds 

- 

At our time of visit, the bird population of Tromelin Island 

comprised the following nesting species: the Red-footed Booby, the Masked 

or Blue-faced Booby and the Great Frigate Bird. 

-- 

Sula sula rubripes 

Red-footed Booby 

In 1954, E. Brygoo noted about 200 nesting pairs scattered on the 

Tournefortia bushes, some nesting alongside the Frigates. Of 100 nests 

inspected, two thirds were occupied by the "white" form, the rest by the 

"brown and white" form. R. 0. Morris in February counted from 150 to 

300 individuals. In August 1968, our estimates for the northern half 

of the island as assessed by the census of occupied nests along 100 x 5 

metres of the Tournefortia belt were about 300 pairs, compared with 200 

pairs for the southern half (Fig. 10). About one third of the observed 

birds were of the "brown and white" form. It is interesting to note 

that R. Newton (1958) found about 4 per cent nesting "brown" forms on 

Ile Albatros at Cargados Carajos in January 1956, in an overall population 

of three hundred. It is a pity he did not describe this form, as Red- 

footed Boobies have now disappeared there probably through the depredations 

of feral cats. Our discovery of a pair of the "white" form roosting on 

South Island of the Cargados Carajos, in April 1968 might suggest the 

possibility of recolonisation from Tromelin Island. 

As to their nesting habits, the Red-footed Boobies of Tromelin 

build on top the Tournefortia bushes. Nests are two thirds to one 

metre apart and made up of Boerhavia strands with a lining of Tournefortia 

leaves on which the egg is deposited. Brygoo in 1954 found the lining

to have been of Ipomoea pes-caprae leaves. A few egg measurements were 

taken. In spite of the meagre data obtained, the eggs from the "brown 

and white" form do appear more slender as shown by the figures given below: 

Colour variation 

Eggs under "white" 

- form 

cm 

All the forms of the versatile Red-footed Booby were observed, from 

naked or fluffy chick that looked as big as its parent, to the two adult 

forms. It might prove useful to describe its morphology in the light 

of previous studies made on this same species by Nelson (1968) as 

occurring in the Galapagos on Tower Island. There they nest, about two 

metres distant from one another, on the Cryptocarpus shrubs. 

At Tromelin the following variations in plumage occur as follows: 

Chick: naked, later covered with fluffy white down. 

Juvenile: has fledged to chocolate brown form. Bill black, feet dark 

khaki, eyes clear yellow. 

First adult form: Golden brown above, light brown beneath, back streaked 

with white to all degrees. Rump, tail and underpart of tail pure 

white. Bill now turned blue. The fleshy part of the head deep 

pink. Eyes dark brown. The head is tinted a golden hue. The 

feet now bright red. The gular spot is black. 

Second adult form: All white plumage with black primaries. Head suffused 

with yellow. Fleshy part of the head, bill and feet as of first 

adult form. The gular spot is velvety black. 

The species at Tromelin as described above seems very much like 

its Galapagos counterpart. It is only in the first adult form that 

differences occur as to plumage colouration, the Tower Island first 

adult form being basically brown sometimes with white scapular markings 

(Nelson 1968). The question whether the first "brown" adult form 

completes its change to the second "white" adult form is still uncertain. 

This would require continuous observation of ringed birds in the field for 

a number of years (Plate 44). 

Skins from a "juvenile brown" and a "brown and white" form were 

prepared and later presented to the Mauritius Institute, Port Louis. 

Their measurements are given below:

Culmen 

Tai 1 

Wing 

Tarsus 

Weight (g) 

Feeding 

'2 "juvenile brownf' 9 "brown and white" 

cm cm 

We noted that the chicks and juveniles regurgitated mainly flying 

fish when disturbed just as they did at the Galapagos as noted by Nelson. 

Rich fishing grounds in the vicinity of Tromelin Island exist for these 

birds and R. 0. Morris noticed that they were very active only twenty 

miles away. 

Sula dactylatra melanops "Blue-faced Booby" 

This species occupied about fifty nest sites scattered along both 

the north and south of the airstrip near the central part of the island 

as shown in Fig. 10. Few eggs were seen, two in a nest being more 

common than one. About fifteen chicks, just hatched or with down, were 

being attended by a parent. They were obviously half way through the 

off period season when breeding is at its lowest. No juveniles were 

observed and the majority of the colony was apparently keeping to the 

high seas feeding. As at the Cargados Carajos the peak period of 

reproduction is probably from November to March as reported by previous 

visitors. 

The "meeting ceremony" of the male relieving a female with chick 

was filmed while they jabbed at each other before assuming the "parallel 

standing" illustrated and described by Nelson at the Galapagos. Like the 

Red-footed Boobies, they were attacked and robbed of their food bolus by 

the Frigate Birds. 

Fregata minor "Great Frigate Bird" 

Although both species of the often associated Frigate birds, F. 

minor and F. ariel iredalei, have been noted flying over Tromelin Eland 

by 0. MTrris in February 1962, only one species, F. minor was noticed 

just starting its nesting season. On this late ~u~ust visit in 1968, 

the males had an extended gular pouch, a few eggs had already been laid. 

In the Cargados Carajos F. ariel iredalei was observed starting its 

nesting in late April (Staub acd Gu6ho 1968) at the onset of the dry cool 

season. F. minor starts probably later there. The juveniles of both 

-- 

species were nearly all gone from the breeding grounds by April-May the 

following year. It is surprising that living in identical climates, 

the F. ariel iredalei of Tromelin Island had not set to breeding.by late 

--

Table 22. Breeding birds and occasional visitors, Tromelin 

Breeding Birds 

Fregatidae 

Fregata ariel iredalei Lesser 

Frigate bird 

~regata minor Great Frigate 

bird 

Sulidae 

Sula dactylatra melanops 

Blue-faced Booby 

-- 

Sula sula rubripes Red-footed 

Booby 

Migrants and occasional visitors 

Laridae 

Sterna dougalli Roseate Tern X ? 

Erolia testacea Curlew Sand-Piper X ? 

Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel 

Phoenicopteridae 

Phoenicopteros sp . Flamingo X 

N.B. X identified species 

X ? unidentified species 

Acknowledgments 

E. Brygoo R.O.Morris F. Staub 

Nov. 1954 Feb. 1962 Aug.1968 

We are grateful to Mr. Edwin Davy, director of the Meteorological 

Services, Mauritius, whose help made the visit possible, to Mr. Trendel, 

Director of the t gun ion Meteorological Services and to Mr. Malik, 

assistant-director, who made arrangements for the journey. Our thanks 

are due to Dr. R. E. Vaughan, Curator of the Mauritius Herbarium for 

helpful suggestions, to Mr. R. Mamet from the Mauritius Sugar Research 

Institute who compiled the list of insects and to Mr. J. ~u6ho who has 

kindly plotted the ombrothermic curve from the meteorological data and 

drawn the sketch map.

References 

Alexander, W. B. 1928. Birds of the ocean. A handbook for voyagers. 

London. 

Bagnouls, F. and Gaussen, H. 1953. Saison s&he et indice xerothermique 

Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Toulouse 88: 193-239. 

Bourde de la Rogerie, H. 1934. Les,Bretons aux Iles de France et de 

Bourbon au xvl'Ieme et au XVIII~~~ siecles. Rennes, Imp. Oberthur. 

Brygoo, E. 1955. Observations sur les oiseaux de Tromelin. Le 

Naturaliste Malgache, 7 (2): 209-214. 

China, W. E. 1955. Hemiptera of the Island of Tromelin. Le Naturaliste 

Malgache, 7: 13-18. 


11. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, Zool., 12: 111-175 (foot-note 

p. 127, by ~bb6 Rochon) . 

Mamet, J. R. 1956. Miscellaneous Coccid studies (Homoptera). 3. A new 

species of Coccoidea from Tromelin Island. Le Naturaliste Malgache, 

8: 138-140. 

Morris, R. 0. 1964. Sea Swallow 16: 76-77. 

Nelson, B. 1968. Galapagos, islands of birds. Lon@.~ans, London. 

Newton, R. 1958. Ornithological notes on Mauritius and the Cargados 

Carajos Archipelago. Proc. R. Soc. Arts. Sci. Maurit. 2: 39-71 

Paulian, R. 1955. Observations sur la faune terrestre de l'lle Tromelin. 

Le Naturaliste Malgache, 7 (1): 1-18. 

Platon, P. 1956. A 1'Ile Tromelin. Rev. Madagascar, 26: 46-58. 

Pocklington, R. 1965. Birds seen on Coco Island, Cargados Carajos 

Shoals, Indian Ocean. The Ibis, 107: 387. 

Pretceille, M. 1955. Petites Ties qui deviennent grandes. Geographia, 

48: 33-36. 

&guy, E. 1955. ~i~tkres de 1'Ile Tromelin. Le Naturaliste Malgache, 7: 

8-12. 

Staub, F. and G U ~ ~ O , 

J. 1968. The Cargados Carajos Shoals or St. Brandon: 

Resources, avifauna and vegetation. Proc. R. Soc. Arts. Sci. Maurit. 

3(1): 7-46.

44. -- 

Sula sula rubripes: chick with "brown and white" parents 

45. -- 

Sula sula rubripes: chick nearly fledged to "brown" juvenile form

46. Sula sula rubripes: "brown" juvenile 

-- 

47. Sula sula rubripes: adult "brown and white" form with few white 

-- 

scapular markings.

48. Sula sula rubripes: adult "brown and white" form with back nearly 

-- 

white 

49. Sula sula rubripes: adult "white" form 

--

52. Male and four females of Fregata minor with Red-footed Booby in 

flight 

53. Nesting colony of Fregata minor and Sula sula rubripes near 

-- 

airstrip, with Tournefortia thickets and herb-mat vegetation

22. SOME ORNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS 

FROM THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN 


Introduction 

These records were obtained while making a collection of oceanic 

birds for the National Museum of Kenya (formerly the Coryndon Museum). 

They were made in September and October 1967 when I accompanied the 

East African Marine Fisheries Research Organization's vessel Manihine 

on routine cruise no. 270. This proceeded more or less directly between 

the points listed below: 

September 14 

22 

23 

24 

26 

28 

2 9 

October 3 

6 

8 

9 

Depart Arrive 

Mombas a September 21 Remire (Amirantes) 

Remire 22 D'Arros (Amirantes) 

D'Arros to St Joseph (Amirantes) to D'Arros (Amirantes) 

D' Arros September 24 Desroches 

Desroches 26 Mahk (Seychelles) 

Mahe 28 Coetivy 

Coetivy October 2 Farquhar 

Farquha: 5 Cosmoledo 

Cosmoledo 7 Astove 

Astove 8 Assumption and Aldabra 

Aldabra 12 Latham Island, off the 

East African coast 97 

km south of Zanzibar 

Methods 

While at sea a discontinuous watch was kept for birds and this 

covered most daylight hours. Where possible, specimens that came close 

to the ship were collected. The opportunity was also taken to collect 

birds on the islands visited, though the time spent was too short to 

permit more than cursory records to be made. Once a bird had been 

collected, it was labelled, sealed in a polythene tube, and deep-frozen 

The collection was kept in this state until arrival at Nairobi, where 

specimens were thawed and skinned. 

Nomenclature follows Watson et al. (1963). 


List of species seen and/or collected 

Oceanites oceanicus (Kuhl) 

Two sightings, one at lat. OSOO'S, long. 4S030'E on 19 September 

1967, and the other at 04'40'S, 54'20tE, were believed to be this 

species. 

Puffinus pacificus Gmel . 

A total of 13 were seen at sea between 4'02'5, 47'40'E and OSOO'S, 

52"50tE, but none were seen in the immediate vicinity of Remire Island. 

They were numerous around D'Arros and St Joseph Atoll and breeding on 

Fouquet Island of the latter group. They were seen frequently at sea 

between Desroches and Mahg and between ~ah6 and Coetivy. They became 

progressively less numerous en route from Coetivy to Farquhar, and the 

last was seen at approximately 09"501S, 51°35'E. Three specimens were 

obtained at St Joseph, comprising one male and two females. Both females 

were taken from nesting burrows. Of these, one had recently laid, the 

egg being collected, but the other did not appear to be in breeding 

condition, the ovaries being very small. This suggests that non-breeding 

birds also frequent the nesting grounds. The male collected had enlarged 

gonads. The nesting ground visited on Fouquet was situated in the midst 

of a coconut plantation and covered the greater part of the island. 

