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Climate change affects timing of reproduction in many bird species, but few studies have investigated its influence on annual reproductive output. Here, we assess changes in the annual production of young by female breeders in 201 populations of 104 bird species (N = 745,962 clutches) covering all continents between 1970 and 2019. Overall, average offspring production has declined in recent decades, but considerable differences were found among species and populations. A total of 56.7% of populations showed a declining trend in offspring production (significant in 17.4%), whereas 43.3% exhibited an increase (significant in 10.4%). The results show that climatic changes affect offspring production through compounded effects on ecological and life history traits of species. Migratory and larger-bodied species experienced reduced offspring production with increasing temperatures during the chick-rearing period, whereas smaller-bodied, sedentary species tended to produce more offspring. Likewise, multi-brooded species showed increased breeding success with increasing temperatures, whereas rising temperatures were unrelated to reproductive success in single-brooded species. Our study suggests that rapid declines in size of bird populations reported by many studies from different parts of the world are driven only to a small degree by changes in the production of young., This meta-analysis was financed by the grant of the Polish National Science Centre (Narodowe Centrum Nauki) (no. 2017/27/B/NZ8/00465) awarded to Lucyna Hałupka.

International audience; Climate change has repeatedly been shown to impact the demography and survival ofmarine top predators. However, most evidence comes from single populations of widely distributed species, limited mainly to polar and subpolar environments. Here, we aimed to evaluate the influence of environmental conditions on the survival of a tropical and migratory seabird over the course of its annual cycle.We used capture-mark-recapture data fromthree populations of Bulwer's petrel (Bulweria bulwerii) spread across the NE Atlantic Ocean, from the Azores, Canary, and Cabo Verde Islands (including temperate to tropical zones). We also inferred how the survival of this seabird might be affected under different climatic scenarios, defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Among the environmental variables whose effect we evaluated (North Atlantic Oscillation index, Southern Oscillation Index, Sea Surface Temperature [SST] and wind speed), SST estimated for the breeding area and season was the variable with the greatest influence on adult survival. Negative effects of SST increase emerged across the three populations,most likely through indirect trophicweb interactions. Unfortunately, our study also shows that the survival of Bulwer's petrel will be profoundly affected by the different scenarios of climate change, even with the most optimistic trajectory involving the lowest greenhouse gas emission. Furthermore, for the first time, our study predicts stronger impacts of climate change on tropical populations than on subtropical and temperate ones. This result highlights the devastating effect that climate changemay also have on tropical areas, and the importance of considering multi-population approaches when evaluating its impacts which may differ across species distributions.

Este artículo contiene 18 páginas, 3 figuras, 4 tablas., Sexual segregation (SS) is widespread among animal taxa, with males and females segregated in distribution, behavior, or feeding ecology but so far, most studies on birds have focused on the breeding period. Outside this period, the relevance of segregation and the potential drivers of its persistence remain elusive, especially in the marine environment, where animals can disperse over vast areas and are not easily observed. We evaluated the degree of SS in spatio‐temporal distribution and phenology, at‐sea behavior, and feeding ecology during the nonbreeding period among three closely related shearwaters: Scopoli's, Cory's, and Cape Verde shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea, C. borealis, and C. edwardsii, respectively). We tracked 179 birds (92 males and 87 females) from 2008 to 2013 using geolocation‐immersion loggers and collected the 13th secondary remige (molted in winter) for stable isotope analyses as a proxy of trophic level and diet. The global nonbreeding distribution did not differ between sexes for the three species, but one specific nonbreeding area was visited only by males. Cory's shearwater males remained in areas closer to the colony in a larger proportion compared to females and returned earlier to the colony, probably to defend their nests. Males presented a slightly lower nocturnal flying activity and slightly (but consistently) higher isotopic values of δ13C and δ15N compared to females. These differences suggest subtle sexual differences in diet and a slightly higher trophic level in males, but the extent to which sexual dimorphism in bill size can determine them remains unclear. Our study showed that SS in ecological niche in seabirds can persist year‐round consistently but at a different extent when comparing the breeding and nonbreeding periods. Based on our findings, we propose that SS in these seabird species might have its origin in an ecological specialization derived from the different roles of males and females during reproduction, rather than from social dominance during the nonbreeding period., This study was funded by the Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad from the Spanish Government (CGL2009‐11278/BOS, CGL2013‐42585‐P, CGL2013‐42203‐R, CGL2016‐78530‐R) and Fondos FEDER.

