Scalping of albatross fledglings by introduced mice spreads rapidly at Marion Island
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Published source details
Dilley B.J., Schoombie S., Schoombie J. & Ryan P.G. (2016) Scalping of albatross fledglings by introduced mice spreads rapidly at Marion Island. Antarctic Science, 28, 73-80.
Published source details Dilley B.J., Schoombie S., Schoombie J. & Ryan P.G. (2016) Scalping of albatross fledglings by introduced mice spreads rapidly at Marion Island. Antarctic Science, 28, 73-80.
Summary
Control mammalian predators on islands for seabirds
A replicated, before-and-after study in 1980–2015 on Marion Island, South Africa (Dilley et al. 2016) found that following feral cat Felis catus eradication, introduced house mice Mus musculus started preying upon albatross chicks. Cats were eradicated on Marion Island by 1991 but house mice were not and subsequently increased due to lack of cat predation and climate change. The first albatross chick attacked by mice on the island was reported in 2003. In April–May 2015, at least 207 grey-headed albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma chicks (11% of the total chick population) and 114 sooty albatross Phoebetria fusca chicks (9% of the total chick population) were severely wounded or killed by mice. Attacks occurred in multiple sites on the island. In 2008–2011, there were 237 mice/ha some parts of the island. Mouse attacks took place in winter, when resources were scarce and targeted mostly the head area of the albatross chicks (96% of wounds). Albatross colonies have been monitored since the 1980s, with more detailed surveys including infra-red cameras monitoring chicks, in 2012–2015. Mouse attacks were confirmed with cameras at two sites.
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