Socorro dove

The Socorro dove (Zenaida graysoni) is a dove that is extinct in the wild. It was endemic to Socorro Island in the Revillagigedo Islands off the west coast of Mexico. The last sighting in its natural habitat was in 1972. There are not more than 200 and probably fewer than 100 purebred birds in captivity. A reintroduction program is in the early stages of preparation.[2]

Socorro dove
At the Louisville Zoo
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Zenaida
Species:
Z. graysoni
Binomial name
Zenaida graysoni
Lawrence, 1871
Synonyms

Zenaida macroura graysoni

It is a close relative of the mourning and eared doves, particularly the former[3] and was at one time considered a subspecies. In captivity, it hybridizes with the former and almost all privately owned birds as well as several of the captive breeding program birds are known or strongly suspected to be hybrids. These are excluded from the reintroduction program as there is evidence of unique adaptations in the Socorro species. The scientific name commemorates Zénaïde Laetitia Julie Bonaparte and the American ornithologist and artist Andrew Jackson Grayson.

Description
Zenaida 
 
 
 
 

Mourning dove

 
 

Socorro dove

 
 
 

Eared dove

 
 
 

Zenaida dove

 
 
 
 

White-winged dove

 
 

West Peruvian dove

 
 
 
Cladogram showing the position of the Socorro dove in the genus Zenaida.[4]

The Socorro dove is[5] a medium-sized, principally terrestrial dove with long legs for a zenaida dove. It is 26.5–34 cm (10.4–13.4 in) long and weighs 190 g (6.7 oz) on average. In overall color pattern, it agrees with its relatives. It is considered to be a stronger-colored insular representative of the mourning dove. The male is deep cinnamon on its head and underparts, with an ear streak like its relatives. The nape is blue-grey and the neck has an iridescent pink patch, most prominent after moult. The upperparts are rufous brown. Female and juvenile coloration is slightly duller. The most conspicuous differences from the mourning dove, darker coloration and more well-developed feet, were useful amid the dark lava rock and the shady forests of its island home, where native mammalian predators were absent but constant threats from red-tailed hawks and great frigatebirds were present.[6] The advertising call begins with a disyllabic coo, followed by three single calls, and ends with another disyllabic coo: "Coo-oo, OO, OO, OO, Coo-oo". Each of these 5 elements takes a little less than one second.

The arid and fairly barren Clarión Island, some 400 km (250 mi) west of Socorro, has an endemic subspecies of the mourning dove, Zenaida macroura clarionensis. These birds are roughly intermediate in appearance between the Socorro dove and the mainland mourning doves. It is highly likely that they represent a later colonization by mourning doves (rather than earlier stock), which evolved its phenotype independently from but in parallel with the Socorro birds.[6] This would mean that predation by great frigatebirds is significant enough to select towards a cryptic darkening of the plumage, as these are the only predators of Z. m. clarionensis. On a semidesert island such as Clarión, birds would be expected to evolve towards lighter plumage, to better withstand the heat and lack of reliable freshwater sources, in accordance with Gloger's Rule.

The upper elevation limit of the doves is 950 m.[1]

Ecology

There is marked behavioral difference to the mourning dove. When Andrew Jackson Grayson discussed the species, he called it the "solitary dove" because he never saw more than one male and one female together. The doves, particularly the adult males, chase away their young as soon as these can fend for their own and the partners split for the time being. This too is believed to be in adaptation to the former dominance of aerial predators, lest local concentrations of birds, let alone young, inexperienced ones, would present easy targets for the hawks. Typical of many birds on islands lacking mammals, Socorro doves show little fear of humans or, fatally, cats.[5]

The last habitat in which this dove was found is the low seasonally humid forest above 500 m ASL.[7] Before the introduction of cats, it seasonally descended into the lowlands where it was "common" in March 1953 for example. It may be that this coincided with the peak of the breeding season, when many birds had dependent young and dispersed widely to gather more varied food. This was the case in the Socorro mockingbird, the other mid-sized native landbird of Socorro, which apparently has very similar habitat preferences.[6]

