. Atoll research bulletin. Coral reefs and islands; Marine biology; Marine sciences. 32 In contrast, 93 species were reported at both Toke and Pikaar after surveys at only 13 sites which included no ocean sites at Toke and only two ocean sites at Pikaar. Thus, despite the high number of coral species reported at Bok-ak, Toke and Pikaar would appear to support high numbers of species, based upon equivalent. sampling intensity. The condition of the coral communities of Bok-ak was healthy and flourishing at all observed lagoon and ocean reef sites. Thus a lower number of coral species does not ap
. Atoll research bulletin. Coral reefs and islands; Marine biology; Marine sciences. 32 In contrast, 93 species were reported at both Toke and Pikaar after surveys at only 13 sites which included no ocean sites at Toke and only two ocean sites at Pikaar. Thus, despite the high number of coral species reported at Bok-ak, Toke and Pikaar would appear to support high numbers of species, based upon equivalent. sampling intensity. The condition of the coral communities of Bok-ak was healthy and flourishing at all observed lagoon and ocean reef sites. Thus a lower number of coral species does not appear to be related to environmental stress. N. Fig 9. Bok-ak (Taongi) Atoll in the vicinity of the north western reef tip. Marine survey sites shown with stars represent reef sites of special interest. Scale: 1" = .7149 mi. Because of the elevated nature of the lagoon coral communities, they may be more isolated from ocean reefs due to restricted tidal exchange. Furthermore, the remote position of Bok-ak from its nearest reef neighbors may reduce the number of coral species which can successfully migrate and establish at Bok-ak. Over prolonged periods this might be reflected in fewer total species of coral that are established at Bok-ak. Several reef genera which are common elsewhere in the Marshalls were absent from Bok-ak: Porites (Synaraea), Coscinaraea and Distichopora. Some genera were conspicuously more abundant at Bok-ak including Platygyra and to a lesser extent Anacropora. These observations lend further support to the hypothesis of geographic isolation of Bok-ak from nearby atolls. However, coral communities at Bok-ak achieve an unprecedented level of abundance and development. Lagoon habitats were complex three dimensional coral dominated environments, with many overhangs, mounds, walls and elevated ledges. The. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance o
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