Metapopulation dynamics and foraging plasticity in a highly vagile seabird, the southern rockhopper penguin ...

• Main Authors: Lois, Nicolas, Campagna, Leonardo, Balza, Ulises, Polito, Michael, Pütz, Klemens, Vianna, Juliana, Morgenthaler, Annick, Frere, Esteban, Saenz-Samaniego, Ricardo, Raya Rey, Andrea, Mahler, Bettina
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Dryad 2020
• Subjects: Eudyptes chrysocome; SIBER; Patagonia; Rockhopper penguin
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vmcvdncpx; https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.vmcvdncpx

Population connectivity is driven by individual dispersal potential and modulated by natal philopatry. In seabirds, high vagility facilitates dispersal yet philopatry is also common, with foraging area overlap often correlated with population connectivity. We assess the interplay between these processes by studying past and current connectivity and foraging niche overlap among southern rockhopper penguin colonies of the coast of southern South America using genomic and stable isotope analyses. We found two distinct genetic clusters and detected low admixture between northern and southern colonies. Stable isotope analysis indicated niche variability between colonies, with Malvinas/Falklands colonies encompassing the species entire isotopic foraging niche, while the remaining colonies had smaller, nonoverlapping niches. A recently founded colony in continental Patagonia differed in isotopic niche width and position with Malvinas/Falklands colonies, its genetically identified founder population, suggesting the ...