Untamed Rivers of New Britain by Dave Clucas

Untamed Rivers of New Britain Expedition 2006 Nakanai Mountains, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea

The Untamed Rivers of New Britain Expedition 2006 A British Caving Expedition to the Nakanai Mountains in East New Britain

Produced and edited by Dave Clucas Compiled by David W. Gill ÂŠ Dave Clucas & David W Gill 2nd edition Printed 2012 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 444 Castro Street, Suite 900, Mountain View, California, 94041, USA. Acknowledgements Graphics Dave Clucas, Dave Nixon Image credits Front Cover: Mageni Cave Resurgence: Robbie Shone Rear Cover: Ora Doline: Dave Clucas Published by Dave Clucas 8815 Jalan Acorus 98000 Miri Sarawak Malaysia http://daveclucas.com citation: Gill, D W. 2012 Untamed Rivers of New Britain Expedition 2006. Dave Clucas, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. 58pp.

Contents Introduction Objectives Team members National Geographic Photographic Team Referees The Exploration Project Establishing a base Exploration of Ora River Cave Phantom Pot Prospecting the plateau The Ora Resurgence Challenger Pot Pulse Pot Triosaurus Pot Exploration of Mageni Appendix 1 Equipment list Surveying Appendix 2 Expedition Budget Appendix 5 The Conservation Project Notes on the state of conservation Criteria: Nakanai Telefomin /Hindenberg Assurances of authenticity or integrity Comparison with other similar properties Muller Plateau Assurances of authenticity or integrity Comparison with other similar properties Telefomin and the Hindenburg Wall Assurances of authenticity or integrity Comparison with other similar properties Bibliography Proposed Nakanai Mountains Conservation Area Boundary proposal. The eastern boundary Species Lists References The Mammals of the Nakanai Mountains. The Bats The Cloven-Hoofed Ungulates The Marsupials The Rodents The Lizards Selected References.

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Introduction 1984-1985 saw the first British expedition to New Britain when the Nare Cave, Nakanai Mountains, East New Britain was explored to a final conclusion. (Gill 1988). The Untamed River Expedition made a number of important discoveries including the upstream Nare river cave of Pavie and the splendid Gamvo Cave. Twenty years later a chance conversation with Stephen Alverez, a photographer for the National Geographic Society USA led to another expedition and a photographic shoot for the Society. The Nakanai Mountains is a karst primary rainforest area of over 3000 square kilometres which is under threat from logging. A small group of interested parties grouped together in order to protect this biodiversity rich area from destruction and to protect the world’s greatest river caves. It was hoped that this expedition and the high profile National Geographic Magazine article to follow, would go some way towards achieving this goal. This report is in two parts. Part one covers the exploration activities and part two Appendix 5 covers our work on the conservation project. 144°

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The expedition had two main objectives, which included both exploration and conservation. The primary objective was the exploration and mapping of the mega-doline of Ora and its associated underground river, the last recorded Nakanai doline with a large river to remain unexplored. Three previous expeditions to this very remote area (1972-73

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Australian, 1980 French, 198485 British) all failed to explore the white water downstream river to a conclusion, only progressing about 150 metres. The secondary long term objective was to work towards the establishment of the Nakanai Mountains Conservation Area, eventually to propose the area for World Heritage status. The expedition’s involvement con-

sisted of meetings with the relevant government departments (at provincial and local level); NGOs; local village head men; villagers; logging company management, and the collecting of relevant information on the state of conservation. Prof Elery Hamilton-Smith from Australia joined us in Rabaul for negotiations with the Provincial Government officials.

Figure 2. Google Earth Image of East New Britain

Figure 3. Major Rogions of Karst

Team members The team consisted of twelve members; seven from Britain, one from France and four from the USA (which included three appointed by the National Geographic Society). The expedition took place from 11th January

to 24th March, 2006, and was supported by the National Geographic Society, the Royal Geographical Society and the Ghar Parau Foundation to which we extend our thanks. 1 David W Gill. UK, Leader 2 Andrew James Eavis. UK, 2

Reconnaissance, one week only. 3 Robbie Shone. UK, Equipment and Photography 4 David Nixon. UK, Equipment 5 Jean-Paul Sounier. France. Equipment 6 David Clucas. UK, Publicity, web page and meteorology 7 Tom Chapman. UK, Food and Camp equipment 8 Prof. Herbert Laeger. USA 9 James Alker. UK, Medical National Geographic Photographic Team 10 Stephen Alvarez. USA 11 Matt Oliphant. USA 12 Nancy Pistole. USA Referees Dr Tony Waltham Dick Willis

Figure 4. Geological Map of the Nakanai Mountains

The Exploration Project While the majority of the team were engaged in meeting relevant government officials in the capital of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby and later in Rabaul to purchase supplies, a two-man reconnaissance party consisting of Andy Eavis and James Alker went ahead to establish the best route in. They were to make ontact with the logging camp at Matong shore base and with the two Australian and American missionary families of the New Tribes Mission, stationed at Ora village. Ora village is situated at the headwaters of the Essis River, in one of the remotest areas of the Nakanai Mountains. The old logging road from Pomio village on the coast of Jacquinot Bay reaches all the way to Nutuve village, but this was reported as being overgrown and with many bridges now in a state of collapse. ( Figure 5 ). This trail

was used during the 1984/85 Untamed River Expedition. The original plan was to walk in to Ora village from Nutuve village or Nutuve logging camp, on a trail around 22 kilometres long.

Establishing a base The reconnaissance team flew from Rabaul, the capital of East New Britain to Palmalmal village where a small grass runway is accessible. Palmalmal serves as the Head Quarters of the Local Level Government. The village is situated close to Pomio village on the west side of the bay. Crossing Jacquinot and Waterfall Bay by boat to Matong logging camp, a Niugini Lumber logging truck transported the reconnaissance team 35 kilometres along the well-maintained logging road which leads north to the Nutuve logging camp. This camp is situated between the Berg Berg and Ikoi Rivers, 6 ki-

lometres east of Nutuve village. The road lies mainly east of the Berg Berg River and crosses it 30 kilometres upstream. From the logging camp, a two-day walk via Nutuve village took the team to Ora village where contact was made with the missionary families. Communication with the main team in Port Moresby was established via satellite phone. The walk was described as hard and required the crossing of two major rivers; the Ikoi and Essis, both of which ran through deep steep sided gorges. Although there were many villages along the way, porters were few and far between. From the reconnaissance report it was obvious that the only option was to use a helicopter to transport the main team; along with its three tonnes of equipment and food supplies, from the Nutuve logging camp to Ora village. Two team members Dave Nixon

Figure 5. Expedition Area and Robbie Shone flew by helicopter direct to Ora village from Rabaul, as one member of the reconnaissance party, Andy Eavis, had arranged to be flown back from Ora village as

he needed to return to the UK. Dave Nixon, Robbie, James along with local helpers from Ora village, were to locate a suitable camp site close to the Ora doline and begin its construction. A helicopter landing zone was also a priority in case of emergency and equipment could be dropped off on the plateau direct from the Nutuve Logging camp. They had limited food supplies and building equipment, only what the helicopter could carry in one lift.

Figure 6. Aerial photograph of the twin Ora dolines from 30,000 feet

The three team members remaining at Ora then climbed up to the plateau and located the Ora doline after a three-hour walk across numerous blind valleys and do-

lines. Over the next few days a base camp and a helicopter landing zone was built with the help of Ora villagers. It overlooked the Ora doline. A freighter had been hired from Rabaul to ship the team and its supplies around the south coast to the Matong shore base logging camp, from where logging trucks transported the team and equipment to the Nutuve logging camp. Accommodation was kindly supplied by Niugini Lumber. One week later after a delay due to heavy rain, the main team arrived at Ora village by helicopter from the Nutuve logging camp with all supplies. The helicopter attempted to touch down at the landing zone on the plateau but was unable to make a safe landing due to the placement of the logs used as a base.

Over a four day period all the team, together with all its equipment and supplies; (in 160 porterloads carried for the three hours from the village) finally established themselves at the Ora doline base-camp; it was 27th January, 17 days after leaving home. The two missionary families based at Ora village administering to a population of over 100 Kol people, kindly provided accommodation in the village and translated from Kol to English. This greatly facilitated the hiring of the people in the village. For the majority of the time on the plateau two men from Ora village stayed with the team at the base camp.

Ora Village: photograph D W Gill

Ora Base Camp: photograph D W Gill

Exploration of Ora River Cave The twin doline is situated at E0352250 N9425758 at an elevation of 1000 metres, the village being in the Essis Gorge some 370 metres lower. The resurgence is approximately 2.4 kilometres away in a cliff above the Essis River at E0353988 N9425318, at an altitude of 660 metres. An easy route was found to descend the doline without the need for fixed ropes on the north-east side but the Ora river looked to be in high flow, approximately 8 to 10 cubic metres a second. The left hand wall of the down stream entrance portal was sheer with fast flowing white water, but a bank could be seen on the far side of the river. The upstream entrance was followed via a short cascade to a point where the river could be crossed by a very long legged man, in this case Matt Oliphant. The right hand bank was then followed downstream to gain a fixed anchor point for the tyrolean rope at the downstream entrance. A low level tyrolean was installed to cross the river above the falls, later to be replaced by a much safer high level tyrolean well above water level. The right hand bank soon gave out at a sheer wall and a further very wet tyrolean crossing was established in the river to reach a large washed in log on the far side. This second tyrolean was achieved using the trail ferry technique of hooking a grapnel behind the log and being swept across by the force of the river. Techniques used to good effect in the Nare Cave river in 1984. A short section of bank followed

Ora River Cave downstream portal to more white water. Both sides of the passage appeared sheer with fast flowing water disappearing into the distance. This was presumed to be the furthest point reached by the Untamed River Expedition in 1984 when the river must have been in fairly low flow. A ledge high up on the right looked a possible way on so the river was crossed once more and a climb reached the ledge. On the climb a peg was found presumably left by the 1972-73 Australian expedition over 30 years previously but still good enough to use for aid. 6

Photograph Dave Gill

It is possible that the Australians failed to reach the ledge otherwise they would have probably explored the cave to a conclusion.

Figure 7. Downstream Ora River Cave

3rd Tyrolean up to the Snake Ledge, Ora River Cave. Photograph Robbie Shone

At roof level, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Snake Ledgeâ&#x20AC;? rigged with traverse ropes gradually descended back to river level.A further short roped traverse terminated at some nice gour formations. The way on was again atriver level with fixed traverse ropes. A fourth tyrolean followed to reach the left hand bank. Ashort section of wading terminated in a sump after a total distance downstream of 630 metres.

Far side of Snake Ledge, Ora River Cave. Photograph Robbie Shone 8

Figure 8. Downstream Ora River Cave Elevation

4th Tyrolean Ora River Cave. Photograph Robbie Shone Little Ora River Cave issued as an inlet from a low passage at the downstream entrance. This stream way was mapped for 273 metres to a 14 metre climb with the cave seen continuing beyond. The upstream cave was explored for a total of 315 metres into the south doline. A small overflow stream entered from a cave entrance on the west side of the doline and was followed

to the main river and a large sump infested by small flies. The main river disappeared into a siphon to the north east reappearing in the main upstream passage. The total length of the Ora River Cave system came to a distance of 1,220 metres, with a depth of 317 metres from the lowest point on the doline rim. Oraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s twin dolines were sur-

veyed and proved to be a staggering 1400 metres in length, 750 metres across and 200 metres in depth placing Ora among the largest collapse dolines in the Nakanai Mountains and in the world. Throughout most of the four weeks of exploration, the Ora River rarely reduced in size from 8 to 10 cubic metres a second of white water rapids.

Figure 9. Plan of Little Ora River Cave

Figure 10. Extended Elevation of Little Ora River Cave

Figure 11. Plan of the Upstream Ora River Cave 12

Ora River Caves

Phantom Pot The insignificant entrance to Phantom Pot was discovered during the early stages of the expedition. Although little over 1 kilometre from Base Camp it took almost one and a half hours to reach the entrance, giving some indications of the severity of the karst rainforest on the plateau. The entrance co-ordinate is located at E 0351655 N 9426643, at an altitude of 1045 metres. 1400 metres of nasty; sharp; meander passage; “The Meanders” with a pitch of 18 metre plus a further 6 metre and 20 metre pitch, finally entered the upper Ora River passage, “Upstream Endurance”. This large river passage was explored upstream to a massive lake; “Lake Myo” 67 metres long by 58 metres wide, the chamber being approximately 60 metres high with

a 10 metre high waterfall “Myo Falls”, pouring into the lake. Downstream a fine 40 metre by 40 metre river passage in deep water leads to a siphon after 200 metres. The separation between this downstream siphon and the upstream siphon of Ora Cave is 132 metres. The exploration in “Downstream Endurance” was plagued by millions of small midge type flies, the same as found in the upstream siphon lake of Ora Cave. Upstream led to the magnificent “Myo Falls”, a waterfall 10 metres high, the main river inlet. This was climbed by Dave Nixon with the help of the Australian piton found and retrieved from Ora Cave. This less mature river passage, “Acoustic Canal” was explored for 800 metres, eventually leading to another siphon.

