Recipient Organization
STATE UNIV OF NEW YORK
(N/A)
SYRACUSE,NY 13210
Performing Department
Environmental & Forest Biology
Non Technical Summary
Galapagos birds are threatened by introduced species and disease, especially on islands with humansettlements. Several endemic passerines have severely declined or become extinct on some of these islands.Furthermore, results from a Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) and Charles Darwin Foundation(CDF) pilot monitoring program indicate that breeding populations of other species are decreasing rapidly(Dvorak et al., 2011, 2015). Multiple threats are present (introduced rats, cats, disease, habitat loss, andpesticide use), but recent studies on the reproductive biology of vulnerable bird species, including the treefinches, Vermilion flycatcher and critically endangered Mangrove Finch, have confirmed that the invasive fly,Phi/ornis downsi, an ectoparasite of young nestlings, is the principal cause of low nesting success and isimplicated in the decline of most threatened birds (Causton et al., 2013; Kleindorfer et al., 2014). Forexample, an ongoing study in the Sca/esia Forest on Santa Cruz Island demonstrated that nesting success was<5% in the small tree finch and< 12% in the warbler finch in 2015 (Cimadom et al., 2014; Tebbich et al. 2015).Field studies on the rare Mangrove Finch have shown 100% nest parasitization and > 70% mortality as a resultof Philornis infestations, leaving little chance of recovery without intervention (Cunninghame, 2015).Philornis downsi is found on almost every island. During its larval stage, it feeds on the blood of nestlings of atleast 17 endemic birds, causing up to 100% mortality (Causton et al., 2013). Surviving chicks often havedeformed beaks, reduced growth rates, and anemia, diminishing their ability to survive and reproduce (e.g.Fessl et al., 2006a; Galligan & Kleindorfer 2009). The fly's impact on bird populations has made it a highpriority for management, yet its complex life history and resilience make it a challenging species tounderstand and control.GNPD and CDF now regard P. downsi as one of the most damaging invasive species in the Galapagos Islands.To reduce its impact as rapidly as possible, the GNPD and CDF are committed to a collaborative approach thatinvestigates multiple control options simultaneously. Two international working groups, coordinated by CDF,were formed in 2012 and strategic plans were developed that identify priority research for controllingPhilornis and conserving landbirds (Cunninghame et al., 2012; Causton et al., 2013). Since then, these workinggroups have expanded. The Philornis working group, for example, now includes 15 institutions from 8countries. In partnership with CDF, International Community Foundation (ICF) is committed to findingsolutions to the Galapagos' most pressing conservation needs, and in 2013-2015 secured support from theHelmsley Charitable Trust to conduct priority activities outlined in the research plans. During workshops in2015, scientists evaluated progress to date, identified additional research topics, and agreed upon a new,prioritized research agenda. These research activities form the basis of this proposal.Potential short-term options that are being investigated for protecting birds from P. downsi include usingavian-safe insecticides in nests of threatened birds (led by CDF, GNPD and University of Vienna) and masstrapping using pheromones or food attractants (led by State University of New York-College of EnvironmentalScience and Forestry [SUNV-ESF]). Pheromones produced by male flies and yeast compounds both showpromise as attractants. In 2015 experiments with yeast odors attracted numbers of flies in a few days thatprevious lures attracted in months. The components of yeast odors and pheromones will be isolated todetermine their chemical structures in order to make synthetic lures. Directed action to protect theMangrove Finch has shown success in protecting this species in the short-term as well. Captive rearing ofchicks will continue based on the lessons learned from the last two seasons in partnership with San Diego ZooGlobal (SDZG) and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.Long-term strategies under consideration by our group include biological control and sterile male releases.Biological control using highly selective natural enemies is being investigated by the University of Minnesota[UMN] and efforts are focused on collecting natural enemies in mainland Ecuador. So far four species ofparasitoids have been found attacking P. downsi in the vicinity of Guayaquil, which is the likely source of P.downsi in Galapagos (Bulgarella et al. 2015). Two of these species exhibit high levels of specificity inlaboratory trials and thus are promising potential agents. Releases of sterile male P. downsi may be anotheroption if we are able to improve upon our success of rearing P. downsi.The recent discovery of four species of Philornis in mainland Ecuador (Bulgarella et al., 2015; Heimpel andBulgarella, 2015) also highlights the need to understand Philornis invasion ecology to assess the risks of newintroductions and we will be ~orking with the Galapagos Biosecurity Agency (GBA) which has now includedPhilornis species as a priority' for monitoring on incoming boats and planes. Philornis trinitensis appears topose the greatest threat since it is second to P. downsi in abundance in mainland Ecuador and known toattack many bird species (Bulgarella et al. 2015; Bulgarella & Heimpel 2015).The collection of baseline