Sula Sula Research Articles

Geographical variation in the foraging behaviour of the pantropical red-footed booby

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 568:217-230 (2017) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12052 Geographical variation in the foraging behaviour of the pantropical red-footed booby Loriane Mendez1,2,*, Philippe Borsa3, Sebastian Cruz4, Sophie de Grissac1,2, Janos Hennicke1,5, Joëlle Lallemand1, Aurélien Prudor1,2, Henri Weimerskirch1,2 1Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR7372 CNRS, Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France 2UMR 9220 UR CNRS IRD ENTROPIE, Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, Université de la Réunion, 15 avenue René Cassin - CS 92003, 97744 Saint Denis Cedex 9, La Réunion 3UMR 250 UR CNRS IRD ENTROPIE, 101 Promenade Roger Laroque, 98848 Nouméa, Nouvelle-Calédonie 4Department of Migration and Immuno-ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany 5Department of Ecology and Conservation, Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany *Corresponding author: loriane.mendez@cebc.cnrs.fr ABSTRACT: While interspecific differences in foraging behaviour have attracted much attention, less is known about how foraging behaviour differs between populations of the same species. Here we compared the foraging strategy of a pantropical seabird, the red-footed booby Sula sula, in 5 populations breeding in contrasted environmental conditions. The foraging strategy strongly differed between sites, from strictly diurnal short trips in Europa Island (Mozambique channel) to long trips including up to 5 nights at sea in Genovesa Island (Galapagos archipelago). The Expectation Maximisation binary Clustering (EMbC) algorithm was used to determine the different behaviours of individuals during their foraging trips (travelling, intensive foraging, resting and relocating). During the day, the activity budget was similar for all the breeding colonies. During the night, birds were primarily on the water, drifting with currents. At all sites, birds similarly performed intensive foraging in zones of area-restricted search (ARS), although the size and duration of ARS zones differed markedly. Red-footed boobies foraged over deep oceanic waters, with chlorophyll a concentrations varying between sites. Birds did not appear to target areas with higher productivity. We suggest that range differences between populations may be linked to other factors such as intra- and interspecific competition. KEY WORDS: Sula sula · Tropical · GPS tracking · Area-restricted search · ARS · Chlorophyll a · Expectation Maximisation binary Clustering · EMbC Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Mendez L, Borsa P, Cruz S, de Grissac S and others (2017) Geographical variation in the foraging behaviour of the pantropical red-footed booby. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 568:217-230. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12052 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 568. Online publication date: March 24, 2017 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2017 Inter-Research.

Landing history of ‘urus’ and its influence on the bird ecosystem in Dongdao Island, Xisha Islands of South China Sea

The Dongdao Island of Xisha Islands is an epitome of the island eco-system of South China Sea, and red-footed booby (Sula sula) and Pissonia grandis are typical species of the island community. However, a large herbivore ‘urus’ (actually cattle) is now threatening the survival of other species. We analyzed the lithology, as well as organic carbon and nitrogen concentration and isotopes of the sediment core DY2 sampled from the ‘Cattle Pond’ of Dongdao Island, Xisha Islands. Combined with the isotope results of modern cattle and seabird droppings, we identified the eco-geological characteristic of the ‘urus’. According to the AMS14C dating of the lumpy cattle excreta and charcoal on the interface layer, we determined the landing time of ‘urus’ and identified a population booming after the landing as shown in the isotope profiles. The ‘urus’, actually cattle, is a special species in the whole island eco-system, but it could disrupt the offshore ecosystem irreversibly; therefore ‘urus’ population needs to be controlled on a proper level. This research proposed a possible method to study the history of invasive species.

