Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Pleistocene mollusc assemblage in the slightly raised atoll lagoon of Niau (Tuamotu, French Polynesia)

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
PalZ Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Surveys conducted at Niau, a slightly raised atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago, revealed a brackish community with only a few extant species of fishes, crustaceans and molluscs in the residual semi-enclosed lagoon. Dredging of superficial sediments near the Niau lagoon resulted in a rich shell mollusc assemblage with 120 species, dating from the Pleistocene Last Interglacial Maximum (120,000 years BP). The assemblage contains 3 previously described new species, collected nowhere else since, and 12 species locally extinct but extant in the Indo-Pacific. Results are compared with previous studies on Pleistocene reefs of the Indo-Pacific.

Kurzfassung

Studien die auf Niau – einem leicht gehobenem Atoll innerhalb des Tuamotu-Archipels – durchgeführt wurden, zeigten eine Brackwasser-Gemeinschaft mit nur wenigen heute noch lebenden Arten von Fischen, Crustaceen und Mollusken in der restlichen halbgeschlossenen Lagune an. Baggergut der Oberflächen-Sedimente nahe der Niau-Lagune erbrachte eine reichhaltige Molluskengemeinschaft mit 120 Arten aus dem letzten Interglazial-Maximum (Pleistozän; 120.000 Jahre vor heute). Darunter drei vorläufig beschriebene neue Arten, die nirgendwoanders bekannt sind, sowie 12 Arten die zwar aus dem Indo-Pazifik nachgewiesen, lokal jedoch ausgestorben sind. Unsere Ergebnisse wurden mit vorangegangenen Untersuchungen an Pleistozän-Riffen des Indo-Pazifiks verglichen.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adjeroud, M., C. Carden, C.C. Wallace, P. Bosserelle, C. Payri, J.L. Menou, and M. Pichon. 2016. Reefs at the edge: coral community structure around Rapa, southernmost French Polynesia. Marine Ecology 37 (3): 565–575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adjeroud, M., M. Pichon, and C.C. Wallace. 2009. High latitude, high coral diversity at Rapa, in southernmost French Polynesia. Coral Reefs 28: 459.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrefouet, S., S.V. Bothorel, M. Guezennec, H. Rougeaux, J. Guezennec, and J. Trichet. 2001. Physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of microbial mats (kopara) in the South Pacific atolls of French Polynesia. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 47: 994–1012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrefouet, S., A. Gilbert, L. Yan, G. Remoissenet, C. Payri, and Y. Chancerelle. 2005. The remarkable population size of the endangered clam Tridacna maxima assessed in Fangatau Atoll (Eastern Tuamotu, French Polynesia) using in situ and remote sensing data. Journal of Marine Science 62: 1037–1048.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arua, I., and M. Hoque. 1989. Study of the shape of Naticid and Muricid boring in plan view in Eocene prey from Southeastern Nigeria. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 72: 357–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Augustin, D., R. Galzin, P. Legendre, and B. Salvat. 1997. Variation interannuelle des peuplements récifaux du récif–barrière de Tiahura (île de Moorea, Polynésie française). Oceanologica Acta 20 (5): 743–756.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, J.W., L.R. Edwards, E. Ito, F.W. Taylor, J. Récy, F. Rougerie, P. Joannot, and C. Hénin. 1992. Sea–surface temperature from skeletal strontium/calcium ratios. Science 257: 644–647.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beu, A.G. 2005. Neogene fossil tonnoidean gastropods of Indonesia. Scripta Geologica 130: 1–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouchet, P., H. Le Guyader, and O. Pascal (eds.). 2011. The natural history of Santo, 70th ed, 1–572. Paris: Publications Scientifiques du Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Patrimoines Naturels.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butaud, J.F. 2007. Etude de la flore vasculaire de l’atoll soulevé de Niau, cartographie de sa végétation, caractérisation de l’habitat du Martin-Chasseur de Niau et priorités de conservation, 1–38. Papeete: Société Ornithologique de Polynésie.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cabioch, G., L. Montaggioni, N. Frank, C. Seard, E. Salle, C. Payri, B. Pelletier, and M. Paterne. 2008. Successive reef depositional events along the Marquesas foreslopes (French Polynesia) since 26 ky. Marine Geology 254: 18–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camoin, G., P. Ebran, A. Eisenhauer, E. Bard, and G. Faure. 2001. A 300.000–year coral reef record of sea level changes, Mururoa atoll (Tuamotu archipelago, French Polynesia). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatololgy, Palaeoecology 175: 325–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chevalier, J.P. 1976. Etude des coraux fossiles récoltés dans le forage DSDP 76 en mer profonde dans les Tuamotu du Nord. Bulletin de le Société Géologique de France 18 (7.5): 1307–1313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chevalier, J.P. 1979. La faune corallienne (Scleractinaires et Hydrocoralliaires) de la Polynésie Française. Cahiers de l’Indo-Pacifique 1: 129–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chevalier, J.P., and D.H.H. Kühlmann. 1983. Les scléractiniaires de Moorea, île de la Société (Polynésie française). Journal de la Société des Océanistes 39 (77): 55–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cibois, A., J.C. Thibault, and E. Pasquet. 2007. Les rousserolles de l’archipel des Tuamotu (Polynésie française): aspect historique et stratégie de conservation, 1–76. Papeete: Société d’Ornithologie de Polynésie française.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crame, J.A. 1986. Late pleistocene molluscan assemblages from the coral reefs of the Kenya coast. Coral Reefs 4: 183–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson, W.R. 2001. Paleoshoreline record of relative Holocene sea levels on Pacific islands. Earth Science Revue 55: 191–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson, W.R. 2004. Impacts of eustasy and hydro-isostasy on the evolution and landforms of Pacific atolls. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatololgy, Palaeoecology 213: 251–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Facon, B., J.P. Pointier, M. Glaubrecht, C. Poux, P. Jarne, and P. David. 2003. A molecular phylogeography approach to biological invasions of the New World by parthenogenetic Thiarid snails. Molecular Ecology 12: 3027–3039.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fairbanks, R.G. 1989. A 17,000-year glacio-eustatic sea level record: influence of glacial melting dates on the Younger Dryas event and deep ocean circulation. Nature 342: 637–642.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harland, W.B., R.L. Armstrong, A.V. Cox, L.E. Craig, A.G. Smith, and D.G. Smith. 1989. A Geologic Time Scale. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayasaka, S., and K. Oki. 1971. Note on the marine molluscan fauna from the Pleistocene Kogashira formation in the Kagoshima city, south Kyushu, Japan. Report of the Faculty of Sciences of Kagoshima University, Earth Science Biology 4: 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houart, R. 2013. The genus Daphnellopsis (Gastropoda: Muricidae) in the recent and quaternary of the Indo-West Pacific province. Journal of Conchology 41 (4): 465–480.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huber, M. 2010. Compendium of bivalves. A full-color guide to 3300 of the World’s Marine Bivalves. A status on Bivalvia after 250 years of research, 1–901. Hackenheim: Conch Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Humblet, M., Y. Iryu, and T. Nakamori. 2009. Variations in Pleistocene coral assemblages in space and time in southern and northern Central Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Marine Geology 259: 1–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Irving, R., and T. Dawson. 2012. The marine environment of the Pitcairn Islands. A report to Global Ocean Legacy, a project of the Pew Environment Group, 1–104. Auckland: Discovery Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ito, G., M. McNutt, and R.L. Gibson. 1995. Crustal structure of the Tuamotu Plateau, 150 S, and implication for its origin. Journal of Geophysical Research 100 (B5): 8097–8114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaubert, J., B.A. Thomassin, and P. Vasseur. 1976. Morphologie et étude bionomique préliminaire de la pente externe du récif de Tiahura, île de Moorea (Polynésie française). Cahiers du Pacifique 19: 299–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kilburn, R.N., and E. Rippey. 1982. Sea Shells of Southern Africa, 1–249. Johannesburg: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohn, A.J., and I. Arua. 1999. An early Pleistocene molluscan assemblage from Fiji: gastropod faunal composition, paleoecology and biogeography. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatololgy, Palaeoecology 146: 99–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kosuge, S. 1969. Fossil mollusks of Oahu, Hawaii Islands. Bulletin of the National Science Museum 12: 783–794.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kühlmann, D.H.H., and J.P. Chevalier. 1986. Les coraux (Scléractinaires et Hydrocoralliaires) de l’atoll de Takapoto, îles Tuamotu: aspects écologiques. Marine Ecology 7 (1): 75–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laboute, P. 1985. Evaluation des dégâts causés par les passages des cyclones de 1982-1983 en Polynésie française sur les pentes externes des atolls de Tikehau et de Takapoto (Archipel des Tuamotu). Proceedings of the Fifth International Coral Reef Congress, Tahiti 3: 323–329

