Conservation Advice Pterodroma Arminjoniana
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THREATENED SPECIES SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE Established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 The Minister’s delegate approved this conservation advice on 01/10/2015 Conservation Advice Pterodroma arminjoniana Round Island petrel Conservation Status Pterodroma arminjoniana (Round Island petrel) is listed as Critically Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) (EPBC Act). The species is eligible for listing as Critically Endangered as, prior to the commencement of the EPBC Act, it was listed as Critically Endangered under Schedule 1 of the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Cwlth). Garnett et al., (2011) reviewed the conservation status of the Round Island petrel and considered considered the single bird found on Cocos (Keeling) Island and identified as P. arminjoniana by Garnett and Crowley (2000), as likely to have been P. heraldica. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee are using the findings of Garnett et al., (2011) to consider whether reassessment of the conservation status of each of threatened birds listed under the EPBC Act is required. Description The gadfly petrels (Procellariidae: Pterodroma spp.) are a group of highly oceanic seabirds, comprising some 30 species, that are complex in plumage and taxonomy (Nelson 1980). Found throughout the ocean basins of the world, they are widely distributed in the tropics and sub-tropics, but with some species breeding in the subantarctic zone (Warham 1990). They are adapted to a highly aerial and oceanic life, and possess short sturdy bills adapted for seizing soft prey at the surface, and unusual helicoidally twisted intestines. The function of the twisted intestines is obscure but believed to assist in digesting marine animals that have an unusual biochemistry (Imber 1985, Kuroda 1986). They also show complex markings on the face and wings that are thought to serve as interspecific recognition characters (Murphy and Pennoyer 1952). As a group, gadfly petrels vary considerably in size (160-525 g, Warham 1990). The Round Island or Trindade petrel (P. arminjoniana) is a medium to large-sized gadfly petrel, (280 - 450 g; Gardner et al., 1985), and are 34-39 cm long with a wingspan of 80-100 cm (Marchant and Higgins 1990). The plumage is well described in the literature (Marchant and Higgins 1990), and the species is polymorphic, possessing both light and dark morphs. For this species the genders and young birds are similar in appearance. The Round Island petrel is a tropical/sub- tropical species and considered to be closely related to Herald petrel (Imber 1985; Brooke et al., 1996; Brooke et al., 2000). Historically they have been considered by some authors to be conspecific e.g. Warham (1990). Distribution and Habitat There is taxonomic uncertainty regarding the Pterodroma arminjoniana/heraldica type petrel that was recorded on Cocos (Keeling) Island in the 1980s. Further, there have been no records since that time, despite recent attempts to locate birds. Breeding has never been Pterodroma arminjoniana (Round Island petrel) conservation advice Page 1 of 3 confirmed on Cocos (Keeling) Island. Garnett et al., (2011) believe the bird found on Cocos (Keeling ) Island and identified as P. arminjoniana by Garnett and Crowley (2000) is likely to be P. heraldica. Until this is confirmed the Round Island petrel should be considered a vagrant or irregular visitor. In Australian territory, the Round Island petrel possibly breeds on Cocos (Keeling) Island (Stokes and Goh 1987). Garnett and Crowley (2000) estimated the Australian population to comprise 25 breeding individuals. Extralimitally, this petrel also breeds on Round Island, near Mauritius in the western Indian Ocean, and Trindade Island and Martin Vaz Rocks in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It forages in surrounding waters, mostly south of the equator (Brooke and Rowe 1996; Marchant and Higgins 1990). The distribution of this species is not known to overlap with any EPBC Act-listed threatened ecological community. The Department of the Environment has prepared survey guidelines for Australia's threatened birds. The survey guidelines are intended to provide guidance for stakeholders on the effort and methods considered appropriate when conducting a presence/absence survey for birds listed as threatened under the EPBC Act. http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/survey- guidelines-australias-threatened-birds-guidelines-detecting-birds-listed-threatened Threats If Round Island petrels are breeding on Cocos (Keeling) Island they could be threatened by the introduction of alien predators. At this stage, feral predators are not considered an immediate threat. Appropriate quarantine measures should be put in place at possible breeding sites to minimise this threat. Small populations such as those of the Round Island petrel will always be susceptible to stochastic events such as storms and cyclones. Cyclones have the potential to have serious effects on the vegetation and wildlife of Cocos (Keeling) Island. A cyclone database maintained by the Bureau of Meteorology shows that a number of cyclones have regularly but unpredictably affected Cocos (Keeling) Island. Conservation Actions Conservation and Management Actions Habitat Loss, Disturbance and Modification • Appropriate quarantine measures should be implemented/maintained by management authorities at Cocos (Keeling) Island to maintain a barrier to feral predators. Information and research priorities • Determine if a species of Pterodroma breeds on Cocos (Keeling) Island. This list does not necessarily encompass all actions that may be of benefit to the Round Island petrel, but highlights those that are considered to be of highest priority at the time of preparing the Approved Conservation Advice. References Brooke, M. de L. and Rowe, G. (1996). Behavioural and molecular evidence for specific status of dark and light morphs of the Herald Petrel Pterodroma heraldica. Ibis 138: 420-432. Pterodroma arminjoniana (Round Island petrel) conservation advice Page 2 of 3 Brooke, M. de L., Imber, M.J. and Rowe, G. (2000). The occurrence of two surface-breeding species of Pterodroma on Round Island, Indian Ocean. Ibis 142: 154-158. Gardner, A.S., Duck, C.D. & Greig, S. (1985). Breeding of the Trindade Petrel, Pterodroma arminjoniana on Round Island, Mauritius. Ibis 127: 517-522. Garnett S, Crowley GM (2000) The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000. Environment Australia, Canberra. Garnett ST, Szabo JK, Dutson G (2011) The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne. Imber, M.J. (1985). Origins, phylogeny and taxonomy of the glad-fly petrels, Pterodroma spp. Ibis 127: 197-229. Kuroda, N. (1986). On the intestinal twistings in gadfly-petrels and comparative notes on the digestive tract in Procellariiformes. Japanese Journal of Ornithology 35: 1-14. Marchant S, Higgins PJ (Eds) (1990) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 1: Ratites to Ducks. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Murphy, P.C and Pennoyer, J.M. (1952). Larger petrels of the genus Pterodroma. American Museum Novitates 1580: 1-43. Nelson, B. (1980). Seabirds their biology and ecology. Hamlyn: London. Stokes, T. and Goh, P. (1987) Records of Herald Petrels and the Christmas Island Frigatebird from North Keeling Island, Indian Ocean. Australian Bird Watcher 12:132-133. Warham J. (1990). The petrels: Their ecology and breeding systems. Academic Press: London. Pterodroma arminjoniana (Round Island petrel) conservation advice Page 3 of 3 .