Understanding resource partitioning in sympatric seabirds living in tropical marine environments

ABSTRACTTwo closely-related species living in sympatry can only coexist if a shift towards a novel ecological niche occurs. For seabird species breeding in tropical regions, competitive pressures intensify due to high population densities in colonies and sporadic prey resources. Here, we used a stable isotope approach to infer inter- and intraspecific variation in foraging behaviour in two congeneric seabird species: Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster, N = 31) and Red-footed Booby (S. sula, N = 30) breeding on Raine Island in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Blood (red blood cells and plasma components) and feather samples were collected from breeding birds for δ13C and δ15N analysis. We found significant δ13C interspecific differences in feather and red blood cell tissue, but not in plasma, whereas δ15N values did not differ significantly between species in any of the tissues. Although interspecific differences were small, higher δ13C values found in Brown Boobies suggest differences in foraging strategy between the two species. Inter-sexual differences, either in size or ecology, did not translate into dietary niche segregation. This study suggests that niche-partitioning processes are flexible in the temporal scale, and can be constrained by reproductive behaviour and availability of prey resources.

WHEN THE FLEDGLINGS RED-FOOTED BOOBIES (Sula sula) ACQUIRE FLIGHT CAPACITY

The high cost of parental care may sometimes result in a conflict of interest between parents and offspring. To achieve the benefits of producing viable offspring and/or additional breeding opportunities, tropical seabirds must be able to afford the costs of searching for food in an oligotrophic environment. In order to verify the behavioral variation of Red-footed boobies ( Sula sula ) during the late phase of its development, over a 12 week period was recorded the behavior of 15 fledglings. The behavioral records were made with the instantaneous focal animal method in windows of 15 minutes and records every minute. Records of feeding, agonism and frigates attacks were recorded ad libitum during the days of observation. No differences in the frequency of activities displayed by offspring at advanced stages of fledgling development, or in the frequency of parental presence during the transitional period to full capacity for flight were detected. On the other hand, it was observed that fledglings synchronized their presence at the nest with that of the adults even after achieving full flight capacity and that during periods of absence neighboring offspring were likely to occupy vacant nests. We speculate that with this behavior they apparently are trying to acquire, opportunistically, extra food resources from other, not directly related adults. However, we did not observe any fledgling being fed by a non-related adult. We also recorded the expression of aggressive behaviors of a fledgling towards a neighboring fledgling on the nest. These observations suggest the presence of a behavioral strategy in this species that is motivated by the continuously high demand for sustenance as the frequency of parental provisioning declines during the more advanced stages of offspring development. Although we did not verify changes in the fledglings' behavioral repertoire, the occurrence of agonistic behavior among them suggests that they must try alternative strategies to get food while not quite ready to live independently.

Biogeographical barriers to dispersal and rare gene flow shape population genetic structure in red‐footed boobies ( Sula sula )

Aim The ecological and biogeographical factors that influence population differentiation in seabirds are likely to be too complex and nuanced to be captured by many commonly held models of population differentiation. Pelagic seabirds exhibit high natal philopatry but can disperse long distances, potentially leading to long periods of genetic isolation with rare gene flow between isolated populations. Here, we assess levels of population genetic structure and gene flow in red-footed boobies (Sula sula) to test two hypotheses: (1) terrestrial and marine barriers to gene flow have caused population genetic differentiation among red-footed booby populations, and (2) despite high genetic differentiation among populations, rare gene flow still occurs among populations. Location Tropical oceans. Methods We genotyped 282 red-footed boobies at microsatellite, nuclear intron and mitochondrial markers. We applied basic tests of population differentiation, such as analysis of molecular variance, and applied modern statistical phylogeographical methods (e.g., structure, BayesAss) to investigate the history of gene flow. Results Red-footed boobies form four major genetic populations that correspond to oceanographic regions (Atlantic, Indian, Western+Central Pacific and eastern Pacific Oceans). However, gene flow has occurred recently among these populations. Further differentiation was found within ocean basins. Although the levels of gene flow within ocean basins are more difficult to assess, gene flow appears to have occurred between genetically differentiated Indian Ocean colonies. Main conclusions The population genetic structure of red-footed boobies has been driven primarily by major continental and marine barriers to gene flow that also drive differentiation in other pelagic seabirds (e.g., the Isthmus of Panama and eastern Pacific basin). However, dispersal across marine barriers (but not major continental barriers) appears to have been relatively common. We suggest that such patterns of long-term isolation and rare gene flow may be common to pelagic seabirds.

Breeding seabird populations in Brazilian oceanic islands: historical review, update and a call for census standardization

In recent decades, several seabird populations have declined globally due to anthropogenic activities. In Brazil, 14 seabird species breed at four oceanic islands and one atoll: the Abrolhos, Fernando de Noronha, and Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo (SPSPA) archipelagos; the Trindade/Martin Vaz Islands; and the Atol das Rocas. Seven species are listed as nationally threatened by extinction. This study aimed to present new information on breeding seabird populations in Brazilian oceanic islands, compile all available data previously published and, when possible, to provide updated information on population estimates from censuses carried out sporadically at different islands between 2006 and 2013. Based on new data and the thorough review provided here, of the 35 seabird breeding populations analysed, 14% were increasing (as Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus , Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens and Brown Noddy Anous stolidus in Abrolhos), 11% were decreasing (as Brown Booby Sula leucogaster in Atol das Rocas and Great Frigatebird Fregata minor in Trindade Island), 23% were stable (as White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus in Fernando de Noronha and Brown Noddy and Black Noddy Anous minutus in Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo Archipelago), and the remaining 49% were unknown or not possible to evaluate. The Red-footed Booby ( Sula sula ) is locally extinct in Trindade Island, however there are colonies of only a few individuals of other species, such as the Audubon's Shearwater Puffinus lherminieri and Red- billed Tropicbird in Noronha, Black Noddy in Martin Vaz, and Great ( Fregata ariel trinitatis ) and Lesser ( F. m. nicoll i) Frigatebirds in Trindade, that may become extinct soon. Censuses at distinct periods of the breeding cycles and protocols were highly variable, making temporal comparisons difficult. These results indicate an urgent need for long-term studies to improve the scenario to assess seabird population trends based on comparable methodologies, in order to determine trends in the future.

A Red-footed Booby Catching Airborne Squid

A Red-footed Booby Catching Airborne Squid

Assessment of the Birds of Swains Island, American Samoa

ABSTRACT Swains Island is an uninhabited 210 ha former copra plantation 360 km North of American Samoa. The island, dominated with coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), was last surveyed in 1976. The goal of this 17–26 September 2012 survey was to identify the bird species present, and document relative abundance, distribution, and breeding activity across the island. Two shoreline surveys recorded a seabird community dominated by Black Noddy (Anous minutus), White Tern (Gygis alba), and Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus), while the reef flat community was dominated by Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva) and Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana). Inland surveys revealed four roosting or breeding species, including Black Noddy, White Tern, Brown Noddy, and Red-footed Booby (Sula sula). Seabird densities were highest in the northwest section of the island, furthest from former settlements. Although feral pigs (Sus scrofa) were recently eradicated, feral cats (Felis cattus) remain present, and Pacific rats (Rattus exulan...

First recorded breeding attempt of Redfooted Booby Sula sula on St Helena Island, South Atlantic

Red-footed Boobies Sula sula are a wide ranging species that used to have a significant breeding population on both Ascension and St Helena Island in the South Atlantic. It was thought that only a small remnant population existed at Ascension Island until now. Five breeding attempts on the southern coastal windward side of St Helena by white morph Red-footed Boobies were recorded using an infra-red motion sensitive camera during 2014–2015. Of the minimum of nine eggs laid, none hatched suggesting more than one female was involved in nesting efforts and they were infertile and/or inexperienced breeders. Theories as to where these birds may have come from are discussed.

