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How did the Great Auk raise its young?
A I Houston1, J Wood, M Wilkinson
1School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol, UK. A.I.Houston@Bristol.ac.uk
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
|August 11, 2010
Summary
The extinct Great Auk likely used an intermediate chick-rearing strategy, similar to its closest living relative, the Razorbill. This finding is based on time and energy budget models and phylogenetic comparisons.
Area of Science:
- Ornithology
- Paleontology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Extant auk species exhibit diverse chick-rearing strategies: precocial, intermediate, and semi-precocial.
- The specific chick-rearing strategy of the extinct Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) remains undetermined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the Great Auk's chick-rearing strategy using a novel combination of modeling and comparative analysis.
- To determine if the Great Auk followed a precocial, intermediate, or semi-precocial strategy.
Main Methods:
- Development and application of a time and energy budget model for chick rearing.
- Phylogenetic comparison with extant auk species, particularly the Razorbill (Alca torda).
Main Results:
- Time and energy budget modeling suggests the Great Auk could have employed an intermediate strategy.
- A semi-precocial strategy is plausible within a limited parameter range.
- Phylogenetic analysis indicates a precocial strategy is unlikely for the Great Auk.
Conclusions:
- The Great Auk most likely utilized an intermediate chick-rearing strategy.
- This strategy aligns with that of its presumed closest extant relative, the Razorbill.
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