Acrocephalus rimatarae

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PASSERIFORMES	SYLVIIDAE

Scientific Name:

Acrocephalus rimatarae

Species Authority:

(Murphy & Mathews, 1929)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Rimatara Reed-warbler, Rimatara Reed-Warbler

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable D1+2 ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Mahood, S., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Dutson, G., Millett, J., Raust, P.

Justification:
This species is listed as Vulnerable because it is confined to one very small island where although it is currently not uncommon, it would have to be uplisted were a decline detected.

History:

2006	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Not Recognized
1988	–	Not Recognized

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Acrocephalus rimatarae is endemic to Rimatara in the Austral Islands, French Polynesia. In 1989, it was found to be common and widespread at lower elevations³, and in 2004 population density was estimated at just over 3 birds per hectare in good habitat⁶. Population estimates vary widely depending on the methods used: some place the population at between 1,777 and 2,567 individuals, whilst others believe the number of individuals to be much lower: 740 (2002) or 675 (2004)⁶. Recent observers consider it to be abundant over much of the island.
Countries:	Native: French Polynesia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Various population estimates have been made which differ widely depending on methods used. Thibault and Cibois (2005) estimated the population to be between 1,777 and 2,567 in 2004, in the same publication they report on other recent estimates, notably 740 (in 2002) and 675 (in 2004), without commenting on the relative accuracy of these estimates.
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The species is found throughout the island, even in swamps and the central fern-covered hills⁶. Breeding however mainly occurs in wooded areas such as the undergrowth of coconut groves, mixed horticulture, coastal forests and natural forest on limestone substrates⁶.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Since the species requires forest for nesting, habitat destruction is a concern, the recent construction of an airport destroyed over a third of remaining native forest⁶, although much suitable breeding habitat still remains⁷. Feral cats are likely to cause some mortality⁶. The introduction of alien species, particularly Common Myna Acridotheris tristis, is a grave concern given the species's very small range and the declines it has caused in populations of other Pacific Acrocephalus species⁶. Polynesian rat Rattus exulans and brown rat R. norvegicus are present on the island, but not black rat R. rattus², implicated in the decline and extinction of many birds on oceanic islands; its arrival might be a cause for concern, although other Pacific Acrocephalus species coexist with it³.

Major Threat(s):

Since the species requires forest for nesting, habitat destruction is a concern, the recent construction of an airport destroyed over a third of remaining native forest⁶, although much suitable breeding habitat still remains⁷. Feral cats are likely to cause some mortality⁶. The introduction of alien species, particularly Common Myna Acridotheris tristis, is a grave concern given the species's very small range and the declines it has caused in populations of other Pacific Acrocephalus species⁶. Polynesian rat Rattus exulans and brown rat R. norvegicus are present on the island, but not black rat R. rattus², implicated in the decline and extinction of many birds on oceanic islands; its arrival might be a cause for concern, although other Pacific Acrocephalus species coexist with it³.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway A population survey and assessment of the threats have been conducted⁶. Conservation Actions Proposed Continue regular monitoring of the population to assess trends. Implement a programme to ensure that R. rattus and A. tristis are not accidentally introduced². Set aside an area of native habitat for protection. Consider controlling feral cats in breeding habitat.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
A population survey and assessment of the threats have been conducted⁶.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue regular monitoring of the population to assess trends. Implement a programme to ensure that R. rattus and A. tristis are not accidentally introduced². Set aside an area of native habitat for protection. Consider controlling feral cats in breeding habitat.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Acrocephalus rimatarae. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2012.
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