Energetics of under-water swimming in Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae)

• Published in: Journal of Comparative Physiology B
• Main Authors: Culik, Boris, Wilson, Rory P.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 1991
• Subjects: Pygoscelis adeliae
• Online Access: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/52587/; https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/52587/1/3400.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00262310

The energy consumption of Adélie penguins while at rest in water (8.4 W·kg-1 at 4°C) or swimming below the surface was determined using a 21 m long canal fitted with respiration chambers at each end. Penguins chose to swim 86% of the time at speeds recorded in nature. Cost of transport was lowest (7.9 J·kg-1·m-1) at 1.7–2.3 m·s-1, corresponding to a power input of 15.8 W·kg-1, and only 50% as high as previously reported. Assuming a muscle efficiency of 0.25, propulsion efficiency is 0.4 and overall efficiency is 0.1. Calculated food requirements vary between 1060 g krill per adult and foraging trip at the beginning of the breeding season and 2500 g at the period of highest demand, prior to crèching of the chicks.