Ralph Vanstreels (Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa) and colleagues have published open access in the International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife on a Grey-headed Albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma chick found dead with infection of the air sacs by nematode worms.

The paper’s abstract follows:

The Prince Edward Islands are Subantarctic islands in the southwest Indian Ocean that are of global importance as seabird nesting sites, and these islands being breeding grounds for five species of albatrosses (Procellariiformes: Diomedeidae). In March–April 2016 numerous chicks of one of these species, the grey-headed albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma), were found dead at colonies on Marion Island (46°57′S 37°42′E), the larger of the two Prince Edward Islands. Affected chicks were weak, prostrated, apathetic, had drooping wings, and many eventually died while sitting on the nest. Five carcasses were necropsied, and samples were obtained for pathological and parasitological analysis. Four chicks appeared to have died from starvation, and one died due to air-sac helminthiasis, with extensive hemorrhage in the air sacs and multifocal pyogranulomatous air-sacculitis. The air sac parasites were identified as Diomedenema diomedeae (Aproctoidea: Desmidocercidae). Phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear 18S rRNA gene and mitochondrial COI gene confirmed that D. diomedeae belongs to the suborder Spirurina and showed that it is most closely related to the Diplotriaenidae (superfamily Diplotriaenoidea), a family of parasites that infect the air sacs and subcutaneous tissues of a variety of bird species. To our knowledge this is the first record of the occurrence of a nematode in the respiratory tract of an albatross and the first study to provide DNA sequences for a species of the superfamily Aproctoidea.”

"A grey-headed albatross ... chick ... on Marion Island with drooping wings. A chick sitting with a normal posture can be seen in the background".

Photograph by Peter Ryan

Reference:

Vanstreels, R.E.T., Yabsley, M.Y., Swanepoel, L., Stevense, K.L., Carpenter-Kling, T., Ryan, P.G. & Pistorius, PA. 2018. Molecular characterization and lesions associated with Diomedenema diomedeae (Aproctoidea: Desmidocercidae) from grey-headed albatrosses (Thalassarche chrysostoma) on Subantarctic Marion Island. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.04.002.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 18 April 2018

Stefan and Janine Schoombie (FitzPatrick Institute, Rondebosch, University of Cape Town, South Africa) have published in Seabird, the annual journal of the United Kingdom-based Seabird Group, on a Grey-headed Albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma incubating an egg-shaped mass of vegetation on Marion Island.

The paper considers this observation in the light of other records of seabirds incubating “pseudo-eggs”, including stones, bones, light bulbs and even beer cans*, and the several hypotheses as to how this habit may come about.

*and sea shells (JC pers. obs.)

A Grey-headed Albatross rises from incubating its pseudo-egg, photograph by Stefan Schoombie

With thanks to Stefan Schoombie.

Reference:

Schoombie, S. & Schoombie, J. 2017. Pseudo-egg “fabrication” by Grey-headed Albatrosses Thalassarche chrysostoma on Marion Island. Seabird 30: 71-74.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 April 2018

The Secretariat for the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is seeking an experienced consultant to support its Aquatic Species Team with the coordination and implementation of a project on “Minimising bycatch of seabirds and sea turtles in West African industrial fisheries” in West Africa.

"The overall project, which is under the coordination of BirdLife International, aims to strengthen fisheries and conservation governance in West Africa and to initiate efforts to ensure that best practices are mandatory in national legislation and regulations through legal frameworks.

The CMS will lead on one component: (i) Supporting the development of a Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO), for regionally coherent governance and implementing binding regulations, and under the guise of this and (ii) Investigate the nature and scale of intentional take and export of seabirds (largely covert/below official radars)."

Click here for more details and how to apply.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 April 2018

The Sixth Session of the Meeting of the Parties (MoP6) to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels ( ACAP) will be held in the Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre, Skukuza Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa from Monday, 7 May to Friday, 11 May 2018.

The Second Circular for the meeting gives information on three social events for delegates arranged by South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs.

On the evening of Monday 7 May South Africa will host MoP6 delegates and accompanying persons to a ‘bush braai’ (barbecue). The braaivleis will be held in the bushveld (sub-tropical woodland) outside Skukuza where it should be possible to view some of the park’s mammals and birds that are active at dusk and night.

On Thursday 10 May South Africa will host delegates on early morning and evening game drives within the park. The drives will provide opportunities to observe wildlife, including some of the big game animals (think Africa’s “Big Five”- African Elephant, rhinoceroses (Black or White), Lion, Leopard and Cape Buffalo - but there are around 150 mammal species listed for the park) as well as the park’s abundant birdlife (over 500 species have been recorded).

On the evening of Friday 11 May South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs will host delegates and accompanying persons to a ‘boma’ (originally a stockade for domestic animals) dinner within the Skukuza Rest Camp.

Skukuza is a fenced camp within the Kruger National Park with large grounds where visitors can walk freely for exercise and to birdwatch. Outside the camp visitors are required to remain inside their vehicles on account of the many dangerous animals that freely roam the park.  Delegates are also advised to consult their medical practitioners before travelling for advice on the use of prophylactics because the Kruger National Park lies within a malaria zone. The use of insect repellents at dawn and dusk is advised as is the wearing of long-sleeved shirts and long trousers during the evenings.

Documentation for the meeting in ACAP’s three official languages of English, French and Spanish is available on this website.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 April 2018