Institute of Invertebrate Research Hawaii/Things Marine

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Notes on Environmental Science - Biological stressors
(Center for Environmental Science, IIRH, Honolulu)
updated July 4, 2022

The need for stream and watershed management is more critical today than ever--green effects and climate change is a global responsibility--the responsibility of everyone and not just a few. Global warming, acid rain, coral bleaching, greenhouse effects and other disasters affecting weather patterns giving us more severe storms, temperatures hot and cold to the severe side of the scale. We are currently in climate change -- and are starting to experience the beginning of something worse to come. Each one of us need to react to stop or slow down climate change. It’s a simple first step -- stopping pollution -- remember our watershed and it’s life are fragile and everything from there flows through our rivers and streams and heads to the ocean--contributing to plastics in a pacific garbage patch and pollutants causing acid rain, coral bleaching, fish getting caught in them, fish dying from ingesting them, etc. These biological stressors are the main cause and effect to our way of life and everyday life on our planet earth.

I did a paper some years ago on three streams on Oahu and researched it for about 10 years--I used marine/brackish water molluscs as biological indicators to environmental change and discovered a significant decline in population and witnessed damages and deformities to the biological indicators. I did population studies as well as examination of water chemistry and visual indications of pollutants. Anthropocene effects caused by man seem to be a big contributing factor to the stream and river environment. Natural causes include sedimentation, debris, and erosion to stream beds and shorelines--man’s effect causes increased stressors to include rubbish, construction debris, chemicals, and other pollutants. The stream I researched some 15 years ago never really recovered--other streams I researched ended with little or no biological indicator species--some have higher nitrate levels (bi-product of high ammonia levels) which is an increase in fertile chemistry for algae growth.


Biological indicator
Neripteron vespertinum (Sowerby, G.B. II, 1849)

3 Invasive species present in streams
Melanoides torulosa Bruguière, J.G., 1789
Melanoides tuberculata tuberculata (Müller, O.F., 1774)
Physa species

The invasive species compete for food and shelter which pose a threat to Neripteron vespertinum -- to include the changing climate and environmental factors now pose an even bigger threat to their survival.

Even with natural occurring climate change…Man’s influence has sped up the process and with more irreversible damage. Climate change is not new but has been in existence since the dawn of time…earth’s time that is. Now we have a big threat of another pandemic because of the defrosting ice sheets and the new bacteria, fungus, and viruses being exposed. Countless unknown species and the threat they pose from the unknown element. The coronavirus virus was a worldwide wake-up call as the world grew complacent. With advancing technology we must stay ahead of the mutating virus and new biological threats.

Environmental and habitat destruction is the current threat to the survivability of endemic species. From the decline of our endangered birds and tree snails it’s a wake-up call. Invertebrates are the least studied and have the greatest threat to their survival.

The need for public education on pollution in our watersheds, wetlands, streams, and waterways need to be addressed--but the need to stop pollution from the get go needs to be addressed first. All rubbish starts from the ground (streets, roads, etc.) and finds its way to the water and ends up into our precious ocean.

A good example of destructive nature and the sense of entitlement; I was driving and on the road in front of me was a vehicle with a bumper sticker that reads “Take-care the Aina”; in Hawaiian language “Aina” isLand”; at that time the driver flicked out a lit cigarette on the road. This kind of action is one of the causes that are destructive to the environment we live in. We are all Stewart’s of the planet; better yet we are tenants. We want to leave the world in a better place and for our off-springs and future generations.

Check out this link for my new CMS/IIRH bulletin—can be purchased pre-publication discount prices. Regular $ 75.00, priced at $ 37.50 until 02/25/2021

Pre-Publishing, Bulletin, IIRH, Volume 2, Sppl 1, Report On Molluscs Of NWHI | eBay Bulletin, IIRH, Volume 2, Suppement 1, Report & Survey Molluscs Of NWHI. Condition is "Brand New". Shipped with USPS First Class. 40 pages, colored front cover and inner/outer back covers; 5.5 by 8.5” format; tan cover with black and white inner pages; no illustrations accept for 3 art illustra...