Burrows were seldom more than 4 ft (1.3 m) in length or 1 ft (0.3 m) in 

depth at the deepest point. They were so close together that walking 

across the colony was rendered difficult. For the greater part, burrow 

entrances were in the open, but some were concealed under fallen palm 

fronds or piles of coconut husks. The island's human inhabitants stated 

that the breeding season was October to December and that annually at 

least 600 nestlings were taken as rations. They also stated that the 

continued existence of the nesting colony was entirely due to the complete 

absence of rats on this particular island. When caught the two specimens 

taken from burrows made a goatlike bleat. Stomach contents of one 

comprised a few cephalopod beaks, the second contained a few fish bones, 

while the third was empty. 

Puffinus lherminieri Less. 

Several were seen on 23 Seotember 1.6 km north of D'Arros. and a 

few we;e seen at sea between ~esroches and Mah;. Some 24 were.seen south 

of Mahe within 65 km of the island. 

Phaethon lepturus LacBp . and Daudin 

A mature male in non-breedinn - condition was taken at 4"O'S. 44'40'E. 

Another was seen at 4'25'5, 4S00'E, and two were seen at 4'3S1E, 50°0'E. 

All these birds seen at sea were flying in an easterly direction. On 

land four were recorded on Remire island, and six on Resource Island of 

St Joseph Atoll on 23 September. Several were seen at Aldabra. The 

stomach contents of the one collected were both fish and cephalopod 

remains.

Sula leucogaster Bodd. 

One specimen was secured on Cosmoledo and another on Latham Island. 

Small numbkrs were seen off Farquhar, Cosmoledo and Aldabra atolls and 

around Astove. They were numerous at Latham Island where a small number 

were nesting. Young were present in all stages from newly hatched to 

fully fledged. Some birds were brooding. Both specimens taken were 

females in nonbreeding condition. The stomach of one was full of 

gastropods. 

Sula sula (Linn.) 

-- 

This species was common around Cosmoledo, Astove, Assumption and 

Aldabra where it was by far the most numerous booby. It was also 

recorded at sea at approximately 4'25'S, 4g00'E, in company with Sooty 

Terns Sterna fuscata. One immature was collected at the latter position, 

two more at sea off Farquhar Atoll, and two mature males were taken 

at Cosmoledo. One of the latter was in breeding condition. Both mature 

birds had empty stomachs, but all three immatures contained fish remains. 

Sula dactylatra Less. 

Several immatures were seen at sea at approximately 04'25'S, 

50°20'E, of which one was collected. Several mature birds were also 

seen at sea at 4'40'5, 51°30'E, of which one was also collected. On 

both occasions they were accompanied by many Sterna fuscata. Off 

Astove Island three matures were seen and they were very numerous around 

and on Latham Island. As with Sula leucogaster they were breeding, and 

in all stages from newly laid eggs to fully fledged young. This was 

the most numerous of the two boobies. Nests of both species were 

intermixed. The mature male taken at Latham Island had enlarged gonads, 

another two collected at sea were not in breeding condition. The 

stomach of the Latham Island specimen contained some twenty cephalopod 

beaks, one of the other had cephalopod beaks and fish bones, while the 

third was empty. 

Fregata minor Gmel. 

This species was seen on all islands visited except Mah;. Single 

birds were occasionally seen at sea between 4"01S, 44"401E and Remire 

Island. A mature male in full breeding condition was taken 320 km 

west of Remire. An immature was taken on St Joseph. Stomachs of both 

were empty. 

Fregata ariel (Gray) 

Seen on all islands except Mah6 with F. minor. None were seen at 

sea, but this might be due to misidentificZtionth the latter. 

Ardea cinerea Linn. 

A total of three were seen at Remire Island, 15 on St Joseph Atoll, 

one on Goelette Island, Farquhar Atoll, three at Astove, of which two 

were recently fledged, and they were numerous at Cosmoledo and Aldabra. 

-

(1968) makes a similar observation on Desnoeufs Island, An~irantes. 

