28
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.