Center for Environmental Studies (CES)
Institute of Invertebrate Research Hawaii (IIRH)
January 12, 2021
Daniel R. Goodwin

Notes on paleontology in Hawaii
Mollusca Part I

Hawaii is supported by the Holocene (anthropocene—New Man’s influence), Pleistocene, Pliocene and early Miocene epochs (in Kay, 1979). Dating is done using (Stratigraphy) or relative dating. Dating in Hawaii is limited to 2 main epoch layers; the Pleistocene and Holocene. Miocene beds were noted in off-shore submerged uplifts off the coast of the island of Oahu. The fossil history in Hawaii goes back against the Miocene epoch (in Kay, 1979) from submerged and raised beds off the coast of Oahu--the later or Pleistocene epoch came after which most of history is based. Some fossils still survived the glacial periods of the Pleistocene and the distant extinction events. Speciation takes many forms and some species that survive my thrive and others find a way to evolve and hybridize -- life finds its way to gain a foot-hold on the ever changing world and environmental change/evolution.

Being that Hawaii has more abundant period of the Pleistocene epoch--we could accurately say the specimens are from the Pleistocene--although occasional specimens of the Miocene are found while diving, in beach drift, or very occasional found while hiking in the mountains (the theory behind that is distribution from Tidal wave or tsunami). Only isotope dating can give exact dating. This method is not used because of the cost. Current (Anthropocene) is used in man influenced areas (noted as “New Man”; otherwise Holocene is used for current time dating. The Holocene in Hawaii yields still intact species carried over or survived the — million years of Pleistocene and numerous glaciated periods. Survivability exists and nature finds its way in evolutionary time to prevail or thrive.

Subjects, materials, and methods

Traditionally subjects are listed by family, genus, type species, species, subspecies, and remarks. Materials are noted by number of species examined, number of genera and number of families respectively.

References used are: Current literature (in-press and out of press), on-line encyclopedia such as: Gastropods.com; and Kay, 1979 (Hawaiian Marine Mollusks) works on Hawaiian Molluscan fauna. Fossils can never ever be 100 percent accurate because of the quality and obscured features--but we can get close and at times hit the nail on the head--so to say. Accuracy is dependent on materials found and literature examined.

Optics/Photography: Digital photograph, 12MP or better. Wolfe Stereo 7 microscope with 1 x or 2 x 15 magnification; handheld microscope for field work also used for detailed study and examination.

Result and conclusions

Quaternary & Tertiary Period Scale
(Estimated Age) Anthropocene epoch (0-1500 years—not noted in graph—but age estimate is the tail end of the Holocene epoch). Relative dating (Stratigraphy) is used to evaluate geographic dating. As Hawaii has a more recent of the Quaternary period (Pleistocene and Holocene) and later Tertiary period (Pliocene and late Miocene) this method is used in my studies and surveys. The dating fluctuates with different websites. Some list the Pleistocene as 2.58 million years—I left it as 1.79 million years—no doubt over laps in a time frame of different epochs. Geographic formations and layering is easy enough to document stratigraphy for estimated dating. Most fossil beds in Hawaii are supported by the Pleistocene epoch and Holocene. The Miocene bed noted by (in Kay, 1979) was probably volcanic uplift in an off-shore sea mound. The fossil remnants were not reported in this literature, but documented elsewhere. Examination of uplifts on Oahu — Moanalua and Hanauma Bay resulted in uplifts caused by volcanic activity. Moanalua is much older—probably early Pleistocene — this area and adjacent Saltlake was once submerged—prehistoric raise in water level—cause from the melting of the most recent glacial period and Hanauma Bay more recently—lava flows with fossil remnants (Clam shells, coral etc.)—probably late Pleistocene. Hanauma Bay is actually a volcanic crater with it’s side exploded out—the area facing the ocean—of course the ocean filled in and became the bay that we now know. Further visual proof is in the adjacent surrounding areas — volcanic channel feeding the crater early on—probably volatile and explosive eruptions—significant of the embedded particles and fragments within the surrounding lava rock formations.

References

Kay, E. Alison, 1979, Hawaiian Marine Shells, Bishop Museum Press, Reef & Shore Fauna, Section: IV

** To Be Continued **

Center for Environmental Studies (CES)
Institute of Invertebrate Research Hawaii (IIRH)
Daniel R. Goodwin
01/11/2021

Evolution and climate change
An author's point of view

Evolution doesn’t stop or pause...but rather slows down or speeds up. Climate change has been around throughout the evolution of our planet. To get an idea of this lets take a look when the earth was born...hot and hostile. Nothing could live or better yet survive. As the planet cools and evolution takes hold we have bacteria and maybe fungi or even plants; maybe the first clam shell or other molluscs; then came more developed creatures like insects, reptilian like creatures like dinosaurs...just a quick synopsis of the pass...the planet still goes through catastrophic changes—extinction events—climate change—and with speciation we start to get more evolved life forms.

The earth has survived numerous extinction events as time passes and the earth has developed and grown. We pass different stages of climate change and the earth bounces back and stabilizes. Throughout the different geological periods we had climate change and extinction events—the planet survived. During the Pleistocene epoch alone we had numerous glacious events or ice ages—some covered earth's entire surface — while others only part. Survival of the fittest takes place and speciation. Gene pools are wiped out—gene pools changes—or even new gene pools arise. At this point in the later Pleistocene and early Holocene earth is much more developed and stable. In the Holocene we have another event—but this event is not natural—we enter the Anthropocene or the Holocene with man’s influence. Looking at the calendar of time—we are probably due for another glacious event/period...but probably not in our lifetime though.

Man’s influences and climate change—Carbon dioxide emissions together with pollution are the main contributing factors in speeding up climate change in our Holocene epoch. Don’t get me wrong, climate change will occur naturally—but the contributing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the cause and effect for the greenhouse effects—resulting in ice sheets melting—sea level rises—salinity changes of the ocean—coral bleaching—and many other effects. Man’s pollution on land and pollution that ends in our precious ocean is concern for both life on land as well as the oceans. Some reports say we have more plastic debris in the ocean than on land. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the Pacific Ocean is an example of the pollution in our precious ocean. The loss of Sealife was a result of the introduction of plastics within the food chain. On land and sea the introduction of micro plastics within the environment and food chain. It’s only a matter of time before the micro plastics make it to our dining room table. The free range animals that we consume and the food chain that is involved poses a real concern and threat. Plastics are not digestible which poses risks of intestinal blockages and other health related problems...whether animal or human it poses concern. Plastics degrade slowly which means it will be around for decades if not centuries. It’s a wake up call—rather a little too late, but not completely reversible.

We have to re-enter the Paris Accord—and as one of the main world producers of greenhouse gases own up to it...and lead by example. Do our part with sustainable fuels and energy….plant more trees to reverse the concrete footprint. Reduce the use of fossil fuels to reduce the carbon dioxide accumulating in the atmosphere. If every nation did their part we can slow or decrease climate change and maintain our cycle of evolution produced by nature and not man. The final outcome—we will still have a world to live in.

Center for Molluscan Studies
Institute of Invertebrate Research Hawaii (IIRH)
Daniel R. Goodwin
November 22, 2020

Notes on Shell Dimensions from Deep Water Traps
(Bi-product catch of the Lobster fishing industry)

Seashell (Shell) dimensions varied in bi-product catch of the lobster fishing industry. The turn over in use of plastic mesh traps from metal wire traps is seen as not only an economically sound decision—but a logistic decision as well. The ability to stack the empty traps nested together—a vessel could carry more traps than the wire traps which took up more square footage—an end result of vessels carrying more traps and increasing catches and profit. The plastic traps had cone shaped openings for the catch to funnel in with a regulation size opening to limit the size of the catch. Also they included vents and reliefs for escape of under size catch and reliefs for sea turtle catches also.

The bi-product catch of the industry include but not limited to; Eels, Octopus, deep water fish, black tip sharks, carnivore species of mollusks, arthropods like white crabs, hermit crabs (occupied shells), and other bi-product catches. Hermit crabs carry into the traps shells—among them are different species of shells and different dimensions or sizes. The catch funnel regulates the size of the catch so only hermit crabs or shells meeting the opening make it into the traps to feed on the bait within the bait container. The largest size shell that I obtained via bi-product catch of the industry between the period 1983 through 1989 was measured a little better than 188mm in diameter/breadth width. The species: Tonna (Variegata complex) hawaiiensis
Vos, C., 2007 was the largest as far as a specimen with the largest breadth/width dimensions; another species which measured in the same range was: Marmarofusus michaelrogersi (Goodwin, D.R., 2001)—the species length was 188mm, but the shell breadth/width was slender. So the regulation funnel size or entrance limited the oversized catch from entering the traps. So in conclusion; the overall dimensions of the shells obtained were limited to what can fit through the entrance funnel...so 188mm specimens of a species might not be the largest size ratios of a given species or recorded.

