Kelp gulls, Larus dominicanus (Aves: Laridae), breeding in Keller Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula

• Main Authors: Joaquim O. Branco, Erli S. Costa, Jansen de Araujo, Edison Durigon, Maria Alice S. Alves
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Pensoft Publishers 2009
• Subjects: Abundance; breeding sites; broods development; density; distribution; Zoology; QL1-991; Antarctic; Antarctic Peninsula; King George Island; Keller; Keller peninsula; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/b0aa3338fb5e424d9e170ae26f8cd0fa

We examined the distribution, abundance and density of the Kelp Gull, Larus dominicanus (Lichtenstein, 1823), at Keller Peninsula on two occasions during the breeding season of 2007-2008 (once for incubation and once for chick stages) and compared our results with previously published data. We present information on the number of eggs, incubation success, and initial development of L. dominicanus chicks in the studied sites. The abundance and density of the species has remained statistically similar in Keller Peninsula over the last 30 years (since 1978-1979). Although the abundance and density were almost unchanged, we recorded alterations in the occupation of the breeding areas by L. dominicanus, mainly the abandonment of breeding sites in the eastern portion of Keller Peninsula. The results of the present study compared with similar previous investigations on the abundance of L. dominicanus indicate that the populations have been in equilibrium over the years.