Seabird temporal composition, abundance and habitat use in Punta La Metalera (Arequipa, Southern Peru)

L M Vica Taco,E Mamani,C R Luque Fernández

doi:10.32800/amz.2021.19.0161

L M Vica Taco, E Mamani + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.32800/amz.2021.19.0161

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Abstract

Islands, islets, and guano capes provide a unique variety of habitats for seabirds. Their variability determines the structure and dynamics of the community. Studies about the temporal diversity and habitat use of these systems in southern Peru are lacking. The aim of this study was to analyze the abundance, composition, and behavior of seabirds at Punta La Metalera (El Faro) in the province of Islay in the Arequipa region of southern Peru. We recorded a total of 12 species. One of these is endemic to the Peruvian coast (Cinclodes taczanowskii), one is considered in endangered (Spheniscus humboldti), and four have been assigned near threatened status (Phalacrocorax gaimardi, Pelecanus thagus, Sula variegata and Larosterna inca). Some of these birds belong to the guano bird group. Laridae was the most abundant family due to Larosterna inca, which showed the highest number of individuals. Temporal variation showed that species were most abundant in December and January. The habitat was mainly used for resting, preening, and feeding. However, nesting was also recorded for six species. Based on the little information previously available for this region our findings indicate that Punta La Metalera is an important area for the development and reproduction of some of the species recorded.

Highlights

The South American Pacific coast is one of the most biologically productive habitats on Earth and its influence on the communities and relationships therein is strong (Flores et al, 2013)
About 50 % of these species were present in all months sampled (Larosterna inca, Larus belcheri, Sula variegata, Phalacrocorax gaimardi, Cathartes aura, and Haematopus ater), nearly 70 % were present in October, November, and December, and another 70 % were present in January, February, and March
These birds have not been reported in previous continuous census surveys for the area (Tovar, 1969; Tovar et al, 1987; SERNANP, 2016), and many correspond to endemic species of the Peruvian current (Cisterna, 2020)

Summary

Introduction

The South American Pacific coast is one of the most biologically productive habitats on Earth and its influence on the communities and relationships therein is strong (Flores et al, 2013). In the case of Peru, the coast is bathed by the Peruvian or Humboldt current (Brack and Mendiola, 2000), which together with the extensive areas of coastal upwelling and the dynamics in the processes of nutrients and biogeochemical cycles (Morón, 2000; Graco et al, 2007) has produced the conditions for great biodiversity This diversity is especially based on the extremely high primary productivity that is reflected in an abundance of zooplankton fish, birds and marine mammals (Chavez et al, 2008; Montecino and Lange, 2009; Cisterna, 2020). The study of bird population dynamics in this system is limited, (Tovar, 1969; Tovar et al, 1987; Goya, 2000; Weimerskirch et al, 2012; Figueroa, 2013; SERNANP, 2016) These bird populations are under pressure from natural events such as the phenomenon 'El Niño' (Flores et al, 2013), which had severe repercussions. As fluctuations can strongly influence a system's functionality they should be monitored

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