Spectacled Eider

Somateria fischeri

U.S.F.W.S. Spectacled Eider Wintering Area
http://www.r7.fws.gov/mbm/spei.html

Spectacled Eiders: Threatened Sea Duck on the NPR-A http://wwwndo.ak.blm.gov/npra/sympos/html/paper23.html

Population Dynamics Of Spectacled Eiders On The Yukon- Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska
GRAND, J. BARRY. Alaska Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503
FLINT, PAUL L. Alaska Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503
ROCKWELL, ROBERT F. Dept. of Ornithology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024
PETERSEN, MARGARET R. Alaska Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503
MORAN, TINA L. Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P. O. Box 346, Bethel, Alaska 99559

Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri) populations in western Alaska have declined precipitously since the late 1970's. Subsequently, the species was listed as threatened in 1993. To investigate the potential causes of the decline, we developed a deterministic model of Spectacled Eider population dynamics based on demographic data we collected on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, from 1991-1996. The model incorporated estimates of nest success, clutch size at hatch, duckling survival, age of first reproduction, and adult female survival collected at a two locations. We assumed that survival of immature females during their first year was 85% of adult female survival, because immature survival was unknown. In the sensitivity analysis, adult female survival was the most important parameter affecting the rate of population growth. We demonstrated the requirements for nest success, duckling survival, and adult female survival to achieve a stable population. We compared the expected rates of population growth at the two sites, demonstrate the potential importance of lead poisoning to population recovery, and identified research needs to improve the population model.

Philopatry In Nesting Adult Female Spectacled Eiders At Kigigak Island, Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
MORAN, TINA L. Institute of Arctic Biology, Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775

In response to the dramatic decline of the species (early 1970's to 1990's) on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, I conducted a nesting ecology study on spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) at Kigigak Island from 1992-1996. The Kigigak Island population has had relatively high nest success between 1992-1996 (92%, 63%, 70%, 64%, and 82%, respectively). More than 50% of the nesting females have been marked (n=161). Preliminary results show that 70% of the marked females have returned to nest at least once following their banding year and that 52% returned at least two consecutive years. The spectacled eider estimate on Kigigak is relatively high compared with return rates reported for other duck species, including buffleheads (Bucephala albeola)( 44-50%) and mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) (40-46%). Preliminary results also show that returning females move an average of 200 m from previously used nest sites. I am currently examining relationships between partial predation, clutch size, nesting chronology and distances moved between individual female's nest sites.

Molecular Genetic Characterization Of Spatial Population Structuring In Contemporary And Historical Populations Of The Threatened Spectacled Eider
SCRIBNER, KIM T. Alaska Science Center, Biological Resources Division, U.S.Geological Survey, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503
FIELDS, RAY L. Alaska Science Center, Biological Resources Division, U.S.Geological Survey, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503
PEARCE, JOHN M. Alaska Science Center, Biological Resources Division, U.S.Geological Survey, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503
TALBOT, SANDY. Alaska Science Center, Biological Resources Division, U.S.Geological Survey, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503
Understanding the ecological and evolutionary forces which influence the abundance and diversity of biological resources is important for effective management and conservation. In the absence of important ecological data on movements and breeding ecology, molecular genetic markers can provide critical empirical sources of data. Results from studies of the threatened spectacled eider (Somateria fischeri) are described based on molecular markers with different patterns of inheritance. Maternally inherited mitochondrial (mt)DNA, bi-parentally inherited microsatellites, and a sex-linked (Z-specific) locus were used to document the extent of genetic differentiation within and among the three major nesting areas for the species (Russia, Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, and the North Slope of Alaska). Results from contemporary populations are compared with data obtained from museum specimens collected over the period 1860-1960 from the same locales.