  • Ladd, H.S. 1966. Chitons and Gastropods (Haliotidae through Adeorbidae) from the Western Pacific islands. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 531: 1–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladd, H.S. 1972. Cenozoic fossil mollusks from Western Pacific Islands; gastropods (Turritellidae through Strombidae). U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 532: 1–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladd, H.S. 1975. Two Pleistocene Volutes from the New Hebrides. The Veliger 18 (2): 134–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladd, H.S. 1976. New Pleistocene Neogastropoda from the New Hebrides. The Nautilus 90 (4): 127–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladd, H.S. 1977. Cenozoic fossil mollusks from Western Pacific Islands; gastropods (Eratoidae through Harpidae). U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 533: 1–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladd, H.S. 1982. Cenozoic fossil mollusks from Western Pacific Islands; gastropods (Eulimidae and Volutidae through Terebridae). U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1171: 1–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lison de Loma, T. (2015). La biodiversité côtière des îles Australes. In Environnement marin des îles Australes, Polynésie française, eds. B. Salvat, T. Bambridge, D. Tanret, and J. Petit, 56–66. Moorea: Institut Récifs Coralliens Pacifique—CRIOBE, The Pew Charitable Trusts Polynésie française.

  • Lozouet, P., A.G. Beu, P. Maestrati, R. Pineda, and J.-L. Reyss. 2011. The natural history of Santo. In The Holocene and Pleistocene marine faunas reconsidered, 70th ed, ed. P. Bouchet, H. Le Guyader, and O. Pascal, 25–33. Paris: Publications Scientifiques du Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Patrimoines Naturels.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCulloch, M.T., and T. Esat. 2000. The coral record of last interglacial sea levels and sea surface temperatures. Chemical Geology 169: 107–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McManus, J.W. 1985. Marine speciation, tectonics and sea-level changes in Southeast Asia. Proceedings of the Fifth International Coral Reef Congress, Tahiti 4: 133–138

  • Meyer, C.P., J.B. Geller, and G. Paulay. 2005. Fine scale endemism on coral reefs: archipelagic differentiation in turbinid gastropods. Evolution 59 (1): 113–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montaggioni, L.F. 1985. Makatea island, Tuamotu archipelago. Proceedings of the Fifth International Coral Reef Congress, Tahiti 1: 103–160

  • Montaggioni, L.F. 1989. Le soulèvement polyphasé d’origine volcano-isostasique: clef de l’évolution post-oligocène des atolls du Nord-Ouest des Tuamotus (Pacifique central). Comptes Rendus des séances de l’ Académie des Sciences Paris 309 (2): 1591–1598.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montaggioni, L.F. 2015. Naissance et évolution géologique des îles Australes. In Environnement marin des îles Australes, Polynésie française, eds. B. Salvat, T. Bambridge, D. Tanret, and J. Petit, 28–39. Moorea: Institut Récifs Coralliens Pacifique – CRIOBE, The Pew Charitable Trusts Polynésie française.

