Prey-field use by top predators of the Southern Ocean: understanding foraging dynamics of macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) near Heard Island ...

• Main Author: Bedford, M
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: University Of Tasmania 2023
• Subjects: Heard Island; Southern Ocean; Eudyptes chrysolophus; Macaroni penguin
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25959/23241245.v1; https://figshare.utas.edu.au/articles/thesis/Prey-field_use_by_top_predators_of_the_Southern_Ocean_understanding_foraging_dynamics_of_macaroni_penguin_Eudyptes_chrysolophus_near_Heard_Island/23241245/1

This study used data collected during the 2003/04 Heard Island Predator Prey Investigation and Ecosystem Study (HIPPIES project). It is the first study to directly compare diet, foraging, and prey-field dynamics with energetics of macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) around Heard Island. Diet and foraging dynamics were evaluated for the guard and crèche stages of breeding macaroni penguins from Heard Island. Diet changed significantly between the two stages (p < 0.005), from a diet dominated by krill (83%) in the guard stage, to a more variable diet in the crèche stage (43% krill, 33% fish, 23% amphipods). The observed change in diet corresponded with a change in foraging behaviour. During the guard stage foraging trips were short (mean = 109.1 km ± se 7.2 km), but became significantly (p < 0.005) longer (mean = 660 km ± 139.2 km) in the crèche stage. These changes lead to interesting questions regarding the relationship between diet, foraging and prey-field dynamics. The ...