Variability in foraging behaviour of red-footed boobies nesting on Europa Island

Seabirds are considered to be good indicators of the marine environment. However, little is known about the effects of environmental variability on the foraging behaviour of tropical seabirds. Red-footed boobies (RFB) nesting on Europa Island (Mozambique Channel) were fitted with GPS devices over four years and different breeding stages. We first show that the durations of foraging trips vary extensively according to the stage of the breeding, being short during brooding, intermediate during incubation and long during fledging. This result highlights the importance of considering breeding stage when conducting comparisons of foraging between sites or years. In addition, we show that RFB adjusted their foraging behaviour between years (2003, 2011, 2012 and 2013) according to the prevailing environmental conditions. During 2011, RFB made longer foraging trips with larger area-restricted search (ARS) zones over a larger total surface area, suggesting that the foraging conditions were probably poor. This year was characterized by a decrease of the major environmental drivers of the Mozambique Channel system, i.e. particularly low chlorophyll concentrations in the northern part of the Mozambique Channel, as well as a weak eddy activity. This observation suggests that environmental conditions may have altered the southward transport and concentration processes structuring the trophic chain, leading to adverse conditions for a central-place forager like the RFB. Our results emphasize that environmental and breeding stage variation should be taken into account to better understand the distribution of these predators in marine tropical ecosystems.

Localized outbreaks of Acanthaster planci at an isolated and unpopulated reef atoll in the Chagos Archipelago

Outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), Acanthaster planci, have occurred at many locations throughout the Indo-Pacific and are a major contributor to widespread coral loss and reef degradation. The causes of outbreaks remain controversial, but are commonly attributed to anthropogenically elevated nutrients and/or over-fishing. If so, it seems unlikely that outbreaks would occur in reef systems that are largely isolated from anthropogenic disturbances. However, high densities of COTS were recently observed on reefs in the Chagos Archipelago, a remote group of atolls and banks within the central Indian Ocean, which experience very limited anthropogenic influence. Aggregations of COTS were first noticed at Eagle Island in 2012, which, although unquantified, appeared to be at outbreak levels, and very high densities (1624 km−2) were subsequently recorded at Danger Island in 2013. While these islands are uninhabited by humans, it is possible that nutrient inputs result from upwelling zones around the Archipelago, or high densities of breeding seabirds. Among islands within the Great Chagos Bank, densities of the red-footed booby Sula sula ranged from 8 to 7888 individuals km−2, with associated guano input ranging from 96 to 25,381 kg island−1 year−1. However, Danger and Eagle Islands where high COTS densities were recorded, had both high and low levels of guano production, respectively, which suggests that outbreaks may not be directly linked to guano nutrient enrichment. Other factors which might be responsible for intermittent COTS outbreaks should be considered in isolated reef systems such as the Chagos Archipelago.

Bárcena Volcano, 1952: a 60-year report on the repopulation of San Benedicto Island, Mexico, with a review of the ecological impacts of disastrous events

Long-term ecological studies are desirable, but rare. I here present data from a 60-year study on the repopulation of San Benedicto Island following a volcano eruption in 1952. Bárcena Volcano appeared on 1 August 1952 on San Benedicto Island, Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico. Within 20 min, the entire island was engulfed in a cloud of ash and pumice, which covered all the plants, killed an estimated 20 000 sea birds within hours and caused the subsequent extinction of an endemic race of rock wren (Salpinctes obsoleta exsul). The results of studies on revegetation and repopulation of the island for the first 10 years after the volcanic eruption were summarised by Brattstrom in 1963. This report extends the studies to 2012. The distribution of the land crab (Aegecarcinus planatus) has increased on the island. By 1971 the crab occurred only over the northern one-eighth of the island, but by 1978 it could be found on one-third of the island. No studies on its distribution have been made since then. Total sea bird populations steadily increased up to 1971 and then rapidly declined, though these changes in numbers are largely due to a fluctuation in the populations of the masked booby (Sula dactylatra). The changes in the booby population may have been due to reproductive and feeding success or to immigration and emigration. The decline in the shearwater (Puffinus ssp.) populations are largely due to erosion and destruction of their burrows; their numbers did not increase until 2000. The formation of a large lava delta created a new habitat, which permitted the establishment of a species of sea bird new to the island, the red-footed booby (Sula sula). Numerous non-resident waifs or stray birds have been observed on the island but most have not become established. The exception is the Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), breeding at present in low (3–712) numbers. The original flora consisted of 10 species. The volcano caused four species to become extinct, two re-established themselves, and two species new to the island arrived. There have been marked erosional changes, and the accidental introduction of exotic plants may dramatically alter the vegetation of the island.

