scholarly journals Ross’s Goose (Chen rossi) Nesting Colony at East Bay, Southampton Island, Nunavut

2016 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clark Nissley ◽  
Christopher Williams ◽  
Kenneth F. Abraham
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Branta Bernicla ◽  
Lesser Snow Goose ◽  
East Bay ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens ◽  
Ross's Goose ◽  
Ross's Geese

Most Ross’s Geese (Chen rossi) nest in the central arctic of North America, but the range has expanded eastward in the last two decades. In summer 2014, we discovered a cluster of 48 nesting pairs of Ross’s Geese at East Bay Migratory Bird Sanctuary,Southampton Island, Nunavut. The Ross’s Goose colony was between an upland Lesser Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) nesting area and a low-lying Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) and Atlantic Brant (Branta bernicla) nesting area, in a zone dominated by ponds and lakes and interspersed with areas of moss and graminoids. Our discovery documents a previously unknown level of nesting of Ross’s Geese at East Bay and corroborates unpublished evidence of growing numbers of the species on Southampton Island and expansion of its breeding range.

scholarly journals Hybridization and Population Subdivision Within and Between Ross's Geese and Lesser Snow Geese: A Molecular Perspective

The Condor ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 432-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason D. Weckstein ◽  
Alan D. Afton ◽  
Robert M. Zink ◽  
Ray T. Alisauskas
Keyword(s):  
Control Region ◽  
Mtdna Control Region ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens ◽  
Ross's Geese

AbstractWe reanalyzed Quinn's (1992) mtDNA control region data set including new sequences from nine Lesser Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) and 10 Ross's Geese (Chen rossi) and found the same divergent lineages that Quinn (1992) attributed to vicariant separation of Lesser Snow Goose populations during the Pleistocene. However, peculiar patterns of mtDNA control region sequence variation, including a multimodal mismatch distribution of mtDNA sequences with two levels of population structuring and the sharing of two divergent haplotype lineages, are consistent with two hybridization episodes in Chen geese. Comparisons of mtDNA variation with historical and allozyme data sets compiled by Cooke et al. (1988) are consistent with the hypothesis that sharing of two mtDNA haplotype lineages between Ross's Goose and Lesser Snow Goose resulted from hybridization (Avise et al. 1992). Furthermore, population structure found within one haplotype cluster is consistent with Cooke et al.‘s (1988) hypothesis of past allopatry between blue and white Lesser Snow Geese.Hibridización y Subdivisión dentro y entre Poblaciones de Chen rossi y Chen caerulescens caerulescens: Una Perspectiva MolecularResumen. Reanalizamos los datos de la región de control del ADN mitocondrial (ADNmt) de Quinn (1992), junto con nuevas secuencias de nueve individuos de la especie Chen caerulescens caerulescens y 10 de Chen rossi. Encontramos los mismos linajes divergentes que Quinn (1992) atribuyó a la separación vicariante de las poblaciones de C. c. caerulescens durante el Pleistoceno. Sin embargo, encontramos que las dos especies comparten dos linajes de haplotipos divergentes, y la distribución de “mismatch” en secuencias del ADNmt mostró multimodalidad con dos niveles de estructuración de la población. Estos patrones peculiares están de acuerdo con la hipótesis de que hubo dos episodios de hibridización en gansos del género Chen. Los datos históricos y de aloenzimas compilados por Cooke et al. (1988) también apoyan esta hipótesis (Avise et al. 1992). Además, la estructura de la población dentro de un grupo de haplotipos es consistente con la hipótesis de Cooke et al. (1988) acerca de la pasada alopatría entre los morfos azul y blanco de C. c. caerulescens.

scholarly journals Lesser Snow Geese, Chen caerulescens caerulescens, and Ross's Geese, Chen rossii, of Jenny Lind Island, Nunavut

2008 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Richard H. Kerbes ◽  
Katherine M. Meeres ◽  
James E. Hines ◽  
David G. Kay
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Limited Food ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens ◽  
Chen Rossii ◽  
Ross's Geese

We surveyed the Lesser Snow (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) and Ross’s geese (Chen rossii) of Jenny Lind Island, Nunavut, using aerial photography in June 1988, 1998, and 2006, and a visual helicopter transect survey in July 1990. The estimated number of nesting geese was 39 154 ± SE 2238 in 1988, 19 253 ± 2323 in 1998, and 21 572 ± 1898 in 2006. In 1988 an estimated 2.7% of the nesting geese were Ross’s. The July 1990 population of adult-plumaged birds was 25 020 ± 3114. The estimated percentage blue morph among Snow and Ross’s geese was 19.0% in 1988, 25.1% in 1989, 23.0% in 1990 and 21.1% in 2006. Estimated pre-fledged Snow Goose productivity was 47% young in 1989 and 46% in 1990. Combined numbers of Snow and Ross’s geese on Jenny Lind Island grew over 250 fold, from 210 adults in 1962-1966 to 54 100 adults in 1985. Numbers subsequently declined, to 42 200 in 1988, 25 000 in 1990, 20 300 in 1998, and 26 400 in 2006. Population decline between 1985 and 1990 was consistent with anecdotal reports by others that die-offs of Snow Geese occurred in 1984, 1985 and 1989, and with our August 1989 fieldwork which found evidence of habitat degradation and malnourishment of young geese. In spite of limited food resources on Jenny Lind Island, the colony continued to exist in 2006 at near its 1990 and 1998 levels. Further studies there could provide insights for management of the overabundant mid-continent Snow Goose population and its arctic habitats.

The effect of plumage color on the thermoregulatory abilities of Lesser Snow Goose goslings

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 1352-1358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara A. Beasley ◽  
C. Davison Ankney
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Energy Budgets ◽  
Behavioral Thermoregulation ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Energy Expenditures ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Lesser Snow Goose ◽  
Sunny Weather ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens

A comparison of the reflectance spectra of Lesser Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) goslings revealed that dark-colored goslings (blues) absorbed more visible and near infrared radiation than did light-colored goslings (snows). Thus, we predicted that blues would obtain greater radiative heat loads and expend less energy to thermoregulate in cold, sunny weather but that radiation would be transmitted deeper into light-colored plumages giving snows a thermal advantage under windy conditions. Using doubly labeled water with penned birds at the La Pérouse Bay colony, we found no significant difference in the daily energy expenditures of blues and snows. Blues tended to expend more energy on windy, sunny days and less on calm, cloudy days but the trends were nonsignificant. We conclude that color has a negligible influence on the energy budgets of Lesser Snow Goose goslings relative to the effect of behavioral thermoregulation.

Responses of arctic sedges to release from grazing: leaf demography of Carex × flavicans

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 1408-1413 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Kotanen ◽  
R. L. Jefferies
Keyword(s):  
Growing Season ◽  
Hudson Bay ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Leaf Demography ◽  
Lesser Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens ◽  
Demographic Techniques

The responses to herbivory of shoots of the sedge, Carex × flavicans, were investigated at La Pérouse Bay on the Hudson Bay coast in northern Manitoba. Demographic techniques were used to compare the production and turnover of leaves between plants of swards on which adults and goslings of the Lesser Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens (L.)) fed and plants of swards from which geese were excluded. Within a growing season, release from grazing resulted in decreased production and turnover, and increased lifespans of leaves. The data indicate that plants of this species have the ability to modify patterns of leaf demography in response to the absence or presence of foraging by geese.

Physiological responses of cold-stressed blue and snow phase Lesser Snow Goose goslings

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 549-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Beasley ◽  
C. D. Ankney
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Heat ◽  
Core Body Temperature ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Metabolic Rates ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Lesser Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens ◽  
Core Body ◽  
Heat Loads

A comparison of cold-stressed Lesser Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) goslings revealed that the metabolic rates of light-colored (snow) and dark-colored (blue) goslings did not differ when they were measured in the dark. Small differences in plumage insulation (higher in snow goslings) and core body temperature (lower in blue goslings) seemed to balance each other so that there was no difference in rates of thermogenesis between morphs. We conclude that physiological thermoregulation does not compensate for potential differential radiative heat loads between the morphs.

