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A juvenile Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) sits on its nest platform high in an old-growth Douglas fir.

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A juvenile Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) sits on its nest platform high in an old-growth Douglas fir. The Marbled Murrelet is an endangered seabird. A recent study used age-ratio analysis of museum specimens collected from 1892-1922 to measure long-term demographic changes in this species. Researchers compared the long-term demography with contemporary estimates and predictions from life history theory. Historic reproduction rates estimated from the museum specimens matched predictions from comparative analysis, but it was 8–9 times greater than contemporary estimates. Adult survival was similar. Historic reproductive rates would support stable populations, but current rates should result in population declines. Using museum specimens to reconstruct historic demography is a unique method used to identify causes of decline and set benchmarks for the recovery of endangered species. This photograph originally appeared on the cover of Ecology (88:2) in February of 2007.
Associated files
Format
Primary or BEN resource type
Discipline Specific Core Concepts
Life science discipline (subject)
Keywords demography,reproduction,reproduction rate,museum,history,specimen,endangered,,seabird
Key taxa Marbled Murrelet, Brachyramphus marmoratus
Audience
Intended End User Role
Language
Educational Language
Pedagogical Use Category
Pedagogical Use Description This photograph can be used to illustrate a Marbled Murrelet in its native habitat, an endangered species, or the use of museum specimens to estimate historic demographics and inform conservation decisions.
Aggregation Level
Structure
Url http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/06-0869
Full Name of Primary Author Tom Hamer
Primary Author Controlled Name
Primary Author Affiliation n/a
Primary Author email n/a
Added By Id
  • educationintern
Rights Copyright 2007 by the Ecological Society of America.
License
Publisher
Review type
Drought and Water Ecosystem Services Collection Off
Conservation Targets Under Global Change Collection Off
Big Data Collection Off
Editors Choice No
Resource Status
Date Of Record Submission 2008-04-08
I Agree to EcoEdDL's Copyright Policy & Terms of Use No
Date Of Record Release 2010-02-12 01:45:06
Last Modified By Id
  • mcmilla
Date Last Modified 2013-03-29 15:55:40
Release Flag Published

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