Study any large-scale map of and and over 35 endemic fish species. Walking sharks, Endemic Marine Species of the Bird’s Head Seascape most of the Seascape’s islands appear to be in the nocturnal epaulette sharks that move over the middle of nowhere, just dots of land separated by bottom using their pectoral fins, seem to be The Bird’s Head Seascape of is not only the epicenter of marine biodiversity, it also appears a sweeping expanse of ocean. The paradox is that especially picky about where they evolve. Triton to function as a “species factory”, as evidenced by the large number of reef fishes and other fauna known oceanic currents connect a great deal of the Bird’s Bay has its very own endemic walking shark, as do only from this area. Currently, there are at least 35 fish species believed to be endemic to the Head to distant regions in ways not revealed on Raja Ampat and Cenderawasih Bay. Bird’s Head, with an additional 5 to 40 endemic coral species and 8 endemic mantis shrimp. Below we most maps. Within a vast area of the equatorial But there is another side to this marine life provide descriptions of a number of these endemic species, as well as rare fish species that are known Pacific known as the Coral Triangle, which includes oasis. The same dynamic geological past that only from the Bird’s Head and specific neighboring regions of northeastern or Papua New the Philippines, Borneo, eastern Indonesia and spawned the Seascape’s marine habitats also left Guinea. Keep your eyes open for these special fishes while diving the Bird’s Head, or set out to discover all the territory east to the Solomon Islands, the deposits of nickel and other minerals on many of your own new species! Dr. Mark Erdmann Bird’s Head is the sweet spot. Scientists believe that the islands. Extracting the ore will undoubtedly because significant larvae-bearing oceanic currents have negative consequences for area reefs. There Heteroconger sp. Papuan garden eel. Recently discovered in traverse the region, it functions like an incubator has been a surge in seismic exploration permits 2010, one population is known from a silty inshore habitat in Cenderawasih Bay in depths of 15 to 20 meters, while the other was or “species factory”, which partially seeds the issued at the national level for Papua’s undersea oil found in clean white coral sand on an offshore island in the Kaimana entire Coral Triangle. Hard to deny when at least and gas deposits. Permits have been implemented region in 25 to 35 meters depth. Ongoing work will soon determine three-fourths of the Bird’s Head’s species are also without regard for sensitive cetacean migratory if these are two different species and will provide name(s) for them. present throughout the Coral Triangle. routes or inhabitants’ concerns. Illegal fishing The story in Cenderawasih Bay is a bit has damaged some habitats, and even the scant Astreopora acroporina. Wallace, Turak and Devantier, 2011. different. The marine life in the 15,000 square local population has impacted village reefs. One of 3 new Astreopora species discovered in Cenderawasih Bay in 2006, this unusual coral is found in the inshore coral-rich lagoons of kilometer Cenderawasih Bay National Park, Additionally, Indonesia must find ways of feeding coastal Cenderawasih Bay in depths of 1 to 3 meters. There are up Indonesia’s largest marine protected area, has its rapidly growing human population. Plans to 40 endemic species of hard coral from the Bird’s Head which are also been affected by 14 million years of tectonic for industrial-scale agricultural production in currently being examined closely by coral taxonomists. plate movement. But, instead of merging with its Papua require cleared forests, which will result neighbors, Cenderawasih over time became more in sediment runoff that will suffocate nearby Odontodactylus sp. Cenderawasih isolated as elongate fault slivers moved across the reefs. As the Seascape’s own population develops, mantis shrimp. One of 8 endemic mantis shrimp found in the Bird’s Head, mouth of the bay impeding nutrient and larvae its needs will become more complex. Modern this particular species is closely related flow, especially when sea levels dropped. Even infrastructure construction, particularly roads, to the peacock mantis shrimp, but is today the current story in Cenderawasih is more threatens coastal environments on those islands known only from Cenderawasih Bay in about currents not penetrating the bay’s inner slated for development. Fortunately more than a depths of 25 to 50 meters. It lives in reaches. Separated from their relatives’ gene pool, decade of conservation work is countering these burrows on sand and rubble slopes and Cenderawasih fish populations developed peculiar risks with practical science-backed plans designed will readily display to a diver’s camera! traits, including odd color variations and the to ensure that the Bird’s Head Seascape, the global propensity of some deeper dwelling fish, Burgess’s epicenter of marine biodiversity, not only survives butterflyfish for instance, to inhabit much shallower but continues to flourish. water than any place else on earth. Cenderawasih Selected marine biodiversity species counts for the coral communities are also highly unusual, with Bird’s Head Seascape as of mid-2011. many unique growth forms and a predominance Region Reef Hard Mantis of Porites, Montipora and Astreopora species rather Fishes Corals* Shrimp than the more typical Acropora-dominated reefs of Raja Ampat 1427 553 42 the rest of the Coral Triangle. FakFak to Triton Bay 1005 471 28 Large numbers of endemics, species known Cenderawasih Bay 962 469 39 only from the Bird’s Head, thrive within the Bird’s Head Totals 1629 569 57 Seascape. So far scientists have recorded more than *Hard coral numbers include only known, described species. eight endemic mantis shrimp species, between 10 Scientists believe there are up to an additional 40 new species from and 40 endemic corals (still under active study), the Bird’s Head, which are currently under investigation.