data on the status of birds on all inhabited islands in 2015 will enable us to monitorspecies in 2016-2018 and to evaluate control strategies used against P. downsi. In 2016, this monitoringprogram will be expanded to uninhabited islands. To help raise consciousness and involve the public in birdmonitoring, we will expand the citizen science component using a bird identification application that we havedeveloped for smartphones and investigate ways to link it to the citizen science database, eBird. At the sametime, in partnership with University of Missouri, Saint Louis (UMSL), we will continue to assess the presenceof avian disease agents in the archipelago by screening birds. This data will be used to develop a plan formonitoring bird health. Finally, in-depth ecological studies will help us understand why some threatenedpasserines (e.g. tree finches, and the Vermilion flycatcher), are declining faster than others. The informationthat is collected will be used to identify species most at risk and develop management plans for theirprotection.Awarded Start Date: 11/1/15Sponsor: International Community Foundation
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
This project addresses the following strategies contemplated within the Galapagos Portfolio of the HelmsleyCharitable Trust:Strategy 1 - Prevent and control invasive species (outcomes A and B)Strategy 2 - Build capacity of the DGNP and GBA, and improve the management of the GNP and GMR(outcomes C &E).Strategy 7- Improve Environmental Education and Promote Behavior Change (outcomes A and B)
Project Methods
Strategy 1- Prevent and Control Invasive species:Eradicate existing invasive species and restore native habitats and speciesBuild capacity and infrastructure to control and prevent the introduction of non-native speciesStrategy 1 Outcomes A and B -Through cooperation among multiple institutions including local stakeholders,we will conduct scientific research to find effective management tools for reducing the impact of Philornisdownsi on endemic passerines. Our principal focus will be on isolating and synthesizing attractants(pheromones and food and nest odors) that can be used to trap flies (led by SUNY-ESF); conducting studies onmainland Ecuador and in quarantine facilities in Minnesota and Galapagos to identify additional parasitoids ofP. downsi and determine their safety for release in the Galapagos Islands (led by UMN and the University ofSanta Fe, Argentina); and determining whether Sterile Insect Technique (mass release of sterile males) isfeasible based on studies to understand the biology and the development of mass rearing techniques (withexperts from the screwworm breeding facility, Panama). Staff at CDF will concentrate efforts on testingpotential control methods and conducting other studies of importance for international collaborators (byhaving Galapagos staff carry out work for our international partners, we will reduce travel costs considerably).Studies will be conducted in collaboration with personnel from GNPD and GBA who will be trained intechniques as they emerge for monitoring and controlling this invasive fly. Parallel to this, working withGNPD, we will continue to identify through point counts and ecological studies, the bird species that are mostaffected by P. downsi and develop management plans for protecting birds and increasing breeding success.Approximately 87% of budgetStrategy 2 - Build capacity of the DGNP and GBA, and improve the management of the GNP and GMR(outcomes C&E).Provide support for marine and terrestrial zoningConduct scientific research to support managementStrategy 2, Outcomes C and E - With support from international collaborators including Birdlife Internationaland sightings collected through the citizen science component of the landbird monitoring program, we willbegin to collect baseline data on the status of landbirds on the unpopulated islands of the Galapagos andmonitor bird populations on the inhabited islands using data collected in 2015 as a baseline. The informationthat we collect will be used by GNPD for identifying areas of high sensitivity or of special interest. In-depthecological studies and disease screening will be continued on little-known species that are rapidly decliningsuch as the insectivorous finches and management plans will be developed for GNPD .. Lastly, bursaries will beprovided for technical support and equipment for the captive rearing program for the Mangrove finch in year1.Approximately 11% of budgetStrategy 7- Improve Environmental Education and Promote Behavior Change (outcomes A and B)Engage local youth to participate in conservation activitiesDevelop outreach materials and conduct social marketing campaigns to bolster local support for conservationWe will recruit at least 3 Galapagos students per year to be involved in all field and lab activities carried out inthe Galapagos Islands and outlined in this proposal, receiving instruction in invasive species management andconservation management techniques. To raise awareness about Galapagos landbirds, and increase reportsof sightings we aim to increase public involvement (tourists, local community, naturalist guides) in the citizenscience component of the landbird monitoring program through promotion of the recently developed app foridentifying birds; BirdsEye Galapagos, and creating linkages with the citizen science platform, eBird. The appwill be promoted through talks and training workshops given to naturalist guides, local community, GNPD andGBA and publications on social media.