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The two species of yellow-nosed albatross, Atlantic (Thalassarche chlororhynchos) and Indian (T. carteri), are morphologically similar, but they differ in breeding behaviour and distribution. Both species are listed as endangered by the IUCN due to the limited number of breeding sites, threats from introduced predators and diseases, and impact of commercial fishing. We quantified genetic variation between and within the two species. Using nuclear (microsatellites and two nuclear sequences) and mitochondrial (control region) markers, we analysed 354 samples from four breeding islands (Atlantic: Nightingale, Inaccessible, and Gough; Indian: Amsterdam) and bycatch samples from South Africa and New Zealand. In addition to all markers separating the two species, nuclear markers showed Atlantic yellow-nosed albatrosses from Gough Island are genetically distinct from those breeding at Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago. Nuclear markers confirmed that all bycatch samples were Indian yellow-nosed albatrosses, however, the bycatch birds from South Africa and New Zealand were distinct from each other and from birds breeding on Amsterdam Island, suggesting colony specific dispersal at sea. Our study supports the current recognition of two yellow-nosed albatross species and recognises genetically distinct groups of both Atlantic and Indian yellow-nosed albatross breeding on different islands, which is important for their conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying albatross species in the wild involves recognizing plumage pattern and bill coloration. However, skeletal specimens in museums or deteriorated beached carcasses may lack the external characters needed for identification. Although it is possible to distinguish Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris from Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross T. chlororhynchos based on skull morphology, the specimen remains unidentified if the skull is not available. We measured 96 specimens of Black-browed and 55 Atlantic Yellow-nosed albatross, performing 64 measurements for the entire skeleton. Fifty-nine measurements were based on the literature and five new measurements were established specifically for this work. To search for morphometric differences, we first carried out t-tests and principal component analysis (PCA). Then, we performed discriminant function analysis on PCA results and on six selected postcranial measurements to generate a discriminant function. Sixty-one means (93.85%) of Black-browed Albatross measurements were significantly larger than those of Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross. The discriminant function containing the six selected postcranial measurements correctly identified 97.35% of the specimens through reclassification. This is the first work on osteological morphometric analysis of the entire skeleton for Black-browed and Atlantic Yellow-nosed albatross that is based on a large sample of specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Previous genetic studies found evidence of at least three distinct groups of black-browed Thalassarche melanophris and Campbell Thalassarche impavida albatrosses in the Southern Ocean. Almost 350 individuals including samples from additional breeding sites on the Falkland Islands and South Georgia Island were screened using mitochondrial DNA. 2. The new sequence data using lineage specific PCR primers provided further support for the taxonomic split of T. melanophris and T. impavida and separate management of the two distinct T. melanophris groups. 3. In total, 207 black-browed albatrosses killed in longline fisheries were screened. Approximately 93% of the bycaught birds from the Falkland Islands belonged to the Falkland mtDNA group and the remaining birds had mtDNA from the Widespread T. melanophris group; these proportions were similar to those in the local Falklands breeding population. The South African and South Georgia bycatch samples predominantly comprised the Widespread T. melanophris group, with only one bird from each area containing Falkland mtDNA. Lastly, 81% of the albatrosses bycaught off New Zealand had T. impavida mtDNA and the remaining four birds were Widespread T. melanophris. These differences in bycatch composition matched what is known from tracking and banding data about the at-sea distribution of black-browed albatrosses. 4. Based on the mtDNA results and current population trends, consideration should be given to assigning regional IUCN status for the different breeding populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal movement patterns contribute to our understanding of variation in breeding success and survival of individuals, and the implications for population dynamics. Over time, sensor technology for measuring movement patterns has improved. Although older technologies may be rendered obsolete, the existing data are still valuable, especially if new and old data can be compared to test whether a behavior has changed over time. We used simulated data to assess the ability to quantify and correctly identify patterns of seabird flight lengths under observational regimes used in successive generations of wet/dry logging technology. Care must be taken when comparing data collected at differing timescales, even when using inference procedures that incorporate the observational process, as model selection and parameter estimation may be biased. In practice, comparisons may only be valid when degrading all data to match the lowest resolution in a set. Changes in tracking technology, such as the wet/dry loggers explored here, that lead to aggregation of measurements at different temporal scales make comparisons challenging. We therefore urge ecologists to use synthetic data to assess whether accurate parameter estimation is possible for models comparing disparate data sets before planning experiments and conducting analyses such as responses to environmental changes or the assessment of management actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In long-lived species with delayed maturity, prebreeders are expected to gather information by visiting and sampling the quality of potential nesting areas (prospecting), before they choose where to breed. In most seabirds, this process is important because, once recruited, individuals generally remain site-faithful throughout their long reproductive life. As many seabirds are believed to display low levels of natal dispersal, it is possible that natal philopatry is an obligate strategy for most individuals, with prospecting being a negligible activity during the prebreeding stage. Using ringing information and GPS technology, we tracked breeding adults and prebreeder black-browed albatrosses, Thalassarche melanophris, from a colony of the Falkland Islands, during the breeding season. Breeding adults rarely engaged in