Small numbers of Black-browed Albatross, Thalassarche melanophrys, breed on Campbell Island, New Zealand. Their dark brown irises had previously been used to distinguish them from the more numerous Campbell Albatross, T. impavida,which has light irises. Blood samples were collected from dark-eyed birds and their partners on Campbell Island to determine their provenance and whether a sex imbalance caused them to breed with Campbell Albatrosses. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA revealed that dark-eyed birds were of three genetically distinct groups: T. melanophrys, Falkland Islands T. melanophrys and T. impavida. The majority of both types of T. melanophrys on Campbell Island were male, hence none was paired with the same taxon, but most of the more widespread form chose dark-eyed mates. Other individuals had a succession of light-eyed partners over several years. Dark-eyed T. impavida may have been hybrid progeny of female T. impavida X male T. melanophrys pairings. One of these birds was banded as a chick in 1970, suggesting that hybridisation has occurred on Campbell Island at least as early as that date. Their presence suggests a low rate of interchange between the island groups or recent immigration of T. melanophrys to Campbell Island and neighbouring island groups.

Molecular EcologyVolume 9, Issue 11 p. 1915-1917 A novel restriction fragment length polymorphism for petrels or tube-nosed seabirds C. D. Millar, Corresponding Author C. D. Millar Institute of Molecular BioSciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11–222, Palmerston North, New Zealand, C. D. Millar.§Present address: School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. Fax: + 64 9 373 7417; E-mail:[email protected]Search for more papers by this authorG. A. Taylor, G. A. Taylor Department of Conservation, PO Box 10–420, Wellington, New Zealand,Search for more papers by this authorP. J. Moore, P. J. Moore Department of Conservation, PO Box 10–420, Wellington, New Zealand,Search for more papers by this authorJ. L. Halverson, J. L. Halverson PE AgGen 1756 Picasso Avenue, Davis, CA 95616–0549, USASearch for more papers by this authorD. M. Lambert, D. M. Lambert Institute of Molecular BioSciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11–222, Palmerston North, New Zealand,Search for more papers by this author C. D. Millar, Corresponding Author C. D. Millar Institute of Molecular BioSciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11–222, Palmerston North, New Zealand, C. D. Millar.§Present address: School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. Fax: + 64 9 373 7417; E-mail:[email protected]Search for more papers by this authorG. A. Taylor, G. A. Taylor Department of Conservation, PO Box 10–420, Wellington, New Zealand,Search for more papers by this authorP. J. Moore, P. J. Moore Department of Conservation, PO Box 10–420, Wellington, New Zealand,Search for more papers by this authorJ. L. Halverson, J. L. Halverson PE AgGen 1756 Picasso Avenue, Davis, CA 95616–0549, USASearch for more papers by this authorD. M. Lambert, D. M. Lambert Institute of Molecular BioSciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11–222, Palmerston North, New Zealand,Search for more papers by this author First published: 25 December 2001 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-294x.2000.01061.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat References Dvorák J, Halverson JL, Gulick P et al. (1992) cDNA cloning of a Z- and W-linked gene in Gallinaceous birds. Journal of Heredity, 83, 22–25. Griffiths R, Double MC, Orr K, Dawson RG (1998) A DNA test to sex most birds. Molecular Ecology, 7, 1071–1075. Millar CD, Reed C, Halverson J, Lambert DM (1997) Captive management and molecular sexing of endangered avian species: the example of black stilts and hybrids. Biological Conservation, 82, 81–86. Seutin G, White BN, Boag PT (1991) Preservation of avian blood and tissue samples for DNA analyses. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 69, 82–90. Volume9, Issue11November 2000Pages 1915-1917 ReferencesRelatedInformation

The numbers of Black-browed Albatrosses Diomedea melanophrys and Grey-headed Albatrosses D. chrysostoma at Campbell Island, New Zealand, have declined dramatically since the 1940s. Black-browed Albatross numbers went into a steep decline in the 1970s and, since at least 1984, have been increasing slightly at average rates of 1.1% and 2.1% per annum at two colonies. The long-term downward trend in numbers of the Grey-headed Albatross has continued into the 1990s, averaging annually between 3.0% and 4.8% per annum at different colonies. A demographic study carried out between 1984 and 1996 indicates that Black-browed and Grey-headed Albatrosses have similarly high annual adult survival rates (0.945 and 0.953, respectively). Black-browed Albatrosses breed for the first time at a younger average age than do Grey-headed Albatrosses (10 years and 13.5 years, respectively), have a higher average breeding success (0.663 compared with 0.397 for the latter species) and are annual breeders whereas Grey-headed Albatross show a typical biennial pattern of breeding. Both show low survival from fledging to first breeding; averaging 0.186 and 0.162 for Black-browed and Grey-headed Albatrosses, respectively. Both species are accidentally killed in the Japanese long-line fishery for tuna Thunnus sp, in the Australasian region. The steep decline of Black-browed Albatross numbers in the 1970s was concomitant with the development of this fishery in the foraging region of the Campbell Island birds. Currently, the slight increase in numbers is due to high adult survival rates and breeding success, and is coincident with a great reduction in long-line fishing. With stable and high adult survival rates, it is expected that future population trends will be mainly influenced by the recruitment rates. The continuous decline in Grey-headed Albatross numbers since the 1940s, before long-line fishing developed in this region, indicates that natural environmental. processes contributed to the downward trend in breeding numbers. Modelling indicates that Grey-headed Albatross numbers will continue to decrease with the present demographic parameters. A comparison between the species breeding at different sites shows that differing environmental conditions influence demographic characteristics.

(1997). Interbreeding of Black-browed Albatross Diomedea m. melanophris and New Zealand Black-browed Albatross D. m. impavida on Campbell Island. Emu - Austral Ornithology: Vol. 97, No. 4, pp. 322-324.