Geology topics

J. Brian Patteson

Publications and source records attributed to J. Brian Patteson.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2025

Satellite tracking supports hypotheses of breeding allochrony and allopatry in the Endangered Pterodroma hasitata (Black-capped Petrel, Diablotin)

Pterodroma hasitata , the Black-capped Petrel (locally known as Diablotin), is the only extant Pterodroma petrel nesting in the Caribbean. The species is listed as globally Endangered by the IUCN and was recently listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Pterodroma hasitata show a phenotypic gradient, ranging from a darker, smaller form to a paler, heavier form, that is reflected in a strong genetic structure. This phylogenetic divergence suggests the existence of at least two distinct breeding populations. We report on pre-breeding movements of two male Pterodroma hasitata , one of each form, tracked by satellite from non-breeding areas in Gulf Stream waters of the western North Atlantic Ocean to breeding locations in Hispaniola in late 2019. Based on a combination of tracking locations, location error classes, battery voltage, and satellite communication schedules, we infer that the light-form petrel visited a nest in central Dominican Republic during 2 to 8 October and 9 to 15 October, and the dark form visited a nest in southeastern Haiti during 9 to 22 November and 29 November to 3 December. This information supports earlier suggestions that Pterodroma hasitata forms breed in allochrony and in allopatry, both of which may be a driver of speciation.

North Carolina↗

USGS2024

Spatial segregation between phenotypes of the diablotin black-capped petrel Pterodroma hasitata during the non-breeding period

Despite growing support for ecosystem-based approaches, conservation is mostly implemented at the species level. However, genetic differentiation exists within this taxonomic level, putting genetically distinct populations at risk of local extinction. In the diablotin black-capped petrel Pterodroma hasitata , an endangered gadfly petrel endemic to the Caribbean, 2 phenotypes have been described: a smaller dark form and a heavier light form, which are genetically distinct. To assess possible differences in the marine distributions of phenotypes, in May 2019, we captured 5 adult black-capped petrels of each phenotype at sea in the western North Atlantic and equipped them with satellite transmitters. We used generalized linear mixed models to test the importance of phenotype on geographic distribution. Using kernel density estimations, we located use areas, quantified spatial overlap between forms, and assessed form-specific exposure to marine threats. Petrels were tracked for 11 to 255 d ( mean ± SD: 102.1 ± 74.2 d). During the non-breeding period, all individuals ranged from 28.4 to 43.0° latitude. Phenotypes had significantly distinct non-breeding distributions, independent of time of year. The dark form used waters of the Carolinian marine ecoregion, and the light form used pelagic waters of the Virginian ecoregion, to the north. The dark form was more exposed to marine threats than the light form, in particular to mercury, microplastics, and marine traffic. The light form overlapped with proposed wind energy areas off the central US coast. These differences in exposure suggest possible differences in vulnerability, which can have repercussions on the viability of this imperiled species.

North Carolina↗

USGS2024

Mesopelagic diet as pathway of high mercury levels in body feathers of the endangered Black-capped Petrel (Diablotin) Pterodroma hasitata

The Diablotin or Black-capped Petrel Pterodroma hasitata is an endangered gadfly petrel found in the western North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and northern Gulf of Mexico. An estimated ~2000 pairs nest at five known sites on Hispaniola, Greater Antilles, although only 120 nests have been located to date. We collected breast feathers and feces from breeding adults in the Dominican Republic in April 2018 ( n = 10) and from non-breeding adults at sea offshore of North Carolina, USA, in May 2019 ( n = 10). We measured mercury burden in feathers and used fecal DNA metabarcoding to compare diets. We found higher concentrations of total mercury compared to other Pterodroma petrels worldwide, with mean concentrations of 30.3 ± 11.1 ppm dry weight (range: 15.2-53.9; n = 20). Diet was dominated by fish, including a high proportion of mesopelagic groups such as myctophids, as well as fishes of interest to artisanal and commercial Caribbean fisheries. These results confirm earlier suggestions of elevated ingestion of mercury by Black-capped Petrels, likely through the consumption of mesopelagic prey or fishery discards.

Marine Ornithology: Journal of Seabird Research an↗