Its last refuge was dominated by endemic Guettarda insularis, Ilex socorroensis and Sideroxylon socorrense, as well as black cherry (Prunus serotina[8]), Ficus cotinifolia fig trees and Psidium socorrense guavas, apparently all native on Socorro. At least at the time of the last record, it seemed to be dependent on intact understorey of Euphorbiaceae (spurges and relatives)[9] and ferns,[10] maybe because cats hunt less efficiently in these dense tangles. It is frugivorous and, as is often the case in Columbidae, might have played an important role in the reproduction of the trees which dominate its habitat. One of these (S. socorrense) is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.[11] In particular, it was found to associate with the fig trees.[12]

Virtually nothing is known about breeding in the wild. However, each generation is estimated to be about 6.6 years.[1] Parallels in altitudinal migration with the equally solitary mockingbird might be taken as indication that the breeding activity peaked around March through April. In captivity, the female generally lays two white eggs in a nest box 1–2.5 m above ground. The incubation lasts from 14 to 17 days, and the young birds fledge after around 14 to 20 days.[5]

Extinction in the wild

The Socorro dove is thought to have been extirpated mainly by feral cats, but high levels of understorey grazing by sheep could have limited the population. Human hunting might have temporarily brought down numbers, though little permanent settlement exists on Socorro. Cats were introduced apparently in the early 1970s. They do not seem to have been present in 1953.[13]

The species reproduces no less willingly in captivity than other Zenaida doves, provided its different ecological needs are addressed. Most of the surviving birds are in zoos and other facilities in Germany and the United States.[5] On October 30, 2006, the Socorro dove was successfully bred at the London Zoo. The bird was named "Arnie", after Arnold Schwarzenegger, with reference to his famous line "I'll be back" (on Socorro Island), although Arnie was subsequently discovered to be female. It is hoped that the descendants of Arnie and her relatives can someday soon be reintroduced into the wild. As of early 2006, it was being prepared to remove the sheep and to rid the island of cats. In the meantime, with the maintenance of the remaining birds, stock for reintroduction is being provided.[5]

Reintroduction efforts

In order to protect these birds and eventually reintroduce them into the wild, various reintroduction and conservation efforts have germinated. In 1994, the birds' native island of Socorro was declared a biosphere preserve.[14] In addition, as the number of birds in captivity is only slightly above 100, various associations have begun breeding programs. These include the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) as well as zoos in Frankfurt and Cologne.[15] In 2013, the breeding program was successfully introduced into Mexico by the EAZA in collaboration with various government agencies such as the SEMAR, SEMARNAT, and the Mexican Navy.[16] In 2013, six doves were brought to the Africam Safari in Mexico, the first time since their extinction on Socorro that the doves have been brought to Mexican soil.

Specific actions

The original plan was to reintroduce the birds into Mexico in 2008, but was delayed due to import restrictions and permits. A stock of viable individuals was kept in the US, until finally they were transferred to Mexico in 2013.[1] In 2005 plans were outlined to assess the level of soil erosion on Socorro as a result of vegetation loss.[1] In 2010, by using hunting and telemetry, all sheep had been eradicated from the island.[17] Currently, the problem of cats and house-mice has yet to be resolved on Socorro Island.[18] Avian Malaria and trichomoniasis were detected during screens of other dove populations on neighboring islands in December 2003 and January 2004. As a result, recommendations for protection of the reintroduction population were put forward.[19] In 2008 the Edinburgh and Paignton Zoos sent 12 chicks from their breeding program to the Albuquerque Zoo as part of the collective aggregation effort.[20] In 2006, there was an outbreak of avian influenza in Europe, and therefore 12 doves were sent to Albuquerque Biological Park to create a separate reserve population.[20] Construction of aviaries on Socorro Island began in 2003 and ended in 2005.[19]

