SummaryIt is widely accepted that the gadfly petrels of the Macaronesian islands comprise three closely related and morphologically similar taxa, Petrodroma madeira from Madeira island, P. deserta (also treated as P. feae deserta) from Bugio and P. feae (also treated as P. feae feae) from Cape Verde Islands. However, the taxonomic rank of each taxon is not well defined, and has been subject to a long debate. Partial sequences of cytochrome b (893 bp) from 39 individuals (five from Madeira, 18 from nearby Bugio, and 16 from Fogo) and morphometric data from five characters from 102 individuals (74 from Bugio and 28 from Fogo in Cape Verde), were used to compare and estimate phylogenetic relationships and the taxonomic status of these petrels. In the phylogenetic analysis and sequence divergence estimation, we also include 23 sequences of 19 Pterodroma species available from GenBank. Our results show that Macaronesian gadfly petrels form a monophyletic clade. Birds from Bugio and Cape Verde are the most closely related taxa followed by those from Madeira. The group formed by the three taxa studied is closely related to Bermuda Petrel P. cahow and Black-capped Petrel P. hasitata. A hypothesis for the colonization of the islands is presented. The level of sequence divergence is sufficient to consider the populations of Bugio and Cape Verde as separate species. Reproductive isolation is supported by exclusive haplotypes and fixed changes. Despite the presence of some significant differences in bill and tarsus measurements, the two species seem to be morphologically similar because the great overlap of variation intervals in the measurements hinders identification. It therefore appears suitable for consideration as a cryptic species. An important conservation implication is that the world population of both species is very small; if treated as a full species, deserta on Bugio may qualify for uplisting to 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List.

Oceanic islands have been the grand stage of documented extinctions. In view of limited resources, efficient prioritization is crucial to avoid the extinction of taxa. This work lists the top 100 management priority species for the European archipelagos of the Macaronesian region (Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands), taking into account both their protection priority and their management feasibility. Bryophytes, vascular plants, molluscs, arthropods and vertebrates were scored by species experts following two sets of criteria: (i) protection priority, including ecological value, singularity, public institutions' management responsibilities and social value; (ii) management feasibility, including threats knowledge and control feasibility, external socio-economical support for management and biological recovery potential. Environmental managers weighted the same criteria according to their management importance. Final species scores were determined by the combination of both species valuation and criteria weighting. Vascular plants dominate the Top 100 list, followed by arthropods and vertebrates. The majority of listed taxa are endemic to one archipelago or even to a single island. The management feasibility criteria did not dictate that all taxa must be eminently endangered, as for most of the species it should be relatively easy to control threats. The main advantages of this process are the independent participation of scientists and conservation managers, the inclusion of criteria on both protection priority and management feasibility and the taxonomically unbiased nature of the process. This study provides a potentially useful biodiversity conservation tool for the Macaronesian archipelagos that could be readily implemented by the respective regional governments in future legislation.

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It has long been known that birds change their behaviour, reproductive performance and survival as they mature, including in the first few years after recruitment into the breeding population. However, and contrasting with the description of patterns of actuarial and reproductive senescence in later years, there are surprisingly few studies documenting changes in behaviour in old individuals. Such studies are important, as birds provide particularly interesting models for studying the biology of senescence. It has been suggested that, unlike mammals, birds may remain physically fit until an advanced age, yet this has limited empirical support. In this paper, we used activity (immersion) loggers to show that old ([26 years) Cory's Shearwaters Calonectris diomedea are less active when foraging at sea, spend more time resting on the water and have a smaller number of take-offs and landings during darkness, when compared to experienced mid-aged individuals (13-20 years old). Old individuals also tended to have reduced immune response against an experimental challenge using phytohaemagglutinin. These results are in line with observed reductions in activity levels with age in a wide range of non-avian taxa, and may suggest that old seabirds are physically less fit than younger individuals. Alternatively, old birds might simply be more experienced and their reduction in activity might reflect a strategic regulation of investment in different activities. Our study illustrates the potential for gaining insights into avian aging patterns and processes by looking into the behaviour of model organisms. We therefore encourage more research focusing on behavioural parameters that may reflect variations in physical condition or strategic choices, during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons.

We studied the temporal diet variation of the endemic Madeira Laurel Pigeon (Columba trocaz) and fruit resource availability in the laurel forests of northwestern Madeira Island, during 1996 and 1997. We studied a total of 224 fecal samples using microhistological methods and conducted surveys of fruiting phenology throughout a year. Fruits (pulp and seeds) represented 57% of the optical fields analyzed. Leaves and flowers constituted 38% and <1% respectively. Over 33 plant species were identified in the fecal samples. Fruits of Ocotea foetens, Laurus azorica, Persea indica, and Ilex canariensis (fruits and leaves) were the most frequently detected food items. Most seeds were defecated intact (Ilex canariensis, Myrica faya, Visnea mocanera, Ocotea foetens, and Apollonias barbujana), except in the case of Laurus azorica where most were damaged. The diet showed a marked seasonal variation. Fruits constituted the major component of the diet in winter and autumn, whereas leaves were frequent in spring and summer. The presence of fruits in the diet was concordant with their availability, and leaves and flowers became important when fruits were scarce. This fact suggests that the Madeira Laurel Pigeon is capable of dietary switching, corresponding to temporal variations in food resource availability. This microhistological technique shows promise for study of the diets of pigeons and other herbivorous bird species. Dieta de Columba trocaz y Su Relación con la Disponibilidad de Frutos: Un Estudio Realizado Mediante Análisis Microhistológicos Resumen. Se estudió la dieta estacional de Columba trocaz y la disponibilidad de frutos en los bosques de laurisilva de la zona noroeste de la Isla Madeira, durante 1996 y 1997. Se analizó un total de 224 excrementos mediante métodos microhistológicos, y se realizó un seguimiento estacional de la disponibilidad de frutos, por medio de transectos, a lo largo de un año. Los frutos (pulpa y semillas) representaron un 57% de los campos ópticos analizados; las hojas y las flores constituyeron un 38% y <1%, respectivamente. Más de 33 especies fueron identificadas en los excrementos; restos de frutos de Ocotea foetens, Laurus azorica, Persea indica e Ilex canariensis (tanto frutos como hojas) resultaron ser los más frecuentemente detectados. La mayoría de las semillas fueron defecadas intactas (Ilex canariensis, Myrica faya, Visnea mocanera, Ocotea foetens y Apollonias barbujana), excepto en el caso de Laurus azorica, donde la mayoría de ellas aparecieron dañadas. La dieta mostró un marcado carácter estacional, constituyendo los frutos el componente más importante en invierno y otoño, mientras que las hojas fueron más abundantes en primavera y verano. La presencia de frutos en los excrementos fue concordante con su disponibilidad, adquiriendo una mayor relevancia las hojas y las flores cuando la producción de los frutos fue escasa. Este hecho sugiere que C. trocaz exhibe una alta flexibilidad en la dieta, aprovechando aquellos recursos que son estacionalmente abundantes. Los resultados obtenidos en estos análisis microhistológicos ofrecen un aceptable nivel de fiabilidad para ser utilizados en estudios sobre dieta de palomas y, probablemente, extensibles a otras aves herbívoras.

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