  • Montaggioni, L.F., and C.J.R. Braithwaite. 2009. Quaternary coral reef system. History, development processes and controlling factors. Developments in Marine Geology 5: 1–550.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muhs, D.R., K.R. Simmons, and B. Steinke. 2002. Timing and warmth of the last interglacial period: new U-series evidence from Hawaii and Bermuda and a new fossil compilation for North America. Quaternary Science Reviews 21: 1355–1383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakada, M., and K. Lambeck. 1988. The melting history of the Late Pleistocene Antarctic ice sheet. Nature 333: 36–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neall, V.E., and S.A. Trewick. 2008. The age and origin of the Pacific Islands: a geological overview. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 363: 3293–3308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunn, P.D. 1994. Oceanic islands. Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostergaard, J. M. 1928. Fossil marine mollusks of Oahu. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 51: 5–32.

  • Ostergaard, J.M. 1935. Recent and Fossil Marine Mollusca of Tongatabu. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 131: 3–59.

  • Paulay, G. 1990. Effects of late Cenozoic sea-level fluctuations on the bivalve fauna of tropical oceanic islands. Paleobiology 16: 415–434.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paulay, G. 1991. Late Cenozoic sea-level fluctuations and the diversity and species composition of insular shallow water marine faunas. In The Unity of Evolutionary Biology, ed. E.C. Dudley, 184–193. Portland: Dioscorides Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paulay, G. 1996. Dynamic clams: changes in the bivalve fauna of Pacific islands as a result of sea-level fluctuations. American Malacological Review 12 (1–2): 45–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paulay, G., T. Spencer. 1988. Geomorphology, paleoenvironments and faunal turnover, Henderson island, S.E. Polynesia. Proceedings of the Sixth International Coral Reef Symposium, Townsville 3: 461–466

  • Pirazzoli, P. 1985. Sea level changes in Rangiroa in Ricard M. 1985 Atoll de Rangiroa, archipel des Tuamotu. Proceedings of the Fifth International Coral Reef Congress, Tahiti 1: 159–210

  • Pirazzoli, P.A., and L.F. Montaggioni. 1988. Holocene sea-level changes in French Polynesia. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 68: 153–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pointier, J.-P., and G. Marquet. 1990. Taxonomy and distribution of freshwater mollusks of French Polynesia. Venus 49 (3): 215–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poli, G., and B. Salvat. 1976. Etude bionomique d’un lagon d’atoll totalement fermé: Taiaro. Cahiers du Pacifique 19: 227–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Potts, D.C. 1984. Generation times and Quaternary evolution of reef-building corals. Paleobiology 10: 48–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potts, D.C. 1985. Sea-level fluctuations and speciation in Scleractinia. Proceedings of the Fifth International Coral Reef Congress, Tahiti 4: 127–132