The use of Rapid Bioassessment Protocols in Hawaii’s streams
Part III - Results and Discussion

After the initial RB/VA of two streams—evidence points to continual monitoring of the two streams examined and the need to widen the RB/VA to include other streams on both islands. Also the need to expand to other neighboring islands. Streams that are in decline of health should initiate a more comprehensive BA...but starting with an initial RB/VA. The use of VA & RB is conducted first...which takes up less time and funding than an initial BA.

Glossary of terms and abbreviations used:

BA = Bioassessment
BMI = Benthic Macroinvertebrates
CES = Center for Environmental Studies
IIRH = Institute of Invertebrate Research Hawaii
MI = Macroinvertebrates
RBP = Rapid Bioassessment Protocols
RB = Rapid Bioassessment
TMDL = total maximum daily load
VA = Visual Assessment

The stream on Oahu is in a semi-populated county of Honolulu and the stream on Maui is in a less populated area of the island of Maui. The need to expand the RB/VA of streams throughout the Hawaiian islands is needed because of increased population and land use. I also did VA on other streams on Oahu and found rubbish from illegal dumping and other man made pollution in them. Especially several streams in the Waipahu area of the island of Oahu. The need for a more comprehensive Bioassessment (BA) is greater now than before. Especially in continuous flowing streams which are the home to the BMI/MI species: Neritina (Clypeolum) granosa (Sowerby, G.B. I, 1825) which migrates further upstream to breed. The rubbish and pollution blocks the flowing water resulting in habitat destruction and irrigation. When the stream or river is dammed off the water overflows in surrounding areas and flooding occurs in the neighboring sub-divisions and homes and businesses. The pollution changes the overall water chemistry resulting in the absence of food sources for native BMI/MI species; including invasive species of BMI/MI. The end result is a dead stream. The need for monitoring and enforcement of illegal dumping is needed. Other species of diadromous mollusks are also at risk (See Part I & Part II of this FB paper). The decline in food sources, water chemistry and change in environment is the principal reason for the decline in the stream's health. Looking back to the 1980’s and the thriving stream and BMI/MI population—what a change and decline to see today. It’s a shame to see the streams today. Environmental factors contribute to the decline in the stream's health—but Man’s influence sped up the process in the decline. I would say conclusively that the pollution caused by Man is the main reason for the decline. I plan in the near future to conduct VA on other Oahu streams. And as funding is obtained expand the VA to neighboring islands.

The use of Rapid Bioassessment Protocols in Hawaii’s streams
Part - II (Maui stream)

I had the pleasure to study streams on the islands of Maui and Oahu during my tenure in 1986 through 2004 and infancy of the Institute of Invertebrate Research Hawaii (IIRH). The IIRH has now 4 departments (centers) for additional focus and concentrations in the biological fields. The Center for Environmental Studies (CES) is more focused on environmental and climate change and findings and studies are published through that center.
The use of Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (RBP) for stream study assessment falls within the scoop and rapid use for my studies. Studies of TMDL, Visual assessments, analysis of BMI/MI, water chemistry, are among a few elements in determining the health of a given waterway or water shed area.

