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The carpometacarpus of Apterornis

Notornis, 41 (1), 51-60

B.C. Livezey (1994)

Article Type: Paper

The carpometacarpus of the extinct, flightless gruiform Apterornis is described and illustrated, based on one specimen from the North Island form (A. otidiformis) and two specimens from the larger South Island form (A. defossor). The element is uniquely truncated distally, resulting in the loss of the distal portions of ossa metacarpalia majus and minus, the entire extremitas distalis carpometacarpi, and the spatium intermetacarpale. Although a few features of the extremitas proximalis carpometacarpi are variably discernable (e.g., trochlea carpalis, fovea carpalis cranialis, and fossa supratrochlearis), most features typical of the element in other Gruiformes are lacking. In both specimens for A. defossor, phalanx digiti alulae is synostotic with processus extensorius of the carpometacarpus, whereas in the single specimen for A. otidiformis the phalanx is absent. The absence of facies anicularis of phalanges digiti majoris and digiti minoris indicates the loss of both digits in Apterornis. The qualitative, flightlessness-related apomorphies of the carpometacarpus of Apterornis are unique among birds, and indicate a degree of alar reduction unequalled among carinate birds.

Bird extinctions and fossil bones from Mangere Island, Chatham Islands

Notornis, 41 (supp), 165-178

A.J.D. Tennyson; P.R. Millener (1994)

Article Type: Paper

Fossil bones and earlier observations indicate that up to 22 species of bird have become extinct on Mangere Island. The extinctions appear to have been primarily a result of predation by cats, but human hunting and bush clearance are likely to account for the disappearance of some species. A crested penguin Eudyptes ?n.sp., two species of Pterodroma petrel, a shelduck Tadorna ?n.sp., Dieffenbach’s rail Gallirallus dieffenbachii, and a kaka Nestor ?n.sp. are present in fossil deposits on Mangere Island, but have not been reported from the island before. The relative proportion of remains in the deposits suggest that blue penguins Eudyptula minor, broad-billed prions Pachyptila vittata and sooty shearwaters Puffinus griseus have become more common on the island. Any such increases on Mangere Island, could have been a response of a few species to the large decrease in numbers and diversity that has affected seabirds as a whole at the Chathams. Some seabird species may have been able to increase because of reduced competition for food.

Extinctions and new records of birds from Henderson Island, Pitcairn group, south Pacific Ocean

Notornis, 41 (1), 61-70

G.M. Wragg; M.I. Weisler (1994)

Article Type: Paper

Archaeological and palaeontological excavations were conducted as part of the Pitcairn Islands Scientific Expedition (January 1991 to March 1992). In this preliminary analysis of the subfossil bird bones from Henderson Island (24°22ʹ S, 128°18ʹ E) we identified 29 taxa, which were divided into five groups: (1) four endemic extinctions, (2) five local extinctions, (3) a minimum of 12 breeding residents, (4) three non-breeding migrants, and (5) five birds of uncertain status. Over half of the landbird species known from Henderson Island are listed here for the first time, including one new genus and at least three new species. New listings for Henderson Island include: Henderson archaic pigeon (Columbidae new genus), Henderson Ducula pigeon (Ducula new species), Henderson ground-dove (Gallicolumba new species), Henderson sandpiper (Prosobonia new species), royal albatross, little/Audubon’s shearwater, Bulwer’s petrel, black-winged petrel, sooty tern, cuckoo (Eudynamys sp.), and a swallow (Hirundo sp.). Most of the bird bones collected were associated with prehistoric Polynesian occupation sites dating from ca. AD 1000 to 1600. Humans may have caused the extinction of at least four of the eight endemic landbirds, which equates with similar extinction rates on other Pacific islands.

Status, distribution, and population trends of the New Zealand shore plover Thinornis novaeseelandiae

Notornis, 41 (supp), 179-194

A. Davis (1994)

Article Type: Paper

The New Zealand shore plover Thinornis novaeseelandiae is colourful and sexually dimorphic, which is unusual among plovers. T. novaeseelandiae is confined to Rangatira (South East Island) in the Chatham Islands. The sedentary population is relict. The mainland New Zealand population declined over the past century, probably as a result of predation by introduced rodents and feral cats. The population of about 130 birds includes 43 or 44 breeding pairs. There is no migration or dispersal from Rangatira. The population has been stable at least since 1969, but could increase by 12% per annum. Shore plover are long-lived. Survival and productivity are age-dependent. Mortality was highest among juveniles and for all birds in winter. Compared to other shore birds, adult mortality is low, and productivity high. The high proportion (20-35%) of non-breeding adults suggests that population increase may be constrained by a shortage of suitable habitat. Although the population appears to be stable at present, a single small population of a species is always in danger of extinction. A recovery programme now under way is aimed at establishing new populations.

Seabirds found dead on New Zealand beaches in 1991, and a review of Morus and Sula species recoveries, 1943 to 1991

Notornis, 40 (4), 233-245

R.G. Powlesland; M.H. Powlesland (1993)

Article Type: Paper

In 1991, 4780 km of coast of New Zealand were patrolled and 6955 dead seabirds were found as part of the Beach Patrol Scheme. An unusual find was a red-tailed tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda), and more than usual were found of the Antarctic petrel (Thalassoica antarctica), white-headed petrel (Pterodroma lessonii), little black shag (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) and brown skua (Catharacta skua lonnbergi). A summary is given of the coastal and monthly distributions of Morus and Sula species found during the 1943-1991 period. Overall, 5637 Australasian gannets (Morus serrator) were found, mainly on beaches of the northern half of the North Island. The peak period of adult recoveries was in December-February, but that of juveniles was in February-May. Both the brown booby (Sula leucogaster) and the masked booby (Sula dactylatra) are vagrants to the New Zealand mainland, with four and one individuals respectively having been found by patrollers.

The type specimen of the Australasian gannet Morus serrator (G.R. Gray, 1843)

Notornis, 40 (1), 65-70

D.G. Medway (1993)

Article Type: Paper

G.R. Gray first used the name Pelecanus serrator in association with the drawing by Sydney Parkinson of an adult Australasian gannet taken at sea near the Three Kings Islands in 1769. Parkinson’s drawing is an illustration of the specimen described in manuscript by Daniel Solander as Pelecanus serrator. Both the drawing and the description are of the type specimen and have previously unrecognised taxonomic importance. The correct type locality of Morus serrator is the vicinity of the Three Kings Islands.
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