Keystone seabird may face thermoregulatory challenges in a warming Arctic

• Published in: Scientific Reports
• Main Authors: Grunst, Melissa, Grunst, Andrea, Grémillet, David, Kato, Akiko, Gentès, Sophie, Fort, Jérôme
• Other Authors: LIttoral ENvironnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), La Rochelle Université (ULR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 (UPVM)-École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL)-Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD France-Sud )-Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE)-Institut Agro Montpellier, Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro)-Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro)-Université de Montpellier (UM), Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé - UMR 7372 (CEBC), La Rochelle Université (ULR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), ANR-16-CE34-0005,ILETOP,Impact des polluants historiques et émergents sur les prédateurs supérieurs marins de l'Arctique(2016), ANR-20-CE34-0006,ARCTIC-STRESSORS,Effets combinés des stresseurs environnementaux multiples sur les oiseaux marins Arctiques(2020)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2023
• Subjects: [SDE]Environmental Sciences; Alle alle; Arctic; Climate change; Global warming; little auk; Sea ice; Zooplankton
• Online Access: https://hal.science/hal-04254786; https://hal.science/hal-04254786/document; https://hal.science/hal-04254786/file/Grunstetal_LIAKBT_SciRep_72923_r1.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43650-5

International audience Abstract Climate change affects the Arctic more than any other region, resulting in evolving weather, vanishing sea ice and altered biochemical cycling, which may increase biotic exposure to chemical pollution. We tested thermoregulatory impacts of these changes on the most abundant Arctic seabird, the little auk ( Alle alle ). This small diving species uses sea ice-habitats for foraging on zooplankton and resting. We equipped eight little auks with 3D accelerometers to monitor behavior, and ingested temperature recorders to measure body temperature (T b ). We also recorded weather conditions, and collected blood to assess mercury (Hg) contamination. There were nonlinear relationships between time engaged in different behaviors and T b . T b increased on sea ice, following declines while foraging in polar waters, but changed little when birds were resting on water. T b also increased when birds were flying, and decreased at the colony after being elevated during flight. Weather conditions, but not Hg contamination, also affected T b . However, given our small sample size, further research regarding thermoregulatory effects of Hg is warranted. Results suggest that little auk T b varies with behavior and weather conditions, and that loss of sea ice due to global warming may cause thermoregulatory and energic challenges during foraging trips at sea.