Down stream Endurance, Phantom Pot. Photo Robbie Shone 14

A large fossil inlet passage leads off from the lake for 400 metres passing a narrow inlet, “Zigzag Alley” 341 metres in length. The main passage terminates at a pit blocked with debris. This had clearly been the active river passage before being blocked by a collapse that diverted the main river to its present course. Fossil passages are unusual for the Nakanai caves, as the majority of cave passages so far discovered still contain active rivers. Phantom Pot was surveyed for 3.9 kilometres in length, over a depth of 191 metres. Further surface exploration to the north east may well find a continuation of the upper Ora river beyond the present end of Phantom Pot, but the terrain is extreme and logistics considerable.

Lake Myo, Phantom Pot. Photograph Robbie Shone

Acoustic Canal Extended Elevation 25 m

Zigzag Alley Extended Elevation 25m Length: 341 m Depth: 32 m

Meanders Extended Elevation 25 m

Endurance Extended Elevation 25m Length: 1186 m Depth: 84 m

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The Ora Resurgence Situated at E 0353988 N 9425318, at an altitude of 660 metres. The 40 metre high waterfall of the Ora resurgence was climbed, and the cave above it explored to a siphon after just 129 metres. The total length of the Ora caves, including a few small and relatively immature caves feeding into the main drain, came to 5.4 kilometres.

The Ora Resurgence. Photograph Dave Gill

Prospecting the plateau Many other sinks were investigated, but all proved to be immature; they are either too narrow, or are blocked with sediment. It appears that there are so many blind valleys; dolines and sinks on this area of youthful plateau that drainage is distributed into numerous small catchments, with little scope for large surface streams to develop and drain into larger sinks. Some of the gullies contain mudstones over a metre in depth, which may be derived from old volcanic eruptions. This area is closer to the volcanoes on the north coast of the island, so may ac-

count for the large amounts of decomposed ash. The Nare Cave region has far less soil cover. Many of the caves in this region are fed via well developed canyons taking large wet weather streams. The extremely rough karst terrain makes traversing it very hard work. Tree cover on the ridges between the dolines and blind valleys has been severely damaged by Cyclone Justine in 1992. Of the larger trees, 6080% have been destroyed. The ridges therefore tend to be overgrown with new tree growth, bamboo and fallen trees. Cutting tracks on level ground is rarely

possible, as the only way to progress is to descend into each steep-sided valley and climb up the other side, immediately to descend into another one. Various teams spent six days cutting a track to a large blind valley that had been spotted on the aerial photographs, but they only covered 2 kilometres as the crow flies. The potential for gaining access into the further reaches of the upstream Ora River cave system is good, but would require a mammoth effort in trackcutting, with many bivouacs. Tens of kilometres of upstream river cave probably remain to be explored.

Triosaurus Pot At E 0351818 N 9426188, altitude 1000 metres. Length 62 metres. Depth 62 metres. An immature cave with no noticeable draught, blocked with clay and debris.

Figure 14. Triosaurus Pot

Challenger Pot

feeding the Ora Cave System

E 0352005 N 9426543. Altitude 1000 metres. Length 143 metres. Depth 72 metres.

Hundreds of square kilometres of karst in this area remain totally unexplored by man, as even the Ora village people do not venture onto the plateau. Vegetation within the valleys is in pristine condition; rich in epiphytes; palms, and gymnosperms. It is a rare privilege in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Pulse Pot E 0351821 N 9426450. Altitude 1000 metres. Length 60 metres. Depth 46 metres. Two of the many immature sinks

world to be able to traverse large areas completely untouched by man.

Exploration of Mageni Situated at E 0354814 N 9421661. Altitude 562 metres. A previously unrecorded multiple waterfall; 80 metre high was seen from the helicopter during the flight to Ora village, the local villagers called it Mageni. Half a dozen waterfalls pour from a cliff into the unexplored Iso Gorge. A reconnaissance team was sent to investigate and to establish a bivouac camp. A three-hour walk south from Ora village located the falls - which could be clearly heard from the

edge of the cliff. An abseil of 50 metre and a traverse led into a cave entrance with a large river issuing from it of approximately 2 – 3 cubic metres a second. With river passages; oxbows; waterfalls; some highly decorated galleries the cave was mapped over a period of ten days, for 7.2 kilometres with a vertical range of + 229 metres. The Megeni cave system with

open river passage at the furthest point reached, has a strong draught and a major flow of water. It drains from the northwest, from an area beneath the large valley seen on the aerial photographs. This major river cave system lies parallel to the Ora river cave. Like all the underground rivers in this region; including Gamvo and the mighty Nare, they drain from the northwest. In total the expedition explored and mapped 12.6 kilometres of caves. Another large doline spotted on the aerial photographs lies 20 kilometres west of Ora. This was flown over by helicopter, and a river was seen crossing its floor and flowing into a cave entrance. This area is normally obscured by clouds so the doline had not been recorded previously. This cave was explored by a later French expedition but soon hit a siphon. It appears that Ora may not be the last of the great dolines and river caves that remain unexplored in the Nakanai Mountains. The National Geographic Society Magazine article was published in September of 2006 and prompted the BBC Natural History Unit to film the Mageni Cave “The Lost Land of the Volcano” in April of 2008. Dave Gill, Jean-Paul Sounier and Dave Nixon took part on this expedition. A further 2.2 kilometres was added to the total length of the Mageni Cave bringing the total length to 9.4 kilometres.

Mageni cascade. Photograph Robbie Shone

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Mageni River passage. Photo Robbie Shone

Mageni River Cave - Ora - East New Britain.

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References.

Gill, D W. 1988. The Untamed River Expedition. ISBN 0.9514004.01. Chinley, Via Stockport, UK. Audra, Philippe, Pierre de Coninck and Jean-Paul Sounier (eds.) 2001. Nakanai 1978-1998: 20 years of exploration. Association Hemisphere Sud, Antibes, France. Beck, Howard M. 2003. Beneath the Cloud Forests: A History of Cave Exploration in Papua New Guinea. SpeleoProjects Allschwil, Switzerland. Gill, D W. 2005. Saving the Sublime Karst. Descent Mag. No 186. pp 34-35. Shea, N and Alvarez, S L. 2006. Raging Danger. National Geographic, September 2006. Vol 210, no 3. pp 94105. Sounier, J P. 2008. Rivieres a gogo, expedition 2006-2007. Untamed Rivers of New Britain. Speleo Magazine 63. pp 10-15.

Appendix 1

Equipment list Helmet assembly 6 LED personal lights (Myo) 6 Rechargeable AA's Ear plugs 100 Gloves Caving Clothing 3mm wetsuits 6 Oversuits lightweight 6 Undersuit / base layers 6 Wellies or Boots 6 pairs Socks 6 pairs Knee pads (warm tex) 6 pairs Communications PMR Radios with AA batteries 6 AA batteries for above 100 Booms for radios 6 Cases for above 6 Rigging equipment Maillons - 7mm long Steel 150 60 grams LSK rope - 9mm 600m LSK rope - 10mm 400m Bolting hammers 3

Individual Caving Equipment Et's 4 Personal Skyhooks 3 Fifi hooks 3 Rope protectors 4 Pulleys 8 Alloy krabs 10mm SG 100 Twist hangers alloy 8mm 100 Pitons 12 8mm self drillers 250 Drill bits : Hilti 8mm 8

Personal Equipment Photo: Dve Clucas Hilti 10mm 2 Petzl drill driver (Rock Pecker) 3 Stainless 10mm plates 6 Through bolts - 10mm 12 Through bolts - 8mm 250 Knives 6 Battery drills 2 River crossing tackle Wild sling - Catapault 1 Sacks for catapult 10 Grappling hooks 4 Thin cord 4mm x 100M 1 Double pulleys 2 Boats 2 Boyancy aids 12 Surveying tackle Laptop 2 Waterproof notebooks 10 Non waterproof notebooks 20 Pencils and rubbers lots Disto's 2 Power to distos ..see Solar panels

Tripod mounting of disto 1 Targets 2 Clino 3 Compasses (southern hemisphere) 3 GPS 3 Alimeters 2 Log book for all Photography Ixus 500 Individual camera gear Image storing. Flash cards. Ipod Binoculars Power supply and Gadgets Solar panels 24V 1 Leads for above 1 12V 7Ah NiCads 2 Voltage regulators Satellite phone 1 AAA batteries OBA/Fluroscene or Rhodamene Spares and accessories Rescue pulley 2 Oval screw gate krabs 10 Spare shunts 4 Dynamic rope for cowstails 20m Reel tubular tape 50m Insulation tape 12 Tie wraps 100 assorted Rack bars 12 each Stop bobbins 4 pairs Adjustable spanners 2 large/small Screw driver 4 Leatherman 2

Medical requirements Dactarin

1st aid kits List of vacinations Polio Tetanus Typhoid Cholera Rabies with TB immunity state by heaf test and possible BCG Gammaglobulin viral hep A etc. Scrub typhus vaccine Malaria Chloroquine 300mg base weekly Maloprim Elasterplast lots Swabs lots Safety pins Tweesers Scissors Fucidin Ointment Nystan ointment Aluminium sulphate (stingose) Insect repelent Safapryn tablets Lomotil 30 Gaviscon

Hibitane tablets anti sept 20 Stemetil tablets Maloprim 30 Nivaquine 40 Camp requirements Water purification Generator 1 Ortleib bags light and mid weight Ortlieb Folding bowls Light weight towels Platypus water carriers /bladders Thermrests 6 Carry mat material 6 Tarpauline 4 Shock cord 50m Snoopy loops some! Hammocks 6 Stoves and fuel for …. 3 Silica gel ? Teva's 1 each Sleeping bags 1 each

French Equipment in Palmalmal (not used) Bairaman expedition

Sponsorship

Anchor plates(no screws) 84 Anchor plates(with screws) 227 Krabs 340 Ring bolts 6 Belay plates 16 Anchors Spit 130 Hilti 60 8mm x 130mm expansion bolts 300 8mm x 90mm expansion bolts 30 Rope protectors 4 Hammers 5 Pulleys - swing cheek 4 Pulleys - fixed 2 Pulleys - rescue 1 Platic pulley wheel 2 Jerry can 10 Fuel bottle 3 Fuel bottle with pump 2 Burners 2 Repair kit 1 Carbide 70kg Rope: 10mm various lengths 424m 9mm various lengths 374m 8mm various lengths 1230m

Safety

Lighting

Petzl MYO XP lights donated by Helly Hansen supplied the expedition with LIFA® base layer clothing at a discount price. Used with a AA alkaline cells. In addition Ben Lyon has kindly supplied us with all our personal caving equipment at a discounted price. Surveying

donated 3 wrist compass/altimeters 2 Tandem compass/clinos & some T shirts.

Palm Equipment gave a discount on personnel floatation devices and have donated two 20m floating throw-bags and cowstails

Training First aid training, supplies and advice from Guy Risdon of www. adventurefirstaid.co.uk donated two Leica DISTO™ classic5a instruments to the expedition.

White water safety and rescue training day from Rescue 3 UK www.ukrafting.co.uk/rescue3/ Products/medical supplies from Lifemarque www.lifesystems.co.uk 22

Appendix 2 Meteorology A rainfall and weather station was established for the majority of the time except for a short period when the equipment failed to function.

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Rainfall Chart 60

Rainfall (mm/24 hr)

0 28/01/2006

02/02/2006

07/02/2006

12/02/2006

17/02/2006

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27/02/2006

Date

Figure 18. Rainfall data chart

David Clucas 24

04/03/2006

Appendix 3 Papua New Guinea Contacts 2006.

Akuila Tubal, Provincial administrator, East New Britain, enbpa@global.net.pg PO Box 714, Rabaul. Tel (675)9837470 Florence Paisparea, ENB Provincial Environmental Officer. Tel 983 7823 (7630) Email: enbpln@global.net.pg Leo Dion, Governor East New Britain. Joe Meava. ENB Environment Conservation Management Committee. PO Box 1434, Kokopo. Tel 983 7630. 982 9250. email: enbecmc@global.net.pg John Kalia, President, Central Inland Pomio LLG. Simon Painap, President, West Pomio, LLG. Pius Maka, Acting District Administrator. PO Box 84, Palmalmal. Alous Sumda, District Administrator. James Robins, Divisional Head, The National Research Institute. PO Box 5854, Boroko, NCD. Tel (675)326 0300. Mobile 686 3895. email: jrobins@nri.org.pg Vagi R Genorupa. Management of Protected Areas, Dept of Environment and Conservation. PO BOX 6601, Boroko, NCD. Tel (675)325 0195. Email: vgenorupa@yahoo.com.au Arthur Ganubella, in charge of Wildlife Management Areas. James Sabi. Biodiversity Programs Officer. Nelson E. Paulias, Tourism Executive Officer, ENB Tourism Bureau, PO Box 385, Rabaul. Tel 982 8657. email: enbtourism@global.net.pg Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, PO Box 1291, Port Moresby, NCD 121. Tel 320 0211. email: info@pngtourism.org.pg Peter Vincent. Email: pvincent@pngtourism.org.pg Helan Pokapin: email hpokapin@pngtourism.org.pg Hon Paul Tiensten, Minister of Trade and Industry, Member of Parliament for the Pomio District. Tel 325 4963. email: ptiensten@daltron.com.pg Alois Magogo, District Tourism Officer, Pomio District Administration, PO Box 84, Palmalmal. Giakovina Kulu, Executive Director, Conservation International, Melanesia Program. Email: gkula@conservation.org Philip Mayang, conservation officer, Sali. Andrew F. Bracamone, RH Survey and Planning Dept, Po Box 122, Port Moresby, NCD. Tel 325 0662. Pius Kapuo. Chairman of the landowners, Ire Village. William Giana, Conservation Officer, Pomio. Gabrial Ravali, acting officer in charge, Pomio and Forest Officer. Mr Aume, Officer in Charge, Pomio. John Sapi, Wildlife Management, Galowe.

