Caribbean Roseate Tern and North Atlantic Roseate Tern (Sterna Dougallii Dougallii)
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Caribbean Roseate Tern and North Atlantic Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation Photo Jorge E. Saliva U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office Boquerón, Puerto Rico Northeast Region New England Field Office Concord, New Hampshire September 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION 1.1 Reviewers............................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Methodology........................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Background............................................................................................................. 2 1.3.1 FR Notice………………………………………………………………… 2 1.3.2 Listing history……………………………………………...…………….. 2 1.3.3 Associated rulemakings………………………………………………….. 3 1.3.4 Review history…………………………………………………………… 3 1.3.5 Recovery Priority Number………………………………………….……. 3 1.3.6 Recovery plans…………………………………………………………… 3 2.0 REVIEW ANALYSIS 2.1 Application of the 1996 Distinct Population Segment policy................................ 3 2.1.1 Is the species under review a vertebrate?................................................... 4 2.1.2 Is the DPS policy applicable?..................................................................... 4 ENDANGERED NORTHEAST POPULATION 2.2 Recovery Criteria..................................................................................................... 7 2.2.1 Does the species have a recovery plan with objective, measurable criteria?…………………………………………………………………… 7 2.2.2 Adequacy of recovery criteria………………………………………..…… 7 2.2.3 Discuss how each recovery criterion has been met………………………. 8 2.3 Updated Information and Current Species Status 2.3.1 Biology and habitat...................................................................................... 10 2.3.1.1 New information on species’ biology and life history…………… 10 2.3.1.2 Abundance, population trends, demographic features…………… 10 2.3.1.3 Genetics, genetic variation, or trends in genetic variation……….. 37 2.3.1.4 Taxonomic classification or changes in nomenclature……...…… 37 2.3.1.5 Spatial distribution, trends in spatial distribution/range…………. 38 2.3.1.6 Habitat or ecosystem condition………………………………….. 38 2.3.1.7 Other…………………………………………………..…………. 41 2.3.2 Five-factor analysis..................................................................................... 54 2.3.2.1 Factor A. Curtailment of habitat or range…………….………… 54 2.3.2.2 Factor B. Overutilization ………………………………..……… 58 i 2.3.2.3 Factor C. Disease or predation………………….……..………… 58 2.3.2.4 Factor D. Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms……..... 59 2.3.2.5 Factor E. Other natural or manmade factors……………..……… 61 2.4 Synthesis……………………………………………………………….......……… 66 THREATENED CARIBBEAN POPULATION 2.1 Applicability of DPS Policy ……………………………………………………… 68 2.2 Recovery Criteria...................................................................................................... 68 2.2.1 Does the species have a recovery plan with objective, measurable criteria?………………………………………………………………….… 68 2.2.2 Adequacy of recovery criteria…………………………………………….. 69 2.2.3 Discuss how each recovery criterion has been met………………………. 69 2.3 Updated Information and Current Status………………………….……………… 69 2.3.1 Biology and habitat..................................................................................... 70 2.3.1.1 New information on species’ biology and life history…………... 70 2.3.1.2 Abundance, population trends, demographic features………….. 71 2.3.1.3 Genetics, genetic variation or trends in genetic variation……….. 92 2.3.1.4 Taxonomic classification or changes in nomenclature………….. 92 2.3.1.5 Spatial distribution, trends in special distribution/range………… 92 2.3.1.6 Habitat or ecosystem condition………………………………….. 92 2.3.1.7 Other …………………………………………………………….. 95 2.3.2 Five-Factor Analysis.................................................................................... 108 2.3.2.1 Factor A. Curtailment of habitat or range…………………..……. 108 2.3.2.2 Factor B. Overutilization ………………………………………… 109 2.3.2.3 Factor C. Disease or predation…………………………………… 110 2.3.2.4 Factor D. Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms….……. 110 2.3.2.5 Factor E. Other natural or manmade factors……………………… 111 2.4 Synthesis................................................................................................................. 117 3.0 RESULTS Northeast Population 3.1 Recommended Classification................................................................................. 118 3.2 New Recovery Priority Number............................................................................. 119 3.3 Listing and Reclassification Priority Number........................................................ 119 ii Caribbean Population 3.1 Recommended Classification.................................................................................. 119 3.2 New Recovery Priority Number.............................................................................. 120 3.3 Listing and Reclassification Priority Number......................................................... 120 4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE ACTIONS............................................. 120 Northeast Population………………………………………………..…………………….. 120 Caribbean Population……………………………………………………………………… 121 5.0 REFERENCES........................................................................................................ 124 SIGNATURE PAGE........................................................................................................... 138 APPENDIX: Status, trends and threats to Caribbean roseate terns in areas outside the United States…………………………………………………………………………. 139 LIST OF TABLES Table 1a. Peak period estimates of roseate tern pairs in the cold water region of the northeastern U.S., 1998–2009……………………………………………………….. 14 Table 1b. Total season estimates of roseate tern pairs in the cold water subregion of the northeastern U.S., 1998–2009………………………......………………………... 15 Table 2a. Peak period estimates of roseate tern pairs in the warm water subregion of the northeastern U.S., 1998–2009…………………………………………………….. 16 Table 2b. Total season estimates of roseate tern pairs in the warm water subregion of the northeastern U.S., 1998–2009…………………………………………………….. 17 Table 3. Estimates of adult survival probabilities for roseate terns in the warm water subregion of the Northeast population……………………………………………………. 20 Table 4. Productivity estimates for roseate terns in the cold water subregion of the northeastern U.S., 1998–2009…………………………………………………………….. 23 Table 5. Productivity estimates for roseate terns in the warm water subregion of the northeastern U.S., 1998–2009…………………………………………………………….. 23 Table 6. Mean productivity of roseate terns in six areas of the northeastern U.S., 1998-2009…………………………………………………………………………………. 25 iii Table 7. Mean productivity of roseate terns of the Northeast population, grouped by colony size…………………………………………………………………………………. 25 Table 8. Estimates of survival probability of juvenile roseate terns raised at the three major sites in the warm water subregion of the Northeast population from fledging to age 2 years over 10 years, 1988–1997……………………………………….... 26 Table 9. Ages at first breeding of roseate terns at the three major sites in the warm water subregion of the Northeast population, 1988–1997…………………………... 27 Table 10. Natal dispersal rates of roseate terns among the three major sites in the warm water subregion of the Northeast population, 1988–1997…………………………... 28 Table 11. Adult dispersal rates of roseate terns among the three major sites in the warm water subregion of the Northeast population, 1988–1997…………………………... 28 Table 12. Estimates of demographic parameters used in the population viability analysis.. 34 Table 13. Partial life-tables for the Northeast population of roseate terns during three periods of contrasting population trends……………………………………………... 36 Table 14. Numbers of roseate tern pairs at the three colony sites in Buzzards Bay, showing reciprocal fluctuations at Ram, Bird and Penikese Islands, associated with predation and hazing……………………………………………………………………….. 43 Table 15. Composition of food items fed to roseate tern chicks at two colony sites in the Gulf of Maine, 1999-2009…………………………………………………………………. 53 Table 16. Number of sites occupied by breeding pairs of roseate terns in the northeastern U.S……………………………………………………………………………. 53 Table 17. Petroleum product shipped through selected ports within the breeding range of the roseate tern in the United States North Atlantic in 2008……………………... 63 Table C1. Estimated maximum number of roseate tern breeding pairs in the Caribbean and current threats to the populations………………………………………….. 72 Table C2. Roseate tern nest censuses conducted in the U.S. Virgin Islands, 1987 - 2001.. 73 Table C3. Clutch-sizes of roseate terns at the Parguera colonies, southwestern Puerto Rico, 1990–1994……………………………………………………………………. 82 Table C4. Reproductive success of roseate terns at the Parguera colonies, southwestern Puerto Rico, 1991–1993…………………………………………………….. 86 Table C5. Average clutch size of roseate terns in the U.S. Virgin Islands, 1987–1998….. 88 iv LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Distribution of the Northeast population of the Roseate Tern in the Western North Atlantic……………………………………………………………………. 12 Figure 2. The Total Number of Peak Period Nests in the Northeast population of the U.S. from1988 to 2009………………………………………………………………………...