The conservation of migratory marine species, including pelagic seabirds, is challenging because their movements span vast distances frequently beyond national jurisdictions. Here, we aim to identify important aggregations of seabirds in the North Atlantic to inform ongoing regional conservation efforts. Using tracking, phenology, and population data, we mapped the abundance and diversity of 21 seabird species. This revealed a major hotspot associated with a discrete area of the subpolar frontal zone, used annually by 2.9–5 million seabirds from ≥56 colonies in the Atlantic: the first time this magnitude of seabird concentrations has been documented in the high seas. The hotspot is temporally stable and amenable to site-based conservation and is under consideration as a marine protected area by the OSPAR Commission. Protection could help mitigate current and future threats facing species in the area. Overall, our approach provides an exemplar data-driven pathway for future conservation efforts on the high seas. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Tunas are among the most exploited top predators worldwide, with negative impacts on some of their stocks. Changes in their population abundance can impact marine food-webs and have the potential to alter entire ecosystems. To better understand the impacts of the exploitation of tuna stocks in the most critical habitats, basic knowledge on the diet of these species in each region is required. Here, we describe the diet of the two most fished tuna species in the archipelago of Madeira, the Bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus and the Skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis, based on stomach contents analysis. To gain further insights into the diet, and also better assess the possible bias caused by the occurrence of live bait in stomachs, we compared tuna mercury values with those of two other predators with similar diets that are not directly targeted by fisheries, and with Bigeye and Skipjack tunas from other ocean basins. Bigeye tunas fed mostly on Atlantic chub mackerel Scomber colias and mackerel Trachurus sp., which together contributed with 85% of total prey weight. Only 7.5% of prey weight was constituted by mesopelagic prey, including myctophids and cephalopods. Skipjack tunas had an epipelagic diet (NF = 97%), with the Atlantic chub mackerel representing half of the total prey weight, despite Longspine snipefish Macroramphosus scolopax and Sand smelt Atherina sp. accounting for 62.9% of the total number of prey. There were interannual variations in diet likely linked to interannual pelagic community shifts. Bait did not bias the results of the stomach analysis of these tunas and bait species were observed to be part of the natural diet of both tuna species. Baseline data provided by this study should allow for more informed decisions for an efficient ecosystem-based fisheries management. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

At-sea distribution and trophic ecology of small seabird species (i.e.

Artificial lights at night cause high mortality of seabirds, one of the most endangered groups of birds globally. Fledglings of burrow-nesting seabirds, and to a lesser extent adults, are attracted to and then grounded (i.e., forced to land) by lights when they fly at night. We reviewed the current state of knowledge of seabird attraction to light to identify information gaps and propose measures to address the problem. Although species in families such as Alcidae and Anatidae can be grounded by artificial light, the most affected seabirds are petrels and shearwaters (Procellariiformes). At least 56 species of Procellariiformes, more than one-third of them (24) threatened, are subject to grounding by lights. Seabirds grounded by lights have been found worldwide, mainly on oceanic islands but also at some continental locations. Petrel breeding grounds confined to formerly uninhabited islands are particularly at risk from light pollution due to tourism and urban sprawl. Where it is impractical to ban external lights, rescue programs of grounded birds offer the most immediate and employed mitigation to reduce the rate of light-induced mortality and save thousands of birds every year. These programs also provide useful information for seabird management. However, these data are typically fragmentary, biased, and uncertain and can lead to inaccurate impact estimates and poor understanding of the phenomenon of seabird attraction to lights. We believe the most urgently needed actions to mitigate and understand light-induced mortality of seabirds are estimation of mortality and effects on populations; determination of threshold light levels and safe distances from light sources; documentation of the fate of rescued birds; improvement of rescue campaigns, particularly in terms of increasing recovery rates and level of care; and research on seabird-friendly lights to reduce attraction.

