Journal article
First documented at-sea records of “intermediate morph” soft-plumaged petrel Pterodroma mollis and clarification of polymorphism in the species
Marine Ornithology, Vol.43(2), pp.161-164
2015
Abstract
The Soft-plumaged Petrel is a gadfly petrel that occurs widely across the southern oceans and exhibits plumage polymorphism. Palebellied individuals make up the vast majority of the species, while dark individuals are relatively rare. Intermediate forms are rarer still and, according to some authors, known only from museum specimens. We describe a number of at-sea records of intermediate-plumaged individuals seen off southwest Western Australia, including a previously undocumented streaked variant. Our observations indicate that plumage polymorphism within the species covers a continuous spectrum of variation between typical pale and wholly dark individuals.
Details
- Title
- First documented at-sea records of “intermediate morph” soft-plumaged petrel Pterodroma mollis and clarification of polymorphism in the species
- Authors/Creators
- J.K. Graff (Author/Creator)A. Collins (Author/Creator)M.A. Cake (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Marine Ornithology, Vol.43(2), pp.161-164
- Publisher
- Marine Ornithology
- Identifiers
- 991005544968507891
- Copyright
- © 2015, Marine Ornithology.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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