Archived News

Field guide for Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island published

A field guide to the animals and plants of Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island has recently been published*. Edited by Peter Ryan of the University of Cape Town with the help of a team of experts this copiously illustrated (with good-quality photographs) 168-page book allows identification of most of the macrobiota one is likely to encounter at the island group, including inshore fishes.

Among its treatment of birds, the book considers no less than 15 species of albatrosses and petrels listed within ACAP. Of these, six breed at the island group, the balance are non-breeding visitors to Tristan waters. Three ACAP species are endemic: Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena, Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos and Spectacled Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis. Sadly, all three species are considered threatened by the World Conservation Union (see www.birdlife.org/datazone/species).

Visitors to Tristan may purchase the field guide in the island shop, otherwise it can be ordered from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at a cost of GBP 12.00 plus postage. Proceeds from sales go to supporting conservation work at the Tristan da Cunha islands.

*Ryan, P.G. (Ed.) 2007. A Field Guide to the Animals and Plants of Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island. Newbury, UK: Pisces Publications. (www.naturebureau.co.uk).

News from John Cooper, ACAP Honorary Information Officer