prospecting, whereas prebreeders showed a high propensity to visit other colonies. Most prebreeders started prospecting ashore when 4–5 years old and most of the younger individuals prospected more than one breeding colony, with some prospecting up to five colonies in just 9 days. Prospecting activity did not differ between males and females and rapidly declined as prebreeders aged, by which time individuals had probably already selected their future nesting site. Nestling body mass at 60 days of age and hatching date did not influence prospecting behaviour later in life. Prospecting was mostly directed at colonies within 10 km from the natal place, but occurred regularly up to 55–65 km. While distance from the natal place was a strong predictor of the probability of a colony being prospected, colony size and growth rate were not. Our results provide new insights into the role of prospecting in the process of recruitment, showing that even for highly philopatric birds, recruitment to the natal colony (or to another nesting site) has the potential to be informed, not done blindly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both foreign and domestic pelagic longline fishing vessels operate in South Africa’s Exclusive Economic Zone and adjacent international waters where they kill hundreds of seabirds each year as bycatch. To update assessments of the impact of the pelagic longline fishery on seabirds off South Africa, information on necropsied seabirds and national fisheries observer bycatch records were summarised for 2006–2013. Foreign-flagged (Asian) vessels had 100% observer coverage throughout the study period, whereas only 6% of the fishing effort by South African-flagged vessels was observed (with no coverage in 2011–2013). Vessels with observers caught seabirds at a rate of 0.132 birds per 1 000 hooks, resulting in an estimated mortality of 2 851 individuals (356 per year) comprising 14 species. Extrapolation of the observed fishing sets to the unobserved fishing sets by the South African domestic longline fleet suggested that approximately 750 additional birds were likely killed during the study period, therefore a combined 450 birds were killed per year. White-chinned petrelProcellaria aequinoctialiswas the most frequently killed species (66%), followed by ‘shy-type’ albatrossesThalassarche cauta/steadi(21%), black-browed albatrossT. melanophris(7%), Indian yellow-nosed albatrossT. carteri(3%), and Cape gannetMorus capensis(2%). The seabird bycatch rates were lower than in 1998–2005. Nationality of the vessel, time of line-setting, moon phase, year, season, fishing area, and seabird bycatch mitigation measures all influenced seabird mortality. Concurrent with 100% observer coverage, significant reductions in the seabird bycatch rate occurred in the Asian fleet in the latter years of the study, and these rates now approximate the national target (0.05 birds per 1 000 hooks). However, seabird bycatch rates remained high in the South African fleet, where no observers were deployed during 2011–2013, highlighting the need for independent observer programmes in fisheries—a matter of global interest. Suggestions are made as to how seabird bycatch by pelagic longline fisheries off South Africa may be further reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The currently accepted albatross taxonomy, based on characters of external morphology, plumage patterns, tail shape, bill size and coloration, organization of the plates of the bill, and, more recently, molecular data such as cytochrome-b gene sequences, resulted in a division of the family Diomedeidae into four genera: Diomedea, comprising the great albatrosses; Phoebastria, the North Pacific albatrosses; Thalassarche, the mollymawks; and Phoebetria, the sooty mollymawks. However, there are only a few, old studies on albatross osteology, which focused mostly on supra-generic relationships. Research on the group's taxonomy and anatomy is important in order to establish a secure basis for the identification of each species, including the differences between males, females and specimens of different ages, and also to verify anatomic characters which might be found useful for phylogenetic analysis based on morphological markers. In the present study, 63 skulls of Diomedea and Thalassarche albatrosses were analyzed and compared, thus establishing topographic correspondences and determining primary homologies, these resulting in: (a) the finding of no pattern of anatomical variation related to sex and age for both T. melanophris and for T. chlororhynchos; (b) the assessment of eight cranial landmarks separating the genera Diomedea and Thalassarche; (c) the recognition of 13 cranial landmarks differing among T. melanophris, T. chlororhynchos and T. cauta; (d) the re-identification of several specimens based on skull characters. The characters here presented for the genera and species, along with further anatomical research on the skull of the Diomedeidae, including the genera Phoebetria and Phoebastria, may help to enlighten relationships within the family.A atual taxonomia dos albatrozes consiste na divisão da família Diomedeidae em quatro gêneros: Diomedea, que inclui os grandes albatrozes; Phoebastria, formado pelos albatrozes do norte do Pacífico; Thalassarche, para os chamados "mollymawks" e Phoebetria, para os "mollymawks fuliginosos" e foi baseada em caracteres da morfologia externa, padrões de plumagem, forma da cauda, tamanho e coloração do bico e a organização das placas da ranfoteca e, mais recentemente, seqüências do citocromo-b. Entretanto, existem poucos e antigos estudos sobre a osteologia dos albatrozes que estudaram apenas as relações supra-genéricas. A pesquisa na taxonomia e na anatomia do grupo é importante para se criar uma base segura para a identificação das espécies, incluindo aí as diferenças existentes entre machos, fêmeas e de exemplares em diferentes idades, além de se verificar caracteres anatômicos cranianos que podem revelar-se úteis para análises filogenéticas com base em marcadores morfológicos. No presente trabalho, 63 crânios de representantes dos gêneros Diomedea e Thalassarche foram analisados e comparados, estabelecendo correspondências topográficas e determinando homologias primárias, o que resultou em: (a) a descoberta da ausência de padrões de distinção anatômica relacionados ao sexo e à idade para T. melanophris e para T. chlororhynchos; (b) levantamento de oito caracteres do crânio que separam os gêneros Diomedea e Thalassarche; (c) reconhecimento de 13 caracteres cranianos que diferem entre T. melanophris, T. chlororhynchos e T. cauta; (d) re-identificação de vários espécimes baseados em caracteres cranianos. Os caracteres aqui apresentados para os gêneros e espécies, juntamente com futuras pesquisas na anatomia do crânio de Diomedeidae, incluindo os gêneros Phoebetria e Phoebastria, podem ajudar na elucidação das relações de parentesco dentro da família.

House mice (Mus musculus L.) were introduced to sub-Antarctic Marion Island more than two centuries ago, and have been the only introduced mammal on the island since 1991 when feral cats were eradicated. The first mouse-injured wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans L.) chick was found in 2003 and since then attacks have continued at a low level affecting <1% of the population. In 2009, the first ‘scalpings’ were detected; sooty albatross (Phoebetria fusca Hilsenberg) fledglings were found with raw wounds on the nape. In 2015, mice attacked large chicks of all three albatross species that fledge in autumn: grey-headed (Thalassarche chrysostoma Forster) (at least 102 wounded chicks; 4.6% of fledglings), sooty (n=45, 4.3%) and light-mantled albatross (P. palpebrata Forster) (n=1, 4%). Filming at night confirmed that mice were responsible for wounds. Attacks started independently in small pockets all around the island’s 70 km coastline, separated by distances hundreds of times greater than mouse home ranges. The widespread nature of mouse attacks in 2015 on large, well-feathered chicks is alarming and highlights not only Marion Island as a priority island for mouse eradication but also that mice alone may significantly affect threatened seabird species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We provide data on regional differences in plastic ingestion for two Southern Ocean top predators: Arctocephalus fur seals and albatrosses (Diomedeidae). Fur seals breeding on Macquarie Island in the 1990s excreted small (mainly 2–5 mm) plastic fragments, probably derived secondarily from myctophid fish. No plastic was found in the scats of these seals breeding on three islands in the southwest Indian and central South Atlantic Oceans, despite myctophids dominating their diets at these locations. Compared to recent reports of plastic ingestion by albatrosses off the east coast of South America, we confirm that plastic is seldom found in the stomachs of Thalassarche albatrosses off South Africa, but found no Diomedea albatrosses to contain plastic, compared to 26% off South America. The reasons for such regional differences are unclear, but emphasize the importance of reporting negative as well as positive records of plastic ingestion by marine biota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics and other marine debris affect wildlife through entanglement and by ingestion. We assessed the ingestion of marine debris by seven albatross species in the southwest Atlantic by analyzing stomach contents of birds killed in fisheries. Of the 128 specimens examined, including four Diomedea species ( n = 78) and three Thalassarche species ( n = 50), 21 (16.4%) contained 1–4 debris items, mainly in the ventriculus. The most common type was plastic fragments. Debris was most frequent in Diomedea species (25.6%) and, particularly, Diomedea sanfordi (38.9%) and very rare in Thalassarche species (2.0%), presumably reflecting differences in foraging behavior or distribution. Frequency of occurrence was significantly higher in male than female Diomedea albatrosses (39.3% vs. 18.0%). Although levels of accumulated debris were relatively low overall, and unlikely to result in gut blockage, associated toxins might nevertheless represent a health risk for Diomedea albatrosses, compounding the negative impact of other human activities on these threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the 10th report from the Taxonomic Sub-Committee of the British Ornithologists' Union (BOU) Records Committee which provides recommendations for Western Palaearctic birds. It discusses birds species covered and studied in the report including the ostrich or Struthio camelus, the shy abatross or Thalassarche cauta, and the Sombre Tit or Poecile lugubris.

