Latham Island: An Ecological Note

Abstract

LATHAM ISLAND OR FUNGU KIZIMKAZI (6°54'S, 39°56'E) lies in the south-eastern approach to the Zanzibar Channel, about twenty-three and a half miles eastward of Ras Kimbiji which is the nearest point on the African mainland, and thirty-five miles south-east of Zanzibar Island. The authors landed on Latham on 12 October 1967 during the course of the East African Common Services Organization Indian Ocean Islands Expedition in which they were taking part as terrestrial biologists (Research Cruise No. 270 of the East African Marine Fisheries Research Organization Fisheries Research Vessel Manihine). In view of the outstanding importance of this little-known island as a sea-bird breeding site, the authors here include a brief summary of what is known of Latham and its natural history in addition to their own findings.