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12 September 2024 Evidence of Hybridization between Black-Naped Tern (Sterna sumatrana) and Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) at St François Atoll, Seychelles
Gail Fordham, George Curd, Josep Nogués, Christopher Narty, Ariadna Fernández, Aurélie Duhec, Adrian Skerrett, Gérard Rocamora
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Incidence of hybridization, the interbreeding of species, is poorly-understood but believed to be comparatively prevalent in avian communities. In the Outer Islands of Seychelles, at St François Atoll, a Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) was first observed to have formed a pair with a Black-naped Tern in 2009. Subsequently, in 2015 conservation staff recorded an adult with intermediate characteristics, presumed to be a hybrid of the mixed-pair seen previously. The suspected hybrid proved fertile, backcrossing with the Black-naped Tern colony and producing offspring of its own. The resultant juvenile had red legs, exhibiting intermediate morphology. Presented here is an assembly of field observations and photographic evidence collected over 15 years which document mixed pairs; displaying defensive nest behavior, mate-feeding, incubating eggs, copulating and parenting chicks. Findings strongly indicate hybridization has taken place, which constitutes only the second example of such an event with this species combination worldwide. We also uncovered evidence for backcrossing, possibly compromising the genetic integrity of the Black-naped Tern colony which is of increased conservation value due to the relative scarcity of the mathewsi sub species.

Gail Fordham, George Curd, Josep Nogués, Christopher Narty, Ariadna Fernández, Aurélie Duhec, Adrian Skerrett, and Gérard Rocamora "Evidence of Hybridization between Black-Naped Tern (Sterna sumatrana) and Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) at St François Atoll, Seychelles," Waterbirds 47(1), 1-9, (12 September 2024). https://doi.org/10.1675/063.047.0112
Published: 12 September 2024
KEYWORDS
Black-naped Tern
breeding colony
conservation
gene flow
hybridization
inter-breeding
Roseate Tern
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