Publication
Inter-individual differences in the foraging behavior of breeding Adélie penguins are driven by individual quality and sex
Publisher:
Inter-Research Science Center
Date:
20-02-2020
DOI:
10.3354/MEPS13208
Abstract: Inter-in idual differences in demographic traits of iteroparous species can arise through learning and maturation, as well as from permanent differences in in idual ‘quality’ and sex-specific constraints. As the ability to acquire energy determines the resources an in idual can allocate to reproduction and self-maintenance, foraging behavior is a key trait to study to better understand the mechanisms underlying these differences. So far, most seabird studies have focused on the effect of maturation and learning processes on foraging performance, while only a few have included measures of in idual quality. Here, we investigated the effects of age, breeding experience, sex, and in idual breeding quality on the foraging behavior and location of 83 known-age Adélie penguins at Cape Bird, Ross Sea, Antarctica. Over a 2 yr period, we showed that (1) high-quality birds ed deeper than lower quality ones, apparently catching a higher number of prey per e and targeting different foraging locations (2) females performed longer foraging trips and a higher number of es compared to males (3) there were no significant age-related differences in foraging behavior and (4) breeding experience had a weak influence on foraging behavior. We suggest that high-quality in iduals have higher physiological ability, enabling them to e deeper and forage more effectively. Further inquiry should focus on determining the physiological differences among penguins of different quality.