Estudio molecular de la infección de Teira dugesii por Hepatozoon en las Azores Las hemogregarinas son parásitos que se encuentran en numerosos vertebrados, principalmente en reptiles, de los cuales el grupo más común son las serpientes seguidas de las lagartijas. Hepatozoon es el género más abundante de los cuatro que parasitan reptiles infectando los eritrocitos. El ciclo vital de Hepatozoon necesita invertebrados hematófagos como vectores, cuya abundancia puede determinar la prevalencia de los parásitos. Para comparar la prevalencia de los parásitos entre una isla grande y un islote sin agua estancada, analizamos muestras de sangre de lagartija de Maderia, Teira dugesii en el islote de Praia y en la isla Graciosa en las Azores, en Portugal. Encontramos una prevalencia comparativamente baja de Hepatozoon, perteneciente a una nueva línea genética. La prevalencia de este nuevo parásito en la isla Graciosa, de mayor tamaño, fue ocho veces superior a la del islote de Praia, que carece de fuentes de agua estancada. Nuestros resultados están en consonancia con la prevalencia generalmente más elevada de parásitos hemáticos en sitios con una mayor abundancia de vectores., Hemogregarine parasites are found in many vertebrates, being most prevalent in reptiles, with lizards being the second most common hosts after snakes. Hepatozoon is the most widespread of the four genera that parasitize reptiles by infecting red blood cells. The Hepatozoon lifecycle requires blood–sucking invertebrates as vectors, and vector abundance can determine the parasite prevalence. To compare parasite prevalence between a large island and an islet without standing water, we analysed blood samples of the Madeiran wall lizard, Teira dugesii, at Praia Islet and Graciosa Island in the Azores, Portugal. We found a comparatively low prevalence of Hepatozoon, belonging to a new genetic line. The prevalence of this new parasite on the larger Graciosa Island was eight times higher than that for Praia Islet, which has no standing water sources. Our results are in line with a generally higher prevalence of blood parasites in sites with higher vector abundance.

Bottleneck episodes may occur in small and isolated animal populations, which may result in decreased genetic diversity and increased inbreeding, but also in mating strategy adjustment. This was evaluated in the vulnerable and socially monogamous Monteiro's Storm-petrel Hydrobates monteiroi, a seabird endemic to the Azores archipelago which has suffered a dramatic population decline since the XVth century. To do this, we conducted a genetic study (18 microsatellite markers) in the population from Praia islet, which has been monitored over 16 years. We found no evidence that a genetic bottleneck was associated with this demographic decline. Monteiro's Storm-petrels paired randomly with respect to genetic relatedness and body measurements. Pair fecundity was unrelated to genetic relatedness between partners. We detected only two cases of extra-pair parentage associated with an extra-pair copulation (out of 71 offspring). Unsuccessful pairs were most likely to divorce the next year, but genetic relatedness between pair mates and pair breeding experience did not influence divorce. Divorce enabled individuals to improve their reproductive performances after re-mating only when the new partner was experienced. Re-pairing with an experienced partner occurred more frequently when divorcees changed nest than when they retained their nest. This study shows that even in strongly reduced populations, genetic diversity can be maintained, inbreeding does not necessarily occur, and random pairing is not risky in terms of pair lifetime reproductive success. Given, however, that we found no clear phenotypic mate choice criteria, the part played by non-morphological traits should be assessed more accurately in order to better understand seabird mating strategies. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (PRAXIS/C/BIA/13194/98 and POCTI-BIA-13194/98 to MB, PTDC/BIABDE/67286/2006 to JB, and SFRH/BPD/88914/2012 to VCN); Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (Programme COMPETE, ref. FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-007061); Programmes ‘MARE’ (Life contract B4-3200/98-509), ‘OGAMP’ (Interreg IIIB-MAC/4.2/A2), ‘MARMAC’ (Interreg IIIB/FEDER/MARMAC/003-4/2005-6 and Interreg IIIB-05/MAC/4.2/A4), MoniAves (Programme launched by the Regional Environment Directorate from the Azores); Luso-French Integrated Actions Programmes (PESSOA 4.1.1/França and PAUILF F-30/07) info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes provide tools to investigate ecological segregation, prey choice and spatial distribution in seabirds. However, the interpretation of stable isotopes is frequently hampered by a lack of isotopic baseline data. In this study, two techniques proposed to overcome such shortages were tested: compound-specific isotope analyses of amino acids (AA-CSIA) and the analysis of hydrogen stable isotope ratios (HSIA). Feathers of two sympatric storm-petrels were compared. The two species, Black-bellied storm-petrels Fregetta tropicaand Wilson’s storm-petrels Oceanites oceanicus, moult in oceanic waters and differ in diet composition. For HSIA, a range of species with broad diet and non-breeding distribution was also investigated. Differences in carbon isotope values suggested differences in the spatial distribution and thus, in isotopic baseline values, during moult. Bulk nitrogen analyses of adult feathers did not detect species differences in trophic level. However, AA-CSIA detected clear differences in trophic levels in line with expectations: Black-bellied storm-petrels fed at a higher trophic level than Wilson‘s storm-petrels. Hydrogen values also differed between the species, but contrary to expectations were highly enriched in Black-bellied storm-petrels, but much less enriched in Wilson’s storm-petrels. Hydrogen data of seven petrel species challenge the suggestion that depleted δD values indicate a higher percentage of isosmotic fish. The present results suggest that the difference in hydrogen ratios may be explained by these petrels moulting in different ocean zones. Amino acid-specific stable isotope analyses were useful for estimating isotopic baselines and thus true trophic levels, whereas hydrogen isotopes were not. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) in the framework of the priority programme SPP1154, Qu148/16 info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Malcolm Roy Clarke (1930–2013) was a British teuthologist who made an important contribution to marine science in the Azores archipelago (Portugal). Malcolm started doing research in the Azores from 1980s onward, settling for residency in 2000 after retirement (in 1987). He kept publishing on Azorean cephalopods collaborating in 20% of the peer reviewed works focus- ing on two main areas: dietary studies; and the ecology of cephalopods on seamounts. Since his first visit in 1981, he was involved in the description of the dietary ecology of several cetaceans, seabirds, and large pelagic and deep-water fish. Using his own data, Malcolm revised the association of cephalopods with seamounts, updating and enlarging the different cephalopod groups according to species behaviour and ecology. Malcolm taught several students working in the Azores on cephalopods and beak identification, lecturing the Third International Workshop in Faial (2007). He empowered the recently established research community, by providing important contacts with foreign institutes and informal advice. He collaborated in the regional cetacean stranding network (RACA) and was an active member of the advisory board of the journal Arquipelago—Life and Marine Sciences. But the scientific role of Malcolm Clarke in the Azores went beyond his academic activities. In the last 10 years Malcolm and Dot Clarke dedicated themselves to building and running a museum on Pico Island, showing the biology of the sperm whale and its interaction with squid; a cultural and touristic legacy for future generations to enjoy. Directorate for Education, Science and Culture, of the Regional Government of the Azores (M3.1.2/F/062/2011) info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The Azores Woodpigeon Columba palumbus azorica is considered an endemic subspecies and is currently listed in the Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. However, despite its status, the bird has rarely been studied and is classified as ‘Data Deficient’ in the Portuguese Red Data Book. Herewith, we present the first results on the breeding biology of this subspecies, based on data collected from November 2012 to October 2014 on Terceira Island. Data were obtained by monitoring nests, and additional information on breeding phenology was provided during regular counts from 100 points distributed over the island. Fifty-four nests were found mainly in exotic trees, suggesting that the species does not depend on the highly degraded native laurel forest for nesting. Egg-laying occurred from late-February to late-September, reaching its peak in May; the main laying period lasted 140 days from 1 April to 19 August. Mean clutch size (±SE) was 1.77 ± 0.06 eggs (range 1–2 eggs) and did not vary with time. Overall breeding success, calculated using the Mayfield method, was amongst the lowest ever detected for this species across its breeding range: 0.091 ± 0.048 (SE). Extreme weather events and predation by introduced mammals are likely to explain high nest failure. The population is likely to have undergone a period of growth since 1992, following a period in the 1960's when the bird was very scarce in the Archipelago due to hunting pressure. In recent years, farmers have increasingly complained to the Regional Government about damage to crops, including vineyards, caused by the Azores Woodpigeon on some of the Azorean islands.