Appendix 4

Expedition Budget Flights Helicopter Hire Land and Fuel Boats Porters Total transport

£11,760 £12,511 £905 £872 £557 £26,605

Excess baggage £1,191 Equipment £6,509 Food and accommodation £7,276 Hardware £951 Medical £787 Visas £495 Misc, postage, maps etc. £595 Total expenditure. £44,409

Receipts National Geographical Society. grant £21,137 Royal Geographical Society grant £ 1,500 Ghar Parue Foundation £ 400 Personal contributions £21,429 Total receipts £44,466

Appendix 5

Towards a Nakanai Mountains Conservation Area The Conservation Project

To enable real progress within the plans for conservation, meetings took place with the Department of Environment and Conservation; the National Research Institute; the Provincial Government of East New Britain; the Governor of East New Britain; the Tourism Authority; the Local Level Government Pomio District; non-government conservation organisations; as well as with local village headmen; villagers, and logging company management. A hasty and impromptu presentation, just before the team caught the flight back to Singapore, was presented to the World Heritage Workshop in Port Moresby. This was well received. It was decided that the Nakanai Mountains karst area should be included on the tentative list to be submitted to the World Heritage Bureau. The Sublime Karst of Papua New Guinea Conservation Group completed the relevant documentation later in the year. There was widespread grassroots support for conservation of the karst that could be coupled with elements of eco-tourism. Support for timber harvesting in areas under licence is high, which is hardly surprising as the local employed population are thereby able to earn an income. Awareness programmes for local villages need to be carried out, and agreements must be reached on realistic boundaries for a conservation area. One village asked for an access fee of 20,000 kina to visit the Nare, arguing against the people of the

Ire village who claim that the cave as within their clan area. The expedition therefore decided not to visit the Nare, but recommended that a meeting be arranged to reach agreement on access to this internationally important site. The following notes are preliminary comments based on the expedition's observations in the field. Notes on the state of conservation Logging concessions now need to be reviewed, with second cuts prohibited. Concessions have been awarded for all of the Nakanai Mountains, and these include the high limestone plateau. However, logging on the limestone appears to be prohibited under the forest code; this is yet to be confirmed, and nobody in the district could confirm the rule. Almost 100% of the lowland forest has been logged, but abandoned coupes (sectors) are recovering rapidly. For the most part, the lowland forest is on poor soils, mudrocks and soft crumbly limestones, including raised coral reefs. There are few dolines, blind valleys or caves. The Pomio forest officer is engaged in re-seeding perimeters of logging roads, log ponds and skid trails. Seedlings have taken firm root in many places and are growing rapidly. Second cuts can be undertaken after as little as six years, depending on the forest type, but no second cuts were observed. In many cases 26

it is a 20 year cycle before a second cut takes place. It is highly recommended that second cuts are prohibited in the lowland and highland areas, as enormous damage results to the natural drainage routes. Existing and new skid trails are extended and incised to such an extent that calculated recovery rates can be as long as 600 years. The logging managers confirmed that extraction has reached altitudes of over 1000 m. Although not observed, it seems certain that logging is taking place on the karst of the Yalam limestoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Previous expeditions have reported dolines blocked with road debris, but this was not seen by this expedition. Logging managers and workers are aware of the forest code - which is observed. Riparian forest is intact as no felling is allowed along river banks. Rosewood and trees of less than 500 mm diameter are not cut. Slopes of more than 30-40Âş are not logged. No large areas of alluvial forest were observed this year, though vegetation maps were not studied. The forest type is that of lowland limestone ridge and scree. The logging companies that the expedition encountered are well managed, employing large numbers of local people, some in positions of responsibility. Their resource maps were made freely available. Coupe 1 contains the Nutuve camp of Niugini Lumber, which has now been abandoned (March

2006) due to the steep terrain, numerous villages and high rainfalls. It was not confirmed if this will re-open at a later date. The Tokai Matong area has already been logged. Coupe 2 covers the northern sector and also the unexplored high limestone plateau east of the Iso gorge. Operations are scheduled to start here in 2006-7. It seems doubtful that the limestone plateau will be logged, as the terrain is similar to that in the Ora region - with few large trees, heavy cyclone damage, numerous dolines and many steep sided depressions. Coupe 3, due to be exploited in 2007-8, covers the area west of the Iso River within the catchment of the Kiage River, a tributary of the Iso. This sector will come within 2 km of the Nare site. A timber resource survey has not yet been carried out; if

the area is unproductive, it will not be logged. It would be appropriate to impose an exclusion zone 5 km wide around the Nare and Pavie cave systems. No information was available for the Berg Berg extension, situated between the two rivers, but a road was seen near the coast, so presumably this has been logged. The Aman Timber operation at Galowe has not progressed beyond kilometre 16; this is still 5km from the Muruk cave system, but at an altitude of over 1000 m. An exclusion zone 5 km wide was recommended, but the suggestion was defeated by a vote of the Galowe villagers. An exclusion zone of just 50 m was proposed. At present, Aman Timber management have no plans to log beyond the 16 kilometre mark, as the ground is steep, unless instructed to do so

by the holding company. It was reported that the old logging camp between Pomio and Galowe is due to be reopened this year, probably for a second cut. The Kavakuna cave is already protected as a Wildlife Management Area, and the old abandoned road is now overgrown. The forest is intact in the area surrounding the cave. Generally the high Nakanai karst is in pristine condition, the majority un-traversed by man. Cyclone Justine was a natural disaster and the forest will recover given time. A high percentage of the large trees were destroyed - and this may fortuitously preclude logging operations. The ground is steep, with many dolines, so it will generally offer a poor yield. David W Gill

The World Heritage Proposal Tentative List Name of Property The Sublime Karst of Papua New Guinea State and Provinces: East New Britain: Nakanai Range Southern Highlands: Muller Range Western: Telefomin and Hindenberg Range Latitude and Longitude Nakanai Muller Range Telefomin and Hindenberg

150o 40’E - 151o 40’ E 142o 10 E - 142o 50’ E 141o E - 142o E

5o 20’S - 5o 55’S 5o 30’ S - 5o 50’S 5o S - 5o 30’ S

Description A Serial Nomination of three Natural Heritage Properties. Together, they contain the most striking and challenging karst areas of the country. Papua New Guinea lies at the junction of the Australian and Pacific crustal plates. The relatively low-lying Southern area is, in effect, an isolated fragment of Northern Australia. However, the mobile central belt has been subject to an indeed turbulent geological history with folding, faulting and deformation of the rocks and considerable volcanic activity. The resulting central mountains are rugged and rise to over 5000 metres. In the Northern region, there are the mountains originating from the Pacific plate, with the Huon Peninsula and other mountains now forming part of the mainland, and others forming the island arcs, including New Ireland and New Britain. Again these areas have been subject to continuing volcanism and tectonic movement. The raised terraces of the Huon provide evidence of the geoclimatic history over the last 300,000 years. Significant karst occurs in the mountains of the central highlands mobile belt, and the Bismarck Archipelago of the Pacific plate. That on the Southern side

of the central highlands provides one of the most extensive and spectacular areas of polygonal karst landscapes in the world. Extremely large and complex cave systems have developed in the central mountains, e,g, in the Telefomin and Hindenburg Range areas to the West and in the Atea area of the Muller Plateau. Large areas of karst occur in both New Ireland and New Britain, with the latter having massive limestone plateaus with river caves on a remarkable scale. These karst areas are all on a grand scale and represent absolutely outstanding examples of Edmund Burke’s concept of the Sublime. This can well be summarized in his words as being “ . . .exhilarating to contemplate, of the most exalted kind, distinguished by size or nobility or grandeur such as to inspire awe and wonder raised far above the ordinary”. This is discussed further below in relation to each site. The geological and geomorphic history of the country, coupled with intervening periods of both land bridge linkages and isola-

tion has resulted in a remarkable diversity and fragmentation of habitats. In turn, there has been strongly shaped and developed by a diversity of both Australian and Indo-Malaysian influences. Similarly, the human ecology has resulted in a total of over 1,000 languages and the inevitable linguistic communities. All three areas included here are generally covered with either a lowland broadleaved hill forest or the lower montane forests. Valleys have often been developed for a variety of farming purposes, while the forests may be harvested for non-timber products. Other regions, including the smaller low-level islands, have a large number of quite different caves usually in the young and relatively shallow coralline limestones, and many of these are of significant cultural value, but are not further discussed here. Discussion of the criteria that provide the justification for Outstanding Universal Value and more detailed description is provided below, dealing separately with each area.

Justification for Outstanding Universal Value Criteria: Nakanai (i) Muller

(ii)

(iii)

(i) (ii) (iii) Telefomin /Hindenberg (i) (ii) (iii) √

(iv)

(v) √

(vi)

(vii) √

(viii) √

(ix) √

(x) √

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(vii) √

(viii) √

(ix) √

(x) √

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(vii) √

(viii) √

(ix) √

(x) √

Nakanai

aesthetic importance.

The Nakanai Mountains is an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Island of New Britain, Papua New Guinea. To the north the mountain range is dominated by a group of spectacular volcanoes. It is bounded on the east by the Kol Mountains and to the west the Kapiura â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ania Divide which divides the Nakanai Mountains from the Whiteman Range.

The geological history covers a period of 43 million years and the mountains exhibit rapid uplifting, some of the highest recorded. The majority of the mountain range lies within the Yalam limestones and is a karst landscape of limestone up to 1.5 kilometres in thickness, deposited over a period of 17 million years. The limestone regions contain numerous white water rivers situated in spectacular one (v) An outstanding example of kilometre deep gorges. Large a traditional human settlement, rivers can be seen issuing from land use and sea-use which is caves as beautiful waterfalls representative of a culture (or cultures) and human interaction from high above river level. with the environment when it has There are many massive sinkholes with collapsed dolines up become vulnerable under the to 400 metres deep and 500 meimpact of irreversible change. tres in diameter. At the base of The cultural significance of the the dolines some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indigenous clans is a vital and largest and most turbulent unintegral part of the Nakanai derground rivers flow, some of Mountains. Their traditions and them at over 20 tons of water a beliefs are as important as the second in caves of outstanding biodiversity and caves of this natural beauty and of immense unique part of the world. As in proportions. many parts of Papua New GuinThe caves are of international ea, traditional culture and lifestyle remains relatively intact, in importance and are unique as they are considered to be among spite of persistent modernism. The bond to the traditional lands the most active river caves in the world and are certainly some provides a remarkably stable of the most technically difficult basis for both community and caves in the world to explore. personal sense of identity. It ofMuruk Cave is 17 kilometres fers a stable cultural basis from which the people have been able long and 1178 metres deep, the deepest cave in the southto adapt to and function well ern hemisphere and one of the within the culture of modernmost beautiful 1000 metre deep ism without abandoning their caves in the world. The entrance traditional culture. In the Nakapitch of Nare is one of the most nai, this means that the various villages generally remain true to impressive known being 250 metres deep with a massive river their cultural traditions, pursing flowing along the base into one a hunter-gatherer lifestyle inteof the largest river passages in grated with simple agriculture. the world. Minye Cave pos(vii) Contains superlative sesses one of the biggest known natural phenomena and areas of pitch entrances at 410 metres in exceptional natural beauty and depth. At the bottom a river, car-

rying 15 cubic metres of water per second, roars into the immense cave. Kavakuna is also a giant doline with its 392 metre deep entrance pitch. One side is not vertical so this cave is suitable for adventure eco-tourism. A further newly discovered cave is more difficult of access, but does provide for a journey of only medium difficulty and great beauty, so may be appropriate for visitors seeking a degree of challenge. The coastal regions are also of exceptional natural beauty and exhibit raised coral reefs and terraces up to 200 meters above sea level with numerous pure white coral sand beaches fringed with palms. (viii) An outstanding example representing major stages of earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, including the record of life, significant ongoing geological processes in the development of land forms, and significant geomorphic physiographic features Although the very real problems of access have constrained research at this stage, and the region is still far from being fully understood, the geomorphology of the karst certainly has a multitude of distinctive features which result from its turbulent history of tectonic movement, volcanism, heavy rainfall, limestone deposition and intense karstification. (ix) Outstanding examples representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals

As with so many of the isolated areas of Papua New Guinea, the Nakanai is unique in its geological evolution and its biodiversity. In particular, it demonstrates high levels of localization and endemism, with various adaptations to the remarkable karst environment. Over 20 new species of troblobitic or stygiobitic fauna have been collected from the caves, although few of these have yet been named and described. The mountains range in altitude from sea level to 2185 meters and are predominantly covered by primary tropical rain forest of lowland and montane types but with relatively few large trees. Although the vegetation has not yet been adequately studied, it is particularly rich in epiphytic species and is considered of high biological importance. A vast range of both flora and fauna has been identified; many species are endemic to New Britain and are found nowhere else on earth. This is only a small proportion of the estimated total and no doubt there will be thousands more species identified with further research. There are also a number of ecologically important Mangrove swamp forests. Estuarine Crocodiles and Leather Back Turtles inhabit the coastal waters along with a vast variety of marine species. The pristine and biologically important reefs lie close to shore with a huge diversity of coral forms and marine life. (x) The most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from

the point of view of science or conservation.

relatively little fluctuation in water levels.