4 Diving Indonesia’s Bird’s Head Seascape Diving Indonesia’s Bird’s Head Seascape 5 Cirrhilabrus cenderawasih Allen Hemiscyllium freycineti Quoy and Chromis unipa Allen and Erdmann, Lepadichthys sp. Cenderawasih Meiacanthus sp. Cenderawasih Eviota raja Allen, 2001. Raja Ampat and Erdmann, 2006. Cenderawasih fairy Gaimard, 1824. Raja Ampat walking 2009. UNIPA chromis. Discovered during clingfish. A beautiful red and white fangblenny. A rare deep-dwelling species coral goby. A tiny, mid-water hovering wrasse. This beautiful wrasse is found shark. Also known as a bamboo shark, a UNIPA (State University of Papua) fish striped clingfish discovered in 2010 of fangblenny that was discovered in goby that is found in sheltered, coral- on rubble slopes in 20 to 60 meters on this charismatic nocturnal species is taxonomy field course in November in Cenderawasih Bay in 70 meters in 2010 on the steep outer reef slopes of rich bays throughout Raja Ampat. Cenderawasih Bay’s sheltered seaward common in shallow reef and sea grass 2008, this beautiful damsel is known association with coralline algae and Cenderawasih Bay’s atolls. Known only reefs. Typically seen in groups of 10-20, beds throughout Raja Ampat, where it only from deep (40 to 70 meter) outer sponges on steep outer reef slopes. from depths of 60 to 70 meters. including 1-5 males. “walks” across the bottom in search of reef slopes of Tridacna and other atolls crustaceans and snails. in Cenderawasih Bay.

Paracheilinus nursalim Allen and Hemiscyllium henryi Allen and Priolepis sp. Papuan convict goby. Calumia papuensis Allen and Hoplolatilus erdmanni Allen, 2007. Chrysiptera giti Allen and Erdmann, Erdmann, 2008. Nursalim’s flasher Erdmann, 2008. Triton Bay walking This beautiful little goby (yet to be Erdmann, 2010. Papuan gudgeon. Erdmann’s tilefish. Rarely seen above 2008. Giti demoiselle. This pretty blue wrasse. Known primarily from the FakFak shark. This relatively large epaulette described) has only been photographed Discovered in 2008, this stunning, tiny 40 meters, this tilefish lives on current- devil damselfish is found in coral-rich and Kaimana coastlines, this beautiful shark was only discovered in 2006. It is in Cenderawasih Bay and nearby Lembeh fish measures less than 2 centimeters. swept sandy bottoms, where it builds lagoonal environments in depths of 5 flasher wrasse is seen in Raja Ampat found only in Triton Bay’s shallow reef Strait in North Sulawesi. It lives under Although it was first discovered in large mounds of coral rubble in which 2 to 20 meters. To date it has been found only in southeastern Misool in depths flats and rocky shore areas in 3 to 10 coral rubble in shallow (5 to 10 meters) Cenderawasih Bay, it was later found to 6 individuals reside. A true Bird’s Head only along the FakFak-Kaimana coastline of 20 to 35 meters. Watch for the male’s meters. Active only at night, the shark coastal black sand environments. in FakFak and the neighboring Banda endemic, this fish is found throughout and in nearby Sulawesi’s Togian islands. stunning displays in late afternoon. walks around on the bottom, feeding on Sea in sheltered, coral-rich lagoonal the Bird’s Head and nowhere else. crustaceans and small fish. environments between 20 to 50 meters.

Paracheilinus walton Allen and Hemiscyllium galei Allen and Vanderhorstia sp. Wayag shrimp Calumia eilperini Allen and Chromis athena Allen and Erdmann, Chrysiptera pricei Allen and Adrim, Erdmann, 2006. Walton’s flasher wrasse. Erdmann, 2008. Cenderawasih Bay goby. A small but beautiful shrimp goby Erdmann, 2010. Eilperin’s gudgeon. 2008. Athena chromis. Known only from 1992. Prices’ demoiselle. This attractive Known only from Cenderawasih Bay, this walking shark. Like its sister species that is abundant on the lagoonal sand Closely related to gobies, this the Fam Island group in the Dampier damselfish, frequently associated with brilliantly colored wrasse is found on in Raja Ampat and Triton Bay, this is a slope at 8 to 15 meters in front of the striking gudgeon is known only from Strait region, this attractive gold-crested coral-rich habitats, only in Cenderawasih rubble and Halimeda algae slopes below nocturnal species found on shallow reefs Wayag MPA field station in Raja Ampat. Cenderawasih Bay’s sheltered, sitly damsel is found in depths of 50 to 65 Bay, where it is found in shallow, sheltered 20 meters. It is most active in the late and sea grass beds, where it uses its Soon to be described, and known only reefs. Found between 5 to 12 meters. meters on steep outer reef slopes. (and often silty) bays throughout the afternoon when males display for their pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” across from Wayag. region, from to Purup. female harem. the bottom in search of prey. Known only from Cenderawasih Bay.

