The cost of reproduction is a key parameter determining a species' life history strategy. Despite exhibiting some of the fastest offspring growth rates among mammals, the cost of reproduction in baleen whales is largely unknown since standard field metabolic techniques cannot be applied. We quantified the cost of reproduction for southern right whales Eubalaena australis over a 3 mo breeding season. We did this by determining the relationship between calf growth rate and maternal rate of loss in energy reserves, using repeated measurements of body volume obtained from un manned aerial vehicle photogrammetry. We recorded 1118 body volume estimates from 40 female and calf pairs over 40 to 89 d. Calves grew at a rate of 3.2 cm d −1 (SD = 0.45) in body length and 0.081 m 3 d −1 (SD = 0.011) in body volume, while females decreased in volume at a rate of 0.126 m 3 d −1 (SD = 0.036). The average volume conversion efficiency from female to calf was 68% (SD = 16.91). Calf growth rate was positively related to the rate of loss in maternal body volume, suggesting that maternal volume loss is proportional to the energy investment into her calf. Maternal in vestment was determined by her body size and condition, with longer and more rotund females investing more volume into their calves compared to shorter and leaner females. Lactating females lost on average 25% of their initial body volume over the 3 mo breeding season. This study demonstrates the considerable energetic cost that females face during the lactation period, and highlights the importance of sufficient maternal energy reserves for reproduction in this capital breeding species.
u e d by t h e Smithsonian I n s t i t u t i o n a s a p a r t of i t s Tropical Biology Program. r t i s cosponsored by t h e Museum of Natural History, t h e Office of Environmental Sciences, and t h e Smithsonian P r e s s . The Press supports and handles production and d i s t r i b u t i o n . The e d i t i n g i s done by t h e Tropical Biology s t a f f , Botany Department, Museum o f Natural History.The B u l l e t i n was founded and t h e first 117 numbers issued by t h e P a c i f i c Science Board, National Academy o f Sciences, with f i n a n c i a l support from t h e Office of Naval Research. Its pages were l a r g e l y devoted t o r e p o r t s r e s u l t i n g from t h e P a c i f i c Science Board's Coral A t o l l Program. E a s t I s l a n d , 10 January 1966. Redrawn from o f f i c i a l U.S. The s o l e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r a l l statements made by authors of papers i n t h e A t o l l Research B u l l e t i n r e s t s with them, and statements made i n t h e B u l l e t i n do not n e c e s s a r i l y r e p r e s e n t t h e views of t h e Smithsonian n o r those of t h e e d i t o r s o f t h e B u l l e t i n .Navy photograph.Map of E a s t and Mullet I s l a n d s , 22-27 June 1923. Redrawn from Tanager Expedition map.East I s l a n d , 1 1 November 1935. Redrawn from o f f i c i a l U.S.Navy photograph.Map of E a s t I s l a n d , 1 November 1948. Redrawn from o f f i c i a l U.S. Coast Guard Operational Data Report.Whale-Skate I s l a n d , 1 0 January 1966. Redrawn from o f f i c i a l U.S. Navy photograph.17. Map of Whale, T r i g and Skate I s l a n d s , 22-27 June 1923.Redrawn from Tanager Expedition map.Whale and Skate I s l a n d s , 24 June 1932. Redrawn from o f f i c i a l U.S. Navy photograph.T r i g I s l a n d , 10 January 1966. Redrawn from o f f i c i a l U.S. Navy photograph.T r i g I s l a n d , 24 June 1932. Redrawn from o f f i c i a l U.S. Navy photograph.Gin and L i t t l e G i n I s l a n d s , 10 January 1966. Redrawn from o f f i c i a l U.S. Navy photograph.G i n I s l a n d and unnamed s a n d s p i t , 24 June 1932. Redrawn from o f f i c i a l U.S. Navy photograph.Round and Mullet I s l a n d s , 10 January 1966. Redrawn from o f f i c i a l U.S. Navy photograph.Round I s l a n d , 24 June 1932. Redrawn from o f f i c i a l U.S. Navy photograph.Shark I s l a n d , 10 January 1966. Redrawn from o f f i c i a l U.S. Navy photograph.Disappearing I s l a n d , 1 0 January 1966. Redrawn from o f f i c i a l U.S. Navy photograph.The mode of t h e monthly means f o r a 12-year period, December 1950-December 1962, and t h e range of t h e maximum and minimum modes of temperature f o r French F r i g a t e Shoals. Mean number of days w i t h measurable p r e c i p i t a t i o n f o r FrenchF r i g a t e Shoals, June 1 9 5 4 -~a n u a r y 1960, March 1960March -~ecember 1962 Mean monthly p r e c i p i t a t i o n i n inches for French F r i g a t e Shoals, June 1 9 5 4 -~a n u a r~ 1960, March 1960-December 1962. 34Wind d i r e c t i o n and speed...
An examination of selected ecological variables on the 18 low, sandy, non—disturbed islands of the northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and the vascular plants and birds, primarily seabirds, occurring there shows that species richness on low, sandy, oceanic islands is influenced by ecological diversity and is affected by variables similar to those on high, rocky islands. Species richness of vascular plants on these islands can be predicted by means of stepwise regression on the basis of area of vegetation, and to a lesser extent, elevation. In turn, variation in numbers of breeding species of seabirds, total species of seabirds, and total species of birds on these same islands can be predicted on the basis of number of species of vascular plants, and to a lesser extent, area of the island. Ecological diversity, although poor in quality, is of prime importance in regulating use of low, sandy, oceanic islands by any seabird. Although terrestrial bird use islands for obtaining food and for nesting whereas seabird use islands only as a nesting and roosting place, species of terrestrial birds and seabirds on islands are associated with similar ecological variables.
The avifauna of the Marshall and Gilbert Islands and the sur-
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