Part I - Oahu stream RB
Part II - Maui stream RB

Glossary of terms and abbreviations used:

BMI = Benthic Macroinvertebrates
CES = Center for Environmental Studies
IIRH = Institute of Invertebrate Research Hawaii
MI = Macroinvertebrates
RBP = Rapid Bioassessment Protocols
RB = Rapid Bioassessment
TMDL = total maximum daily load
VA = Visual Assessment

I used BMI/MI to give a rapid RB and VA of a given stream's health. Here I evaluated a stream of the Island of Oahu and the Island of Maui respectively. The stream on Oahu was centrally located in the Kalihi area and the stream on Maui was on the north-eastern coast of Hana. In early1980’s I started my RB and VA of a stream in Hana, Maui. The stream was flowing but not extreme like some of the streams that yielded Neritina (Clypeolum) granosa (Sowerby, G.B. I, 1825). The VA was impressive because the stream’s health was great. Normal water chemistry and overall turbidity; normal algae growth and surrounding vegetation. Very limited invasive species also. In fact the invasive species Physa species (pouch snail), and 2 species of the genus Melanoides: Melanoides tuberculata (O. F. Müller, 1774), Melanoides torulosa Bruguière, J.G., 1789 were not observed. During the VA and sampling I have recorded and observed the following BMI/MI species: Neripteron (Dostia) cariosum (Wood, S.V., 1828), Neripteron vespertinum (Sowerby, G.B. II, 1849) and Neripteron (Dostia) neglectum (Pease, W.H., 1861). In a previous paper I recorded the range and salinity tolerances of each species. The species with the highest range is: Neripteron (Dostia) cariosum (Wood, S.V., 1828) — able to tolerate brackish water and fresh water; the species: Neripteron vespertinum (Sowerby, G.B. II, 1849) is found only in freshwater and edge of the brackish water range; and the species: Neripteron (Dostia) neglectum (Pease, W.H., 1861) range is from the brackish waters to the edge of saltwater range. The species Neritina (Clypeolum) granosa (Sowerby, G.B. I, 1825) range in the adult stage is freshwater, but juveniles are found also at the edge of the brackish water range (Goodwin, 1991 & current research). Juveniles are smooth and round in stature with reddish-orange spots within black base color—faintly visible dorsally and noticeable from the under sides. As the species grow to adult-hood they develop bumps and recesses dorsally and the columella shield colored reddish-orange in coloration. This species has the longest life cycle—the adults climb up waterfalls upstream and deposit their eggs which in turn hatch and the larvae (veligers) flow downstream and into the open ocean where they develop into adults and make the journey back to the same stream they hatched from. This is diadromy or diadromous species of mollusks migrating between fresh and saltwater. In other words they spend part of their life cycle in freshwater and part of their life cycle in saltwater. It’s remarkable that a species in nature has the ability to identify which stream it came from or born in and venture back to that same stream to continue and complete its life cycle—truly amazing! The stream in Hana, Maui was thriving in the early 1980’s—a future visit should be conducted to evaluate its current health and conduct a RB/VA.

The use of Rapid Bioassessment Protocols in Hawaii’s streams
Part - I (Oahu stream)

I had the pleasure to study streams on the islands of Maui and Oahu during my tenure in 1986 through 2004 and infancy of the Institute of Invertebrate Research Hawaii (IIRH). The IIRH has now 4 departments (centers) for additional focus and concentrations in the biological fields. The Center for Environmental Studies (CES) is more focused on environmental and climate change and findings and studies are published through that center.
The use of Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (RBP) for stream study assessment falls within the scoop and rapid use for my studies. Studies of TMDL, Visual assessments, analysis of BMI/MI, water chemistry, are among a few elements in determining the health of a given waterway or water shed area.

Part I - Oahu stream RB
Part II - Maui stream RB

Glossary of terms and abbreviations used:

BMI = Benthic Macroinvertebrates
CES = Center for Environmental Studies
IIRH = Institute of Invertebrate Research Hawaii
MI = Macroinvertebrates
RBP = Rapid Bioassessment Protocols
RB = Rapid Bioassessment
TMDL = total maximum daily load
VA = Visual Assessment

