Publication Name

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

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.