Comparative Ectoparasite Loads of Five Seabird Species in the Galapagos Islands

In this paper we describe the ectoparasitic lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) found on 5 species of seabirds (magnificent frigatebird Fregata magnificens; great frigatebird Fregata minor ; Nazca booby Sula granti ; blue-footed booby Sula nebouxii ; and red-footed booby Sula sula ) on the Galapagos Archipelago. We found 9 species of ectoparasitic lice: 5 species of Pectinopygus ischnocerans, 1 infesting each host; 2 species of Colpocephalum amblyceran lice, 1 on each frigatebird species; and 2 shared amblycerans, Eidmanniella albescens (Piaget, 1880) found on Nazca and blue-footed boobies and Fregatiella aurifasciata (Kellogg, 1899) found on the 2 frigatebirds. We tested the relative importance and interactions of host sex, body size, host, island, host family, and breeding status and found that inter-island differences were the main predictors of prevalence and infestation intensity. These differences could be related to host density or weather, but further evidence is needed.

Haemoproteus iwa in Great Frigatebirds (Fregata minor) in the Islands of the Western Indian Ocean.

Blood parasites of the sub-genus Haemoproteus have been reported in seabirds, in particular in species in the Suliformes order. These parasites are transmitted by hippoboscid flies of the genus Olfersia; strong specificity has been suggested between the vector and its vertebrate host. We investigated the prevalence of Haemoproteus infection in Suliformes and hippoboscid flies in two oceanic islands of the Western Indian Ocean: Europa and Tromelin. In total, 209 blood samples were collected from great frigatebirds (Fregata minor), masked boobies (Sula dactylatra) and red-footed boobies (Sula sula). Forty-one hippoboscid flies were also collected from birds. Seventeen frigatebirds and one fly collected on Europa tested positive for the presence of Haemoproteus parasites by polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial sequences of the Cytochrome b gene showed that parasites were closely related to Haemoproteus iwa reported from frigatebirds in the Pacific Ocean and in the Caribbean. Plasmodium was also detected in a frigatebird on Europa; however, its placement on the phylogenetic tree could not be resolved. We provide strong support for transmission of blood parasites in seabirds in the Western Indian Ocean and suggest that migrations between the Pacific and the Indian oceans could favor the large-scale distribution of Haemoproteus iwa in frigatebird populations.

Estado del conocimiento de los piqueros pantropicales (Sulidae) en las islas oceánicas chilenas y primer registro de piquero café Sula leucogaster en Isla de Pascua

We present a review of the current state of knowledge of the Pantropical Boobies, namely: the Red-footed Booby (Sula sula), the Brown Booby (S. leucogaster) ...

Blood parasites in noddies and boobies from Brazilian offshore islands – differences between species and influence of nesting habitat

Seabirds are often free from blood parasites, and a recent review suggested that phylogenetic, ecological and life-history parameters can determine the prevalence of blood parasites in seabirds. However, there is a lack of data available from many seabird groups, and a larger database is needed to understand prevalence patterns of blood parasites. We used a molecular screening approach to detect parasites of the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Babesia in five species of two genera of seabirds that breed on Atlantic Ocean islands off Brazil. The observed patterns differed between the two bird genera. Like other Laridae, brown noddy, Anous stolidus adults were infected with Haemoproteus with low prevalence. Masked boobies, Sula dactylatra and brown boobies, Sula leucogaster were infected with Babesia. Of the latter, mainly juveniles were infected. In all species, intensity of infection (i.e. number of infected erythrocytes) was so low that parasites remained undetected in blood smears. This may explain the absence of major effects on the body condition of birds, although infected juvenile masked boobies were lighter than juveniles that were not infected with Babesia. Two tree-nesting species; black noddy, Anous minutus and red-footed booby, Sula sula did not have blood parasites, suggesting that tree-nesting may reduce the exposure to arthropod vectors compared with ground nesting in these species.