This study evaluates the trophic position of adult Yellow-legged Gulls Larus michahellis atlantis resident in the Azores archipelago in the past (1921–1928) and in the present (2009–2010), and analyses the decadal variation in the diet of breeding birds from the 1990s to the 2000s for three main colonies (Topo Islet, Baixo Islet and Mistério da Prainha). Using mixing models, we compared stable isotope signatures of nitrogen and carbon in adult breast feathers between birds from 1921 to 1928 (held in museum collections) and 2009 to 2010, jointly with both isotopic signatures of their main prey groups (fish, goose barnacles (Lepas anatifera), seabirds, mammals and refuse). The diet of breeding birds was analysed using pellets collected in 1989, 1995, 1996, 2004, 2009 and 2010. Stable isotopes analysis (SIA) results were in accordance with the results provided from the analysis of pellets, showing a relatively recent and significant change in the diet of adult gulls. In particular, SIA revealed a significant decrease in the trophic position of Yellow-legged Gulls in the Azores, over the last 89 years in response to the decrease in the consumption of seabirds and fish and, an increase in the consumption of marine invertebrates (goose barnacles) and refuse. The analysis of pellets confirmed the significant decrease in the fish ingested, whereas the ingestion of lower trophic level prey (i.e. goose barnacles, mammals and refuse) increased. Both methods reflect the feeding plasticity and opportunistic foraging behavior of this species, and are in accordance with patterns described for continental Europe. We acknowledge the support given by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal, to Patricia Pedro (SFRH/BD/ 40095/2007).

