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King penguins adjust their diving behaviour with age.

Maryline Le Vaillant¹, Rory P Wilson, Akiko Kato

¹Université de Strasbourg, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, 23 rue Becquerel, Strasbourg, France. evaillant.mary@gmail.com

The Journal of Experimental Biology

|October 12, 2012

Summary

Older king penguins are more efficient divers than younger ones, especially at greater depths. This age-related difference in diving performance is linked to increased drag in younger birds, possibly due to posture or plumage.

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Area of Science:

Marine biology
Animal physiology
Biomechanics

Background:

Diving efficiency in long-lived species is crucial for breeding success and fitness.
Physiological and mechanical traits determine marine animal diving efficiency.
Biomechanical performance, influenced by resource availability and depth, reflects diving efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate age-related variations in foraging and diving abilities in king penguins.
To compare the diving biomechanics of young and older king penguins.

Main Methods:

Deployment of accelerometers on young (5-year-old) and older (8/9-year-old) king penguins during two breeding seasons.
Quantification of body movement using partial dynamic body acceleration (PDBA) to estimate diving cost.
Analysis of age-specific differences in effort exertion relative to speed and depth.

Main Results:

Older penguins exerted more effort per speed during descent initially, while younger penguins worked harder at greater depths.
Younger penguins exhibited higher effort per unit speed throughout the ascent.
Increased drag coefficient in younger birds was identified as a key factor for increased swimming effort at depth.

Conclusions:

Older king penguins demonstrate superior diving efficiency, particularly at greater depths, compared to younger individuals.
Age-related differences in diving performance are attributed to factors such as drag coefficient, potentially influenced by posture, trajectory, or plumage condition in younger birds.
Experience and physiological adaptations likely contribute to the enhanced diving capabilities of older penguins.