Contrasted structuring effects of mesoscale features on the seabird community in the Mozambique Channel

The Mozambique Channel (western Indian Ocean) is a dynamic environment characterised by strong mesoscale features, which influence all biological components of the pelagic ecosystem. We investigated the distribution, abundance and feeding behaviour of seabirds in the Mozambique Channel in relation to physical and biological environmental variables, with a specific interest in mesoscale features. Seabird censuses were conducted in summer and winter during 7 cruises in the southern and northern Mozambique Channel. Tropical species accounted for 49% of the 37 species identified and 97% of the individuals, and species from the sub-Antarctic region constituted 30% of the identifications. The typically tropical sooty tern (Onychoprion fuscata) was the dominant species during all cruises, and overall accounted for 74% of the species observations and 85% of counted birds. Outputs of Generalised Linear Models at the scale of the Mozambique Channel suggested that higher densities of flying and feeding birds occurred in areas with lower sea surface temperatures and lower surface chlorophyll a concentrations. Most of the flocks of feeding birds did not associate with surface schools of fish or marine mammals, but when they did, these flocks were larger, especially when associated with tuna. While tropical species seemed to favour cyclonic eddies, frontal and divergence zones, non-tropical species were more frequently recorded over shelf waters. Sooty terns foraged preferentially in cyclonic eddies where zooplankton, micronekton and tuna schools were abundant. Among other major tropical species, frigatebirds (Fregata spp.) predominated in frontal zones between eddies, where tuna schools also frequently occurred and where geostrophic currents were the strongest. Red-footed boobies (Sula sula) concentrated in divergence zones characterised by low sea level anomalies, low geostrophic currents, and high zooplankton biomass close to the surface. Our results highlight the importance of mescoscale features in structuring the tropical seabird community in the Mozambique Channel, in addition to segregating tropical and non-tropical species. The mechanisms underlying the segregation of tropical seabirds seem to partially differ from that of other tropical regions, and this may be a consequence of the strong local mesoscale activity, affecting prey size and availability schemes. Beyond characterising the foraging habitats of the seabird community of the Mozambique Channel, this study highlights the importance of this region as a hot spot for seabirds; especially the southern part, where several endangered sub-Antarctic species over-winter.

Evolution of the Melanocortin-1 Receptor (MC1R) in Boobies and Gannets (Aves, Suliformes)

The melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) has been linked to intraspecific variation of melanin-based plumage color in several unrelated bird species. However, its involvement in interspecific variation has far less evidence. The Sulidae is a family in the Suliformes composed of 10 species of pelagic seabirds, distributed in 3 genera. There is significant variation in the amount and distribution of melanin pigments among species in the family Sulidae, and 2 species, the brown booby (Sula leucogaster) and the red-footed booby (S. sula), present plumage polymorphisms, with the latter being considered one of the most plumage polymorphic birds. We performed a survey of the MC1R evolution in 68 individuals representing all 9 species in the Sulidae, except the Abbott's booby, to determine the role played by this locus in explaining the melanic variation observed in the Sulidae. We found the amino acid substitution R112H to be in full concordance with the plumage color observed in the brown booby, which shows a unique phaeomelanin-dominant coloration. Furthermore, all amino acid residues known to be important for function at the MC1R were completely conserved in the Sulidae, except for the previously described V85M and H207R substitutions among the 2 red-footed booby's color morphs. A total of 14 substitutions were inferred from estimated ancestral nodes throughout the Sulidae phylogeny. Finally, we found evidence that the MC1R is under strong purifying selection in all Sulid species. This study provides additional evidence of the potential involvement of the MC1R in melanin-based plumage variation at the interspecific level.

Red-Footed Booby—Galapagos Islands

Red-Footed Booby—Galapagos Islands

青森県蕪島におけるアカアシカツオドリ若鳥の観察記録

青森県蕪島におけるアカアシカツオドリ若鳥の観察記録