Monteiro’s Storm-petrel (Hydrobates monteiroi) is a small seabird endemic to the Azores archipelago, where it is known to breed only on two mammal-free islets. Total breeding numbers are between 250 and 300 pairs. During the 2015 breeding season on Praia Islet, six Madeiran wall lizards (Lacerta dugesii) were observed depredating a Monteiro’s Storm-petrel chick about to fledge. In August 2015, a freshly killed chick without its head and four larger dead chicks were found. Eight other chicks had disappeared from their nests since our previous visit in early July. In 2016, there was further evidence of suspected lizard depredation. Three chicks were found predated and dragged out of their nests, and an additional 22 chicks disappeared from their nests before fledging. In 2016, Monteiro’s Storm-petrel breeding success was only 26.8%, the lowest ever recorded. We suspect that some of the chick deaths and nest failures may be attributable to these introduced lizards. All chicks were found dragged out of their nests, a behavior that is not consistent with kills from aerial predators. Lizards were suspected because they are the only possible predator on land. Therefore, we recommend evaluating the impact of Madeiran wall lizards on the two Monteiro’s Storm-petrel main colonies: Praia and baixo islets. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Trophic ecology and movements are critical issues for understanding the role of marine predators in food webs and for facing the challenges of their conservation. Seabird forag- ing ecology has been increasingly studied, but small elusive species, such as those forming the 'lit- tle shearwater' complex, remain poorly known. We present the first study on the movements and feeding ecology of the Barolo shearwater Puffinus baroli baroli in a colony from the Azores archi- pelago (NE Atlantic), combining global location-sensing units, stable isotope analyses of feathers (δ 13 C and δ 15 N), stomach flushings and data from maximum depth gauges. During the chick-rear- ing period, parents visited their nests most nights, foraged mainly south of the colony and fed at lower trophic levels than during the non-breeding period. Squid was the most diverse prey (6 fam- ilies and at least 10 different taxa), but species composition varied considerably between years. Two squid families, Onychoteuthidae and Argonautidae, and the fish family Phycidae accounted for 82.3% of ingested prey by number. On average, maximum dive depths per foraging trip reached 14.8 m (range: 7.9 to 23.1 m). After the breeding period, birds dispersed offshore in all directions and up to 2500 km from the breeding colony, and fed at higher trophic levels. Overall, our results indicate that the Barolo shearwater is a non-migratory shearwater feeding at the lowest trophic level among Macaronesian seabirds, showing both diurnal and nocturnal activity and feeding deeper in the water column, principally on small schooling squid and fish. These traits contrast with those of 3 other Azorean Procellariiformes (Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea, the Madeiran storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro and Monteiro's storm-petrel O. monteiroi), indi- cating ecological segregation within the Azorean seabird community.

The first mid-Atlantic diet of Mesoplodon beaked whales is presented, from ten Sowerby’s Mesoplodon bidens stranded in the Azores region between 2002 and 2009. This doubles the worldwide number of stomachs sampled, and reveals new feeding habits for this species. The mean number of prey items per stomach was 857 89 (range: 12–238), with fish accounting for 99.3% and cephalopods contributing less than 1% of total prey. Fish otoliths from 15 families and cephalopod lower mandibles from three families were identified, representing 22 taxa. The diet consisted mainly of small mid-water fish, the most numerous being Diaphus sp., Lampanyctus sp. and Melamphaidae species. Myctophids were present in all stranded individuals, followed by Diretmidae, Melamphaidae and Opisthoproctus soleatus, while the remaining fish species were scarce or single occurrences. Consistency of diet in four different years reveals a divergence from all previous records in continental areas, where mainly neritic and shelf-break benthopelagic fish species have been reported. Mid-Atlantic Sowerby’s beaked whales’ showed dietary plasticity, feeding on the most abundant mid-water groups occurring between 0 and750 m. Trophic level from prey numerical frequency was estimated at 4.470.46.

Studying the diet of top marine predators, such as seabirds, is important in understanding their place in the trophic network and effects of global climate change, but knowledge of the diet of several procellariiformes remains anecdotal. The diet of Bulwer's Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii) in the Azores was studied over two consecutive years using stomach flushings from 85 birds. The frequency of occurrence of prey taxa (%0) was similar in both years (χ2 = 5.396, d.f. = 5, p = 0.370), with squid being the most common. Fish and squid were of similar occurrence by number (%N) in the diet (49% and 51%, respectively) in 1998 but in 1999 fish were more numerous (62% against 38% for squid). Squid lower beaks from five families and fish otoliths from six families were identified, representing 20 taxa. The most abundant prey in both years were squid Pyroteuthis margaritifera and the mesopelagic fish Electrona risso. The maximum standard length offish and squid consumed was 7 cm and 11 cm, respectively. Given...

