The foraging behaviour of King Penguins under extreme climatic events

The sub-Antarctic region hosts rich waters created by the current systems originating from Antarctica meeting the warmer water of the tropics. The convergence of those two water masses, combined with the complex bathymetry of certain sub-Antactic regions, creates distinctive aquatic habitats where the marine fauna is abundant. However, these current systems are very sensitive to extreme climatic events, which have become more common with global warming. To understand how dramatic disturbances in the sub-Antarctic currents affect the marine wildlife, we will study the foraging behaviour of the king penguin, a seabird of the sub-Antarctic waters, in relation with climate. King penguins are top predators, meaning their foraging behaviour is highly affected by the lower trophic levels. By understanding how its behaviour (foraging location, foraging effort, etc.) changes in years of extreme climatic events, we could infer how the prey themselves (fish, squids, etc.) are affected by those climatic events. Furthermore, loggers attached to the penguins can give information real-time on the thermal gradients of the different water masses. King penguins would therefore provide us on how climate influences the trophic chain.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kyle Elliott

Student:

Partner:

Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Life Sciences (not health); Environmental Science and Technology; Aquaculture and Fishing

University:

McGill University

Program: