Adelie Penguin Colony on Devil Island
Study Areas
Abstract
This study examined the effects of climate change on the diet
of Adelie penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula through systematic
excavations at both abandoned and modern breeding colonies.
Previous studies have shown that Adelie penguins rely heavily on
krill as a staple component of their diet (Ainley et al.
1984). However, recent studies have suggested that mesopelagic
squid (Psychroteuthis glacialis) and two Antarctic fish (Pleuragramma
antarcticum and Electrona antarctica}also are
important prey items of Adelie penguins. In addition, proportions
of these prey items appear to vary with climate change (Emslie et
al. 1998). This study compared dietary remains preserved
within the sediments of both abandoned and modern Adelie penguins
colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctic silverfish and
squid were the two most abundant prey species found at these
sites. After correcting for the volume of sediment excavated, the
Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI) of Pleuragramma
antarcticum varied significantly between sites of different
ages (X2, df = 6, p<.001), but Psychroteuthis
glacialis did not (X2, df = 6, p>.25). The
overall trend suggested that Pleuragramma antarcticum was
consumed more during colder climatic periods than during warm
periods. This trend could be an artifact of small sample size or
a result of poor preservation within the sediments. However,
since the younger sites displayed evidence of a higher MNI, it
would be advantageous to collect additional samples to examine
this trend more thoroughly.
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| Adelie Penguin Colony on Devil Island |
Study Areas |