As on many other islands, most of the seabird species breeding in Portugal’s Azores archipelago are now restricted to tiny remnants of their former nesting range, owing in large part to the introduction of mammals by humans. Praia Islet, 0.12 km2 in size, is home to five seabird species, four of which fall under the European listing of “conservation concern.” Introduced rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on Praia had accelerated soil erosion through overgrazing, destroyed seabird nests, and competed for burrows with petrels. Restoration of seabird habitat on the islet began in 1995 and involved rabbit eradication, control of soil erosion, native plant reintroduction, and installation of artificial nests for common terns (Sterna hirundo), roseate terns (Sterna dougallii), and Madeiran storm-petrels (Oceanodroma castro). Rabbits were eradicated in 1997 using broadcast pellets containing poison. Since then, soil erosion has decreased, many of the reintroduced native plants have started to spread, and tern and Madeiran storm-petrel breeding numbers on the islet have increased by 1,548% and 43%, respectively. However, Praia Islet seabirds remain vulnerable owing to human recreational activities. This case study highlights the need to consider local conditions carefully when assessing restoration options to effect rapid mammal eradication. It also confirms the value of combining measures aimed at restoring native vegetation and improving seabird habitat quality with alien herbivore eradication.

We describe the migration routes and non-breeding areas of Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) from the Azores Archipelago, based on ringing (banding) recoveries and tracking of three birds using geolocators. Over 20 years, there have been 55 transatlantic recoveries of Common Terns from the Azores population: six from Argentina and 49 from Brazil. The three tracked birds migrated south in different months (August, September, November), but the northern migration was more synchronous, with all leaving in April. The birds were tracked to three areas of the South American coast: the male spent November—April on the northern Brazilian coast (13°N–2°S), whereas the two females first spent some time off central-eastern Brazil (4–16°S; one for 1 week, the other for 3 months) and then moved south to the coast of south-eastern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina (24–39°S). Although caution is needed given the small sample size and errors associated with geolocation, the three tracked terns potentially travelled a total of ∼23 200 km to and returning from their non-breeding areas, representing an average movement of ∼500 km day−1. With the exception of Belém, in northern Brazil, and Lagoa do Peixe, in southern Brazil, the coastal areas used by the tracked birds were also those with concentrations of ringing recoveries, confirming their importance as non-breeding areas for birds from the Azores. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

We examined the effect of prey type, repeated stomach flushing, digestion time, and meal size on the assessment of dietary intake of captive adult Cory’s shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea). For each of Cory’s shearwaters’ main prey type (fish, cephalopod, and crustacea), we used three different meal sizes and four digestion times, stomach-flushing the birds 1, 4, 8, or 16 h after feeding. On average, fish and cephalopods showed similar percentages of mass recovery (between 23% and 33%), whereas crustaceans showed a recovery about 10–15% greater. Conversely, fish and crustaceans showed similar percentages of items recovered (between 52% and 77%), whereas cephalopods showed about 10–35% greater recovery rates. We found no significant differences in the percentage of individual prey items recovered and the interval between ingestion and recovery, over intervals ranging from 1 to 16 h.

European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are responsible for high rates of egg predation at one of the main colonies of the endangered roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) in the Azores archipelago. Control taste aversion has been effective in controlling raven predation in a colony of California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni), but there is little quantitative information about its efficacy on other species of predators taking eggs. We conducted a control taste aversion experiment on yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) and European starlings eating eggs of terns in a mixed colony of common (Sterna hirundo) and roseate terns in the Azores. We treated quail (Coturnix coturnix) eggs with methiocarb and deployed them in artificial nests in the tern colony. On the first experiment, conducted before the terns laid eggs, predation rates on quail eggs by yellow-legged gulls showed significant and rapid decrease after deployment of treated eggs. During the second experiment, after the terns had started laying, results were mixed. Although predation rates by European starlings on treated quail eggs decreased, predation rates on tern eggs did not. We conclude that control taste aversion using methiocarb-treated eggs is likely to reduce depredation by gulls but not starlings because of the need to pre-train the birds and the tendency of starlings to be attracted by the movement of adults, not the presence of nests.