Although faunal and floral inventories are only at an early stage, there are at least eight species of endemic or nearendemic mammals, and at least four of these are recognised as endangered. Similarly, there are 22 endemic or near-endemic species of birds, including eight that are recognised as threatened.

None of the other major underground rivers share the continuous volume and turbulence of the Nakanai Rivers. The giant Baliem River system in West Papua (and several other underground rivers) may be of similar volume only during short periods of massive flooding which may not even occur every year. Aerial reconnaissance suggests that the closest comparison may lie in a totally unexplored region of Halmahera in Indonesia.

Assurances of authenticity or integrity The ranges and plateau have only a very sparse human population, with only small villages generally on the lower lands. Various areas of flat or near-flat land are used for cultivation, but then once harvested are left to lie fallow until secondary forest is re-established. Some natural disturbance results from such causes as earthquakes or landslides. Thus, one can say that the natural forest has remained very much in its original but nevertheless, is in a dynamic and constantly changing state. Comparison with other similar properties Although as already emphasized, the Papua New Guinea environments must be recognised as distinctive, one can make superficial comparisons with a few World Heritage properties. Gunung Mulu (Malaysia), Thung Yai Hua Kha Kaeng (Thailand) and Phong Nha Ke Bang (Vietnam) each of which have large but morphologically very distinctive cave systems with a rich but structurally distinctive forest on the surface. The underground rivers in these and most other cave systems have relatively gentle flows and 30

Muller Plateau The surface terrain of the Muller Plateau is extremely inhospitable and difficult to traverse. The area being proposed for inclusion here is in fact virtually uninhabited. (vii) Contains superlative natural phenomena and areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. The Muller Plateau has, even in comparison with other Papua New Guinea sites, a very complex geological history and structure. The karst occurs in the Cretaceous Ieru formation, the Oligocene-Miocene Darai Limestone and a series of younger marine sedimentary rocks with some volcanic and alluvial deposits of Pleistocene or even Holocene age. Each of these has a diversity of interbedded limestones, siltstones and mudstones. The whole area has been subject to faulting and folding as a result of continuing tectonic movements. At the same time, joints have often been enlarged by the heavy rainfall of the region and so added to the complex struc-

tural arrangements. In turn, the underground hydrology reflects this complexity with a network of branching distributaries many of which may later coalesce into major drainage channels. The overall result is a very complex surface landscape with many caves, of which the two major systems are long and deep complex networks. Atea Kanada has been surveyed to 35 km. and Mamo Kanada to 55 km, but with many unexplored areas remaining. These caves are again particularly spectacular and challenging and very adequately demonstrate the sublimity phenomenon upon which this nomination is based. (viii) An outstanding example representing major stages of earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, including the record of life, significant ongoing geological processes in the development of land forms, and significant geomorphic physiographic features While parts of these have large high-energy rivers that characterize other areas, there are also high-level tunnels that no longer carry streams and so provide lower energy areas. This has in turn created an environment that has fostered the genesis and evolution of a rich invertebrate fauna. It also provides areas which have yielded palaentological and clastic deposits which again will further our understanding of the karst history. (ix)Outstanding examples representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals

The invertebrate fauna of these caves is the richest discovered to date in Papua New Guinea. Many species remain undescribed and un-named, but it is clear that the fauna as a whole will provide an excellent opportunity for evolutionary and ecological research. There have not been any adequate systematic surveys of the surface biota. We only know that in general, the montane forests of the Central Cordillera (within which the plateau is located) have some of the most diverse biotic communities of the country. (x) The most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation. Again, this criterion is currently data deficient, but further studies will be carried out prior to nomination. Assurances of authenticity or integrity The Plateau remains uninhabited and is undergoing little change other than that which is natural and endemic to the geological instability of the country. Comparison with other similar properties It is difficult to identify a World Heritage property that is genuinely comparable with this. Probably that which most closely approximates is Gunung Mulu (Malaysia), but the geological structure and hence morphology of the karst is totally different, and hence, so is the biodiversity.

Telefomin and the Hindenburg Wall (iii) a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which living or which has disappeared. This is the only known site in Papua New Guinea where not only were the cave entrances used by the people as shelter, but they also entered deep into the dark zone of the caves, leaving behind well-preserved evidence of their presence. The caves contain rock art and many of the artifacts of everyday life at least as far as 700 metres from light. (vii) Contains superlative natural phenomena and areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. This area has a spectacular surface landscape, largely because of the dominating Hindenburg Wall â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the northern scarp of the range, rising to a maximum level of some 1500 m. It is rich in both major surface karren and caves, some of an immense size. (viii) An outstanding example representing major stages of earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, including the record of life, significant ongoing geological processes in the development of land forms, and significant geomorphic physiographic features As is often the case, the caves contain a record of the past. (ix)Outstanding examples representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals

The most striking and unusual example is the presence of polychaete worms (and perhaps some other species) which are a relict of the last incursion of the sea. They have obviously evolved from marine ancestors and are now adapted to the freshwater environment. It again symbolizes the complexity of the country’s history in that these species occur only in a site so far distant from the current shorelines. Biodiversity is particularly rich with a mixture of high altitude grasslands and wet montane forest with high levels of endemism. However, more detailed analysis is required to distinguish records from the Star Mountains area of Telefomin, the Muller Plateau and the Central / Eastern Highlands. (x) The most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation. Again, this criterion is currently data deficient, but further studies are currently in progress. Assurances of authenticity or integrity Much of the area is uninhabited; most of the caves have only been entered by a single expedition. It is in a less disturbed state than virtually any other part of the country. Comparison with other similar properties It is difficult to identify a World Heritage property that is genuinely comparable with this. Probably that which most close-

ly approximates is Gunung Mulu (Malaysia), but the geological structure and hence morphology of the karst is totally different, and hence, so is the biodiversity. Bibliography Audra, Philippe, Pierre de Coninck and Jean-Paul Sounier (eds.) 2001. Nakanai 1978-1998: 20 years of exploration. Association Hemisphere Sud, Antibes, France. [This volume includes a comprehensive bibliography of earlier publications on the Nakanai and so they are not listed here] Beck, Howard M. 2003. Beneath the Cloud Forests: A History of Cave Exploration in Papua New Guinea. SpeleoProjects Allschwil, Switzerland. Bishop, K.D. & Jones, Darryl N. 2001. The Montane Avifauna of West New Britain, with special reference to the Nakanai Mountains, Emu, 101(3): 205-220. Bonaccorso, Frank J. 1998. Bats of Papua New Guinea. Conservation International, Washington DC. Brooke, D. (ed) The British New Guinea Speleological Expedition 1975. Transactions of the British Cave Research Association. 3(3-4):113-243. Dow, D.B. 1977. A Geological Synthesis of Papua New Guinea. Australian Bureau of Mineral Resources: Geology and Geophysics Publication 201. Fingleton, Jim. 2005. Privatising Land in the Pacific: A defence of customary tenures. The Australia Institute Canberra. Discussion Paper # 80. Flannery, Tim. 1995a. Mammals of New Guinea. Reed Books, Chatswood NSW. Flannery, Tim. 1995b. Mammals of the South-West Pacific & Moluccan Islands. Reed Books, Chatswood NSW. Flannery, Tim. 1998. Throwim Way Leg: An adventure. Text Publishing,

Melbourne Vic. Pp. 105-174. Geoffroy, Jean-Jacques. n.d. Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinee in Juberthie, Christian and Decu, Vasile. n.d. Encyclopædia Biospeologica, Vol.III. Société Internationale de Biospéologie, Moulis, France and Bucharest, Romania. Pages 2133-2146. Gillieson, D. and Spate, A. 1998. Karst and Caves in Australia and New Guinea, in Yuan Daoxian and Liu Zaihua (eds) Global Karst Correlation. Science Press, Beijing and VSP VB, Netherlands. Pages 229-256. James, Julia M. (ed) 1974 Papua New Guinea Speleological Expedition NSRE 1973. Speleological Research Council Ltd., Kingsford, NSW. James, Julia M. and Jane Dyson (eds) 1980. Caves and Karst of the Muller Range. Speleological Research Council Ltd., Broadway NSW. James, Julia M. et al. 1984. Muller ’82 – The Australian Expedition to the Muller Range, Papua New Guinea. Speleovision: 14th Australian Speleological Biennial Conference, Adelaide SA. Pp 151-159. Lıffler, Ernst. 1977. Geomorphology of Papua New Guinea. CSIRO and Australian National University Press, Canberra. Wikramanayake, Eric, Dinerstein and Colby J. Loucks et al (eds) 2002. Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: A Conservation Assessment. Island Press Washington. See particularly Pages 543-545, 553-591. Worthy, T. H. and T.F.Flannery, 1996. Fossil bones from Mamo Kananda, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Helictite 34(2): 49-54.

Philippe Audra, David W Gill, Elery Hamilton-Smith, JeanPaul Sounier, and Leo Salas

Proposed Nakanai Mountains Conservation Area Boundary proposal. The proposed area can be found on the following Topographical Survey Sheets, Series T601, 1:100,000, numbers – 9085 Fulleborn 9086 Anai 9186 Ludtke 9187 Ulawun 9287 Kol 9286 Jacquinot 9387 Orford Geological Series Sheets – SB/56-5 and SB/56-9 TalaseaGasmata. SB/56-6 Pomio.

The western boundary and southern marine boundary The suggested western boundary starts at the estuary of the Tavalo River to the east of Tavalo village. This includes an area of raises coral terraces. A direct 5 kilometre line could be taken out to sea which would include a few coral reefs and islands lying 1 to 5 kilometres off shore. The bathymetric 500 metre counter line lies between 1 and 5 kilometres from the coast which could be used for the southern marine boundary. The western boundary then follows a north east tributary of the Tavalo River then heading north east to join the Rim River. The boundary then goes north and east to join the Melkoi River, passing Matawan and Ulutu Villages to the east. A northern tributary of the Melkoi is followed to the Au River a western tributary of the Torlu River passing Au Una Mission and Mempuna Village. Numerous villages and paths skirt the boundary of the karst along this

western boundary. The paths closest to the karst could mark the proposed protected area. The villages include MoralinaKinsena-Au’una-Pelin-KaitotoOkimpuna-Pokapuna. The Ivulu River is then followed down stream to Silali Village.This crosses the boundary into West New Britain. It could then follow the karst boundary to the north east crossing the Ivuli; Inu and Tiaru Rivers to skirt the three volcanoes. The northern boundary The Tiaru River is followed to the east skirting Mount Galloseulo following the line of the Hargy Caldera. The Balima River can then be followed down stream to the north. The boundary then skirts Mount Bamus to the Mayaperva Creek and down stream to the east. This is a west tributary of the Pandi River and passes the major south tributary of the Manang River which drains from the karst. The karst boundary is then followed crossing tributaries of the Sagi River. The boundary would then cross the Kanu; the Toki and Pali Rivers following the escarpment. The boundary then follows the Pandi river to Muranpuna village, then Muela, then crosses the Paili river. Then follows the karst boundary to the east for 10 kilometres crossing a number of north draining streams and rivers until we reach the eastern side of the proposed boundary. The eastern boundary The Korindindi River could then mark the boundary for 12 kilometres to the south. When the head waters are reached the karst boundary is followed to Ora Village. The eastern bound-

ary follows the Kol Mountain divide, fo lowing the peaks. This water shed lies between the rivers flowing south and west towards the karst and the rivers flowing to the north east into Wide Bay. This takes in a considerable area of the Kol Mountains. The boundary finally reaches back to the coast to the west of the Mogigi River West Branch. If including the Kol south-west slopes is too much, the boundaries could follow the Korindindin river then to Ora village, go east, cross the Ikoi, follow the Bergberg south-east upstream branch and then the Magigi (North branch) to this river mouth. Jean-Paul Sounier, David W Gill.

Species Lists The 2009 Conservation International Rapid Biological Assessment of the Nakanai Mountains confirmed the importance of the Nakanai Mountains as containing a high biological diversity of endemic species. This assessment included - 140 species of ants with 9 new to science and an estimated 40 possibly new to science. 35 species of Katydids with 12 new to science including 1 new genus. 32 species of Odonata ( Dragonflies and Damseflies ) with 2 new to science and 9 endemic to New Britain. Over 100 species of spiders in 20 families with an estimated 50 % new to science. 39 species of Herpetofauna with 6 endemic to the Nakanai Mountains. The total included 23 frogs, 14 lizards and 4 snakes, 4 of the frogs new to science. 64 species of birds with 22 classified as Restricted Range and 6

endemic. The list can be found in the Conservation International Report referenced below compiled by Paul Igag.

