Sierra Leone - State of the Marine Environment 2015

latericeus , Nephthys polygranchia , Marginella, amygdale , Natica mapochiensis , Cerebratulus sp. , Iphigenia laevigata , Cutellus tenuis , Clibenarius cooki , Tellina angulayus , Talona explanata and Tellina nymphalis . The Venus/Amphioplus transition is a mixture around the lower andmiddle reaches in the sand-mud regions. It consists mainly of an Amphioplus sub-community with the addition of isolated individuals from the Venus community. Dominant members of this community are Nassa tritoniformis , Olivia sp, Pusionella rifat , Luidia alternate , Astropecten michaelseni , Rotula orbiculus , Branchiostoma leonese and Upogebia furcata . The Pachymelina sub-community occurs on deposits of coarse sand in the upper reaches of the estuary. It contains the bulk of the truly estuarine communities. The members are found on sand and muddy sand with the filter feeding gastropod; Pachymelina aurita being the most dominant. Other gastropods may include Aloidis trigona , Neritina glabrata , N. owenians, N. rubricata and the bivalve Iphigenia truncate . The Estuarine gravel community is a specialized community consisting mostly of sedentary, epifaunal organisms found on patches of lateritic gravel. The characteristic species found on estuarine gravel community are Astrangia sp., Actinian sp., Thelepus sp., Balanus amphirite , Aspidosipton venatulum and Arca imbricate .

At the Bunce River the benthic fauna recorded consisted of the following: Pectinaria sourel , Uca tangeria , Tympanotonus fuscatus and Metagrapsus curvitus . The assemblages of benthic organisms in the Sierra Leone River Estuary are not known to be exploited. They are therefore in good condition. 5.15. Turtles The population is assessed to be in good condition. 5.16. Mangrove species Mangrove species in the coastal zone are exploited for a variety of uses. Prominent amongst these is the fuel wood trade in mangrove forest wood as well as poles for building and other purposes. They are also exploited for oyster production. These species are in a good condition. Recent monitoring of mangroves of Sierra Leone suggests they will decline unless actions are implemented and enforced. 5.17. Macro-algae Macro-algae species are not known to be exploited and are therefore in good condition.

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