AIM: Our current understanding of migratory strategies and the reasons for their high variability along the phylogenetic tree remains relatively poor. Most of the hypotheses relating to migration have been formulated for terrestrial taxa; classically, oceanic migrations were considered as merely dispersive because of the scarcity of observations in the open ocean. We describe for the first time, the migration strategy of a small seabird, the Bulwer's petrel (Bulweria bulwerii), and provide new insights into the ecology and evolution of long-distance marine migrations. LOCATION: Subtropical and tropical Atlantic Ocean. METHODS: Using cutting-edge geolocators, we examined the year-round distribution and at-sea activity patterns of adult Bulwer's petrels sampled at five localities throughout the species' breeding range in the Atlantic, within the Azores, Salvages, Canary and Cape Verde archipelagos. We assessed the migratory connectivity of the species and its habitat use at population and metapopulation scales. RESULTS: Our results provide the first evidence of an oriented leapfrog migration in oceanic seabirds. Ecological niche models based on breeding-season data effectively predicted that subtropical waters of the South Atlantic would be the preferred habitat for the northern populations of Bulwer's petrels during the non-breeding season. Habitat modelling also highlighted similarities in distributions between the breeding and non-breeding periods for the southern populations. Data on at-sea activity patterns suggested that birds from the northern and southern populations behave differently during the breeding season, as well as in the northern and southern non-breeding ranges during the non-breeding period. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that specific habitat preferences, presumably related to differences in prey availability, explain the observed distributions and hence the pattern of leapfrog migration described for Bulwer's petrel. Our study demonstrates the utility of integrating diverse tracking data from multiple populations across international boundaries, and habitat modelling, for identifying important areas common to many marine species in the vast oceanic environments. FEDER (CGL2009-11278/BOS); SEO/BirdLife (project LIFE+INDEMARES: LIFE07NAT/E/000732) info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The diet of Cory’s shearwater Calonectris diomedea in the Azores was studied in four islands of the archipelago over four breeding seasons, using stomach flushings from 959 birds. Fish were identified from flesh, otoliths and vertebrae and cephalopods from flesh and lower beaks. The frequency of occurrence of prey taxa, and the numerical frequency of fish and cephalopods, showed marked variations both spatially, across the breeding cycle and between years. Overall, cephalopods from 37 species representing 17 families and fish from 33 species representing 18 families were identified, representing over 70 prey species and trebling what was previously known. Histioteuthidae, Ommastrephidae and Cranchiidae were the only cephalopod families present every year and represented two thirds of the cephalopods’ consumption by number. Blue jack mackerel Trachurus picturatus was the most abundant prey species present in 1998 and 2002 but was absent in 1999 and 2000, representing on average 57.2% of prey by number in the years it occurred. Apart from blue jack mackerel, most fish species were present in very low numbers with the exception of Cubiceps gracilis, Scomberesox saurus and Maurolicus muellerii. Diaphus adenomus, was recorded for the first time for the Azores archipelago.

We report the southernmost recoveries of Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) banded in the Azores archipelago, North Atlantic. Two birds banded as chicks and one bird banded as an adult were recovered at Punta Rasa, Argentina, adding support to the hypothesis of a regular movement of Common Terns between the Azores and the South American coast rather than to the African coast.

13 páginas, 2 figuras, 4 tablas., Feeding ecology and geographic location are 2 major factors influencing animal stable isotope signatures, but their relative contributions are poorly understood, which limits the usefulness of stable isotope analysis in the study of animal ecology. To improve our knowledge of the main sources of isotopic variability at sea, we determined δ15N and δ13C signatures in the first primary feather of adult birds from 11 Procellariiform species (n = 609) across 16 northeast Atlantic localities, from Cape Verde (20°N) to Iceland (60°N). Post-breeding areas (where the studied feather is thought to be grown) were determined using light-level geolocation for 6 of the 11 species. Isotopic variability was geographically unstructured within the mid-northeast Atlantic (Macaronesian archipelagos), but trophically structured according to species and regardless of the breeding location, presumably as a result of trophic segregation among species. Indeed, the interspecific isotopic overlap resulting from combining δ15N and δ13C signatures of seabirds was low, which suggests that most species exploited exclusive trophic resources consistently across their geographic range. Species breeding in north temperate regions (Iceland, Scotland and Northern Ireland) showed enriched N compared to the same or similar species breeding in tropical and subtropical regions, suggesting some differences in baseline levels between these regions. The present study illustrates a noticeable trophic segregation of northeast Atlantic Procellariiformes. Our results show that the isotopic approach has limited applicability for the study of animal movements in the northeast Atlantic at a regional scale, but is potentially useful for the study of long-distance migrations between large marine systems., J.L.R. and E.G.-D. were supported by a postgraduate grant from the Generalitat de Catalunya, V.N. by a postgraduate grant of the Portuguese Fundaçáo para a Ciênciaea Tecno - logia/ Foundation for Science and Technology and J.G.-S. by the Ramon y Cajal programme. This work benefited from support by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (CGL2009-11278/BOS) and Fondos Feder.