Moult entails costs related to the acquisition of energy and nutrients necessary for feather synthesis, as well as the impact of reduced flight performance induced by gaps in the wing plumage. Variation in moult strategies within and between populations may convey valuable information on energetic trade-offs and other responses to differing environmental constraints. We studied the moult strategies of two populations of a pelagic seabird, the black-browed albatross Thalassarche melanophris, nesting in contrasting environments. According to conventional wisdom, it is exceptional for albatrosses (Diomedeidae) to moult while breeding. Here we show that black-browed albatrosses breeding on the Falklands regularly moult primaries, tail and body feathers during chick-rearing, and the majority of those at South Georgia show some body feather moult in late chick-rearing. The greater moult-breeding overlap at the Falklands allows the birds to annually renew more primary feathers than their counterparts at South Georgia. The results of the present paper, pooled with other evidence, suggest that black-browed albatrosses from South Georgia face a more challenging environment during reproduction. They also serve to warn against the uncritical acceptance of conventional ideas about moult patterns when using feathers to study the ecology of seabirds and other migrants for which there is scant information at particular stages of the annual cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many albatross populations are declining and a major cause is believed to be incidental mortality from fishing. We investigated the effect of fishing on southern Buller's albatross Thalassarche bulleri bulleri, using a new approach to seabird population modelling that allows estimation of demographic parameters from multiple data types. Three types of data were used: a 60-year set of mark–recapture observations, four censuses of the breeding population, and estimates of fishing effort and bycatch. The fisheries risk to the viability of this population over the last 60 years appears to have been small, since the adult population is estimated to have increased about five-fold over that time. There is some cause for concern in recent changes (population growth has slowed, and perhaps reversed, and adult survival rates are falling). The most common age at first breeding was 12 years, and about 80% of adults breed each year. Annual survival was estimated to be 0.91 for juveniles, and varied between this value and 1 for adults. Though this population is not in immediate danger from fishing, there is a need for continued monitoring to see whether the recent fall in survival rates persists and causes a decline in abundance. Our analysis showed that when, as is common, mark–recapture data do not provide good estimates of all demographic rates, the assessment of seabird population trends can be improved by the use of other types of data, particularly abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the fine-scale overlap between individual albatrosses or Thalassarche steadi and individual fishing vessels within sub-Antarctic New Zealand. Behavioral changes in albatrosses when they are associated with fishing vessels are characterized. A novel method was developed to integrate fine-scale Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking data from foraging trips of 25 white-capped albatrosses to study incidental by-catch of the birds in commercial fishing activities. The utility of GPS tags in revealing how fisheries' effects on marine megafauna may go beyond mortality and injury is addressed. The importance of comparative data sets with resolution equal to GPS tags in addressing conservation issues is also discussed.

The article offers information on an immature Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos. The bird was discovered in a garden in Somerset, England on June 30, 2007, in Lincolnshire, England on July 2, 2007, and in Malmö, Sweden on July 8, 2007. The bird belongs to the nominate subspecies, which breeds in the South Atlantic, based on its distribution, identification, and taxonomy. The bird has been included in Great Britain's Category A list.

The article presents a study which looked at the activity patterns of albatrosses during the nonbreeding period. For this study, the researchers used data from combination geolocator-immersion loggers deployed on the wandering albatross Diomedea exulans, black-browed albatross Thalassarche melanoprhis, grey-headed albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma and light-mantled albatross Phoebetria palpebrata from South Georgia. According to them, light-maintled albatrosses were the most active at night, while grey-headed albatrosses were the most aerial and back-browed albatrosses had the shortest flight bouts during daylight.

The article presents a study which investigated the early at-sea behaviour of shy albatrosses Thalassarche cauta from three breeding colonies in Tasmania to understand albatross biology and conservation. Satellite transmitters were used to identify the spatial distribution mean populations which have different exposure to fisheries and consequent risk of bycatch. It is stated that mortality of post-fledging birds were inferred soon after leaving the nest including the possibility that attachment failure caused platform transmitter terminals (PTT) to cease transmitting prematurely.

Background: Many population genetic and phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) assume that mitochondrial genomes do not undergo recombination. Recently, concerted evolution of duplicated mitochondrial control regions has been documented in a range of taxa. Although the molecular mechanism that facilitates concerted evolution is unknown, all proposed mechanisms involve mtDNA recombination. Results: Here, we document a duplication of a large region (cytochrome b, tRNAThr, tRNAPro, ND6, tRNAGlu and the control region) in the mitochondrial genome of three related seabird species. To investigate the evolution of duplicate control regions, we sequenced both control region copies (CR1 and CR2) from 21 brown (Sula leucogaster), 21 red-footed (S. sula) and 21 blue-footed boobies (S. nebouxii). Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the duplicated control regions are predominantly evolving in concert; however, approximately 51 base pairs at the 5' end of CR1 and CR2 exhibited a discordant phylogenetic signal and appeared to be evolving independently. Conclusions: Both the structure of the duplicated region and the conflicting phylogenetic signals are remarkably similar to a pattern found in Thalassarche albatrosses, which are united with boobies in a large clade that includes all procellariiform and most pelecaniform seabirds. Therefore we suggest that concerted evolution of duplicated control regions either is taxonomically widespread within seabirds, or that it has evolved many times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second mid-summer survey of surface-nesting seabirds at the Prince Edward Island group (Marion and Prince Edward islands) was conducted during December 2008, seven years after the initial mid-summer survey. Wandering albatrosses Diomedea exulans may have decreased slightly at Prince Edward Island, mirroring a decrease of roughly 2% per year at Marion Island from 1998 to 2005, a decline that has since reversed. Numbers of grey-headed albatrosses Thalassarche chrysostoma on Marion Island have remained stable, whereas the population on Prince Edward Island decreased by 20% from 2001 to 2008 (3% per year). The estimate of Indian yellow-nosed albatrosses T. carteri at Prince Edward Island was similar in 2001 and 2008. Counts of both sooty albatrosses Phoebetria spp. were substantially higher at Prince Edward Island in 2008, possibly as a result of better coverage compared to 2001. Dark-mantled sooty albatrosses P. fusca on Marion Island have decreased by almost 2% per year since 1996, continuing a negative trend from the early 1980s, whereas light-mantled sooty albatrosses P. palpebrata have increased by almost 6% per year at Marion Island since 1996. Counts of both giant petrels increased at Prince Edward Island (northern Macronectes halli by 44%; southern M. giganteus by 28%), whereas their numbers have remained stable at Marion Island. Current best estimates for annual breeding populations (pairs) at the two islands are 3 650 wandering albatrosses, 9 500 grey-headed albatrosses, 7 000 Indian yellow-nosed albatrosses, 2 900 dark-mantled sooty albatrosses, 800 light-mantled sooty albatrosses, 750 northern giant petrels and 2 800 southern giant petrels, confirming the global importance of the Prince Edward Islands for these seven species. Apart from the dark-mantled sooty albatross, their populations are reasonably healthy despite fishing mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on age determination of immature Black-browed and Atlantic Yellow-nosed Thalassarche chlororhvnchos albatrosses captured at sea off the Brazilian coast. The study used the bill colour, along with moult data, to describe the characteristics of birds of various ages, from fledging plumage up to adult plumage, from studies of birds captured at sea. Birds off Brazil, which originated mainly from the Falkland lslands/Malvinas, differ considerably from birds from South Georgia Island based on comparison with previous descriptions for ageing Black-browed Albatross.

Albatrosses fly many hundreds of kilometers across the open ocean to find and feed upon their prey. Despite the growing number of studies concerning their foraging behaviour, relatively little is known about how albatrosses actually locate their prey. Here, we present our results from the first deployments of a combined animal-borne camera and depth data logger on free-ranging black-browed albatrosses (Thalassarche melanophrys). The still images recorded from these cameras showed that some albatrosses actively followed a killer whale (Orcinus orca), possibly to feed on food scraps left by this diving predator. The camera images together with the depth profiles showed that the birds dived only occasionally, but that they actively dived when other birds or the killer whale were present. This association with diving predators or other birds may partially explain how albatrosses find their prey more efficiently in the apparently 'featureless' ocean, with a minimal requirement for energetically costly diving or landing activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black-browed albatrosses Thalassarche melanophrys typically colonise steeper habitats than grey-headed albatrosses T. chrysostoma. The present study investigated the effect of colony philopatry on terrestrial locomotory ability in these two species, to determine: (1) if there is a difference in terrestrial locomotory ability between these two closely related species, and (2) what physiological or behavioural adaptations may account for any differences identified. We examined the metabolic cost, mechanical efficiency on an incline, and gait characteristics of terrestrial locomotion of these two species on both level and inclined planes. T. chrysostoma were able to perform at a significantly greater speed than T. melanophrys without reaching a significantly different maximal rate of oxygen consumption (V̇). Conversely, T. melanophrys were able to move up a significantly steeper incline than T. chrysostoma while maintaining a similar maximal V̇ Each species demonstrates stride length, force production (behavioural) and leg length (morphological) adaptations that minimise the cost of traversing their chosen colonies, indicating a clear relationship between terrestrial performance and local topography. However, it is not possible to determine if the difference in locomotory ability results from differences in colony topography, or if choice of colony site is dictated by the ability of the species to traverse different terrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hundreds of thousands of seabirds are killed each year as a result of interacting with longline and trawl fishing operations, and the severity of the impact varies regionally. Shy and white-capped albatrosses, Thalassarche cauta and Thalassarche steadi respectively, are phenotypically similar species known to be incidentally killed by fishing operations. The magnitude of this mortality has not previously been assessed across their range. Here we examine recent effort and bycatch rates in fisheries known to incidentally kill these species and qualitatively evaluate the level of impact of each fishery. Results indicate that over 8500 of these albatrosses may be killed annually, although the reliability of this estimate is low due to the paucity of comprehensive observer data in most fisheries. Of the estimated deaths of all