Pathology of mouse (Mus musculus) predation on Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

Journal of Wildlife Diseases
By: , and 

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Abstract

Invasive rodents on islands have adverse effects on native birds in island ecosystems, and rats are the most common culprits. Recently, house mice (Mus musculus) in the South Atlantic were found preying on three species of albatross chicks. Here, we show that house mice can also prey on nesting adult Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (US). In contrast to mouse attacks on albatross in the South Atlantic, where mice targeted the rump and crown of chicks, on Midway, mice targeted nesting adults mainly on the back. For both regions, the outcome was similar with reduced nesting success. In the case of Midway, reduced nesting success was due to nest abandonment or mortality of one or both parents because of secondary bacterial infections. Mouse-induced mortality of adult albatross has the potential to have a more potent demographic effect because of their much higher natural survivorship once they reach adulthood.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Pathology of mouse (Mus musculus) predation on Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Series title Journal of Wildlife Diseases
DOI 10.7589/JWD-D-20-00065
Volume 57
Issue 17
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher Wildlife Diseases Association
Contributing office(s) National Wildlife Health Center
Description 7 p.
First page 125
Last page 131
Country United States
Other Geospatial Midway Atoll
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