Volume 55 Published on 25 October 2002
Here is the first book dealing with all native or introduced freshwater fishes or crustaceans of French Polynesia. It is intended for naturalists, teachers, researchers, fishermen or aquarists. It’s objective is also to be a tool for the Polynesian managers in order to contribute to the conservation of aquatic communities. The biodiversity of Polynesian freshwaters is important : 37 fish species and 18 decapod crustaceans species. Endemic freshwater species represent more than 31% in French Polynesia (40,5% for the fishes and 11% for the crustaceans) and more than 64% of the fish species in the Marquises islands. Various approaches are proposed to contribute to the identification of the species : keys, decriptive cards and vernacular names. The cards inform about biology, ecology and the distribution, particularly in the Pacific area, using more than 100 original photographies or drawings and as many detailed map. A chapter deals also with the history of local ichthyology and species introductions.
