Population density of the Réunion Grey White-eye Zosterops borbonicus within the summit ecosystems of Réunion, Mascarene Islands

J. A. M. Bertrand, Y. X. C. Bourgeois, C. Thébaud

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Assessing population density is crucial for studying the ecology and evolutionary biology of species as well as for conservation purposes. Here we used point count methods to infer population density in a single-island endemic passerine bird, the Réunion Grey White-eye Zosterops borbonicus, that displays striking evidence of differentiation at a small spatial scale. Population density was estimated at 5.17 birds ha−1 (CL 4.85–5.50), a value somewhat higher than previously believed. This estimation provides the first detailed estimation of bird population density in the vulnerable summit ecosystems of Réunion and will possibly allow a better understanding of the evolutionary causes of this plumage colour variation.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)85-88
    Number of pages4
    JournalOstrich: Journal of African Ornithology
    Volume87
    Issue number1
    Early online date30 Nov 2015
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 30 Apr 2016

    Keywords

    • Indian Ocean
    • Mascarene Islands
    • distance sampling
    • island endemism
    • point census
    • point count

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