Ancient murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 13
Technical Summary
Synthliboramphus antiquus
Range of Occurrence in Canada: BC
Extent and Area Information
30 000 km 2 breeding
Population Information
Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)
- Introduced mammalian predators; rats or raccoons (primary threat)
- Disturbance and habitat destruction
- Oil exploration
- Oceanographic changes
- Competition/impact commercial fisheries
Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source): Moderate
Quantitative Analysis
Not done
Current Status
COSEWIC: Special Concern
Recommended Status and Reasons for Designation
Reasons for Designation: This is a ground nesting seabird threatened by mammalian predators that have been introduced to its breeding islands. Predators have been removed from some islands but populations have not increased as a result. About half of the world population nests in the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia; the Canadian population is thought to be declining.
Applicability of Criteria
Criterion A (Declining Total Population):
not applicable; current declines poorly measured and unlikely to be large enough
Criterion B (Small Distribution, and Decline or Fluctuation):
not applicable; distribution too large
Criterion C (Small Total Population Size and Decline):
not applicable; population too large
Criterion D (Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution):
not applicable; population and area of occupancy both too large
Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis):
not done.
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