There were fewer immature noddies on the ground, but they outnumbered 

Sterna fuscata in the air. Goth species were very tame. The Farquhar 

islanders take at least 1000 eggs annually from this ternery and 

probably many more. Another large colony was recorded on Wizard Island, 

Cosmoledo Atoll. Here all had fledged, and there wcre very few young 

about. There was little evidence of the massive mortality recorded 

from Farquhar. A total of four specimens were taken, one from Remire 

and three from Farquhar. None were in breeding condition. All stomach 

contents were fish remains. 

Sterna -. anaethetus Scop. 

This species was very numerous on Remire Island, hmirantes, and was 

seen on D7&ros and St ~oie~h, hmirantes. It was not recorded elsewhere. 

A total of four was obtained on Remire. Of these one had slightly 

enlarged testes, the others were inactive. Stomach contents were 

entirely fish remains. 

Sterna sumatrana Raffles 

One specimen was seen on Resource Island, St Joseph Atoll, and 50 

were seen on Goelette, Farquhar Atoll. Two specimens were collected on 

Goelette, one of which, a female, was in breeding condition. Stomach 

contents were entirely fish remains. 

Gygis alba (Sparrm.) 

-- 

Recorded as verv common on Remire. D'Arros. St Josoeh and Desroches 

(Amirantes) as well as on Cosmoledo, Astove and Aldabra. A number were 

seen 65 km out to sea between blah& and Coetivy. All four specimens 

were taken on Remire. All were in breeding condition. Stomach contents 

of all were fish remains in which a Sardinella sp. was recognised. 

Anous stolidus (Linn.) 

This species was recorded from every island visited, and was often 

seen up to 65 km from land. It was particularly numerous around the 

Amirantes and was breeding on Goelette Island, Farquhar, as described 

in the section on Sterna fuscata above. All three specimens were taken 

at Remire. One was a male and two were females, none obviously in breed- 

ing condition. In two the stomachs were empty and one contained small 

fish. 

Anous tenuirostris (Temm.) 

Only recorded from Remire Island, where it was by far the most 

common bird. On the western side of the island it was present in such 

numbers that the eight specimens were taken with a shot intended for one. 

It is of interest that all eight were females with very small ovaries. 

Though more likely coincidence, it is possible that the species exhibits 

some segregation of sexes when not breeding. The stomachs of all but one 

contained small fish.

Streptopelia picturata (Temm.) 

Some were seen on D'Arros and St Joseph (Amirantes) but were nowhere 

numerous. The majority of those seen were associated with the small 

patches of native vegetation. Two females were taken. These are 

discussed by Benson (1970a). 

Geopelia striata (Linn.) 

This species is common on North Island, Farquhar Atoll. One male 

was collected in breeding condition. 

Foudia madagascariensis (Linn.) 

This species was the only passerine seen on Remire Island, and was 

numerous on D'Arros, Resource and St Joseph Atoll. One taken on Remire 

was in non-breeding dress with only a few red feathers on the head, and 

one from St Joseph was in breeding plumage with a little olive on the 

nape. 

Passer domesticus (Linn.) 

This introduced species is very common on D'Arros, Resource and St 

Joseph Atoll. A female was collected at the latter locality. 

Cisticola cherina (Smith) 

This species was numerous on Menai Island, Cosmoledo Atoll, and on 

Astove. ~hree males were collected on Menai Island, and two males on 

Astove. For a full discussion of specimens of this and the next two 

species, see Benson (1970b). 

Nectarinia sovimanga (Gmel .) 

The one species was recorded on Menai Island of Cosmoledo Atoll, 

Astove, ~ssum~iion and Aldabra, and appeared to be the only Nectarinia 

species on these islands. Ten specimens of - N. - s. buchenorum (Williams) 

were collected on Menai Island and Astove. 

Zosterops maderaspatana (Linn .) 

This species was observed on Astove (only six specimens seen) and 

on ~ldabra,-where it appeared numerous. The two specimens collected 

were obtained on Astove. 

Corvus albus Muller 

No attempt was made to secure specimens of this species. However 

a pair was recorded on Menai ~sland,~~osmoledo, anothe; on Astove, six 

individuals were seen on Assumption, and at least 24 during the short 

stay on Aldabra. 

Weights 

When it did not interfere with other scientists' activities 

specimens were weighed before freezing. It was not possible to weigh 

every specimen, but the following table gives the records made; weights

References 

Bailey, R. S. 1968. The pelagic distribution of sea-birds in the 

western Indian Ocean. Ibis, 110: 493-519. 

