Generation of Identification Keys Relevant to the Pacific Islands

As a direct result of its AusAID sponsored LUCID software training, which was undertaken in partnership with the University of Queensland's Centre for Biological Information Technology, PACINET has begun to showcase identification keys generated by taxonomists based in the Pacific island region.

The first of these - "Key to the Herpetofauna of Fiji" by Clare Morrison can be found on the Lucid Central Website at http://www.lucidcentral.com/ by searching under "Find a Key" on the top left side of the home page.

Clare Morrison holding a snake

Herpetofauna is the collective term for the members of two vertebrate classes, the amphibians and the reptiles. The known terrestrial Herpetofauna of Fiji consists of 30 species: 3 frogs, 2 iguanas, 3 snakes, 10 geckos and 12 skinks. Forty percent (12/30) of these species are endemic to Fiji. With the exception of three regionally endemic species, the terrestrial Herpetofauna of Fiji is generally widely distributed in terms of geography, habitat type or in some cases, both.

In addition to these terrestrial species, five species of marine turtle and four species of sea snake are found in Fiji. Although these marine species are widespread throughout the Pacific and none are endemic to Fiji they are included in the key, making it useful to field biologists working at a much broader geographic level.

While you are on the Lucid Central website also consider searching other keys and particularly for the "TaroPest" key which was generated in partnership with SPC.

PACINET expects this key to be followed by several others on topics such as Palm Trees of Fiji, Trees and Scrubs of Palau, traditional crop varieties, freshwater and marine finfish and invasive ant species relevant to the Pacific Islands.

Further information can be obtained from the PACINET program coordinator at brodie_g@usp.ac.fj