. Atoll research bulletin. Coral reefs and islands; Marine biology; Marine sciences. 56. complex with table corals and gigantic spectacular colonies of the yellow foliaceous coral Turbinaria. Site 6F was a shallow lagoon reef adjacent to Rondik island with exceptional coral diversity. Also one live but six dead Tridacna gigas giant clams were reported there. Site 6G was a spectacular deep reef flat moat environment on the windward side of Rofidik dominated by extensive platforms and microatolls of the blue coral Heliopora coerulea. The high development of blue coral was unique and is probably
. Atoll research bulletin. Coral reefs and islands; Marine biology; Marine sciences. 56. complex with table corals and gigantic spectacular colonies of the yellow foliaceous coral Turbinaria. Site 6F was a shallow lagoon reef adjacent to Rondik island with exceptional coral diversity. Also one live but six dead Tridacna gigas giant clams were reported there. Site 6G was a spectacular deep reef flat moat environment on the windward side of Rofidik dominated by extensive platforms and microatolls of the blue coral Heliopora coerulea. The high development of blue coral was unique and is probably maintained by wave-generated water currents which constantly flush clean ocean water through the moat system. Site 61 was the only deeper lagoon pinnacle reef surveyed and contained very high coral abundance (over 90% live coral coverage) and diversity of reef fishes. Sharks, however, were numerous and aggressive, preventing more detailed listing of corals. Sites 6J and 6K were shallow lagoon pinnacle habitats near the NE perimeter reef with fairly high coral coverage and very high coral diversity. The blue coral back reef zone of site 6K was exceptional, and underwater visibility and relief were also excellent. The expansive pink sand beaches of the NE islands of Rondik atoll are also worthy of mention. The beaches are formed primarily of the remains of pink foraminiferal tests. Although foraminiferal sand beaches are commonly observed in the Marshalls, their extensive development and coloration at Rondik added substantially to the natural beauty and aesthetics of the atoll's island Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Smithsonian Institution. Press; National Research Council (U. S. ). Pacific Science Board; Smithsonian Institution; National Museum of Natural History (U. S. ); United
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