seabird species in the fisheries assessed, trawl and longline fisheries killed birds in approximately equal proportions, but when the mortality levels of shy-type albatrosses were examined, trawl fisheries were responsible for 75% of all deaths. Data suggest most of these birds were killed in South African, Namibian and New Zealand demersal trawl fisheries and the South Africa pelagic longline fishery. Because most adult shy albatrosses are comparatively sedentary and rarely found outside Australian waters, it is primarily juvenile shy albatrosses that regularly encounter fishing fleets known to kill large numbers of albatrosses. In contrast, throughout most of their range juvenile and adult white-capped albatrosses are exposed to fisheries that collectively kill many thousands of these albatrosses each year. These data emphasise the urgent need for robust assessments of the impact of bycatch at a species and population level, and the urgent implementation of effective mitigation measures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris, travels along the southern coast of Brazil during migration. Their numbers appear to have decreased in recent years. From July 1997 to 1998, we carried out monthly surveys on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, to count albatrosses in the area and identify ingested items. We found 85 dead specimens of T. melanophris, from which 35 stomachs were collected and the contents analyzed. Nearly 6% of the stomachs contained fish, 32% contained cephalopods and 9% contained crustaceans. About 69% of the stomachs contained nematodes and nematomorphs. The highest abundance values found per stomach was 182 nematode individuals and 223 nematomorph individuals. Synthetic materials were present in 29% of the stomachs analyzed, comprising thermoplastic, nylon, rubber and metal wire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Grey-headed Albatrosses Thalassarche chrysostoma are usually regarded as biennial breeders, taking a year off following a successful breeding attempt, a small proportion of successful birds attempt to breed annually. This proportion was higher at Marion Island (5.4%) than at Bird Island, South Georgia (1.0%), suggesting that conditions are more favourable at Marion Island. This hypothesis is supported by higher average breeding success and shorter lags following both successful and failed breeding attempts at Marion Island. Factors favouring reproduction at Marion Island may include reduced intraspecific competition (given the much smaller breeding population) and/or more predictable food supply (owing to production of meso-scale eddies associated with the Indian Ocean Ridge). Although annual breeding appeared to increase the risk of adult mortality, with several birds that attempted to breed annually found dead the following year, at least some birds greatly enhanced their reproductive output, with one male raising five chicks in five successive years. Contrary to life-history theory, there was no evidence that older birds were more likely to attempt annual breeding because of declining reproductive value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the mating system of shy albatrosses Thalassarche cauta by combining behavioural observations during the pre-laying period with genetic paternity analysis. Genetic data on the mating systems of several procellariiform seabirds have recently become available, but data on the reproductive behaviour of these species are rarely obtained. Our main aims were to describe the copulatory behaviour of this species and identify how males achieve within-pair and extra-pair paternity (EPP). Most copulations occurred on the nest, were unforced and were within-pair. Females controlled the success of copulations and were observed soliciting extra-pair matings. Within-pair and extra-pair copulations were behaviourally similar. A low frequency (7–10%, n=29 chicks) of EPP was detected despite male use of frequent copulation as a paternity guard. The pre-laying foraging exodus of female shy albatrosses differed from that in other albatrosses: it was relatively short in length, lasting c. 2 days, and within-pair copulations occurred after the female's return 2 days before laying. This may reflect the close proximity of feeding grounds to the breeding colony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic variability in the only two existing populations of Buller's albatross ( Thalassarche bulleri bulleri) was assessed using six polymorphic microsatellite loci. Large biological samples were obtained from both the Snares ( n = 99) and the Solander Islands ( n = 27). Several measures of genetic differentiation including FST and RST and a principal coordinates analysis (PCO) suggest a complete absence of genetic structure between three breeding colonies on the Snares Islands, and between them and one breeding colony on the Solander Islands. Mark/recapture studies of recently banded albatross chicks on the Snares found high natal philopatry in T. b. bulleri, but the microsatellite DNA data suggest that sufficient gene flow still occurs between all four breeding colonies to maintain a genetically homogeneous population overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular ecologists, in search of suitable molecular markers, frequently PCR-amplify regions of mitochondrial DNA from total DNA extracts. This approach, although common, is prone to the co-amplification of nuclear copies of transposed DNA sequences (numts), which can then generate apparent mitochondrial sequence heteroplasmy. In this study we describe the discovery of apparent mitochondrial sequence heteroplasmy in Thalassarche albatrosses but eliminate the possibility of true sequence heteroplasmy and numts and instead reveal the source of the apparent heteroplasmy to be a duplicated control region. The two control regions align easily but are not identical in sequence or in length. Comparisons of functionally significant conserved sequence blocks do not provide evidence of degeneration in either duplicate. Phylogenetic analyses of domain I of both control region copies in five Thalassarche species indicate that they are largely evolving in concert; however, a short section within them is clearly evolving independently. To our knowledge this is the first time contrasting evolutionary patterns have been reported for duplicate control regions. Available evidence suggests that this