Science and Technology Production
Further evidence of king penguins? breeding range extension at South Shetland Islands?.
Article
Authorship:
Juares Mariana A. ; NEGRETE, JAVIER ; Mennucci J.A ; Perchivale P.J ; Santos M. Mercedes ; Moreira M. Eugenia ; Coria Néstor RDate:
2014Publishing House and Editing Place:
CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESSMagazine:
ANTARCTIC SCIENCE, vol. 26 (pp. 261-262) CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESSSummary *
King penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus Miller; hereafter KP) is a circumpolar species that breeds on sub-Antarctic islands. Nevertheless,the presence of king penguins attempting to breed at Stranger Point, Shetland Islands, Antártica is reported here. During the 2010?11 breeding season, one KP was registered for few days at the study area. The following season, on 21 December 2011, a KP pair was observed breeding in a gentoo penguin?s nesting site, about 200m off the coastline. An egg was recorded for the first time on 4 January 2012 but it was abandoned on 2 February 2012 before hatching. During the 2012?13 season 21 October 2012), one KP remained at the colony during pre-nuptial moult fasting for at least 16 days. Later on that season, on 3 December 2012, a pair of KPs were observed and the courtship started the next day. On this occasion an egg was registered on 13 December, the incubation occurred associated to a mixed breeding group of adelie and gentoo penguins closer to the coastline (70 m). On 8 January 2013 neither the adult nor the egg were registered following two days of a snowstorm. The occurrence of KP individuals and/or breeding pairs recorded at the SSI, south of the historic range, suggests an incipient expansion of the species? distribution. Probable causes for this event include: 1) the emergence of new suitable breeding areas, as a consequence of environmental change, and 2) density-dependent factors, as a result of the population?s increase some individuals may mobilize in search of new breeding sites, possibly the youngest ones that have a higher migration rate. It cannot be dismissed that the presence of these individuals could be a result of an inexperienced breeding pair; however, reports of reproductive specimens in the area seem to be increasing. As there is insufficient evidence to recognize the causal mechanisms, it is essential to continue observing and distributing these kinds of events. Moreover, this type of report also helps to better understand species? life history strategies. Information provided by the agent in SIGEVAKey Words
YOUNG INDIVIDUALSFUTURE BREEDINGAPTENODYTES PATAGONICUSANTARCTICA