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Sub-ice foraging behavior of emperor penguins
P J Ponganis1, R P Van Dam, G Marshall
1Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0204, USA. pponganis@ucsd.edu
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|October 12, 2000
Summary
Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) use shallow dives under ice to forage for fish. Crittercam technology revealed their sub-ice hunting strategies, showing successful prey capture despite shorter dive durations with the camera.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Animal Behavior
- Ecological Studies
Background:
- Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) are apex predators in Antarctic marine ecosystems.
- Understanding their foraging behavior is crucial for assessing their ecological role and vulnerability to environmental changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sub-ice foraging behavior of emperor penguins using Crittercam technology.
- To analyze dive profiles, prey capture success, and the importance of shallow dives in their foraging strategy.
Main Methods:
- Equipped three emperor penguins with Crittercam (remote underwater video cameras) and harnesses.
- Recorded video and depth profiles during 1-hour foraging dives from an isolated dive hole.
- Analyzed dive durations, depths, hunting ascents, and prey capture events.
Main Results:
- Penguins traveled at shallow depths (<50 m), ascending to the ice undersurface to feed on fish (Pagothenia borchgrevinki).
- Dive durations were 21-35% shorter with the camera, but foraging strategies remained similar.
- Prey capture success was 80% for dives >1 min, with 77% of hunting ascents resulting in captures.
Conclusions:
- Crittercam provides a valuable model for studying penguin foraging physiology and behavior.
- Shallow dives to the ice undersurface are a significant food source for emperor penguins during foraging trips.