Records of non-indigenous marine species at Palmyra Atoll in the US Line Islands

Research at Palmyra Atoll, a remote and quasi-pristine reef system in the central Pacific, has identified five non-indigenous marine species, including two sponges, one bryozoan, one hydroid, and one macroalga. These introductions likely originated from the Hawaiian Archipelago, potentially via shipping or yachting activity. The study highlights the susceptibility of even remote islands to invasive species, particularly those with a history of human modifications like Palmyra Atoll's military past. While the ecological impacts remain unknown, ongoing monitoring aims to assess their influence on this fragile reef ecosystem.

Knapp, I. S., Godwin, L. S., Smith, J. E., Williams, C. J., & Bell, J. J. (2011). Records of non-indigenous marine species at Palmyra Atoll in the US Line Islands. Marine Biodiversity Records, 4. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1755267211000078