6 Diving Indonesia’s Bird’s Head Seascape Diving Indonesia’s Bird’s Head Seascape 7 Pterocaesio monikae Allen and Pseudochromis sp. 3. Wandammen Pseudochromis matahari Gill, Manonichthys jamali Allen and Heteroconger mercyae Allen and Stalix sp. Bird’s Head jawfish. This Erdmann, 2008. Monika’s fusilier. Known dottyback. This secretive and drab- Erdmann and Allen, 2009. Sunset Erdmann, 2007. Jamal’s dottyback. Found Erdmann, 2009. Mercy’s garden eel. inconspicuous jawfish, not yet described, only from Cenderawasih Bay, this dwarf colored dottyback is known only from the dottyback. This aptly named dottyback in southern Misool to Triton Bay, this This strikingly-patterned garden eel was has been found in silty bays in southeast fusilier is commonly found in schools Wandammen Peninsula of Cenderawasih is found in depths of 30 to 50 meters dottyback inhabits dense coral thickets found in the Tanjung Papisol region of Misool, Kokas Islands (FakFak) and Triton of up to several hundred along steep Bay, where it lives on silty coastal reefs around sponges and coral outcrops on in 9 to 16 meters, where it mimics and Kaimana, in 5 to 10 meters on silty sand. Bay in Kaimana. It is found in depths of outer reef slopes in the center of the bay between 3 to 8 meters and shelters gradual sandy reef slopes in clear water. preys upon the young of the common It has also been photographed in Milne 20 to 40 meters in small, mucus-lined Bay in Papua . between 5 to 50 meters. under coral rubble and sponges. Known only from northern Raja Ampat damselfish Chromis retrofasciatus. holes in pure soft bottom environments. and neighboring Halmahera.

Pentapodus numberii Allen and Pictichromis caitlinae Allen, Gill and Pseudochromis sp. 1. Ammer’s Apogonichthyoides sp. Misool Forcipiger sp. Cenderawasih Pomacentrus fakfakensis Allen and Erdmann, 2009. Numberi’s whiptail. Erdmann, 2008. Caitlin’s dottyback. This dottyback. Soon to be described in honor cardinalfish. This deep-dwelling species long-nosed butterflyfish. Another Erdmann, 2008. FakFak damselfish. This Named for Indonesia’s Minister beautiful and curious dottyback is only of BHS dive pioneer Max Ammer, this was only discovered in early 2011. apparent Cenderawasih Bay endemic, brown damsel with blue-fringed fins is of Fisheries, this whiptail is found known from Cenderawasih Bay, where lovely dottyback is common throughout It was found at 70 meters under an this conspicuous species (with dusky known only from shallow, silty reefs in throughout the Bird’s Head (and into it will actively investigate divers that Raja Ampat amongst rubble at the base overhanging coral head in Raja Ampat’s body coloration compared to its bright 3 to 8 meters from the FakFak-Kaimana neighboring Halmahera) in more turbid hover motionless over the reef. Typically of reef slopes in 18 to 30 meters. southeast Misool. yellow cousins) is found in coral rich coastline reef areas in 8 to 30 meters. seen on gradual slopes between 8 to 25 environments between 3 to 15 meters. meters, it usually retreats into crevices in the sand/coral interface.

Additional Bird’s Head endemics not pictured: Pseudochromis jace Kalyptatherina helodes Siphamia ctenotes Opistognathus rufilineatus

Text © Dr. Gerald Allen and Dr. Mark Erdmann Lubbockichthys sp. Cenderawasih Pseudochromis erdmanni Gill and Pseudochromis sp. 2. Wayag Apogon oxygrammus Allen, 2001. Photographs © Dr. Gerald Allen except dottyback. This deep-dwelling dottyback Allen, 2011. Erdmann’s dottyback. This dottyback. This secretive dottyback is Papuan cardinalfish. A deepwater (40 to Heteroconger sp. and Odontodactylus sp. © Jones/Shimlock was discovered in 2010 in caves at 50 to fearsome-looking, aggressive dottyback found on the ceilings of karst overhangs 50 meters) cardinal that prefers coastal Astereopora acroporina © Emre Turak reefs, it is found on rocky outcrops on 70 meters along the outer steep walls (maximum length 10 centimeters) and caves in northern Raja Ampat, and Apogonichthyoides sp, Chromis athena, Pseudochromis matahari silty or Halimeda algal-covered bottoms. of Cenderawasih Bay atolls. Males and has been found in Raja Ampat and is particularly common in the Wayag- © Dr. Mark Erdmann females display different coloration; Halmahera, Ambon and North Sulawesi. Uranie island chain. It appears to be a females are red with a yellow tail and Found on deep slopes below 35 meters, it new species endemic to Raja Ampat. the males are more overall drab olive associates with solitary sponges and soft with only a hint of red. corals in silty coastal sand environments. Female is yellowish.

8 Diving Indonesia’s Bird’s Head Seascape Diving Indonesia’s Bird’s Head Seascape 9