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ARTHHOPODS 
The insect fauna of Palmyra shows considerable diversity and 
abundance. A large per cent of insect species has been introduced. 
Of course the most notable pest is the over-abundant mosquito. 
A search for ticks in the Sooty Tern colony proved futile. 
One Hippoboscid fly was collected from a Golden Plover. Red-footed 
Boobies were infested with Hippoboscids . 
Crustaceans are a dominant form of invertebrates on Palmyra. 
Two species of hermit crabs are abundant along with normal land crabs. 
Fiddlercrabs formed the staple diet for Curlews on the mudflats. Thre° 
coconut crabs were observed on the island and one of these weighed 
(by personnel from the PELE) 13 pounds. 
MAMMALS AND HERPS. 
Skinks were absent although an adequate search for them was not 
conducted. Geckos of two species ( Lepidoductylus 1-ugubris and 
Gehyra oceanica (?)) were collected by F. Smith. 
Sea turtle pits were found on islets off of the eastern end of 
the atoll. Divers from the PELE reported that Green Turtles were 
uncommon off of the reef. 
The introduced Bufo marinus is common on Cooper Island where 2 
were collected. 
One porpoise skull which had been left in the forest by POBSP 
personnel on a previous trip, was collected. 
Rattus rattus were found on most of the islets, but were not 
abundant. Five were collected for ectoparasite studies. 
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