A total of 127 species have now been recorded from New Britain, 13 are endemic. 26 species of

D. Gassmann (2011): Pseudagrion lorenzi sp. nov., a new damselfly species from New Britain island, Papua New Guinea (Odonata: Coenagrionidae), International Journal of Odonatology, 14:2, 149162

mammals with 3 – 4 new to science including 1 new genus.

The Mammals of the Nakanai Mountains.

References

The data base has been compiled from the sources as referenced below.

Richards, S. J. and Gamui, B. G. (editors). 2011. Rapid Biological Assessments of the Nakanai Mountains and the upper Strickland Basin: surveying the biodiversity of Papua New Guinea’s sublime karst environments. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 60. Conservation International. Arlington, VA.

A total of 49 mammal species are estimated. The Bats

The Whiteman Range; Gilliard’s Flying-fox; Pteropus gilliarorum and the New Ireland; Seris Sheath-tailed bat, Emballonura siri are not included in the total but have been listed as have 3 other probable species. 8 species are classified as endemic with a total of 29 IUCN Red listed. 3 - (LR/nt), Low Risk, near threatened; 21 - (LR/lc) or (LC/ lc), Lower Risk, least concern, 3 (VU), Vulnerable and 2 (DD) Data deficient.

Lists after Ken P Aplin, Muse Opiang and David W Gill

The largest group of mammals. 32 species have been identified from the Nakanai Mountains. The Bats

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Common Name

IUCN Red List

Notes and Distribution

Chiroptera 1 Bats

Pteropodidae

Dobsonia

anderseni

Andersen’s BareBacked Fruit Bat

EndemicLR/lc

CI report

Pteropodidae

Dobsonia

praedatrix

Bismarck NakedBacked Fruit Bat

LR/nt. Endemic

CI report

Pteropodidae

Nyctimene

vizcaccia

Bismarck Tube-nosed bat

LR/lc

CI report

Pteropodidae

Nyctimene

albiventer

Common Tube-nosed Fruit Bat

LR/lc

CI report

Pteropodidae

Nyctimene

cyclotis

Round-eared Tubenosed FB

LR/nt

wide spread

Pteropodidae

Nyctimene

major

Island Tube-nosed Fruit Bat

LR/lc Endemic

wide spread

Pteropodidae

Macroglos- Minimus sus nanus

Northern Blossom Bat

LR/lc

wide spread

Pteropodidae

Melonycteris

melanops

Black-belied Fruit Bat

LR/lc Endemic

wide spread

Pteropodidae

Pteropus

admiralitatum

Admiralty Flying-fox

LR/lc Endemic

wide spread

10 ?

Pteropodidae

Pteropus

capistratus

Bismarck Flying-fox

wide spread

Pteropodidae

Pteropus

gilliardorum Gilliard’s NB Flying-fox VU D2 Endemic

Whiteman R

Pteropodidae

Pteropus

hypomelanus

Small-variable Flyingfox

LR/lc

wide spread

Pteropodidae

Pteropus

neohibernicus

Great Flying-fox

LR/lc

wide spread

Pteropodidae

Pteropus

temmincki

Temminck’s Flying-fox

LR/nt

probable

Pteropodidae

Rousettus

amplexicaudatus

Geoffrey’s Rousette

LR/lc

CI report

The Bats ID 14

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Common Name

IUCN Red List

Notes and Distribution

Pteropodidae

Syconycteris

australis finschi

Bismarck Blossom-bat LR/lc

CI report

Emballonuridae

Emballonura

seri

Seris Sheath-tailed Bat

New Ireland

Emballonuridae

Emballonura

dianae

Large-eared Sheathtailed Bat

VU A2c

probable

Emballonuridae

Mosai

nigrescens

Lesser Sheath-tailed Bat

Rhinolophidae

Rhinolophus

euryotis

Broad-eared Horseshoe Bat

LR/lc

wide spread IC report

Rhinolophidae

Rhinolophus

Megaphyllus vandeuseni

Smaller, Eastern Horseshoe Bat

LR/lc

wide spread IC report

Rhinolophidae

Aselliscus

tricuspidatus koopmani

Temmink’s Trident Horseshoe

LR/lc

IC report

Rhinolophidae

Hipposideros

ater

Dusky Roundleaf Bat

LR/lc

wide spread

Rhinolophidae

Hipposideros

calcaratus

Spurred Roundleaf Bat

LR/lc

wide spread

Rhinolophidae

Hipposideros

cervinus

Fawn Roundleaf Bat

wide spread

Rhinolophidae

Hipposideros

diadema oceanitis

Diadem Horsesoe Bat

wide spread IC report

Rhinolophidae

Hipposideros

maggietaylorae

Maggie Taylor’s Horsesoe Bat

LR/lc

IC report wide spread

Rhinolophidae

Hipposideros

demissus

endemic

probable

Vespertilionidae

Kerivoula

myrella

Bismarck Trumpeteared Bat

VU A2c endemic

wide spread

Vespertilionidae

Philetor

brachypterus

Rohu’s Bat

wide spread

Vespertilionidae

Miniopterus

australis

Little Bent-winged Bat

wide spread

Vespertilionidae

Miniopterus

macrocneme

Small Melanesian Bent-winged

Vespertilionidae

Miniopterus

propitristis

Large Melanesian Bent-winged

Vespertilionidae

Miniopterus

medius

Medium Bentwing Bat

LC/lc

IC report

Vespertilionidae

Myotis

adversus

Large-footed Mouseeared Bat

LC/lc

wide spread

Vespertilionidae

Pipistrellus

Angulatus angulatus

New Guinea Pipistrelle LC/lc

IC report wide spread

Vespertilionidae

Pipistrellus

papuanus

Papuan Pipistrelle

IC report wide spread

IC report

CI report wide spread

LC/lc

The Cloven-Hoofed Ungulates The Feral pig, sus scrofa is an introduced species and is wide spread throughout the Nakanai Mountains. Cloven-hoofed Ungulates ID 1

Order

Family

Artiodactyla

Suidae

Genus Sus

Common Name

Species scrofa

IUCN Red List

Feral Pig

alien

Distribution wide spread

The Marsupials A total of 4 species have been identified, all are IUCN Red Listed. 4- (LR/lc), Low Risk, least concern. The Marsupials ID

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Common Name

IUCN Red List

Distribution And Notes

1 Diprotodontia

Macropodidae

Thylogale

browni

New Guinea Pademelon

LR/lc

CI report

2 Diprotodontia

Phalangeridae

Phalanger

Orientalis Southern Common Cuscus breviceps

LR/lc

CI report

3 Diprotodontia

Petauridae

Pataurus

breviceps Sugar Glider

LR/lc

probable

Echymipera

kalubu

LR/lc

CI report

4 Peramelemorphia Peramelidae

Common Spiny Bandicoot

The Rodents A total of 8 Rodents are confirmed with a further 4 probable, 8 – IUCN Red Listed. 7 – (LR/lc), Low Risk, least concern and 1 – (VU), Vulnerable. 2 – classified as endemic and 3 – introduced species. 3 to 4 identified by the Conservation International expedition in 2009 are not IUCN evaluated, representing 3 -4 new to science with 1 new genus and at least 2 new genera. ID

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Common Name

IUCN Red List

Notes

1 Rodentia

Muridae

Hydromys

neobritannicus

New Britain Water Rat

VU B1+2c Endemic Near threatened

CI report

Muridae

Melomys

levipes

Long-nosed mosaictailed

LR/lc

probable

Muridae

Melomys

platyops

Lowland mosaictailed

LR/lc

probable

Muridae

Melomys

rufescens

Black-tailed mosaic-tailed

LR/lc

probable

Muridae

Melomys

Un described

Not evaluated

CI report

Muridae

Melomys

Un described genus and species

Not evaluated

CI report

Rodents

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Muridae

Pogonomys

macrourus

Muridae

Pogonomys

Un described genus and species

Muridae

Rattus

exulans

Muridae

Rattus

Muridae

Common Name Chestnut Treemouse

IUCN Red List

Notes

LR/lc

CI report

Not evaluated

CI report

Pacific or Polynesian Rat

LR/lc. Alien

CI report

praetor

Spiny Rat

LR/lc. Alien

CI report

Rattus

rattus

Black Rat

Alien

probable

Uromys

neobritannicus

Bismarck Giant Rat

LR/lc Endemic

CI report

The Marine Mammals.

The list is included as the Dugong and the Whales are within range, but no records exist of sightings. The Dolphins are frequent visitors in the bays but the Genus and species remain unknown so have not been included in the mammal total. Marine Common Name

IUCN Red List

Dugong

data deficient

Cetacea Kogidae

Pygmy Sperm Whale

LR/Ic

data deficient

Cetacea Kogidae

Dwarf Sperm Whale

LR/Ic

data deficient

Cetacea Ziphidae

Beaked Whale

data deficient

Cetacea Ziphidae

Beaked Whale

data deficient

Cetacea Delphinidae

Marine Dolphins

LR/Cd and Jacquinot Bay DD

Class

Order

Family

Sirenia

Dugongiae

Genus

Species

Distribution

Mammalia 1 Aquatic Mammals Dugong dugon

Selected References: Ken P Aplin and Muse Opiang in Richards, S. J. and Gamui, B. G. (editors). 2011. Rapid Biological Assessments of the Nakanai Mountains and the upper Strickland Basin: surveying the biodiversity of Papua New Guineaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sublime karst environments. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 60. Conservation International. Arlington, VA. Animal Diversity Web University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (1995-2006). Abdullah MT. 2003. Biogeography and variation of Cynopterus brachyotis in Southeast Asia. PhD thesis. The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia. Birt, P., Markus, N., Collins, L. & Hall, L. (1998) Nature Australia, Spring, pp. 55-59. Bonaccorso, Frank J. 1998. Bats of Papua New Guinea. Conservation International, Washington DC. Corbet, GB, Hill JE. 1992. The mammals of the Indomalayan region: a systematic review. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Churchill, S. 1998. Australian Bats. Clare Coney. Reed New Holland, Sydney, pp. 84-85.ISBN 1-876334-07-X Flannery, Tim. 1995a. Mammals of New Guinea. Reed Books, Chatswood NSW. Flannery, Tim. 1995b. Mammals of the South-West Pacific & Moluccan Islands. Reed Books, Chatswood NSW. Flannery, Tim. 1998. Throwim Way Leg: An adventure. Text Publishing, Melbourne Vic. Pp. 105-174. Flannery, T.F; Martin, R; Szalay, A. 1996. Tree Kangaroos, A curious natural history. Reed Books, Melboune,

Australia. Groves, Colin (16 November2005). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 69-70. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. Hall, L. (1983) Spectacled flying fox. In R. Strahan (ed.). The Mammals of Australia, Reed Books, Chatswood, p. 282. Hall LS, Gordon G. Grigg, Craig Moritz, Besar Ketol, Isa Sait, Wahab Marni and M.T. Abdullah. 2004. Biogeography of fruit bats in Southeast Asia. Sarawak Museum Journal LX(81):191-284. Karim, C., A.A. Tuen and M.T. Abdullah. 2004. Mammals. Sarawak Museum Journal Special Issue No. 6. 80: 221—234. Law, B.S., 1993 ‘Roosting and Foraging Ecology of the Queensland Blossom Bat (syconycteris australis) in North-eastern New South Wales: Flexibility Response to Seasonal Variation’, Vol. 20, pp. 419-31. Mammal Species of the World. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (2005). Mohd. Azlan J., Ibnu Maryanto , Agus P. Kartono and M.T. Abdullah. 2003 Diversity, Relative Abundance and Conservation of Chiropterans in Kayan Mentarang National Park, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Sarawak Museum Journal 79: 251-265. Nowak, R. 1991. Walker’s Mammals of the World, Fifth Edition. Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins University Press. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Mammals of Papua New Guinea. IUCN (2001). Wikramanayake, Eric, Dinerstein and Colby J. Loucks et al (eds) 2002. Terrestrial Ecoregions of the IndoPacific: A Conservation Assessment. Island Press Washington. See particularly Pages 543-545, 553-591. Wilson DE, Reeder DM. 2005. Mammal species of the world. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington DC.

D.W.Gill

The Herpetofauna of the Nakanai Mountains. Explanatory notes. The data base for the reptiles and amphibians recorded from the Nakanai Mountains and surrounding area is compiled from the Pacific Biodiversity Information Forum, the Bishop Museum records and the Conservation International Rapid Assessment Report 2011. All species are confirmed sightings and referenced but most are dated so the lists below can only be regarded as estimates. The distribution field is taken from the Bishop Museum maps and where otherwise stated the species have been recorded from the Nakanai Mountains and coastal regions. Species recorded from the north coast, East and West New Britain or Rabaul have not been recorded from the Nakanai Mountains but in all probability are represented so have been included in the data base.