Benson, C. W. 1970a. An introduction of Streptopelia picturatg into 

the Amirantes. Atoll Res. Bull., this issue. 

---------- 1970b. Land (including shore) birds of Cosmoledo. Atoll Res. 


Moreau, R. E. 1940. Contribution to the ornithology of the East African 

islands. Ibis, ser. 14, 4: 48-91. 




APPENDIX: NAMES OF THE ISLANDS 


The coral islands of the western Indian Ocean are nearly all 

dependencies of the Seychelles. Among the exceptions are Agalega, which 

belongs to Mauritius, the Gloriosa Islands, which belong to the 

Malagasy Republic, and the islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory. 

Of these latter, Desroches, Farquhar and Aldabra were until 1965 part 

of the Seychelles, and the Chagos Archipelago was formerly administered 

by Mauritius. As the islands have generally been named after their 

discoverers or early explorers, their names recall the early history 

of the Indian Ocean. 

Denis and Bird Islands 

Denis Island bears the name of Denis de Trobriand, who took 

possession of it in the name of the King of France in 1777, while in 

command of the flute LtEtoile. Bird Island, better known in the 

Seychelles as Ile aux-vaches, has been named after the numerous sea 

birds, mainly Sooty Terns, which breed upon it. Its alternative name 

refers to the vaches marines, or dugongs, which were formerly found 

there. 

Platte, Coetivy and Agalega 

Platte (the correct orthography should be Plate) owes its French 

name to its topography. It is indeed so flat and low that it is 

difficult to locate, especially during rough weather. It was discovered 

and named by Lieutenant de Lamperiere, of the goelette - La Curieuse, in 

1769. 

Coetivy bears the name of the Chevalier de Cogtivy, who sighted it 

on 3 July 1771, while in command of the flute -- Ile de France. Agalega 

or Galega derives, according to E. de Froberville, from Portuguese 

words meaning "the Galician". This island is therefore reported to have 

been named after the Galician navigator JoZo de Nova, who is believed 

to have discovered it in 1501. 

The Amirantes 

The Amirantes, which figured on early Portuguese charts as the 

Ilhas do Almirante, or Admiral's Islands, are believed to have been 

named after Vasco da Gama, the celebrated Portuguese navigator, who is 


elieved to have sighted them in 1502, soon after acceding to the rank 

of Admiral, during his second voyage in the Indian Ocean. They were 

explored in 1771, the southern islands in January of that year by the 

Chevalier du Roslan of the corvette L'lleure du Berger, and by the 

Chevalier d'Herce' of the corvette LIEtoile -- du Matin; the northern 

islands by the Chevalier de la ~ioilikre, also of the corvette L'Etoile 

-- du Matin, in November of the same year. They were formally taken 

possession of, in the name of France, on 7 September and' 5 October 1802, 

by the Sieur Blin, who sailed from the Seychelles on the goelette - La 

Rosalie for that purpose. 

The origin of the name of the African Banks or Bancs Africains is 

not known. They were discovered and named Ilots Africains in 1797 by 

Admiral Willaumez, then a Capitaine de Vaisseau in command of the 

frigate - La Re'gdndrde . 

Eagle Island, known in Seychelles as Rdmire, bears the name of 

an English ship which visited it in 1771. The origin of its French 

name is not known. Eagle was visited by the Chevalier de la ~iolli'ere 

in 1771. 

Daros bears the name of the Baron dlArros, Marine Commandant at 

the Ile de France (Mauritius) from 1770 to 1771. 

Poivre bears the name of Pierre Poivre, the famous "Pete~ Pepper" 

and Intendant of the Ile de France (Mauritius) and Bourbon (Reunion) 

from 1769 to 1772. It was visited by the Chevalier du Roslan, but was 

named by the Chevalier de la ~iolli;re, in 1771. 

Boudeuse and Etoile are believed- to have been named after the two 

ships of Bougainville's famous voyage round the world, from 1766 to 1769. 

They were explored and named by the Chevalier du Roslan in 1771. 

Marie Louise was visited and named by the Chevalier du Roslan in 

1771. It was the fourth island located by that explorer in the course 

of his voyage in the Amirantes. The origin of the name is not known. 

