Mussau Island is the largest island of St Matthias Islands, Papua New Guinea,[1] at 1°25′01″S 149°37′59″E / 1.417°S 149.633°E / -1.417; 149.633. It is currently part of the New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea. The island is a noted biodiversity hotspot with pristine primeval rainforest covering most of Mussau's hilly landscape. The island has over 243 endemic plant species as well as at least 47 native butterfly species.[2]

Mussau Island seen from space

References edit

  1. ^ Müller, Chris J. "Butterflies of Mussau Island (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera)." A Rapid Biodiversity Survey of Papua New Guinea’s Manus and Mussau Islands (2015): 21.
  2. ^ Venter, Fanie, and Arison Arihafa. "Plants of Mussau Island." A rapid biodiversity survey of Papua New Guinea’s Manus and Mussau Islands. Wildlife Conservation Society Papua New Guinea Program. Goroka, PNG (2015): 4-20.