Better late than never? Interannual and seasonal variability in breeding chronology of gentoo penguins at Stranger Point, Antarctica

• Published in: Polar research Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 18448 - 11
• Main Authors: Juáres, Mariana A., Santos, M. Mercedes, Negrete, Javier, Santos, M. Rita, Mennucci, Jorge A., Rombolá, Emilce, Longarzo, Lucrecia, Coria, Néstor R., Carlini†, Alejandro R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spånga Routledge 01-01-2013; Open Academia; Norwegian Polar Institute
• Subjects: Antarctica; Biology; breeding delay; breeding phenology; Climate change; Euphausia superba; Full text; Global warming; Marine; Phenology; Population; Pygoscelis papua; Snow; Success; Antarctic Peninsula; Antarctica; King George Island; Antarctica, Antarctic Peninsula; Eire, Connaught, Mayo; Antarctica, South Shetland Is., King George I., Stranger Point; Antarctica, South Shetland Is., King George I
• ISSN: 1751-8369; 0800-0395; 1751-8369
• DOI: 10.3402/polar.v32i0.18448

Rapid climate change recorded in the western Antarctic Peninsula confronts species with less predictable conditions in the marine and terrestrial environments. We analysed the breeding chronology and nesting site selection of gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) at King George Island (Isla 25 de Mayo), Antarctica, during four seasons in which differences in snow presence and persistence on the ground were observed. We recorded an overall delay as well as seasonal asynchrony at the beginning of reproduction for those years with higher snow deposition. A redistribution of breeding groups was also observed. Nevertheless, the population breeding success and chicks' weight at fledging remained relatively constant, despite the delay in breeding chronology, the increased duration of foraging trips during the guard stage and the decreased weight of stomach contents during the crèche stage. We suggest that the plasticity of their trophic biology, along with the flexibility of their breeding phenology and relocation of breeding groups, may be complementary reasons why gentoo penguin populations in the region have remained stable in spite of the changing conditions currently registered.