Desnoeufs, or Desneuf, which means "one of the nine", is believed 

to owe its name to the fact that it is one of the nine main islands 

of the Amirantes. It was, however, only the fifth island located by 

the Chevalier du Roslan, during his voyage in the Amirantes, in 1771, 

and who named it Ile des Neufs. On the other hand, according to E. 

de Froberville, the name should be "des Noeuds"; the origin of this 

latter name is not known. 

Desroches has been named after the Chevalier des Roches, the 

Governor of the Ile de France (now Mauritius) and Bourbon (now guni ion) 

from 1767 to 1772. It was explored by the Chevalier de la ~iollihre in 

1771.

Alphonse, St Franfois and Bijoutier 

Alphonse bears the name of its discoverer, the Chevalier Alphonse 

de Pontevez, of the frigate Le Lys, who visited it on 28 January 1730. 

-- 

St Frangois, which was discovered on the same occasion, was named 

presumably after the religious feast of 29 January, which is that of 

St Fran~ois de Sales. 

The origin of the name of the third island of the group, Bijoutier, 

is not known. 

St Pierre, Providence and Farquhar 

St Pierre bears the name of a ship, that of Captain Dechemin, who 

visited the island on 6 June 1732. 

Providence was named "La Providence" by the crew of a French 

frigate, LtHeureuse, which was wrecked on a neighbouring bank in 1769, 

and who managed to reach the island. 

The Farquhar Islands were formerly called Juan de Nova (or Jean 

de Nova), after Jo"a de Nova, the Galician navigator. Their names 

were changed in or about 1810, when they were renamed after the first 

British Governor of Mauritius, Sir Robert Townsend Farquhar. The 

islands were visited by the Chevalier de Pontevez in 1730. 

The Aldabra Group 

Cosmoledo, according to d'Avezac, bears the name of an unknown 

Portuguese navigator. The two main islands of the group, Menai and 

Wizard, have been named after two ships of Captain Moresby, who visited 

them in 1822. The group was sighted by Captain Nicolas Morphey, of the 

frigate Le Cerf, on 13 August 1756. 

-- 

The name Astove, according to d'Avezac, derives from the Portuguese 

words "As Doze Ilhas", meaning the twelve islands, which he claims was 

originally the name of the Farquhar islands but which was tranferred 

in error to Astove. Astove was visited by Captain Lazare Picault, of 

the tartane LIElisabeth, and Captain Jean Grossin, of the boat - Le 

Charles, in 7742, during their exploration of the Seychelles. 

Assumption Island (Assomption in French) was discovered by Captain 

Nicolas Morphey on 14 August 1756, and named presumably after the 

religious feast of the next day. 

The origin of the name Aldabra is uncertain. It has been said 

to derive from the Arabic "al-Kadhra", meaning "the green", and also 

from "Aldaraba", a type of door knocker the same shape as the atoll. 

According to dtAvezac the atoll should be named Ilha da Area, meaning

Sand Island, though this hardly seems appropriate. C. Elgood (Seychelles 

Bulletin, 6 April 1967) claimed that Aldabra could derive from the Arabic 

"al-Dabaran", which means the five stars in Taurus, more particularly the 

brightest of the group. If the first of these derivations is accepted, 

it could be attributed to the fact that the large lagoon on Aldabra 

produces a green reflection in the sky above the atoll, which can be seen 

for miles out at sea. Aldabra was sighted by Captain Lazare Picault and 

Captain Jean Grossin in 1742. 

References 

Bradley, J. T. 1940. Ristory of Seychelles. Vol. 1. ~ahe', Seychelles. 

Bulpin, T. V. 1960. Islands in the forgotten sea. Cape Town. 

Coppinger, R. W. 1883. Cruise of the Alert. London. 

Fauvel, A. A. 1909. Unpublished documents on the history of the 

Seychelles prior to 1810. ~ah6, Seychelles. 

Froberville, E. de. 1848. Iles de llAfrique. In L'Univers (ed. M. 

dlAvezac), Vol. 6, part 3. Paris. 

McEwen, A. C. 1961. Fragments of early Seychelles history. J. Seychelles 

SOC. 1: 22-31.

ATOLL RESEARCH BULLETIN - Smithsonian Institution

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