Boundaries

The Samoa Islands lie in the South Pacific Ocean (13°-14° S, 169°-173° W) roughly 800 km east-northeast of Fiji. The islands are divided into two jurisdictions, with the larger, western islands within the Independent State of Samoa (including Savai’i and Upolu) and smaller, eastern islands within American Samoa (including Tutuila, Manuʻa Islands, Rose Atoll, and Swains Island).

Topography

Most of the Samoa Islands are volcanic in origin, surrounded by coral reefs. The topography ranges from narrow coasts to mountainous interiors, with the highest peak being Mt. Silisili (180 m asl) on Savai\'i.

Terrestrial habitats

The ecoregion is covered by Samoan tropical moist forests [OC0112] (WWF 2001).

Description of endemic fishes

The ecoregion contains two endemics: Kuhlia salelea and Stiphodon hydroreibatus.

Justification for delineation

The Samoas ecoregion was defined on the basis of distinctive (endemic or near-endemic) fish faunas.