two protected areas in the island namely, the National Park covering an area of and the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary of area. Flora Flora in the island is dominated by lowland and montane rain forests. The lowland rain forest at elevation less than is dominated by Diospyros, Dysoxylum, Pometia and Syzygium species. The montane forest in the elevation range of consists of Dysoxylum, montane scrub, streams, bushes, mangroves, mangrove lagoons, reefs and submerged coral banks. Fauna There are 19 species of land snails in the island out of which 11 are endemic and four are in the threatened category. Mt. Matafao, which has many species of snails, has been researched from this angle since 1917; some of the endemic snails reported here are the Diastole matafaoi (endemic and may be extinct) and Samoana abbreviata (short Samoan tree snail, Partulidae). Achatina fulica (giant African land snail) introduced in 1975 is reported to have damaged gardens. Two different species of flying fox (bats) have also been found on the island (described under National Park). Aquafauna Hard corals recorded are 174 species of 48 genera and sub-genera. Avifauna The bird species recorded are under endemic category. These are: The Aplonis atrifuscus (Samoan starling) group; the Gymnomyza samoensis (black-breasted honeyeater) group; Halcyon recurvirostris (flat-billed kingfisher); Lalage sharpei (Samoan triller); Myiagra albiventris (white-vented flycatcher); Pachycephala flavifrons (yellow-fronted Samoan whistler); and Rhipidura nebulosa (Samoan fantail). Four species of native doves and pigeons are also recorded in all the islands of Samoa. The four species are: Pacific imperial pigeon (Ducula pacifica), the crimson-crowned fruit dove (Ptilinopus porphyraceus), many-colored fruit dove (Ptiliopus persousii) and shy ground dove (Galicolumba stairi). Butterflies are another category of avifauna in the island. The recorded species are: the Hypolimnas thompsoni and Papilio godeffroyi (butterfly). National Park of American Samoa The National Park of American Samoa in Tutuila was established in 1988 for preserving its terrestrial and marine environment. It covers an area of and is bound on the north coast between Fagasa and Afono villages. The Rainmaker pass is located within this park with its rainforests. The Amalau Valley between the Afono and Vatia villages in the park has many species of birds and animals. The most significant faunal species consists of the two species of the flying fox (bats), which the local Samoans consider as the protective guardian of the forest and also its people. The two species of flying foxes