The influence of nesting habitat on reproductive success of the lesser snow goose

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 1699-1703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra L. Jackson ◽  
David S. Hik ◽  
R. F. Rockwell
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Nesting Habitat ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Vegetation Height ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Lesser Snow Goose ◽  
Habitat Effect ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens

The quality of nesting habitat and the influence of vegetation height on reproductive success of the lesser snow goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) were examined. In 1984, geese nesting in tall willow bushes (Salix ssp.) were more successful than individuals nesting in shorter willows, or in areas with no willows at all. In particular, individuals nesting in tall willows lost fewer eggs to depredation or abandonment, resulting in a greater number of goslings leaving the nest after hatch. The effect of willow height on reproductive success was independent of female age and relative nest initiation date, both of which are known to affect reproductive success. The degree of the habitat effect was not as great in 1986, but the geese nesting in willow bushes did tend to have greater reproductive success. Since spring environmental conditions influence both the availability and quality of nest sites, the potential importance of the effect of nesting habitat on reproductive success probably varies among years.

The prevalence and pathogenicity of gizzard nematodes of the genera Amidostomum and Epomidiostomum (Trichostrongylidae) in the lesser snow goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens)

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 1849-1852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin N. Tuggle ◽  
John L. Crites
Keyword(s):  
Snow Goose ◽  
Mean Intensity ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Progressive Degeneration ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Goose ◽  
Mucosal Lining ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens ◽  
Amidostomum Anseris

Three species of trichostrongylid nematodes were removed from the gizzards of 25 lesser snow geese, Chen caerulescens caerulescens, collected at Winisk, Ont. A 100% prevalence of infection was noted in the sampled population with each bird harboring two or more of the following species: Epomidiostomum crami (prevalence, 92%; mean intensity, 18.7 ± 13.3), Amidostomum anseris (prevalence, 84%; mean intensity, 9.6 ± 9.8), and Amidostomum spatulatum (prevalence, 84%; mean intensity, 11.2 ± 9.8). When large burdens (>30) of both A. anseris and A. spatulatum were present in the mucosal lining of the gizzard, progressive degeneration of the epithilium and koilin linings was noted in 16% of the geese examined. Severe necrotic granulomata observed in the gizzard muscle of 36% of the geese were associated with sizable burdens (>25) of E. crami which were found burrowed in the gizzard muscle.

scholarly journals Are Lesser Snow Geese, Chen caerulescens caerulescens, Exceeding the Carrying Capacity of the Fraser River Delta's Brackish Marshes?

2006 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike W. Demarchi
Keyword(s):  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Pacific Salmon ◽  
River Delta ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Brackish Marshes ◽  
Fraser River Delta ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens

Brackish marshes of the Fraser River delta provide important habitats for such high-profile animals as White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), Pacific Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus), Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri), and Lesser Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens), the latter comprising the “Fraser-Skagit” segment of the Wrangel Island (Russia) population. This study assessed whether the current numbers of Snow Geese are exceeding the carrying capacity of brackish marshes in the Fraser River delta. Simulation modelling predicts that those marshes are presently capable of supporting ~17,500 Snow Geese—a value that is greatly exceeded by the numbers of geese that have over-wintered there in recent years (~80,000 in 2004-2005). The Pacific Flyway Council’s target 3-y average population and segment sizes of 120,000 and 50,000 - 70,000, respectively, were set without considering the carrying capacity of natural wintering habitats, the potential impacts of too many geese on upland agriculture, or implications for hazards to civilian aircraft at Vancouver International Airport. The modelled results of the present study suggest that the Fraser River delta can sustain the current numbers of Snow Geese that stage or winter there only if those birds also forage in agricultural and refuge fields—a relatively recent phenomenon that likely bolstered the Snow Goose population. Over-use by Snow Geese can degrade the productivity and habitat quality of marshes. There is documented evidence that some key plant species (e.g., Scirpus americanus) of the brackish marshes of the Fraser River delta are well below their biomass potential (~15%), primarily because of grubbing by Snow Geese. Other species that depend on this brackish environment as well as human interests in the Fraser River delta may be adversely affected by an overabundance of Snow Geese. The future effectiveness of hunting as a primary means of population regulation is questioned.

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