NEST DEFENSE OF NESTING CHINSTRAP PENGUINS (PYGOSCELIS-ANTARCTICA) AGAINST INTRUDERS

Citation
J. Vinuela et al., NEST DEFENSE OF NESTING CHINSTRAP PENGUINS (PYGOSCELIS-ANTARCTICA) AGAINST INTRUDERS, Ethology, 99(4), 1995, pp. 323-331
Citations number
38
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Zoology,"Behavioral Sciences",Zoology,"Behavioral Sciences
Journal title
ISSN journal
0179-1613
Volume
99
Issue
4
Year of publication
1995
Pages
323 - 331
Database
ISI
SICI code
0179-1613(1995)99:4<323:NDONCP>2.0.ZU;2-0
Abstract
We tested some predictions of parental investment theory by studying t he aggressive behaviour of colonial nesting chinstrap penguins (Pygosc elis antarctica) against human intruders into their nesting territorie s. We tested for differences in the aggressive behaviour of penguins a ccording to offspring age (eggs vs. chicks), offspring number, nest lo cation in the colonies (central vs. peripheral) and sex. Offspring age was the main factor influencing nest defence, although nest location and sex were also important. Chicks were defended more strongly than e ggs, in accordance with changes in the reproductive value of offspring , and this increase in aggressiveness was not related to revisitation of the same individuals. The level of aggression of penguins breeding in central sites was higher than that of peripheral birds, a differenc e that could be due to the lower residual reproductive value of centra l-nesting, probably older, birds. The stronger aggressiveness of males could be due to a combination of factors related to sexual selection and life-history traits. Offspring number did not affect the level of nest defence.