I used BMI/MI to give a rapid RB and VA of a given stream's health. Here I evaluated a stream of the Island of Oahu and the Island of Maui respectively. The stream on Oahu was centrally located in the Kalihi area and the stream on Maui was on the north-eastern coast of Hana. The Kalihi stream early on in the early 1980’s yielded a high population of BMI/MI and VA seems like the stream of thriving. During my RBP I noticed garbage in the stream from adjacent homes and businesses lining the stream...among the garbage of old automobile batteries...very bad because batteries contain acid and lead. The BMI/MI species: Neripteron vespertinum
(Sowerby, G.B. II, 1849) was observed and samples collected for study. The species was the highest population of the BMI/MI (molluscs)—the invasive species: Melanoides tuberculata (O. F. Müller, 1774), Melanoides torulosa Bruguière, J.G., 1789 and an undetermined species of the genus: Physa Draparnaud, 1801 were very limited. The VA of the stream seems promising of a healthy stream. Thriving native species of BMI/MI and limited population of introduced or invasive species. In turn the native species has adequate nutrients and none competing food source for their continued survival. I revisited the Kalihi stream 10 years later and a VA was done...I was amazed to find out a complete turn-around in the streams overall health. The turbidity was 50 percent visibility and almost void of algae and surrounding vegetation. A sign of decline in water quality. Originally I took water chemistry readings in the early 1980’s (Ammonia, Nitrite, Ntrates, dissolved oxygen, TMDL, Conductivity, Salinity (river mouth areas or brackish water areas), and water temperature. My visit 10 years later was VA with a conclusion of declination of the overall stream's condition. The void of normal algae and river bank vegetation and also invasive MI and native MI is conclusive to say a stream in distress. The garbage that was noticed in the 1980’s is probably attributing to the decline in the stream’s health. In the 1990’s the garbage on the banks were noticeable and have increased. This is Man’s contribution to the decline of a healthy stream—and now an almost dead stream is the final outcome. I plan to revisit the stream in the near future to do another VA before planning another RB using RBP to determine further decline or improvement.

Center for Molluscan Studies (CMS)
Institute of Invertebrate Research Hawaii (IIRH)
Daniel R. Goodwin
September 7, 2020
Reprinted excerpts

Notes on Diadromous Molluscs of Hawaii
Island of Maui, 1986

While cataloging Diadromous molluscs from the Island of Maui--we came across a nice surprise and the discovery of the Decayed Nerite (Neripteron cariosum) in one of Maui's streams. We have found 3 of the 4 species -- documented for my research.
The 4th species Neritina granosa was not found--although we did not have the chance to venture further up-stream. Offspring are noted to start to grow in the brackish water and venture upstream to reproduce and grow. I have found juveniles in Oahu streams; smooth with visible orange-red markings—especially the underside and bumps were not yet visible. They start to get their bumps soon after and inter adulthood and maturity.

All 3 species were thriving there (in 1986) hopefully since the area is mostly untouched from civilization—environmental factors favorable for the continued survival. A revisit to this area some 35 years later will shed some light on their survival from the first visit.

The four diadromous species in my catalog are:

Neripteron (Dostia) cariosum (Wood, S.V., 1828)
Decayed Nerite (Specimen - Top Right)

Neritina (Clypeolum) granosa (Sowerby, G.B. I, 1825)
Granose/Black Nerite (Specimen - Top Left)

Neripteron vespertinum (Sowerby, G.B. II, 1849)
Tahitian Nerite (Specimen - Bottom Left)

Neripteron (Dostia) neglectum (Pease, W.H., 1861)
Neglected Nerite (Specimen - Bottom Right)

Population estimates are in the graph below (population densities from one stream in Hana, Maui) N.granosa was not found during this expedition to Hana, Maui, 1986

Population density is: 0 percent for N. granosa, 12 percent for N. cariosum, 30 percent for N. vespertinum, and followed by N. neglectum with 58 percent respectively.

Water chemistry

TDS - Total dissolved solids
EC - Electrical conductivity
PH - Potential of hydrogen
NO2 - Nitrite
NH3- Ammonia
NH4 - Nitrate
NaC1 - Salinity

Visual observations

WT - Water turbidity
MO - Macroinvertebrates observations
VSH - Visual stream health

Acronyms used by my field studies are noted above—both water chemistry analysis and visual observations were conducted. Because of safety I did not venture further upstream to explore the upper stream and waterfall areas. This would be the vicinity of Neritina (Clypeolum) granosa if any populations of the species existed in this stream. No juveniles were observed in the semi-brackish water areas—usually found in the areas of brackish water and freshwater edge.

Future studies should be conducted and a revisit to the site to see if environmental change and man’s influence has played a hand in the survivability of the diadromous species of molluscs in one of Maui’s streams.