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An ecological reconnaissance of Korapuki Island, Mercury Islands

  • Publication Type

    Journal Article

  • Publication Year

    1975

  • Author(s)

    G.R.F. Hicks; H.P. McColl; M.J. Meads; G.S. Hardy; R.J. Roser

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    22, 3

  • Pagination

    195-220

  • Article Type

    Paper

  • DOI

    https://doi.org/10.63172/907652cwrqii

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An ecological reconnaissance of Korapuki Island, Mercury Islands

Notornis, 22 (3), 195-220

G.R.F. Hicks; H.P. McColl; M.J. Meads; G.S. Hardy; R.J. Roser (1975)

Article Type: Paper

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Observations and data are presented from an expedition to Korapuki Island between 25 November and 2 December, 1974. The vegetation composition and communities are mapped and a checklist of plant species identified and compiled from this and former expeditions is presented. Seven species of seabird are now recorded as breeding on Korapuki Island and their respective burrow distribution and density is outlined. A breeding record of the sooty shearwater is the first for the species breeding on this island. The grey-faced petrel is the most abundant breeding seabird on the island with an estimated 600–700 pairs. Fifteen species of bush bird are noted, of which the shining cuckoo, long-tailed cuckoo and morepork are new records. Four of the five lizard species previously collected from this island were found, the exception being Sphenomorphus pseudornatus. It is considered that the habitat of Korapuki Island is marginal for this species. Stomach examination of rats trapped on the island reveal a high frequency of occurrence (49%) of bird remains. The rabbit population is considered low compared with data collected from previous expeditions. The soil and litter fauna showed a lower diversity and abundance than that found on the adjacent Coromandel mainland. Large invertebrates were noticeably rare, due possibly to predation by rats. An incidental insect list is also presented.