Impacts of the introduced house mouse on the seabirds of Gough Island

Wanless, Ross M

Impacts of the introduced house mouse on the seabirds of Gough Island

Doctoral Thesis

2007

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Abstract

Introduced house mice Mus musculus on Gough Island were suspected of widespread predation of Atlantic Petrel Pterodroma incerta and Tristan Albatross Diomedia dabbenena chicks in 2000/01. Video cameras recorded six fatal attacks by mice on live, healthy Atlantic Petrel chicks in 2004. Crude estimates of annual breeding success were 47%, 7% and 7% in 2003, 2004 and 2006, respectively. Mouse attacks were responsible for most chick failures. Mice were largely responsible for high numbers of Tristan Albatross chick failures in 2004-2006. Total failures were significantly related to total attempts but breeding success and total attempts were not correlated. There was little spatio-temporal consistency in total failures or breeding success. No environmental or biological variables examined explained the pattern. Proximity to a failed nest was a significant predictor of failure, suggesting a localised effect possibly due to a few predatory mice. Fledgling production has decreased by 1% annually since 1979-1982. Annual adult Tristan Albatross survival and breeding success averages are extremely low (91% and 32%, respectively) and modelled population growth using these parameters was - 2.85% p.a. Either parameter will drive decreases so reversing negative trends requires improving both.

Description

Includes bibliographical references.

Keywords

Zoology

Reference:

Collections

PhD / Doctoral

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