The Reptiles The Snakes 22 species of snakes are recorded in the literature. The majority of the records date from the 1800s’. The Conservation International expedition 2009 recorded 4. Acutotyphlops sp, Bothrochilus boa, Candoia carinata and Stegonotus sp. None are recorded on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 38

ID Order 1 Serpentes Snakes 3 5 6

Family Acrochordidae

Genus Acrochordus

Boldae Boldae Boldae

Candola Candola Candola

7 8 9 10

Colubridae Colubridae Colubridae Colubridae

The Snakes Species granulatus

Common name Wart or File Snake

Distribution all coastal areas

aspera carinata paulsoni

Ground Boa Tree Boa long tailed

Boiga Dendrelaphis Dendrelaphis Stegonotus

Irregularis calligastra punctulatus heterurus

Brown Snake Tree Snake Tree Snake Ground Snake

Colubridae

Stegonotus

parvus

Ground Snake

Colubridae

Tropidonophis

dahlii

Keelback

13 19 20 21

Colubridae Elapidae Elapidae Elapidae

Tropidonophis Acanthophis Aspidomorphus Laticauda

hypomelas leavis muelleri colubrina

Keelback Death Adder Crowned Snake Blue Banded Sea Snake

Elapidae

Laticauda

laticaudata

Sea Snake

23 24 25

Elapidae Elapidae Elapidae

Hydrophis Hydrophis Pelamis

pacificus ornatus platuras

Sea Snake Sea Snake Sea Snake

26 27 28 29

Elapidae

Enhydrena

schistosa

Sea Snake

widespread widespread West NB probable widespread East Nakanai rare East New Britain Rabaul, West NB East and West NB north coast widespread widespread Rabaul, probable Rabaul, probable rare rare Rabaul, probable rare

Pythonidae Pythonidae Pythonidae

Bothrochilus Morella Morella

boa amethistena viridis

Bismarck Ringed Python Python Python

widespread widespread widespread

Selected references. Richards, S.J. in Richards, S. J. and Gamui, B. G. (editors). 2011. Rapid Biological Assessments of the Nakanai Mountains and the upper Strickland Basin: surveying the biodiversity of Papua New Guinea’s sublime karst environments. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 60. Conservation International. Arlington, VA. Allisson, Allen; Bickford, David; Richards, Stephen; Torr, Geordie. 1998. Herpetofauna. A biological assessment of the Lakekamu Basin, Papua New Guinea. 9:58-62, 156-172Conservation International, Washington, D.C.. 58-62, 156-172pp. Barbour, Thomas. 1921. Reptiles and amphibians from the British Solomon Islands. Proceedings of the New England Zoological Club. 7:91-112. Barrett, Charles Leslie. 1950. Reptiles of Australia. Cassell & Company Limited, London. 168pp. Brass, Leonard J. 1959. Results of the Archbold Expeditions. No. 79. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 118:1-69. Brongersma, Leo D. 1938. Het belang van anatomisch onderzoek voor de systematiek. E.J. Brill, Leiden. 11pp. (3):267-308. Bulmer, R.N.H.; Menzies, James I.; Parker, Fred. 1975. Kalam classification of reptiles and fishes. Journal of the Polynesian Society. 84 Barbour, Thomas. 1912. A contribution to the zoÃ¶geography of the East Indian islands. Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 44:1-203. Bustard, H. Robert. 1969. Defensive behavior and locomotion of the Pacific boa, Candoia aspera, with a brief review of head concealment in snakes. Herpetologica. 25(3):164-170.

Cameron, Elizabeth E.; Cogger, Harold G. 1992. The herpetofauna of the Weipa Region, Cape York Peninsula. Technical Reports of the Australian Museum. 7:1-200. Chiszar, David; Weinstein, Scott A.; Smith, Hobart M. 1992. Liquid and dry venom yields from brown tree snakes Boiga irregularis (Merrem). Greater Cincinnati Herpetological Society Contributions in Herpetology. 1992:11-13 Cogger, Harold G. 1971. The venomous snakes of Australia and Melanesia. Venomous animals and their venoms; venomous vertebrates. II.. Academic Press, New York. 35-77pp. Cogger, Harold G. 1972. Snakes. Encyclopaedia of Papua and New Guinea. 2, L-Z:1042-1048Melbourne Univ. Press, Melbourne. 1042-1048pp. Cogger, Harold G. 1981. A biogeographic study of the Arnhem Land herpetofauna. Proceedings of the Melbourne Herpetological Symposium 1980. Zoological Board of Victoria, Melbourne. 148-155pp. Conservator of Fauna - Division of Wildlife,. 1979. A report to the Second International Convention on the Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora for the period 1977-1978. Wildlife in Papua New Guinea. 79(11):1-21. Dunn, Emmett Reid. 1939. Zoological results of the DenEssisn-Crockett Expedition to the South Pacific for the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1937-1938. Part II - Amphibia and Reptilia. Notulae Naturae of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 14:1-2. Edgar, Paul W.; Lilley, Ron P.H. 1993. Herpetofauna survey of Manusela National Park. Natural history of Seram. Intercep Ltd, Andover, United Kingdom. 131-141pp. Ewers, W.H. 1968. Blood parasites of some New Guinea reptiles and Amphibia. Journal of Parasitology. 54(1):172-174. Ewers, W.H. 1973. A host - parasite list of protozoan and helminth parasites of New Guinea animals. International Journal for Parasitology. 3:89-110. Forcart, Lothar. 1953. Amphibien und Reptilien von Neugunnea mit der Beschreibung eines neuen Laubfrosches, Nyctimystes flavomaculata n. sp.. Verhandlungen der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Basel. 64(1):58-68. Frith, Clifford; Frith, Dawn. 1987. Australian tropical reptiles and frogs. Tropical Australia Graphics, Queensland. 70pp. Fritts, Thomas H,. 1988. The brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis, a threat to Pacific islands. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Biological Report. 88(31):1-36. Gow, Graeme. 1981. Checklist of reptiles and amphibians of the northern sector of the N. T.. Northern Territory Naturalist. 3:16-19. Greene, Harry W. 1989. Ecological, evolutionary, and conservation implications of feeding biology in Old World cat snakes, genus Boiga (Colubridae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, series 4,. 46(8):193-207. Gressitt, J.L.; Nadkarni, Nalini. 1978. Guide to Mt Kaindi: background to montane New Guinea ecology. Wau Ecology Institute Handbook. 5:135Wau Ecology Institute, Wau, Papua New Guinea. 135pp. Groombridge, Brian. 1988. World checklist of threatened amphibians and reptiles. Nature Conservancy Council, London. viii + 138pp. Harlow, Peter; Shine, Richard. 1992. Food habits and reproductive biology of the Pacific Island boas (Candoia). Journal of Herpetology. 26(1):60-66. Hedemark, Michael; Hamilton, Steve; Takeuchi, Wayne. 1997. Report on the first Bismarck-Ramu Biological Survey with sociological and logistical comments. Department of Environment and Conservation/United Nations Development Programme - OPS-PNG/93/G31 Biodiversity Conservation and Resource Management Program, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Hediger, H. 1933. Ãœber die von Herrn Dr. A. Buhler auf der Admiralitatsgruppe und einger benachbarten Inseln gesammelten Reptilien und Amphibien. Verhandlungen der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Basel. 44(2):1-25. Hediger, H. 1934. Beitrag zur Herpetologie und Zoogeographie Neu-Britanniens und einiger umliegender Gebiete.. Zoologische JahrbÃ¼cher, Abteilung fÃ¼r Systematik,. 65(5/6):441-582. Inger, Robert F.; Voris, Harold K. 2001. The biogeographical relations of the frogs and snakes of Sundaland. Journal of Biogeography. 28(7):863-891. Iskandar, Djoko T.; Kiauw Nio, Tjan. 1966 [? please check date. The amphibians and reptiles of Sulawesi, with notes on the distribution and chromosomal number of frogs. Proceedings of the First International Conference on Eastern Indonesian-Australian Vertebrate Fauna. Published by the Western Australian Museum for

Lembaga Ilmu Pentegahuan Indonesia (Indonesian Institute of Sciences), Perth. 22-26pp Johnson, Clifford Ray. 1975. Defensive display behaviour in some Australian and Papuan-New Guinean pygopodid lizards, boid, colubrid and elapid snakes. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 56(4):265-282. Johnson, Clifford Ray. 1975. Thermoregulation in the Papuan-New Guinean boid and colubrid snakes, Candoia carinata, Candoia aspera and Boiga irregularis. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 56:283-290. Johnson, David H. 1946. The rat populations of a newly established military base in the Solomon Islands. U.S. Navy Medical Bulletin. 46(10):1628-1632. Kardong, Kenneth V.; Smith, Paul R. 1991. The role of sensory receptors in the predatory behaviour of the brown treesnake Boiga irregularis (Squamata: Colubridae). Journal of Herpetology. 25(2):229-231. Keogh, J. Scott. 1998. Molecular phylogeny of elapid snakes and a consideration of the biogeographic history. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 63:177-203. Kinghorn, J.R. 1928. Herpetology of the Solomon Islands. Records of the Australian Museum. 16(3):123-178. Kinghorn, J.R. 1929. The snakes of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney. 198pp. KEssiskau, Karol. 1980. Manus Province: a biophysical resource inventory. Office of Environment and Conservation, Waigani, Papua New Guinea. 73pp. Kluge, Arnold G. 1991. Boine snake phylogeny and research cycles. Miscellaneous Publications Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan. 178:1-58. Kraus, Fred; AllEssisn, Allen. 2004. New records of reptiles and amphibians from Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Herpetological Review. 35:413-418. Kraus, Fred; AllEssisn, Allen. 2004. A new species of Tropidonophis (Serpentes: Colubridae: Natricinae) from Dâ&#x20AC;?Entrecasteaux Islands, Papua New Guinea. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 117(3):303310. Kraus, Fred; Shea, Glenn. 2005. Additional reptile and amphibian range extensions for Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Herpetological Review. 36(4):471-473. Liem, David S. 1978. Results of the Wildlife Division faunal surveys in the Golgol timber area, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. Wildlife in Papua New Guinea. 78(15):1-15. Liem, David S.; Haines, Allan K. 1977. The ecological significance and economic importance of the mangrove and estuarine communities of the Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. Environmental Studies Purari River. 3:135. Lindgren, Eric. 1975. Papua New Guinea wildlife. Robert Brown and Associates, Port Moresby. 32 [not numbered]pp. Mackay, Roy D. 1982?. 1975-80 annual report of the trustees of the Wildlife and Bird of Paradise Sanctuary, Baiyer River. Department of Environment and Conservation, Port Moresby. 38pp. Mackay, Roy D. 1985. Baiyer River Sanctuary, Papua New Guinea. 1981-1983 report. Department of Environment and Conservation, Port Moresby. 42pp. McCoy, Michael. 1980. Reptiles of the Solomon Islands. Wau Ecology Institute. Handbook 7, Wau, Papua New Guinea. 82pp. McDowell, Samuel B. 1980. The zoogeography of New Guinea region snakes. McDowell, Samuel B. 1984. Results of the Archbold Expeditions. No. 112. The snakes of the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea. American Museum Novitates. 2775:1-28. .McLain, John M. 1983. Boid snakes of the world. Part 5. Boas and pythons of Australia, New Guinea and the East Indies. Freshwater and Marine Aquarium. 6(10):50-52. Menzies, J. I. 1994. Unnatural distribution of fauna in the east Malesian region. Kitchener, Darrell John;. Suyanto:i-ix, 1-174 Chapter pagination 31-38. Mikua, Charles K.; Menzies, James I. 1974. Animals of Waigani no.1 - snakes. Animals of Waigani. University of Papua New Guinea, Waigani, Papua New Guinea. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea, Mark. 1996. A Guide to the Snakes of Papua New Guinea. 238pp. Independent Publishing Group PTY LTD. Tyler, Michael J. 1972. An analysis of lower vertebrates faunal relationships of Australia and New Guinea. Bridge and barrier: the natural and cultural history of Torres Strait. Australian National University Research School of Pacific Studies, Tanner, Vasco M. 1951. Pacific Islands herpetology, No. V. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands: a check list of species. Great Basin Naturalist. 11(3-4):53-86.

Zweifel, Richard G. 1973. Reptiles and amphibians. Australian Natural History. 17(12):434-439. Zweifel, Richard G. 1976. Herpetological expedition to New Guinea. National Geographic Research Reports, 1968 Projects. . Zweifel, Richard G. 1984. 7. New Zealand, New Guinea and Lord Howe Island. 7H. Reptiles and Amphibians of Papua New Guinea. Vertebrate zoogeography and evolution in Australasia (animals in space in time). Hesperian Press, Carlisle, Western Australia. 1147-1149pp. Â Department of Biogeography and Geomorphology Publication BG/3, Canberra.

