Penguins: Diversity, Threats, and Role in Marine Ecosystems

Xavier, José C.; Trathan, Phil

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-71064-8_46-1

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 96 publications

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“…Along with human disturbance, potential environmental stressors for Antarctic wildlife include pathogens and diseases (Kerry and Riddle, 2009;Grimaldi et al, 2015;Smeele et al, 2018;Barbosa et al, 2021), plastic, chemical and noise pollution, competition with fisheries, acidification, and climate change (Trathan et al, 2014;Ropert-Coudert et al, 2019;Xavier and Trathan, 2020). All those factors can act synergistically on individuals and differently in distinct Antarctic regions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Living in a Challenging Environment: Monitoring Stress Ecology by Non-Destructive Methods in an Antarctic Seabird

Olmastroni,

Simonetti,

Fattorini

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Living in a Challenging Environment: Monitoring Stress Ecology by Non-Destructive Methods in an Antarctic Seabird

Olmastroni,

Simonetti,

Fattorini

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Seabirds are considered the most threatened group of birds in the world, experiencing natural and anthropogenic stressors in both their terrestrial and marine environments (Croxall et al, 2012;Dias et al, 2019) with populations globally declining by >70% since 1950 (Paleczny et al, 2015). Penguins (family Spheniscidae) provide a prime example of physiologically unique (flightless) seabirds vulnerable to both terrestrial and marine predation (Xavier and Trathan, 2020), with 10 of the 18 recognized penguin species listed as either vulnerable or endangered on the ICUN Red List 2021. At the lowest end of the penguin size range, little penguins (Eudyptula minor), averaging 30 cm in length and 1 kg in body mass, have a slower swimming speed than other penguin species (Bethge et al, 1997), potentially increasing their vulnerability to seal predation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tracing Seal Predation Back to the Source Colony of Their Penguin Prey: A Trace Element and Stable Isotope Analysis

et al. 2022

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Marine predators recovering from historic, commercial, over-harvesting can create conservation challenges when they prey on vulnerable species. Pinniped predation of seabirds presents one such challenge and identifying the source colonies experiencing seal predation are needed to inform conservation management and decision planning. Here, we present a novel application of stable isotope and trace element techniques to identify the source colony of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) predated by long-nosed fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri). We created baseline biochemical ‘feather-prints’ from feathers for six major breeding colonies across south-east Australia to compare with feathers from predated penguins recovered from seal scats. Feeding trials of captive seals confirmed that digestion of penguin feathers did not compromise stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) or trace element (Al, Ti, Sr and Mg) signatures. The resulting biochemical ‘feather-prints’ were found to be robust in being correctly classified to local sites (78%) and broader regions (85%). The distinguishing ‘feather-prints’ appeared to be driven by industrial inputs from land, colony-specific foraging patterns and potentially proximity to oceanographic systems (i.e. upwelling). Here, we show that 46-70% of predated feathers were assigned to ‘local’ penguin colonies. We consider that the regional penguin abundances and the proximity of their colonies to seal sites, as well as demographic-specific foraging patterns may shape their contribution to seal diet at local, regional and inter-regional scales. This diagnostic tool is powerful, having broad applications identifying seabird colonies at greatest risk to pinniped predation and informing targeted, site-specific, conservation effort.

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Penguins: Diversity, Threats, and Role in Marine Ecosystems

Cited by 2 publications

References 96 publications

Living in a Challenging Environment: Monitoring Stress Ecology by Non-Destructive Methods in an Antarctic Seabird

Living in a Challenging Environment: Monitoring Stress Ecology by Non-Destructive Methods in an Antarctic Seabird

Tracing Seal Predation Back to the Source Colony of Their Penguin Prey: A Trace Element and Stable Isotope Analysis

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