Unfamiliar plumage aberration observed on a Razorbill Alca torda at Machias Seal Island.

Authors

• Daniel Oliker, Atlantic Laboratory for Avian Research, Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
• Antony W. Diamond, Atlantic Laboratory for Avian Research, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
• Heather L. Major, Atlantic Laboratory for Avian Research, Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

Abstract

Aberrant plumage variation in seabirds can be caused by both heritable genetic mutations and non-heritable somatic mutations due to environmental stressors. In Razorbills Alca torda, aberrant colouration has been documented four times: three as cases of melanism and one seemingly of leucism, both heritable mutations. Here, we describe the observation and subsequent capture of a Razorbill with an unfamiliar plumage phenotype we hypothesize to be caused by a somatic mutation. To our knowledge, this is the first reported instance of a somatic mutation affecting the plumage of a Razorbill in the primary literature.

DOI

http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.54.1.1679

Recommended Citation

Oliker, Daniel; Diamond, Antony W.; and Major, Heather L. (2026) "Unfamiliar plumage aberration observed on a Razorbill Alca torda at Machias Seal Island.," Marine Ornithology: Vol. 54 : Iss. 1 , Article 11.
http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.54.1.1679
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/marine_ornithology/vol54/iss1/11