Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Molecular provenance analysis for shy and white-capped albatrosses killed by fisheries interactions in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa

  • Published:
Conservation Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Shy and white-capped albatrosses, Thalassarche cauta and T. steadi, respectively, are phenotypically similar and are known to suffer fisheries-related bycatch mortality across their foraging range. Assessments of the extent or scale of impact of bycatch mortality on these species have previously been precluded by difficulties identifying bycatch carcasses to species level. In this study, a fast and simple molecular test based on a single nucleotide polymorphism in mtDNA of shy and white-capped albatrosses was used to determine the species composition of fisheries bycatch carcasses recovered from Australian, New Zealand, and South African waters. The only area where bycatch mortality of both species co-occurred was in Tasmanian waters; in all other zones the bycatch was exclusively comprised of white-capped albatrosses. Genotypic provenance assignment tests of shy albatrosses, a species with significant genetic structure between island colonies, correctly assigned 72% to their island of origin. These data are the first to provide insight into the relative vulnerability of shy and white-capped albatrosses to bycatch mortality across their foraging range, and to establish the vast differences in the at-sea distributions of these two species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbott CL, Double MC (2003a) Genetic structure, conservation genetics, and evidence of speciation by range expansion in shy and white-capped albatrosses. Mol. Ecol., 12:2953–2962

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abbott CL, Double MC (2003b) Phylogeography of shy and white-capped albatrosses inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences: implications for population history and taxonomy. Mol. Ecol. 12:2747–2758

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baker GB, Gales R, Hamilton S, Wilkinson V (2002) Albatrosses and petrels in Australia: a review of their conservation and management. Emu 102:71–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brandis CCP, Chafer CJ, Smith LE (1992) Seabirds recorded off Wollongong, New South Wales 1984–1990. Aust. Bird Watch., 14:165–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Brothers N (1991) Albatross mortality and associated bait loss in the Japanese longline fishery in the Southern Ocean. Biol. Conserv. 55:255–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brothers N, Gales R, Hedd A, Robertson G (1998) Foraging movements of the shy albatross Diomedea cauta breeding in Australia – implications for interactions with longline fisheries. Ibis 140:446–457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brothers NP, Reid TA, Gales RP (1997) At-sea distribution of shy albatrosses Diomedea cauta cauta derived from records of band recoveries and colour-marked birds. Emu 97:231–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Burg T (2000) Genetic Analyses of Albatrosses: Mating Systems, Population Structure, and Taxonomy. PhD thesis, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK

  • Cornuet JM, Piry S, Luikart G, Estoup A, Solignac M (1999) New methods employing multilocus genotypes to select or exclude populations as origins of individuals. Genetics, 153:1989–2000

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Croxall JP, Gales R (1998) An assessment of the conservation status of albatrosses. In: Robertson G, Gales R (eds)., Albatross Biology and Conservation. Surrey Beatty & Sons, Chipping Norton, pp. 46–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Croxall JP, Prince PA, Rothery P, Wood AG (1998) Population changes in albatrosses at South Georgia. In: Robertson G, Gales R (eds.), Albatross Biology and Conservation. Surrey Beatty & Sons, Chipping Norton, pp. 69–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Croxall JP, Silk JRD, Phillips RA, Afanasyev V, Briggs DR (2005) Global circumnavigations: tracking year-round ranges of nonbreeding albatrosses. Science 307:249–250

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Croxall JP, Wood AG (2002) The importance of the Patagonian Shelf for top predator species breeding at South Georgia. Mar. Fresh. Ecosys. 12:101–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dalebout ML, Van Helden A, Van Waerebeek K, Baker CS (1998) Molecular genetic identification of southern hemisphere beaked whales (Cetacea, Ziphiidae). Mol. Ecol. 7:687–694

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Double MC, Gales R, Reid T, Brothers N, Abbott CL (2003) Morphometric comparison of Australian shy and New Zealand white-capped albatrosses. Emu 103:287–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards SV, Silva MC, Burg T, Friesen VL, Warheit KI (2001) Molecular genetic markers in the analysis of seabird bycatch populations. In: Melvin E, Parrish J (eds.), Seabird Bycatch: Trends, Roadblocks, and Solutions. University of Alaska Sea Grant, Anchorage, pp. 115–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Eldridge MDB, Kinnear JE, Onus ML (2001) Source population of dispersing rock-wallabies (Petrogale lateralis) identified by assignment tests on multilocus genotypic data. Mol. Ecol., 10:2867–2876

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gales R (1993) Co-operative mechanisms for the conservation of albatross. Australian Nature Conservation Agency and Australian Antarctic Foundation, Hobart, Tasmania

    Google Scholar 

  • Gales R (1998) Albatross populations: status and threats. In: Robertson G, Gales R (eds.), Albatross Biology and Conservation. Surrey Beatty & Sons, Chipping Norton, pp. 20–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Gales R, Brothers N, Reid T (1998) Seabird mortality in the Japanese tuna longline fishery around Australia, 1988–1995. Biol. Conserv. 86:37–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greig C, Robertson JM, Banks MA (2002) Rapid PCR-based species tests for threatened sympatric salmonids. Conserv. Gen. 3:83–86

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths R, Tiwari B (1995) Sex of the last wild spixs macaw. Nature 375:454

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen MM, Ruzzante DE, Nielsen EE, Mensberg KLD (2000) Microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA polymorphism reveals life-history dependent interbreeding between hatchery and wild brown trout (Salmo trutta L.). Mol. Ecol. 9:583–594

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hedd A, Gales R (2005) Breeding and overwintering ecology of shy albatrosses in southern Australia: year-round patterns of colony attendance and foraging-trip durations. Condor 107:375–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hedd A, Gales R (2001) The diet of shy albatrosses (Thalassarche cauta) at Albatross Island, Tasmania. J. Zool., 253:69–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hedd A, Gales R, Brothers N (2001) Foraging strategies of shy albatross Thalassarche cauta breeding at Albatross Island, Tasmania, Australia. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 224:267–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hedd A, Gales R, Brothers N, Robertson G (1997) Diving behaviour of the shy albatross Diomedea cauta in Tasmania – initial findings and dive recorder assessment. Ibis 139:452–460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inchausti P, Weimerskirch H (2001) Risks of decline and extinction of the endangered Amsterdam albatross and the projected impact of long-line fisheries. Biol. Conserv. 100:377–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klaer N, Polacheck T (1997) By-catch of albatrosses and other seabirds by Japanese longline fishing vessels in the Australian Fishing Zone from April 1992 to March 1995. Emu 97:150–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manel S, Berthier P, Luikart G (2002) Detecting wildlife poaching: identifying the origin of individuals with Bayesian assignment tests and multilocus genotypes. Conserv. Biol. 16:650–659

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murray TE, Bartle JA, Kalish SR, Taylor PR (1993) Incidental capture of seabirds by Japanese southern bluefin tuna longline vessels in New Zealand waters, 1988–1992. Bird Cons. Int. 3:181–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nel DC, Ryan PG, Crawford RJM, Cooper J, Huyser OAW (2002a) Population trends of albatrosses and petrels at sub-Antarctic Marion Island. Polar Biol. 25:81–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Nel DC, Ryan PG, Watkins BP (2002b) Seabird mortality in the Patagonian toothfish longline fishery around the Prince Edward Islands, 1996–2000. Ant. Sci. 14:151–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paetkau D, Calvert W, Stirling I, Strobeck C (1995) Microsatellite analysis of population structure in Canadian polar bears. Mol. Ecol. 4:347–354

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prince PA, Croxall JP, Trathan PN, Wood AG (1998) The pelagic distribution of South Georgia albatrosses and their relationships with fisheries. In: Robertson G, Gales R (eds.), Albatross: Biology and Conservation. Surrey Beatty & Sons, Chipping Norton, pp. 137–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Prince PA, Rothery P, Croxall JP, Wood AG (1994) Population dynamics of black-browed and grey-headed albatrosses Diomedea melanophris and D. chrysostoma at Bird Island, South Georgia. Ibis 136:50–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rannala B, Mountain JL (1997) Detecting immigration by using multilocus genotypes. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94:9197–9201

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson CJR, Bell E, Scofield P (2003a) Autopsy report for seabirds killed and returned from New Zealand fisheries, 1 October 2001 to 30 September 2002. DOC Science Internal Series 155. Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson CJR, Bell EA, Sinclair N, Bell BD (2003b) Distribution of seabirds from New Zealand that overlap with fisheries worldwide. Science for Conservation 233. Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan PG, Keith DG, Kroese M (2002) Seabird bycatch by tuna longline fisheries off southern Africa, 1998–2000. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 24:103–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Shivji M, Clarke S, Pank M, Natanson L, Kohler N, Stanhope M (2002) Genetic identification of pelagic shark body parts for conservation and trade monitoring. Conserv. Biol. 16:1036–1047

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walsh HE, Edwards SV (2005) Conservation genetics and Pacific fisheries bycatch: mitochondrial differentiation and population assignment in black-footed albatrosses (Phoebastria nigripes). Conserv. Gen. 6:289–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weimerskirch H, Brothers N, Jouventin P (1997a) Population dynamics of wandering albatross Diomedea exulans and Amsterdam albatross D. amsterdamensis in the Indian Ocean and their relationships with long-line fisheries – conservation implications. Biol. Conserv. 79:257–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weimerskirch H, Cherel Y, Cuenotchaillet F, Ridoux V (1997b) Alternative foraging strategies and resource allocation by male and female wandering albatrosses. Ecology 78:2051–2063

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the following people and organizations for their essential assistance in this project: Jacinda Amey, Nigel Brothers, Ian Flux, Sheryl Hamilton, Dave Keith, Marcel Kroese, Gus McAllister, Pete McClelland, Peter Milburn, Janice Molloy, New Zealand Department of Conservation, New Zealand Conservation Services Levy Program, David Pemberton, Barrie Rose, Lindsay Smith, Southern Ocean Seabird Studies Association, David Stewart, Tasmania’s Nature Conservation Branch (DPIWE), Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Kath Walker, Barry Watkins, Ian West, and Alan Wiltshire. Thanks to Rod Peakall for very helpful analytical guidance. We also thank Andrew Cockburn, H. Lisle Gibbs, and two anonymous referees for their valuable feedback on the manuscript. Funding was provided by the Australian Department of the Environment and Heritage, Winifred Violet Scott Estate, Gould League of NSW, Sigma-XI, Stuart Leslie Bird Research Awards (Birds Australia), and Australian Geographic.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Botany and Zoology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia

    Cathryn L. Abbott, Michael C. Double & Anna Lashko

  2. Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Box 44, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia

    Rosemary Gales

  3. Australian Antartic Division, Channel Highway, Hobart, TAS, 7050, Australia

    G. Barry Baker

  4. P.O Box 12397, Wellington, 6038, New␣Zealand

    Christopher J. R. Robertson

  5. DST/NRF Centre for Excellence at the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa

    Peter G. Ryan

Authors
  1. Cathryn L. Abbott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michael C. Double
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rosemary Gales
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. Barry Baker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Anna Lashko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Christopher J. R. Robertson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Peter G. Ryan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cathryn L. Abbott.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Abbott, C.L., Double, M.C., Gales, R. et al. Molecular provenance analysis for shy and white-capped albatrosses killed by fisheries interactions in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Conserv Genet 7, 531–542 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-005-9064-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-005-9064-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation