(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
                                Species DUCK, LAYSAN
                                Species Id ESIS101009
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



TAXONOMY

NAME - DUCK, LAYSAN OTHER COMMON NAMES - DUCK, LAYSAN; TEAL and LAYSAN ELEMENT CODE - CATEGORY - Birds PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA, CLASS AND SUBCLASS - AVES, ORDER AND SUBORDER - ANSERIFORMES, FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - ANATIDAE, GENUS AND SUBGENUS - ANAS, SPECIES AND SSP - LAYSANENSIS, SCIENTIFIC NAME - ANAS LAYSANENSIS AUTHORITY - TAXONOMY REFERENCES - COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY - Laysan Duck Anas laysanensis Rothschild, 1892 KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Bird PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Aves ORDER: Anseriformes FAMILY: Anatidae The Laysan duck clearly originated from the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) stock isolated on this remote Hawaiian Island. Like the mallard, it has a purple wing speculum, and many males have the curled upper tail coverts. Like most endemic island ducks, it is teal-sized, dull-colored, and with small extremities (18). Unlike the mallard, sexual dimorphism in color is much less prominent, but males can be identified by a greener head and plain yellow rather than spotted orange bill. Mean weights recorded during summer varied from 403 g to 556 g, with laying females being the heaviest during spring; male weights generally exceeded female weights later in the summer (10). The species was discovered before 1826 (16); type specimens were collected in 1891, and the species was formally described in 1892 (12) as Anas laysanensis. Delacour & Mayr (05) recognized its mallard origin and considered it a subspecies of the mallard to demonstrate Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy Species DUCK, LAYSAN Species Id ESIS101009 Date 14 MAR 96 this ancestry, Anas platyrhynchos laysanensis. The A.O.U. Check-list (01) now gives it full species status, Anas laysanensis. Another common name for the Laysan duck is the Laysan teal (15). Fifty-three specimens were known to be in museums in the early 1970's (07), and about 333 were known in zoos in 1975 (15). In addition to the description by Rothschild (12), detailed characteristics were outlined by Phillips (11), Delacour (04), and Berger (02). Taxonomy - 2
                                  (DRAFT) - Status
                                Species DUCK, LAYSAN
                                Species Id ESIS101009
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



STATUS

Coded Status E: Federal Endangered Federal Migratory Commercial/consumption Ornamental COMMENTS ON STATUS - U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS: The Laysan duck (Anas laysanensis) has been designated an Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540), as amended. The species has this status wherever found including the State of Hawaii. This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring): (1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of any State law or regulation, or foreign law; or (2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law, treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law. It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S. territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in 18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian tribal law. The species is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-711 et seq.) (50 CFR 10.13). RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES: USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and law enforcement/protection of this species. All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402), and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of the species. STATE STATUSES AND LAWS: Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status Species DUCK, LAYSAN Species Id ESIS101009 Date 14 MAR 96 STATE: Hawai'i DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Department of Land and Natural Resources, Divison of Forestry and Wildlife. STATE STATUTE: Hawai'i Revised Statutes, Chapter 195D; Admin. Rules of HI, Sec. 13-124-2 and 13-124-3. INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS: The Laysan duck is listed in Appendix I of CITES. It is also listed as Rare in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals (1986), and is listed by the U.S.in the Annex to the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere (1970). ECONOMIC STATUSES: The species currently is of minimal economic importance, at most as an ornamental species bred by aviculturalists. Historically, however, guano miners (1891-1903) and Japanese plume hunters (1908-1910) shot numerous birds for food (07). 67/03/11:32 FR 04001/ - Original listing 70/08/25:35 FR 13519/13520 - Proposed relisting 70/10/13:35 FR 16047/16048 - Final rule on previous list 76/05/05:41 FR 18618/18624 - Proposed rules for captive breeding 77/02/22:42 FR 10465/10488 - Ruling on CITES with listing 77/06/01:42 FR 28052/28057 - lists of captive stock 79/05/21:44 FR 29566/29577 - Status review 79/09/17:44 FR 54002/54008 - Captive propagation/export of Laysan duck 85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review Status - 2
     

HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - AQUATIC TERRESTRIAL TERRESTRIAL INLAND AQUATIC COASTAL LAND USE - Herbaceous Rangeland Lakes Bays and Estuaries Nonforested Wetland Beaches Sandy Areas other than Beaches NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC Lacustrine, littoral OW0 Lacustrine, littoral FL4 Lacustrine, littoral FL3 2FL Lacustrine, littoral EM3 Palustrine OW0 Palustrine FL4 Palustrine FL3 Palustrine FL2 Palustrine EM3 Marine, intertidal RS1 Marine, intertidal FL3 Marine, intertidal FL Marine, intertidal BB2 Marine, intertidal BB COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS - Although unusual by continental standards, the Laysan duck resembles other insular waterfowl in being highly terrestrial as well as aquatic, and by utilizing the entire range of habitats available on Laysan Island (18). Habitats utilized include the higher sparsely vegetated sand dunes, more protected shrubs in the interior of the Island, water tolerant vegetation like Cyperus laevigatus that rings the lake, mud and sand flats around the lake, and the central hypersaline lake, including shallow open water (07,10). Most observers agree that the central hypersaline lake is the focal point of the population where it feeds and loafs in the cooler parts of the day and at night (07,10,13). The availability of fresh water seeps are a major attraction as well. At one time ponds of freshwater were more common than they are now, and were favored habitats of the ducks (17). Ducks sometimes use ocean shallows for bathing (17), possibly because this water is fresher than the lake, and they use the beaches for loafing and preening after bathing (10). They do not swim far from shore or battle waves along the shore, but rather seek out very protected areas. Occasionally they use tidal pools for bathing and resting (13,17), and more rarely feeding, but this is not common on Laysan. In the uplands, they are commonly seen loafing during the day under the shade of the beach morning glory (Ipomea pes-caprae), and taller shrubby vegetation such as Scaevola taccada. They nest mostly Habitat Associations - 1 in the taller vegetation such as Eragrostis variabilis (10), Cyperus (17), Heliotropium (10), beach morning glory (13), but also under shrubs like Chenopodium (08) and Scaevola (17). When light intensities are low they wander in open areas, such as Sesuvium covered mud flats, with relatively little fear of man or of birds flying overhead. Some workers consider the presence and level of the lake to be directly related to the success of the species. This may well reflect both fresh water supply and diversity of feeding opportunities for young. Habitat Associations - 2
                                (DRAFT) - Food Habits
                                Species DUCK, LAYSAN
                                Species Id ESIS101009
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL - CARNIVORE LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART General Crustaceans General Arthropods Food Habits - 1
                         (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
                                Species DUCK, LAYSAN
                                Species Id ESIS101009
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

G = General A = Adult LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae L = Larvae E = Egg RL = Resting Larvae FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS G Aquatic Features: Springs [flowing] G Coastal Wetlands: Mangrove swamps G Coastal Features: Reefs G Coastal Features: Sandy offshore islands G Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands G Environment Associations - 1
                               (DRAFT) - Life History
                                Species DUCK, LAYSAN
                                Species Id ESIS101009
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



LIFE HISTORY

FOOD HABITS: Food habits of Laysan ducks are poorly known. Early collectors did not always record or at least publish such data and few specimens have been collected recently. The species is highly carnivorous during much of the year. Most workers have been present during the summer and noted the dependence of the adults and ducklings on brineflies (Neoscatella sexmaculata) (08,10,17) on the mud-flats around the lake, which are obtained by chasing and grabbing. They also dig under and in seabird carcasses for fly and beetle larvae. Brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) are present in large quantities in the lake during spring and early summer, and ducks do dabble and even up-end for food where they might get shrimp or fly larvae (15). Several workers have seen the bird feed in the tidal rocky areas on the south part of Laysan Island but regarded this as an incidental source of food (13,17). All ages also wander in the uplands at night searching for larvae of cutworm moths (Agrotis dislocata) that are very abundant in the sand (10,17). Butler & Usinger (03) collected ducks with Agrotis larvae in the tracts. There are no submergent plants or filamentous algae in the lake suitable for food (17). The use of seeds or fruit has not been established. HOME RANGE/TERRITORY: Observations based on banded and even color-marked ducks suggested that individuals and pairs tended to occupy the same ranges (17). This was the basis for Warner's grid census system (17). More recent studies using radio transmitters support this general concept but show that birds are highly mobile, utilize generally the same areas within a given season, but occasionally wander off significant distances (10). Pairs remain together in the same area for several weeks or more during pre-nesting, but segregate after incubation and brood rearing starts (10). PERIODICITY: Laysan ducks are rarely active during the heat of the day, unless disturbed from their shaded rest areas in shrubs and grasses. They seem more active on overcast days, but quantitative data are lacking. Based on time-lapse film records, the ducks become active in the evening, with a peak shortly after dark, and a second and often larger peak of activity near sunrise (10). Although other ducks also are known to be active at night, no other species is known to be so inactive during the day (10). MIGRATION PATTERNS: The species is non-migratory and has not been recorded on other islands in the area (15). COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS: Because of the habitat breadth of island endemics, and the observed use of virtually all cover types by Laysan ducks, Laysan Island must be maintained in its present state if the species is to survive. Few species of plants remained during the peak populations Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History Species DUCK, LAYSAN Species Id ESIS101009 Date 14 MAR 96 of rabbits, which was correlated with the smallest known number of surviving ducks (07,17). However, the same plant species composition seems to have returned (07). Cover is essential for nesting, both for shade of the females and the eggs, and to reduce any potential egg predation from aerial egg predators or perhaps Laysan finches. REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS: Display has not been studied intensively and probably is not conspicuous because of the continuing social interactions of members of as small population. Displays have been photographed in captivity by Johnsgard (09) and filmed in the wild by Moulton (10), and are similar to those of the mallard. They occur mostly on the water at the edge of the lake (10). As with most ducks, nests are built with on-site materials, in a shallow bowl surrounded by and usually under a vegetative canopy (17). The female adds modest amounts of down to the bowl in early incubation (10). Nests have been recorded in Eragrostis (10), Scaevola and Cyperus (17), Chenopodium (08), Heliotropium (10), and Ipomea (13). All sites have been well above water levels and no nest flooding has been recorded. REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS: Age of sexual maturity is unknown but presumably occurs at one-year. Monogamy is the norm and pair bonds may be longer lasting than in continental ducks because they are non-migratory, but mates are commonly switched between breeding seasons (10). Rape has been recorded several times at a population high (10). The nesting season is long but also variable, due probably to water conditions. A single Spring-early Summer breeding period is normal, extending from March to June, or April to July (10). Clutches are small, ranging from 3 to 6 (07,08,10,17). Incubation period is reported to be 26 days, presumably based on captive birds (14). Brood sizes range from 1 to 8 (10), but fusion of broods of several ages is not uncommon. PARENTAL CARE: Only the female incubates the eggs and cares for the young, although males occasionally stay nearby. The young are precocial but brooding is important for the first two weeks of life, due to mortality in driving rainstorms (10). Broods are cared for until they are at least partly feathered, but mixing of several broods of different ages is not uncommon (10). POPULATION BIOLOGY: Although the accuracy of population estimates probably is low, the species was certainly near extinction following the devastation of the vegetation in the early 1900's. At that time estimates indicated less than 20 birds existed (07,17). The comeback of the population with protection followed a typical sigmoid curve, to a level estimated at 740 in 1961 (17). More recent work with most of the population banded suggests populations of 476 to 489 in 1980, which probably is a more realistic figure (10). Reproductive rates are obviously low with relatively few of the females successfully rearing broods (10). An estimated recruitment of only 6.3% occurred between 1979 and 1980. Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History Species DUCK, LAYSAN Species Id ESIS101009 Date 14 MAR 96 Several 12-year-old banded birds were found in 1979, suggesting that this species is much longer lived on this isolated island than is characteristic of continental species (10). There is sufficient evidence of social stress at a population level of 500 that this probably represents the present carrying capacity of the Island. This level would be difficult to exceed through management. It would be more important to the species to insure that no reductions in vegetative cover occurs through introduced herbivores or plant disease, that the central lake remains at its present size, and that no predators are introduced. SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS: Interspecific relationships of this species with other species are difficult to document. The Laysan finch (Telespyza cantans) has been observed eating abandoned duck eggs, but whether they eat eggs in active nests isn't known (10,17). One record of a Laysan duck being killed by a collision with a large seabird may be quite rare (10). Great frigatebirds (Fregata minor) have been seen to harass ducklings but no kills have been noted (06). Several species of migrant ducks have been recorded on the lake (07,17), but do not seem to mix with Laysan ducks. OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS: None. Life History - 3
                           (DRAFT) - Management Practices
                                Species DUCK, LAYSAN
                                Species Id ESIS101009
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Boating Activities Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations Beneficial Developing/maintaining/protecting wetlands Beneficial Reforestation Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals Beneficial Disease Control Measures Beneficial Controlling/Removing Exotic Vertebrates Adverse Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping Existing Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species Adverse Grazing Existing Grazing Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes Existing Vegetation Composition Changes COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - Populations of the Laysan duck inherently are limited by the size of Laysan Island, probably by variations in food supplies, and by the lack of nearby islands with suitable habitat for expansion during population highs. Because they are highly terrestrial and often nocturnal (10,17), censusing is difficult, and population estimates probably have low reliability. Nevertheless, counts have been as low as 12 and estimates as high as 740 (07), but the current (1984) population of 480-500 is the most reliable yet obtained because nearly all the birds were banded (10). Human-induced influences have been the most detrimental to the species. Guano miners (1891-1903) and Japanese plume hunters (1908-1910) shot numerous birds for food (07), but their impacts were not measured. It was the introduction of domestic rabbits and guinea pigs as a commercial venture that stripped the Island of vegetation and resulted in the lowest population recorded, about 12 (02,07,15). In 1923, a biological survey expedition shot out the entire population of rabbits, and the 14 remaining ducks (20 ducks were counted at that time and 6 were collected) are presumed to have been the basis of the current population (07). There are no known predators on Laysan Island although great frigatebirds (Fregata minor) that nest on the Island have been considered potential predators on ducklings (06). There has been no confirmation of this or of the significance of observations that the omnivorous Laysan finch (Telespyza cantans) eats abandoned duck eggs (10,17). After two summers of intensive study, the most serious mortality recorded in ducklings was due to heavy rain storms, and some mortality of hens was caused by intraspecific interactions, including rape. Such influences may well be more prominent at population highs, as occurred during this study (10). The most serious threat to the Laysan duck is the potential of Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species DUCK, LAYSAN Species Id ESIS101009 Date 14 MAR 96 predator introduction. Rats (Rattus spp.) and mongooses (Herpestes auropuntatus) both have impacted waterfowl on other tropical islands, including Hawai'i (18). A Japanese ship was wrecked on the island in 1970 but rats either were not on the ship or perished (15). Periodic monitoring of duck populations and predator sign is essential. The second major threat is that of sand blows which have covered grassy vegetation on the east side and even reached the central lake (07,10). The Island is at most only 40 feet high. In severe storms, there is a possibility that sand could significantly reduce the size of the lake, on which the ducks depend for food throughout much of the summer. Control of sand blowouts may be essential, since the impact would be not only on the lake, but could eliminate upland nesting vegetation as well. APPROVED PLAN: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1982. The Laysan Duck Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 38 pp. Being confined to the hypersaline lagoon at Laysan Is., the Laysan duck's population will always be small and highly vulnerable to disturbances brought to the Island by man's activities. Especially feared are illegal, episodic hunting and the accidental introduction of predators or other detrimental alien organisms. For these reasons, the prime objective of the Laysan Duck Recovery Plan is "to perpetuate the Laysan Duck on Laysan Island; to protect the natural island habitat; and to down-list the species from Endangered to Threatened." The plan calls for the following recovery actions: 1. Continuing management of the duck and its habitat under regulations of the refuge and Research Natural Area, especially keeping people and ships away from the island. 2. Annual population monitoring. 3. Continuing ecological studies of Laysan. 4. Implementing a plan to detect and eradicate exotic organisms (mammals, plants, disease causing organisms, etc.) introduced in the future. A handbook is needed to assist refuge managers in distinguishing between native and alien plants. 5. Ongoing captive propagation. 6. Public education. Since publication of the recovery plan, recovery actions for the Laysan duck have advanced on all fronts. The USFWS refuge office has developed contingency plans to detect and eradicate mammals, should they be introduced in the future. Likewise, there are now contingency plans for oil spills and avian diseases. Population surveys are conducted at least annually by the same office; surveys have been standardized and redesigned to be more readily interpreted. To Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species DUCK, LAYSAN Species Id ESIS101009 Date 14 MAR 96 prevent the introduction of alien plants and animals, a protocol has been established for all persons visiting Laysan. Surveys are conducted to detect alien species on the island. Monitoring of the habitat (under #1 above) identified an unaccounted for and complete loss of vegetation on the dunes bordering the island's hypersaline lake. The loss of vegetation caused a shifting of the dunes which threatened to fill the center of lake and the freshwater seeps used by the duck. Drift fences were installed and the potential need to revegetate the dunes was identified, however, natural revegetation appears to be occurring. The USFWS supports research on the Laysan duck by providing permits, general guidance, and logistical aid. Captive flocks have been established in a number of zoological parks and government breeding facilities in Hawai'i, on the mainland U.S. and in foreign countries. No action has been taken as of 1986 on a floral handbook. Management Practices - 3
                                   (DRAFT) - References
                                   Species DUCK, LAYSAN
                                  Species Id ESIS101009
                                      Date 14 MAR 96