The Lizards 31 species of Lizards have been recorded in the literature. As with the Snakes the majority of the records date from the 1800â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. The Conservation International Rapid Assessment Report listed 12 species. The list included a further 3 species of Sphenomorphus, (jobiensis; maindroni and pratti). None of the Lizards are recorded on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. ID Order 1 Lacertilla 2 The Lizards 3

The Lizards Species

Family

Genus

Common Name

Distribution

Agamidae Agamidae

Hypsilurus Hypsilurus

longii modestus

widespread widespread

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Gekkonidae Gekkonidae Gekkonidae Gekkonidae Gekkonidae Gekkonidae Gekkonidae Pygododidae

Gehyra Gehyra Gekko Hemidactylus Lepidodactylus Lepidodactylus Nectus Lialis

mutilata oceanica villatus frenatus guppyi lugubris sp jieari

widespread widespread widespread West NB, probable West NB, probable widespread widespread rare

Scincidae Scincidae Scincidae Scincidae Scincidae Scincidae Scincidae Scincidae Scincidae Scincidae Scincidae Scincidae Scincidae Scincidae Scincidae

Carlia Cryptoblepharus Emoia Emoia Emoia Emoia Emoia Emoia Emoia Eugongylus Eugongylus Lamprolepis Sphenomorphus Sphenomorphus

mysi poecilopluerus bismarnkensis caeruleocauda cyanogaster impor jakati jamur kordoana albofasciolatus rufescens smaragdina simus solomonis

widespread north coasr widespread widespread West, East NB East NB widespread East NB West, East NB north coast East NB widespread widespread widespread

32 35 36

Scincidae Varanidae Varanidae

Sphenomorphus Tribonolotus Varanus Varanus

wolfi annectens finsci indicus

north coast East NB widespread widespread

Selected References. Richards, S.J. in Richards, S. J. and Gamui, B. G. (editors). 2011. Rapid Biological Assessments of the Nakanai Mountains and the upper Strickland Basin: surveying the biodiversity of Papua New Guinea’s sublime karst environments. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 60. Conservation International. Arlington, VA. Alcala, Angel C.; Brown, Walter C. 1967. Population ecology of the tropical scincoid lizard, Emoia atrocostata, in the Philippines. Copeia. 1967(3):596-604. AllEssisn, Allen. 1996. Zoogeography of amphibians and reptiles of New Guinea and the Pacific region. The origin and evolution of Pacific Island biotas, New Guinea to eastern Polynesia. SPB Academic Publishing, Amsterdam. 407-436pp. Bauer, Aaron M. 1988. Hypothesis: a geological basis for some herpetofaunal disjunctions in the southwest Pacific, with special reference to Vanuatu. Herpetological Journal. 1:259-263. Boettger, Otto. 1892. Listen von Kriechtieren und Lurchen aus dem tropischen Asien und aus Papuasien. Bericht des Offenbacher Vereins fÃ¼r Naturkunde. 29-32:65-164. Boettger, Otto. 1893. Katalog der Reptilien-Sammlung im Museum der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Frankfurt am Main (Rhynchocephalen, SchildkrÃ¶ten, Krokodile, Eidechsen, ChamÃ¤leons). Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft (GebrÃ¼der Kanuer), Frankfurt am Main. x + 140pp. Boettger, Otto. 1895. Liste der Reptilien und Batrachier der Insel Halmaheira nach den Sammlungen Prof. Dr. W. KÃ¼kenthal’s. Zoologischer Anzeiger. 18(470/472 :116-121, 129-138. Boettger, Otto. 1900. Die Reptilien und Batrachier. [KÃ¼kenthal, Ergebnisse einer zoologischen Forschungsreise in den Molukken und Borneo. Zweiter Teil: Wissenschaftliche Reisergebnisse. Band III]. Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft. 25(2):323-402. Boettger, Otto. 1900. Die Reptilien und Batrachier. [KÃ¼kenthal, Ergebnisse einer zoologischen Forschungsreise in den Molukken und Borneo. Zweiter Teil: Wissenschaftliche Reisergebnisse. Band III]. Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft. 25(2):323-402. Boulenger, George Albert. 1895. On a collection of reptiles and batrachians from Ferguson Island, D’Entrecasteaux Group, British New Guinea. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, ser. 6,. 16:28-32. Boulenger, George Albert. 1897. List of the reptiles and batrachians collected by Mr. Alfred Everett in Lombok, Flores, Sumba, and Saru, with descriptions of new species. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, ser. 6,. 6 (19):503-509. Boulenger, George Albert. 1897. A catalogue of the reptiles and batrachians of Celebes, with special reference to the collections made by Drs. P. and F. Sarasin in 1893-1896.. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 1897:193-237. Boulenger, George Albert. 1903. Report on the batrachians and reptiles. Fasciculii Malayenses, anthropological and zoological results of an expedition to Perak and the Siamese Malay States, 1901-1902, undertaken by Nelson Annandale and Herbert C. Robinson.. 1, Zoology.:131-176University Press, Liverpool. 131-176pp. Brongersma, Leo D. 1930. Sur un geckonidae nouveau, Gehyra leopoldi nov. sp. de la Nouvelle Guinee. Bulletin MusÃ©e Royal d’Histoire Naturelle de Belgique. 6(11):1-3. Brongersma, Leo D. 1931. RÃ©sultats scientifiques du voyage aux Indes Orientales Neerland-aises de LL. AA. RR. le Prince et la Princesse LÃ©opold de Belgique. Reptiles. MÃ©moires MusÃ©e Royal d’Histoire Naturelle de Belgique. 5(2):3-39. Brongersma, Leo D. 1932. Some notes on the genus Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker. Zoologische Mededelingen (Leiden). 14(4):211-223. Brongersma, Leo D. 1954. ZoÃ¶logisch onderzoek in Niew-Guinea. E.J. Brill, Leiden. 52pp. Brown, Walter C. 1957. The distribution of terrestrial reptiles in the islands of the Pacific Basin. Proceedings of the Eighth Pacific Science Congress. Volume 3A, Oceanography and Zoology:1479-1491. Brown, Walter C.; Alcala, Angel C. 1957. Viability of lizard eggs exposed to sea water. Copeia. 1957(1):39-41. Brown, Walter C.; Alcala, Angel C. 1970. The zoogeography of the herpetofauna of the Philippine Islands, a fringing archipelago. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, series 4,. 38:105-130. Bruna, Emilio M., III. 1995. Genetic divergence, morphological stasis, and ecological segregation in a cryptic species complex of Pacific skinks (Emoia). Department of Biology. University of California, San Diego. xi + 59pp. Chou, L.M. 1977. Anatomy, histology and histochemistry of the alimentary canal of Gehyra mutilata (Reptilia,

Lacertilia, Gekkonidae). Journal of Herpetology. 11(3):349-357. Chrapliwy, P.S. ; Smith, Hobart M. ; Grant, Chapman. 1961. Systematic status of the geckonid lizard genera Gehyra, Peropus, Hoplodactylus and Naultinus. Herpetologica. 17(1):5-12. Cogger, Harold G.; Sadlier, Ross; Cameron, E. 1983. The terrestrial reptiles of Australia’s island territories. Aust. Natl. Parks Wildl. Serv., Spec. Publ.. Darevsky, Ilya S. 1964. Die Reptilien der Inseln Komodo, Padar und Rintja im Kleinen Sunda-Archipel, Indonesien. Senckenbergiana Biologica. 45(3/5):563-576. de Jong, J.K. 1927. Reptiles from Dutch New Guinea. Nova Guinea. 15:296-318. de Rooij, Nelly. 1913. Praeda itineris a L.F. de Beaufort in Archipelago indico facti annis 1909-1910. Reptilien. Bijdragen tot de Dierkunde. 19:15-30. de Rooij, Nelly. 1919. Reptilien aus Nord-Neuguinea gesammelt von Dr. P. van Kampen und Dr. K. Gjellerup in den Jaren 1910 und 1911. Bijdragen tot de Dierkunde. 21:81-95. de Rooy, Nelly. 1909. Reptilien (Eidechsen, ShieldkrÃ¶ten und Krokodile) in RÃ©sultats de l’ExpÃ©dition Scientifique NÃ©erlandaise Ã la Nouvelle-GuinÃ©e en 1903 sous les auspices de Arthur Wichmann. Nova Guinea. 5 (Zool.):375-383. de Rooy, Nelly. 1915. Reptiles. Die Insel Nias bei Sumatra. Martinus Nijhoff, Haag. 282-307pp. de Rooy, Nelly. 1920. Reptiles (Lacertilia, Chelonia and Emydosauria) in RÃ©sultats de l’ExpÃ©dition Scientifique NÃ©erlandaise Ã la Nouvelle-GuinÃ©e en 1912 et 1913 sous les auspices de A. Franssen Herderschee. Nova Guinea. 13 (Zool.):133-153. de Rooy, Nelly. 1920. Reptiles (Lacertilia, Chelonia and Emydosauria) in RÃ©sultats de l’ExpÃ©dition Scientifique NÃ©erlandaise Ã la Nouvelle-GuinÃ©e en 1912 et 1913 sous les auspices de A. Franssen Herderschee. Nova Guinea. 13 (Zool.):133-153. de Witte, Gaston Fr. 1933. Liste de batraciens et des reptiles d’Extreme-Orient et des Indes Orientales recveillis, en 1932, par S.A.R. Le Prince Leopold de Belgique. Bulletin du MusÃ©e Royal d’Histoire Naturelle de Belgique. 9(24):1-8. Dring, J.C.M. 1979. Amphibians and reptiles from northern Trengganu, Malaysia, with descriptions of two new geckos: Cnemapsis and Cyrtodactylus. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Zoology. 34(5):181241. Edgar, Paul W.; Lilley, Ron P.H. 1993. Herpetofauna survey of Manusela National Park. Natural history of Seram. Intercep Ltd, Andover, United Kingdom. 131-141pp. Fischthal, Jacob H.; Kuntz, Robert E. 1967. Digenetic trematodes of amphibians and reptiles from Fiji, New Hebrides and British Solomon Islands. Proceedings of the Helminthological Society. 34(2):244-251. Fisher, Robert N. 1997. Dispersal and evolution of the Pacific Basin gekkonid lizards Gehyra oceanica and Gehyra mutilata. Evolution. 51(3):906-921. Henkel, Friedrich-Wilhelm; Schmidt, Wolfgang. 1995. Geckoes: biology, husbandry, and reproduction. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 237pp. Ineich, Ivan. 1995. [Review of] Das Tierreich. The animal kingdom. Part 109. Family Gekkonidae (Reptilia, Sauria) I. Australia and Oceania. Aaron M. Bauer, editor, this volume. With contributions from Klaus Henle. 1994. Verlag Walter de Gruyter, Berlin and New York, . Herpetological Review. 26(3):159-162. Irschick, Duncan, J.; Austin, Christopher, C.; Petren, Ken; Fisher, Robert, N.; Losos, Jonathan, B.; Ellers, Olaf. 1996. A comparative analysis of clinging ability among pad-bearing lizards. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 59(1):21-35. Iskandar, Djoko T.; Kiauw Nio, Tjan. 1966. The amphibians and reptiles of Sulawesi, with notes on the distribution and chromosomal number of frogs. Proceedings of the First International Conference on Eastern Indonesian-Australian Vertebrate Fauna. Published by the Western Australian Museum for Lembaga Ilmu Pentegahuan Indonesia (Indonesian Institute of Sciences), Perth. 22-26pp. King, Max; Horner, Paul. 1989. Karyotypic evolution in Gehyra (Gekkonidae: Reptilia). V. A new species from Papua New Guinea and morphometrics of Gehyra oceanica (Lesson). Beagle. 6(1):169-178. King, Max; Sadlier, Ross; Horner, Paul. 1989. A note on the status of Gehyra baliola (DumÃ©ril and DumÃ©ril, 1851) in Australia. Beagle. 6(1):163-167. KEssiskau, Karol. 1974. Fauna survey of Manus District. Science in New Guinea. 2(2):172-175. KEssiskau, Karol. 1980. Manus Province: a biophysical resource inventory. Office of Environment and Conservation, Waigani, Papua New Guinea. 73pp.

Kopstein, Felix. 1927. Die Reptilienfauna der Sula-Inseln. Treubia. 9(4):437-446. Kopstein, Felix. 1930. Herpetologische Notizen, III. Reptilien des Ã¶stlichen Preanger (West Java). Treubia. 12(3-4):273-276. Kraus, Fred. 2005. The genus Nactus (Lacertilia: Gekkonidae): a phylogenetic analysis and description of two new species from the Papuan region. Zootaxa. 1061:1-28. Kraus, Fred; AllEssisn, Allen. 2004. New records of reptiles and amphibians from Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Herpetological Review. 35:413-418. Kraus, Fred; Shea, Glenn. 2005. Additional reptile and amphibian range extensions for Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Herpetological Review. 36(4):471-473. Kurniati, Hellen. 1996. Keanekaragaman herpetofauna Cagar Alam Pegunungan Cyclops daerah punggung utara. Laporan teknik proyek penelitian, pengembangan dan pendayagunaan biota darat tahun 1995/1996. Pusat Penelitian dan Pengembangan Biologi, Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia, Bogor, Indonesia. 498-503pp. Loveridge, Arthur. 1948. New Guinean reptiles and amphibians in the Museum of Comparative Zoology and the United States National Museum. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 101(2):305-430. Manthey, Ulrich; Denzer, Wolfgang. 2004. A revision of the Melanesian - Australian angle head lizards of the Genus Hypsilurus (Sauria: Agamidae: Amphibolurinae) with description of four new species and one subspecies. Hamadryad. McCoid, Michael J.; Hensley, Rebecca A. 1991. Pseudocopulation in Lepidodactylus lugubris. Herpetological Review. 22(1):8-9. McCoy, Michael. 1980. Reptiles of the Solomon Islands. Wau Ecology Institute. Handbook 7, Wau, Papua New Guinea. 82pp. Tyler, Michael J. 1972. An analysis of lower vertebrates faunal relationships of Australia and New Guinea. Bridge and barrier: the natural and cultural history of Torres Strait. Australian National University Research School of Pacific Studies, Department of Biogeography and Geomorphology Publication BG/3, Canberra. Zweifel, Richard G. 1980. Results of the Archbold Expeditions. No. 103. Frogs and lizards from the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 165:387-434, figures 1-14, 1 table.