duplication may be taxonomically widespread, so the results presented here should be considered in future evolutionary studies targeting the control region of all Procellariiformes and potentially other closely related avian groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field metabolic rates (FMR) and activity patterns of black-browed albatrossesThalassarche melanophryswere measured while at sea and on nest during the incubation stage at Kerguelen Island, southwestern Indian Ocean. Activity-specific metabolic rates of five albatrosses at sea (FMRat-sea) were measured using doubly labeled water (DLW), and by equipping birds with wet-dry activity data loggers that determined when birds were in flight or on the water. The metabolic rates of four birds incubating their eggs (FMRon-nest) were also measured using DLW. The mean±SD FMRat-sea of albatrosses was 611±96 kJ kg−1 d−1 compared to FMRon-nest of 196±52 kJ kg−1 d−1. While at sea, albatrosses spent 52.9±8.2% (N=3) of their time in flight and they landed on the water 41.2±13.9 times per day. The FMR of black-browed albatrosses appear to be intermediate to that of three other albatross species. Based on at-sea activity, the power requirement of flight was estimated to be 8.7 W kg−1 (or 4.0×predicted BMR), which is high compared to other albatross species, but may be explained by the high activity levels of the birds when at sea. The FMRat-sea of albatrosses, when scaled with body mass, are lower than other seabirds of similar body size, which probably reflects the economical nature of their soaring flight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The evolutionary relationship between shy (Thalassarche cauta ) and white-capped (T. steadi ) albatrosses was examined using mitochondrial control region sequences. Results were interpreted in the context of a recent and contentious taxonomic revision that recommended full species status for shy and white-capped albatrosses. Low sequence divergence between shy and white-capped albatrosses (1.8%) and between their close relatives, Salvin's and Chatham albatrosses (2.9%), was observed. Much higher sequence divergence was found between the shy/white-capped pair and the Salvin’s/Chatham pair (7.0%). Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the separation of the shy/white-capped pair from the Salvin’s/Chatham pair but did not provide species-level resolution. Phylogeographic analyses, including a nested clade analysis, F [sub ST] estimates and an analysis of molecular variance, indicated unambiguous genetic structuring between shy and white-capped albatrosses, thus confirming the demographic isolation of the species, but showed little to no structuring within each species. The geographical distribution of mtDNA haplotypes and other evidence suggest that shy albatrosses arose through range expansion by white-capped albatrosses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diet and breeding performance of Grey-headed Albatrosses Thalassarche chrysostoma and Black-browed Albatrosses Diomedea melanophris breeding at Bird Island, South Georgia, were studied simultaneously during the chick-rearing period between 1996 and 2000. When samples for all years were combined, cephalopods and crustaceans were the main components in the diet of Grey-headed and Black-browed Albatrosses, respectively. However, their diets exhibited interannual variations. Cephalopods were the most important component in the diet of Grey-headed Albatrosses between 1996 and 1999 (60–75% by mass) but decreased significantly in 2000 (17%), when crustaceans dominated (61%). The Black-browed Albatross diet varied greatly, with cephalopods being the most important component in 1996 (49% by mass) and 1997 (48%), fish in 1998 (32%) and 1999 (40%), and crustaceans in 2000 (63%). In 1998 and 2000 there was a significant change in the cephalopod species present in the diet of both albatross species, when their breeding success was low. The consumption of the ommastrephid Martialia hyadesi was significantly and positively correlated with Grey-headed Albatross breeding success. For Black-browed Albatrosses significant correlations were found between its consumption of the Icefish Champsocephalus gunnari and breeding success, and between its consumption of M. hyadesi and M. hyadesi CPUE (Catch per Unit Effort). These findings suggest that Grey-headed Albatrosses are more reliant on Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone prey ( M. hyadesi and Lamprey Geotria australis) whereas Black-browed Albatrosses are more dependent on Antarctic prey (Icefish and Antarctic Krill Euphausia superba). The differences between diets of Grey-headed and Black-browed Albatrosses breeding on different islands of the Southern Ocean showed that Grey-headed Albatrosses feed more on oceanic cephalopods (e.g. M. hyadesi) whereas Black-browed Albatrosses feed primarily on shelf fish (e.g. Blue Whiting Micromesistius australis), suggesting that albatross diets are likely to be influenced by the geographical position of those islands, albatross foraging preference and prey availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previously undescribed population of black-browed albatrosses (Thalassarche melanophrys) is reported at the Evangelistas Islets, Straits of Magellan, Chile. The population was censused from aerial photographs taken on 13 October 2002 that yielded an estimate of the number of breeding pairs. A combined total of 4,670 pairs of black-browed albatrosses were found nesting at Elcano and Lobos Islets, 2 of the 4 islets in the Evangelistas group. This new record raises to four the number of breeding islands of this albatross species in Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the population trends of Black-browed Albatrosses Thalassarche melanophrys at Diego de Almagro Island in Chile. The study is set in the backdrop of a declining population of Black-browed Albatrosses at some of the 12 breeding sites like at the Falkland Islands and at South Georgia. Longline fisheries are thought to be responsible for this situation, which in turn has raised the conservation alarm. The results of the study indicate the existence of six colonies and a total of 15,594 albatrosses on the west and south coasts of Diego de Almagro island. The study, according to the authors, took into account factors like the birds' habitat, time of the day, weather and the stage of the breeding cycle.

