Atlantic Petrel
Encyclopedia
The Atlantic Petrel is a gadfly petrel
endemic
to the South Atlantic Ocean
. It breeds in enormous colonies on Tristan da Cunha
and Gough Island
, and ranges at sea from Brazil
to Namibia
, with most records at sea being to the west of the breeding islands, and along the subtropical convergence.
The species feeds mostly on squid
, which comprises 87% of its diet in some studies; it will also feed on lanternfish
es (Myctophidae) as they ascend to the surface at night, as well as on crustaceans.
Although the species exists in large numbers, the world population being estimated at around 5 million birds, the species is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. The species is restricted to just two breeding islands and has declined historically due to exploitation for food, and is currently thought to be threatened by introduced
House Mice
, which attack chicks leading to low breeding success.
It was formerly classified as a Vulnerable species
by the IUCN. But new research has demonstrated the severe impact of predation by mice. Consequently, it is uplisted to Endangered status in 2008.
Gadfly petrel
The gadfly petrels are seabirds in the bird order Procellariiformes. These medium to large petrels feed on food items picked from the ocean surface....
endemic
Endemic (ecology)
Endemism is the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation or other defined zone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. For example, all species of lemur are endemic to the...
to the South Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
. It breeds in enormous colonies on Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha is a remote volcanic group of islands in the south Atlantic Ocean and the main island of that group. It is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, lying from the nearest land, South Africa, and from South America...
and Gough Island
Gough Island
Gough Island , also known historically as Gonçalo Álvares or Diego Alvarez, is a volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a dependency of Tristan da Cunha and part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha...
, and ranges at sea from Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
to Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
, with most records at sea being to the west of the breeding islands, and along the subtropical convergence.
The species feeds mostly on squid
Squid
Squid are cephalopods of the order Teuthida, which comprises around 300 species. Like all other cephalopods, squid have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, a mantle, and arms. Squid, like cuttlefish, have eight arms arranged in pairs and two, usually longer, tentacles...
, which comprises 87% of its diet in some studies; it will also feed on lanternfish
Lanternfish
Cooper Lanternfishes are small mesopelagic fish of the large family Myctophidae. One of two families in the order Myctophiformes, the Myctophidae are represented by 246 species in 33 genera, and are found in oceans worldwide. They are aptly named after their conspicuous use of bioluminescence...
es (Myctophidae) as they ascend to the surface at night, as well as on crustaceans.
Although the species exists in large numbers, the world population being estimated at around 5 million birds, the species is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. The species is restricted to just two breeding islands and has declined historically due to exploitation for food, and is currently thought to be threatened by introduced
Introduced species
An introduced species — or neozoon, alien, exotic, non-indigenous, or non-native species, or simply an introduction, is a species living outside its indigenous or native distributional range, and has arrived in an ecosystem or plant community by human activity, either deliberate or accidental...
House Mice
House mouse
The house mouse is a small rodent, a mouse, one of the most numerous species of the genus Mus.As a wild animal the house mouse mainly lives associated with humans, causing damage to crops and stored food....
, which attack chicks leading to low breeding success.
It was formerly classified as a Vulnerable species
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
by the IUCN. But new research has demonstrated the severe impact of predation by mice. Consequently, it is uplisted to Endangered status in 2008.