  • Richard, G. 1976. Transport de matériaux et évolution récente de la faune malacologique lagunaire de Taiaro. Cahiers du Pacifique 19: 265–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richard, G., B. Salvat, and O. Millous. 1983. Mollusques et faune benthique du lagon de Takapoto. Journal de la Société des Océanistes 62 (35): 59–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rougerie, F., C. Jehl, and J. Trichet. 1997. Phosphorus pathways in atolls: interstitial nutrient pool, cyanobacterial accumulation and Carbonate-Fluoro- Apatite (CFA) precipitation. Marine Geology 139: 201–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salvat, B. 1967. Importance de la faune malacologique dans les atolls polynésiens. Cahiers du Pacifique 11: 7–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salvat, B. 1971. La faune benthique du lagon de l’atoll de Reao. Cahiers du Pacifique 16: 30–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salvat, B. 2009. Dominant benthic mollusks in closed atolls, French Polynesia, Galaxea. Journal of Coral Reef Studies 11 (2): 197–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salvat, B., and C. Rives. 1975. Coquillages de Polynésie. Papeete: Editions du Pacifique.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salvat, F., and B. Salvat. 1992. Nukutipipi Atoll, Tuamotu archipelago: geomorphology, land and marine flora and fauna and interrelationships. Atoll Research Bulletin 357: 1–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siddall, M., J. Chappell, and E.-K. Potter. 2006. The climate of past interglacials. Developments in Quaternary Science. In Eustatic sea level during past interglacials, 7th ed, eds. F. Sirocko, M. Claussen, T. Litt, and M.F. Sanchez-Goni, 75–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, T., and G. Paulay. 1989. Geology and geomorphology of Henderson island. Atoll Research Bulletin 323: 1–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoddart, D.R. 1973. Coral reefs: the last 2 millions years. Geography 58: 313–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, J.D. 1978. Faunal response to the instability of reef habitats: Pleistocene molluscan assemblages of Aldabra atoll. Palaeontology 21: 1–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tessier, R. 1940. Les cyclones en Polynésie française de 1878 à 1906. Bulletin de la Société des Études Océaniennes, Papeete, Tahiti 166–167: 5–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trichet, J., and C. Delage. 1999. Sedimentary organic matter derived from cyanobacteria: composition, structure and properties of kopara deposits. Bulletin de l’Institut Océanographique de Monaco, Special Numéro 19: 203–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trichet, J., and A. Fikri. 1997. Organic matter in the genesis of high-island peloidal phosphorites: the lagoonal link. Journal of Sedimentology Research 67 (5): 891–897.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tröndlé, J., and M. Boutet. 2009. Inventory of marine molluscs of French Polynesia. Atoll Research Bulletin 570: 1–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tröndlé, J., and J. Letourneux. 2011. Description de Terebra niauensis n. sp. (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Terebridae) du Pléistocène de Niau, Tuamotu ‘Polynésie française). Novapex 12 (3-4): 87–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tröndlé, J., and J. Letourneux. 2012. Description de Turbo fakaauensis n. sp. (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Turbinidae) du Pléistocène de Niau, Tuamotu ‘Polynésie française). Novapex 13 (2): 87–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tröndlé, J., and B. Salvat. 2010. La thanatocènose du lagon de l’atoll de Niau (Polynésie française) avec la description d’une nouvelle espèce de Strombus (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Strombidae). Zoosystema 32 (4): 613–623.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veeh, H.H. 1966. Th230/U238 and U234/U238 ages of Pleistocene high sea level stand. Journal of Geophysical Research 71 (14): 3379–3386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the local authorities and inhabitants of Niau atoll for allowing sample collection under the coordination of one of the authors (JL). We also thank the following for their support: Norbert Frank (Laboratory of Climate Sciences and the Environment, CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, Paris Orsay) for 14C dating, and Anton Eisenhauer (Laboratory GEOMAR, Kiel, Germany) for U/Th dating of shells. We extend thanks to Lucien Montaggioni and Gilbert Camoin (Aix-Marseille University) for their advice, and Jeffrey T. Williams (Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, USA) for identification of Bathygobius. This work was made possible thanks to the 2014 contribution by the Department of the Environment, French Polynesia; for this Miri Tatarata is gratefully acknowledged. We are also very grateful to Clive Wilkinson and Jeanine Almany for help editing our text in English. We thank two reviewers, Alan J. Kohn (Department of Biology, University of Washington, WA, USA) and Gustav Paulay (Florida Museum of Natural History, Dickinson, FL, USA) for comments and recommendations, as well as Martin Zuschin (Associate Editor) and Mike Reich (Editor-in-Chief); their comments have been appreciated and have greatly improved the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. PSL EPHE-CNRS-UPVD, USR 3278, Récifs coralliens, Laboratoire d’Excellence CORAIL, Université de Perpignan, Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860, Perpignan Cedex, France

    Bernard Salvat

  2. Museum national d’Histoire Naturelle de Paris, Paris, France

    Jean Tröndlé

  3. Mahina, Tahiti, French Polynesia

    Jean Letourneux

Authors
  1. Bernard Salvat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jean Tröndlé
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jean Letourneux
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bernard Salvat.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Martin Zuschin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Salvat, B., Tröndlé, J. & Letourneux, J. Pleistocene mollusc assemblage in the slightly raised atoll lagoon of Niau (Tuamotu, French Polynesia). PalZ 92, 411–424 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12542-018-0401-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12542-018-0401-0

Keywords

Schlüsselwörter

Search

Navigation