Adverse effects of instrumentation in incubating Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) |
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Authors: | Michaël Beaulieu Anne-Mathilde Thierry Yves Handrich Sylvie Massemin Yvon Le Maho André Ancel |
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Institution: | 1. Département Ecologie, Physiologie et Ethologie (DEPE), Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), UMR 7178 CNRS-UdS, 23 rue Becquerel, 67087, Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
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Abstract: | The use of data-loggers has permitted to explore the biology of free-ranging animals. However, this method has also been reported
to reduce reproductive success while the reasons of this deleterious effect remain poorly documented. In this study, we aimed
to identify critical periods of the breeding cycle of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) when the reproductive success may decrease because of instrumentation. For this purpose, we monitored 40 pairs, where one
parent was instrumented before egg laying and 30 pairs without devices (controls). These pairs were followed at least during
the incubation period but the majority was monitored during the entire breeding season. Reproductive success was affected
in pairs where males were instrumented. This was not due to extra chick mortality during chick rearing but to a significantly
lower hatching success. Moreover, the use of artificial eggs recording incubation temperatures and egg rotation indicated
that in instrumented incubating males, eggs spent as much time at optimal incubation temperatures as control eggs but were
rotated at a higher frequency. In Adélie penguins, males initiate incubation and it has been established that the early stage
of incubation is one of the most critical periods for embryonic development. The low hatching rate observed in instrumented
males was associated with a higher egg rotation rate, perhaps as a stress response to the presence of the instrument. Even
though the causal effects remain unclear, instrumentation severely affected hatching success. For these reasons, we recommend
equipping birds after the early incubation. |
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