Topic
Sternula
About: Sternula is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 10 publications have been published within this topic receiving 47 citations.
Papers
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compile the information on distribution, numbers, habitat use and threats of Peruvian Terns that has become available between 2003 and 2008 from 14 localities on the Peruvian coast.
Abstract: Summary Peruvian Terns Sternula lorata breed in the sand desert plains of the coast of Peruand northern Chile. Because of their long-term population decline, Peruvian Tern is categorized as 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List. The observations that formed the basis for that decision were made in the 1970s and 1990s. In this study, we compile the information on distribution, numbers, habitat use and threats of Peruvian Terns that has become available between 2003 and 2008 from 14 localities on the Peruvian coast. Peruvian Tern sites are located between the mangroves of San Pedro de Vice in the north (5 o 31'S) and the wetlands of Ite in the south (17 o 56'S). From the 14 locations, five are reported for first time: Virrila ´, Eten, Huanchaco, isla Mazorca and Ite. There were only four active breeding sites: Pacasmayo, Parao´so, Pampa Lechuzas and Tres Hermanas-Yanyarina; however, some localities were visited outside the breeding season and should be surveyed between October and February to search for nests. The presence of 283 individuals was confirmed at the 14 sites in an area of approximately 1,388 ha (which represents only 0.35% of the total suitable area for nesting along the Peruvian coast). Thus, the number of Peruvian Terns in Perushould increase with systematic surveys. Here for the first time we report the importance of wetlands for the Peruvian Terns (43% of the sightings occurred in this habitat). Wetlands can offer optimal conditions for feeding, but the cost of using them is becoming higher with a sharp increase of human expansion into coastal areas and urban development around wetlands. We identified the following threats affecting Peruvian Terns on their feeding and breeding grounds: 1) recreational activities; 2) off-road driving by fishermen and tourists; 3) wetland pollution and water use for irrigation; 4) conversion of desert plains to agricultural land; 5) management of wetland water levels; 6) presence of feral cats and dogs, and 7) oil exploration on the desert plains. These adverse factors can be eradicated by the protection of tern sites and public awareness and education. Conservation actions, monitoring and research priorities are suggested.
17 citations
TL;DR: The breeding biology and nesting strategies of Peruvian Terns are very similar to the closely-related Damara Tern from the coast of South-western Africa and may have evolved to reduce high rates of mammalian predation.
Abstract: The Peruvian Tern (Sternula lorata) is one of the rarest seabirds that breed on the barren desert plains of Peru and Chile. Unlike the majority of seabirds breeding in this region, Peruvian Terns nest in open areas on the mainland, where they are exposed to attacks by predators, mainly foxes (Pseudalopex spp.). Here, we describe the Peruvian Tern's breeding biology and examine its ecological adaptations to counteract high predation rates from data collected during the 1970s and 1990s at four localities in central-southern Peru: Puerto Viejo (12°34'S), Pampa Lechuzas (13°53'S), Yanyarina (15°26'S) and Mollendo (17°04'S). Egg-laying was asynchronous both within and among breeding groups, spreading from mid October to late January. Modal clutch size was two eggs, which were incubated for 22 d. Weight increment for two chicks during the linear section of the growth curve was 2.27 and 2.54 g/d. A complete body weight growth curve for one chick was fitted to the logistic equation with KL = 0.193 d-1, A...
15 citations
TL;DR: While the probability of site occupancy increased with measures related to beach size and geographical isolation, closeness to large colonies indicates the relevance of social interactions for these species and, as such, the importance of large areas for the occurrence of their colonies.
Abstract: . The distribution and abundance of Yellow-billed Terns (Sternula superciliaris), Large-billed Terns (Phaetusa simplex) and Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger) were estimated, and the effects of habitat features on site occupancy by colonies of these three species nesting in the Anavilhanas Archipelago, Amazonas, Brazil, were examined. Individuals were recorded on beaches during the 2008 and 2009 breeding seasons, with 26 (2008) and 30 (2009) potential nesting beaches (sites) surveyed. In both years, one site included 28% of all the Yellow-billed Terns, while two sites included 65% of all the Large-billed Terns. Site occupancy, the probability that a site is occupied (range ψ), was moderate to low for all three species, but higher for Yellow-billed Terns (0.58–0.63) than for Large-billed Terns (0.40–0.50) and Black Skimmers (0.23–0.54). Yellow-billed and Large-billed terns and Black Skimmers generally nested on larger beaches on islands that had little vegetative cover and that were exposed to open wa...
14 citations
TL;DR: It is found that nest attendance increases when the temperatures deviated from the optimal egg temperature, and nests were incubated for more than 90% of the time during the hottest and coldest parts of the day to prevent eggs from harmful temperatures.
Abstract: Saunders's Tern (Sternula saundersi) is a small ground-nesting seabird which breeds in the coasts and islands of Africa and Asia bordering the northern Indian Ocean. Despite having a wide distribut...
7 citations
TL;DR: The Eastern Cape population of the Damara Tern Sternula balaenarum was estimated to be 25-29 pairs in the 2008/09 and 2009/10 breeding seasons as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The Eastern Cape population of the Damara Tern Sternula balaenarum was estimated to be 25–29 pairs in the 2008/09 and 2009/10 breeding seasons. The population appears to be stable and has probably increased slightly since the early 1990s. An eastward shift of the majority of nest sites in the Alexandria dunefields of 5–10 km was recorded since the early 1990s. Breeding Damara Terns caught at night and colour-flagged in the Alexandria dunefields averaged 12% heavier than the average mass of birds handled in Namibia and egg masses ranged from 11% to 22% heavier than 21 fresh egg masses recorded in Namibia. Adult Damara Terns caught at night while incubating, were ringed and marked with coloured leg-flags. All chicks located were also ringed and leg-flagged. A stable isotope analysis of scapular feathers suggested that breeding adults from the Eastern Cape may moult in similar areas to the Namibian population, i.e. West Africa. Small numbers of Damara Terns were recorded during the winter in the Eastern Cape...
5 citations
Related Topics (5)
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| Year | Papers |
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| 2021 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |