Central place foraging and feather regrowth rate in bridled terns (Onychoprion anaethetus): an insight from stable isotopes
Aurélie M. T. Labbé A C , James N. Dunlop A B and Neil R. Loneragan A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Centre for Fish, Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems Research, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South St, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
B Conservation Council of Western Australia, 2 Delhi Place, West Perth, WA 6005, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: aurelie.mt.labbe@gmail.com
Marine and Freshwater Research 64(12) 1184-1191 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF12334
Submitted: 27 November 2012 Accepted: 31 May 2013 Published: 14 October 2013
Abstract
In this study, the stable isotope ratios of δ13C and δ15N of bridled terns’ (Onychoprion anaethetus) tail feathers were used to investigate changes in the food sources assimilated by the birds on Penguin Island, Western Australia, during different phases of the breeding season. Samples were taken immediately after they arrived on the island returning from migration (BM), before egg-laying (BEL), after egg-laying (AEL), after hatching (AH) and from fledglings (F). A one-way MANOVA (excluding the BM phase) and two one-way ANOVAs (including all phases), showed that the δ13C and δ15N values differed significantly between the stages of the breeding season, with the greatest differences between the BM and BEL stages. The mean δ13C values were higher and those for δ15N were lower for BM birds than all other stages, indicating that the food source assimilated by the birds, and their foraging locations, changed during the breeding season. These results support the hypothesis of the Central Place Foraging Theory, i.e. that adult breeding birds adjust their foraging strategies when they are bound to a central place to care for their young. Induced feathers were regenerated over ~70 days and their regrowth rates were similar before and after egg-laying.
Additional keywords: breeding season, convex hull area, optimal foraging, Penguin Island, rectrix, sea birds, south-western Australia, trophic niche parameter.
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