     

References

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE ***** 01 American Ornithologist's Union. 1983. Check-list of North American birds, 6th ed. Allen Press, Lawrence, KS. 877 pp. 02 Berger, A.H. 1972. Hawaiian birdlife. Univ. of Hawaii Press, Honolulu. 270 pp. 03 Butler, G.D., Jr. and R.L. Usinger. 1963. Insects and other invertebrates from Laysan Island. Atoll Res. Bull. 98:1-30. 04 Delacour, J. 1956. The waterfowl of the world, Vol.2. Country Life, Ltd., London. 232 pp. 05 Delacour, J. and E. Mayr. 1945. The family Anatidae. Wilson Bull. 37:1-55. 06 Dill, H.R. and W.A. Bryan. 1912. Report of an expedition to Laysan Island in 1911. U.S. Dept. Agric. Biol. Surv. Bull. 42. 30 pp. 07 Ely, C.A. and R.B. Clapp. 1973. The natural history of Laysan Island, northwestern Hawaiian islands. Atoll Res. Bull. 171. 361 pp. 08 Fisher, W.K. 1903. Birds of Laysan and the Leeward Islands, Hawaiian Group. U.S. Fish. Comm. Bull. 23(3):767-807. 09 Johnsgard, P. 1965. Handbook of waterfowl behavior. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, NY. 378 pp. 10 Moulton, D.W. and M.W. Weller. 1984. Biology and conservation of the Laysan duck (Anas laysanensis). Condor 85:105-117. 11 Phillips, J.C. 1923. A natural history of the ducks, Vol.2. Longman-Green, London. 12 Rothschild, W. 1892. (Description of Anas laysanensis). Bull. Br. Ornithol. Club. 1:17. 13 Sincock, J.L. and E. Kridler. 1977. The extinct and endangered endemic birds of the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Manus. on file in U.S. Fish & Wildlife Serv., Honolulu, HI. 14 Todd, F.S. 1979. Waterfowl. Sea World Press, San Diego, CA. 399 pp. 15 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1982. The Laysan Duck Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 38 pp. 16 von Kittlitz, R.H. 1834. Nachricht von den Bruteplatzen einiger tropischen Seevogle im stillen Ocean. Mus. Senckenb. 1:115-126. 17 Warner, R.E. 1963. Recent history and ecology of the Laysan duck. Condor 65:3-23. 18 Weller, M.W. 1980. The island waterfowl. Iowa State Press, Ames. 121 pp. ***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY ***** 01 Clapp, R.B. and W.O. Wirtz. 1975. Natural history of Lisianski Island, northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Atoll Res. Bull. 186. 02 Ely, C.A. and R.B. Clapp. 1973. The natural history of Laysan Island, northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Atoll Res. Bull. 171. 03 Rothschild, W. 1900. The avifauna of Laysan and the neighboring islands. R.H. Porter, London. References - 1 (DRAFT) - References Species DUCK, LAYSAN Species Id ESIS101009 Date 14 MAR 96 04 Sincock, J.L. and E. Kridler. 1977. The extinct and endangered endemic birds of the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Manus. on file: U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv., Honolulu, HI. 05 von Kittlitz, R.H. 1834. Nachricht von den Bruteplatzen einiger tropischen Seevogle im stillen Ocean. Mus. Senckenb. 1:115-126. 06 Warner, R.E. 1963. Recent history and ecology of the Laysan duck. Condor 65:3-23. References - 2