The European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) has recently been found to eat eggs of the endangered roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) in the Azores. Azorean starlings are considered an endemic subspecies (S. vulgaris granti), so we investigated how much genetic divergence has accumulated between the Azores and other European populations in order to assess whether lethal control measures might be possible, as previous experiments have found that taste aversion is not likely to be successful. For this purpose, we sequenced a region of the protein-coding mitochondrial gene ND2 for samples from six different populations. Of the 1,026 base pairs sequenced, 19 (1.7%) were variable and formed 15 different haplotypes. The Azores had high and significant genetic differentiation from all the other populations studied. Haplotype diversity was high in the mainland populations studied, ranging from 0.767 to 0.900, but there was no variation among the Azores samples, which were collected from a geographically broad region. Given the lack of genetic variability in the Azores birds and their abundance throughout the archipelago, lethal control on a local basis and as part of an integrated control plan can be seen as a reasonable measure to protect tern colonies.

This paper reports the first comprehensive surveys of Fea's Petrel (Pterodromafeae), Bulwer's Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii), Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), Little Shearwater (Puffinus assimilis baroli) and two temporally-segregated forms of Band-rumped Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma castro) in the whole Azores archipelago, conducted from 1996 to 1998. Listening to nocturnal vocalizations was the main survey method. Breeding of Fea's Petrel was not confirmed and new sites of Bulwer's Petrel were not found (previous status: one site, 50 pairs), but previously undocumented colonies were identified for the remaining species. Manx Shearwater occurred in four colonies with 115-235 pairs (previous status: probable breeder), Little Shearwater occurred in 28 colonies with 840-1,530 pairs (previously: four locations, >150 pairs), hot-season Band-rumped Storm-petrels occurred in 5 colonies with 250-300 pairs (previously: two locations, 200 pairs) and cool-season Band-rumped Storm-petrels were found in eight locations with 665-740 pairs (previously: three locations, 600 pairs). Most colonies were confined to precipitous cliffs and islets, which may be a result of predation threats by introduced mammals. Although these surveys provided a valuable revision of the status and distribution for these species of conservation concern, further survey work is warranted and target areas are indicated. We discuss the potential and limitations of listening for nocturnal vocalizations as a method to survey and monitor shearwater and petrel populations in inaccessible habitats. Received 24 May 1999, accepted 8 July 1999.

The increasing public perception that marine megafauna is under threat is an outstanding incentive to investigate their essential habitats (EMH), their responses to human and climate change pressures, and to better understand their largely unexplained behaviors and physiology. Yet, this poses serious challenges such as the elusiveness and remoteness of marine megafauna, the growing scrutiny and legal impositions on their study, and difficulties in disentangling environmental drivers from human disturbance. We argue that advancing our knowledge and conservation on marine megafauna can and should be capitalized in regions where exceptional access to multiple species (i.e., megafauna ‘hotspots’) combines with the adequate legal framework, sustainable practices, and research capacity. The wider Azores region, hosting EMHs of all key groups of vulnerable or endangered vertebrate marine megafauna, is a singular EMH hotspot on a migratory crossroads, linking eastern and western Atlantic margins and productive boreal waters to tropical seas. It benefits from a sustainable development model based on artisanal fisheries with zero or minor megafauna bycatch, and one of the largest marine protected area networks in the Atlantic covering coastal, oceanic and deepsea habitats. Developing this model can largely ensure the future integrity of this EMH hotspot while fostering cutting-edge science and technological development on megafauna behavior, biologging and increased ocean observation, with potential major impacts on the Blue Growth agenda. An action plan is proposed.

Banded Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) trapped on nests in the Azores illustrate that, during the nonbreeding season, birds from the Azores are found on the coast of Africa in groups of Roseate Terns from northern Europe and on the coast of South America with birds from the northeastern U.S. and the Caribbean. One Roseate Tern, probably originally banded on a nest in a western Atlantic colony, suggests the possibility of gene flow between these colonies and the Azores.