In addition to efforts to control cats, humans, and other animals on Socorro Island, efforts are also underway to control locust swarms on the island.[19] Outbreaks of Schistocerca piceifrons have occurred at least twice a year on the island since 1994, and has resulted in damage to native flowers and vegetation.[21][22]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Zenaida graysoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22690740A93286172. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22690740A93286172.en. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  2. BLI (2004), Schmechel (2006)
  3. Johnson & Clayton (2000)
  4. Banks, R.C.; Weckstein, J.D.; Remsen Jr, J.V.; Johnson, K.P. (2013). "Classification of a clade of New World doves (Columbidae: Zenaidini)". Zootaxa. 3669 (2): 184–188. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3669.2.11.
  5. Schmechel (2006)
  6. Brattstrom & Howell (1956)
  7. BLI (2007)
  8. Probably ssp. capuli according to biogeography, Brattstrom & Howell (1956) contra CMICD (2007)
  9. Endemic Acalypha umbrosa and Croton masonii, native Euphorbia anthonyi, E. incerta and manchineel (Hippomane mancinella), and perhaps also introduced Mexican fireplant (Euphorbia heterophylla), E. hirta var. hirta, E. hyssopifolia and E. thymifolia: CMICD (2007)
  10. Adiantopsis radiata, Asplenium formosum, Asplenium sessilifolium, Mexican resurrection fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides var. aciculare), Polypodium alfredii, Polystichum muricatum, Pteridium caudatum, the Socorro endemic Botrychium socorrense and the Revillagigedos endemic Cheilanthes peninsularis var. insularis
  11. WCMC (1998)
  12. Brattstrom & Howell (1956), BLI (2007), CMICD (2007)
  13. Brattstrom & Howell (1956), BLI (2004, 2007)
  14. (Stattersfield et al. 1998, Martínez-Gómez et al. 2003
  15. Baptista, L. F.; Martínez-Gómez, J. E. 1996
  16. "Pet Care Pal | Pet Product Reviews & Guides".
  17. Latofski-Robles et al., 2014
  18. IUCN Island Invasives: Eradication and Management
  19. Bell, D. A.; Yanga, S.; Martinez-Gomez, J.E.; Pliego, P.E. 2005
  20. http://www.birds.com/blog/edinburgh-zoo-working-hard-to-save-dove-species/
  21. Song et al., 2006
  22. Estrada, L. (n.d.). Rescatar Una Isla. QUO, 60-63.

Sources
  • BirdLife International (BLI) (2007). Socorro Dove-BirdLife Species Factsheet. Retrieved 2007-NOV-24.
  • Brattstrom, Bayard H. & Howell, Thomas R. (1956). The Birds of the Revilla Gigedo Islands, Mexico. Condor 58(2): 107–120. doi:10.2307/1364977 PDF fulltext DjVu fulltext
  • California/Mexico Island Conservation Database (CMICD) (2007). Plant accounts: Socorro. Retrieved 2007-NOV-13.
  • Johnson, Kevin P. & Clayton, Dale H. (2000). A Molecular Phylogeny of the Dove Genus Zenaida: Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA sequences. Condor 102(4): 864–870. PDF fulltext
  • Schmechel, Ria (2006). Socorro Dove at World Associations of Zoos and Aquariums. Retrieved 2015-JAN-27.
  • Horblit, H.; Stadler, L.; Martinez-Gomez, J.E. (2006). The Socorro Dove as a flagship species for the restoration of the Revillagigedo Archipelago, México. Wings without borders: IV North American Ornithological Conference, October 3–7, 2006, Veracruz, Mexico, pp. 149. American Ornithologists'.
  • Song, H.; Weissman, D.B.; Barrientos-Lozano, L.; Cano-Santana, Z. (2006). The Locust Island. American Entomologist 52(3):168-181.
  • Bell, D.A.; Yanga, S.; Martinez-Gomez, J.E.; Pliego, P.E. (2005). Assessing disease risk to the Socorro Dove (Zenaida graysoni) from indigenous columbiformes on Socorro Island, Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico: summary report and recommendations.
  • Baptista, L. F.; Martínez-Gómez, J. E. (1996). El programa de reproducción de la Paloma de la Isla Socorro, Zenaida graysoni. Ciencia y Desarrollo 22: 30–35.
  • Wildlife Extra. Socorro dove returns to Mexico for first time in more than 40 years.
  • Estrada, L. (n.d.). Rescatar Una Isla. QUO, 60–63.
  • Latofski-Robles, M.; Aguirre-Muñoz, A.; Méndez-Sánchez, F.; Reyes-Hernández, H.; Schlüter, S. (2014). Prioritizing Restoration Efforts for the Island of Mexico. Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist 7:435–441.
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