The Crocodiles. The two Papua New Guinea species (C. novaeguineae and C. porosus) are not recorded from New Britain but are almost certain to be represented as they have been seen by coastal villagers in the Mangrove Forests and estuaries.

The Crocodiles ID

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Distribution

Crocodiles 1 Crocodylia

Crocodylidae

Crocodylus

novaeguineae no data, probable

Crocodylidae

Crocodylus

porosus

no data, probable

The Turtles. The marine turtles have been noted by the local coastal population and probably include the Green Turtle, Cheonia mydid and the Loggerhead Turtle, Caretta carreta. It is also possible that the Hawksbill Turtle, Eretmochelys imbricate and the Leatherback Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea may frequent the Nakanai beaches. As far as is known, there are no records of fresh water Turtles from the Nakanai Mountains. The total number of Reptiles estimated is 55.

The Amphibians

The Frogs 30 Frogs have been confirmed. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species include 8 (LC) least concern; 10 (DD) data deficient and 2 (VU) Vulnerable. 6- are classified as endemic and can only be found in the Nakanai Mountains. The Conservation International expedition 2009 confirmed 23 species with 4 frogs completely new to science and a further 1 which requires further studies. Amphibia ID

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Common Name

IUCN Red List

Distribution

Frogs 1 Anura Bufonidae

Bufo

marinus

Hylidae

Litoria

Sp. Nov

IC report

Hylidae

Litoria

bicolor

wide spread

Hylidae

Litoria

lodesdema

IC report

Hylidae

Litoria

infrafrenata

Hylidae

Litoria

Microhylidae

Marine Toad, alien

wide spread

thesaurensis

wide spread IC report

Austrochaperina

novaebritanniae

IC report

Microhylidae

Oreophryne

brachypus

wide spread IC report

Ceratobatrachidae

Batrachylodes

Sp Nov

Ceratobatrachidae

Dicodeles

guppyi

wide spread IC report

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

adiastolus

wide spread IC report

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

akarithyma

VU en- wide spread IC demic report

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

boulengeri

LC en- wide spread IC demic report

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

bufonulus

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

browni

LC en- Kol Mountains demic

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

caesiops

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

gilliardi

DD en- wide spread IC demic report

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

macrosceles

DD en- wide spread IC demic report

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

mamusiorum

wide spread IC report

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

mimicus

wide spread

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

magnus

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

Nakanaiorum

IC report

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

nexipus

IC report

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

rhipiphalca

wide spread

Giant, White Lipped Tree Frog

wide spread

IC report

wide spread

Amphibia ID

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Common Name

IUCN Red List

Distribution

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

schmidti

wide spread IC report

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

sulcatus

IC report

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

Sp. Nov1

IC report

Ceratobatrachidae

Platymantis

Sp.Nov2

IC report

Ranidae

Rana

daemeli

Ranidae

Rana

novaebritanniae

Water Frog, Wood Frog

wide spread IC report

Selected References Richards, S.J. in Richards, S. J. and Gamui, B. G. (editors). 2011. Rapid Biological Assessments of the Nakanai Mountains and the upper Strickland Basin: surveying the biodiversity of Papua New Guineaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sublime karst environments. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 60. Conservation International. Arlington, VA. AllEssisn, Allen. 1993. Biodiversity and conservation of the fishes, amphibians, and reptiles of Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea conservation needs assessment. Volume 2. 2:157-225The Biodiversity Support Program, Washington, D.C.. 157-225pp. Barker, John; Grigg, Gordon. 1977. A field guide to Australian frogs. Rigby Limited, Adelaide. 229pp. Brown, Walter C.; Menzies, James I. 1978 (1979). A new Platymantis (Amphibia: Ranidae) from New Ireland with notes on the amphibians of the Bismarck Archipelago. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 91(4):965-971. Brown, Walter C.; Tyler, Michael J. 1968. Frogs of the genus Platymantis (Ranidae) from New Britain with descriptions of new species. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 81:69-86. Cameron, Elizabeth E.; Cogger, Harold G. 1992. The herpetofauna of the Weipa Region, Cape York Peninsula. Technical Reports of the Australian Museum. 7:1-200. Cogger, Harold G. 1981. A biogeographic study of the Arnhem Land herpetofauna. Proceedings of the Melbourne Herpetological Symposium 1980. Zoological Board of Victoria, Melbourne. 148-155pp. Davies, Margaret. 1978. Variation in the cranial osteology of the Australopapuan hylid frog Litoria infrafrenata. Records of the South Australian Museum. 17(22):337-345. Davies, Margaret. 1978. Variation in the cranial osteology of the Australopapuan hylid frog Litoria infrafrenata. Records of the South Australian Museum. 17(22):337-345. Frith, Clifford; Frith, Dawn. 1987. Australian tropical reptiles and frogs. Tropical Australia Graphics, Queensland. 70pp. Frost, D. 1985. Amphibian species of the world, a taxonomic and geographic reference. Allen Press and The Association of Systematics Collections, Lawrence, Kansas. 732pp. Gorham, Stanley W. 1974. Checklist of world amphibians. New Brunswick Museum, St. John, New Brunswick. 173pp.Zweifel, Richard G.; Tyler, Michael J. 1982. Amphibia of New Guinea. Biogeography and ecology of New Guinea. 42:759-801Dr W. Junk, The Hague. 759-801pp Gow, Graeme. 1981. Checklist of reptiles and amphibians of the northern sector of the N. T.. Northern Territory Naturalist. 3:16-19. Ganther, Rainer. 2004. Two new treefrog species of the genus Litoria (Anura: Hylidae) from the west of New Guinea. Zoologische Abhandlungen (Dresden. 54:163-175. Johnston, Gregory R.; Richards, Stephen J. 1994. A new species of Litoria (Anura: Hylidae) from New Guinea and a redefinition of Litoria leucova (Tyler, 1968). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum. 37(1):273-279. King, Max. 1980. A cytotaxonomic analysis of Australian hylid frogs of the genus Litoria. Proceedings of the Mellbourne Herpetological Symposium. Zoological Board of Victoria [Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens], Melbourne. 169-175pp. Kraus, Fred; AllEssisn, Allen. 2004. A new species of Litoria (Anura: Hylidae) from southeastern New Guinea.

Herpetologica. 60(1):97-103. Kraus, Fred; AllEssisn, Allen. 2004. Two new treefrogs from Normanby Island, Papua New Guinea. Journal of Herpetology. 38(2):197-207. Kuramoto, Mitsuru. 1990. A list of chromosome numbers of anuran amphibians. Bulletin of Fukuoka University of Education. 39(3):83-127. Liem, David S. 1978. Results of the Wildlife Division faunal surveys in the Golgol timber area, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. Wildlife in Papua New Guinea. 78(15):1-15. Martin, Angus A. 1967. Australian anuran life histories: some evolutionary and ecological aspects. Australian inland waters and their fauna. Australian National University Press, Canberra. 175-191pp. Menzies, James I. 1976. Handbook of common New Guinea frogs. Wau Ecology Institute, Handbook 1, Wau, Papua New Guinea. 74pp. Menzies, James I. 1993. Systematics of Litoria iris (Anura: Hylidae) and its allies in New Guinea and a note on sexual dimorphism in the group. Aust. J. Zool.. 41:225-255. Menzies, James I.; Tippett, Joanna. 1976. Chromosome numbers of Papuan hylid frogs and the karyotype of Litoria infrafrenata (Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae). Journal of Herpetology. 10(3):167-173. Tyler, Michael J. 1972. Endochondral ossification of the hyoid plate in Australo-Papuan hylid frogs. Zoologischer Anzeiger. 189(5-6):331-336. Tyler, Michael J. 1976. Comparative osteology and the pelvic girdle of Australian frogs and a description of a new fossil genus. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia. 100(1):3-14. Tyler, Michael J. 1978. The systematic status of the Aru Islands microhylid frog genys Microbatrachus Roux. Journal of Natural History. 12(4):457-460. Tyler, Michael J. 1999. Distribution patterns of amphibians and reptiles. Patterns of distribution of amphibians. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 541-563pp. Tyler, Michael J.; Davies, Margaret. 1978. Phylogenetic relationships of Australian hyline and Neotropical phyllomedusine frogs of the family Hylidae. Herpetologica. 34(2):219-224. Tyler, Michael J.; Davies, Margaret. 1978. Species-groups within the Australopapuan frog genus Litoria Tschudi. Australian Journal of Zoology, Supplementary Series,. 63:1-47. Tyler, Michael J.; Davies, Margaret; Aplin, K. 1986. A new stream dwelling species of Litoria (Anura: Hylidae) from New Guinea. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia. 110(2):63-67. Tyler, Michael J.; Davies, Margaret; Martin, Angus A. 1977. A new species of large green frog from northern Western Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia. 101(5):133-138. Tyler, Michael J.; Lungershausen, K. 1986. The ultrastructure of male nuptial pads in some Australopapuan frogs. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia. 110(1):37-41. Tyler, Michael J.; Parker, Fred. 1972. Additions to the hylid frog fauna of New Guinea, with descriptions of a new species, Litoria timida. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia. 96(3):157-163. Tyler, Michael J.; Watson, G.F.; Martin, Angus A. 1982. The Amphibia: diversity and distribution. Ecological biogeography of Australia. Dr. W. Junk, The Hague. 1277-1301pp. Zug, George R.; Lindgren, Eric; Pippet, John R. 1975. Distribution and ecology of the marine toad, Bufo marinus, in Papua New Guinea. Pacific Science. 29(1):31-50. Zweifel, Richard G.; Tyler, Michael J. 1982. Amphibia of New Guinea. Biogeography and ecology of New Guinea. 42:759-801Dr W. Junk, The Hague. 759-801pp. Â Â

D.W.Gill

Appendix 6 Mageni Cave Atlas

Sheet 5

East New Britain Papua New Guinea Position E354814 N9421661 Altitude: 562 m Length: 7200 m; Vertical Range 229 m Explored by The Untamed Rivers of New Britain 2006/7 Expedition

Mageni Cave

Sheet 7

Sheet 6

Sheet 3

Sheet 4

Sheet 2

corel junction

camp

techtonic gallery

Sheet 1

derbyshire downfall

sump

entrance

2 0m

derbyshire downfall

10m

20m

30m

40m

sump

Nmag

entrance

(1)

entrance

corel junction

10m

camp

20m

30m

40m

Nmag

techtonic gallery

(2)

10m

20m

30m

40m

Nmag

(3)

10m

20m

30m

40m

Nmag

(4)

4 0m

10m

20m

30m

40m

Nmag

(5)

5 0m

10m

20m

30m

40m

Nmag

(6)

10m

20m

30m

40m

Nmag

(7)

Index C

Mammals 34 Cloven-Hoofed Ungulates 36

Cave Challenger Pot 18

Marsupials 36

Downstream Ora River Cave 7, 9

Rodents 36 Reptiles 38

Little Ora River Cave 9 Mageni 19

Lizards 42

Ora Resurgence 17

Snakes 38 Sponsorship 22

Ora River Cave 6 Phantom Pot 14

clothing 22

Pulse Pot 18

Lighting 22

Triosaurus Pot 18

Safety 22

Upstream Ora River Cave 12

Surveying 22 Training 22

Contacts 25

Surveys

Downstream Ora River Cave 7

Equipment 21

Little Ora River Cave 10

Mageni Cave Atlas 49 Ora River Caves 13

karst 2, 14, 17, 18, 26, 27

Phantom Pot 16

Upstream Ora River Cave 12

Meteorology 23

Rainfall 24

Team members

Temperature and humidity 24

Andrew James Eavis 2

Andy Eavis 3, 4

Nakanai Mountains 1, 3

Dave Nixon 3

Nakanai Mountains Conservation Area 1, 26â&#x20AC;&#x201C;27

David Clucas 2 David Nixon 2

David W Gill 2

Ora Base Camp 4, 5

James Alker 2, 3

Ora village 3, 4, 5

Jean-Paul Sounier 2

Matt Oliphant 2

Phantom Pot 14â&#x20AC;&#x201C;15

Nancy Pistole 2 Prof. Herbert Laeger 2

Robbie Shone 2, 4

Species

Stephen Alvarez 2

Amphibians 46

Tom Chapman 2

Frogs 46

Training 22

The Ora Dolines - Photo: ÂŠ Dave Clucas