Swimming Energetics and Performance of Instrumented Adelie Penguins (Pygoscelis Adeliae)

• Main Authors: CULIK, BORIS, WILSON, RORY P.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Company of Biologists 1991
• Subjects: Journal Articles; Esperanza; Antarc*; Antarctica; Pygoscelis adeliae
• Online Access: http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/short/158/1/355

The effects of implanted and of externally attached instruments (1.8% of body cross-sectional area) were studied on Adé1ie penguins ( Pygoscelis adeliae ) using a 21 m long canal in conjunction with respirometry at Esperanza Bay, Antarctica. Penguins in both groups covered the same mean distance (173 m in 5 min) as controls. Implanted birds preferred to swim at slower speeds (1.3–1.7 ms-1) than did the controls (1.9–2.1 ms-1), whereas penguins with external instruments had a bimodal speed distribution with maxima at 1.7–1.9 and 2.3–2.5 ms-1. Power input during swimming averaged 20% less in implanted penguins (12.7 W kg-1) and 42% more in penguins fitted with external instruments (22.5 W kg-1) compared with controls (15.8 W kg-1). Similarly, cost of transport was 23% lower in implanted penguins (7.0 J kg-1 m-1) and 25% higher in externally instrumented birds (11.3 J kg-1 m-1) compared with controls (9.0 J kg-1 m-1). Possible reasons for the effects caused by the devices are discussed and the advantages and disadvantages of implanted and externally fitted devices are compared.