Abstract The population structure of black-browed (Thalassarche melanophris and T. impavida ) and grey-headed (T. chrysostoma ) albatrosses was examined using both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite analyses. mtDNA sequences from 73 black-browed and 50 grey-headed albatrosses were obtained from five island groups in the Southern Ocean. High levels of sequence divergence were found in both taxa (0.55–7.20% in black-browed albatrosses and 2.10–3.90% in grey-headed albatrosses). Black-browed albatrosses form three distinct groups: Falklands, Diego Ramirez/South Georgia/Kerguelen, and Campbell Island (T. impavida ). T. melanophris from Campbell Island contain birds from each of the three groups, indicating high levels of mixture and hybridization. In contrast, grey-headed albatrosses form one globally panmictic population. Microsatellite analyses on a larger number of samples using seven highly variable markers found similar population structure to the mtDNA analyses in both black-browed and grey-headed albatrosses. Differences in population structure between these two very similar and closely related species could be the result of differences in foraging and dispersal patterns. Breeding black-browed albatrosses forage mainly over continental shelves and migrate to similar areas when not breeding. Grey-headed albatrosses forage mainly at frontal systems, travelling widely across oceanic habitats outside the breeding season. Genetic analyses support the current classification of T. impavida as being distinct from T. melanophris , but would also suggest splitting T . melanophris into two groups: Falkland Islands, and Diego Ramirez/South Georgia/Kerguelen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cephalopod remains were collected, at regular intervals throughout the fledging period, from the stomach contents of chicks of the grey-headed albatross Diomedea chrysostoma at Bird Island, South Georgia, in 1984 and 1986 and from regurgitations of adults at the nest in 1986. The 1984 sample was taken during a season characterised by abnormal local oceanographic conditions in which the breeding success was very low; in 1986 conditions were normal and breeding success was high. Cephalopod beaks (289 from adults; 5 651 from chicks) were identified, and allometric equations were used to estimate the biomass represented. Five cephalopod species belonging to five families (Gonatidae, Onychoteuthidae, Psychroteuthidae, Ommastrephidae and Cranchiidae) contributed 98% by number and 97% of the biomass fed to chicks. The most important species was the ommastrephid Martialia hyadesi, contributing 68.9 to 77.4% by number and 72.5 to 79.3% of the total biomass fed to chicks. The relative proportions of cephalopod species in the chicks' diet were similar between 1984 and 1986, but the total number and biomass was significantly less in 1984. There is evidence of growth of M. hyadesi between January and June. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three albatross species occur in Peru that nest in New Zealand offshore islands: Salvin's (Thalassarche salvini), Buller's (T. bulleri ssp.), and Chatham albatross (T. eremita). To determine their spatial distribution, relative abundances, and foraging behavior in Peru, we conduct two surveys coinciding their wintering time in the austral autumn and spring 2019. The study area was from 06° S to 18° S and from the coastline to 100 nautical miles (nm) offshore. We recorded 483.7 hours of observation while surveying 7,678 km2, recording 249, 200, and 22 individuals of Salvin's, Buller's, and Chatham albatrosses, respectively. Salvin's occupied shallower waters along the continental shelf-break in the northern and central regions (07°–12° S), while Buller's and Chatham's preferred oceanic waters in southern regions (12°–17° S). Salvin's greatest abundance was during autumn (April–June) when adults dominated (85.7%) and shifted to the north. In spring (October–December), the Salvin's abundance was lower and dominated by subadults (62.5%) shifting to the south. Conversely, Buller's greatest abundance was in spring, with similar age-classes to those of Salvin's, while in autumn a lower abundance was observed and adults dominated (>85%). Chatham's adults (80%) were abundant in autumn, while in spring Chatham's were very few (n = 3 total observations). According to a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Correspondence Analysis (CA), Salvin's were positively associated with higher sea temperature and salinity, lower latitudes, and shallower depths. Buller's and Chatham's were associated with greater shelf-break distance and wind velocity. Salvin's presence in Peru could primarily originate from birds coming from the Western Chain in The Snares. We suggest that adult Buller's seen in autumn, probably originate from the Chatham Islands, while those in spring probably originate from The Snares. Salvin's were spatially associated with cephalopods and Buller's and Chatham's with fishes. The two latter species were attracted to offal discards of small-scale fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a summary of unchecked reports on British birds from July 2009 to early August 2009. The bird species include Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris, and Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus. The areas where the birds were seen are also cited.

The article focuses on a Black-browed Albatross also called Thalassarche melanophris found in mid Atlantic Ocean on July 13, 2010.

The article reports on the four bird species admitted by the BOU Records Committee to the British List taking the total to 587. They include Pacific Diver Gavia pacifica, Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos, and Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica. British top twitchers Ron Johns and Steve Webb are competing for the most number of species seen.

The article reports on the need for citizen scientist ringers and birders by the BirdLife South Africa, the Save the Albatross Fund and African Affinity for seabird research on the Tristan da Cunha archipelago. Among the endemic seabird found in the area are Tristan Albatross Diomedeadabbenena and the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos. The first expedition is scheduled on February 21 to March 12, 2010.

The article reports that New Zealand has gained a new endemic species of albatross. The new species brings the world total to 22, after DNA analysis revealed two distinct species of shy-type albatross. The white-capped albatross, Thalassarche steadi, breeds on subantarctic islands in New Zealand. The shy-type albatross, T. cauta, breeds on islands off Tasmania. The two species appear to have different feeding ranges. The shy-type mainly occurring in Australian waters while the white-capped ranging across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.