Effects of pre-laying attendance and body condition on long-term reproductive success in Wandering Albatrosses
M. Genevieve W. Jones A B and Peter G. Ryan A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa.
B Corresponding author. Email: mgenevievewjones@gmail.com
Emu 114(2) 137-145 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU12054
Submitted: 28 June 2012 Accepted: 5 August 2013 Published: 19 December 2013
Abstract
To conserve threatened species it is important to protect the most productive individuals in the population, yet there is little information on the characteristics that distinguish such individuals. Among experienced Wandering Albatrosses (Diomedea exulans), we show that current breeding performance is correlated with previous breeding success. By comparing birds with unproductive and productive breeding histories, we test whether we can differentiate more and less successful breeders based on body condition, arrival date and attendance at the colony during the pre-laying period. Males in pairs with successful reproductive histories were present in the colony for longer than unsuccessful males. Productive females spent more days with their mates, suggesting that time spent with partners may be indicative of long-term reproductive success. Overall, birds that bred in a given season arrived earlier and spent more time at the colony than those that deferred breeding. Individuals with better body condition arrived earlier and spent more time at the colony. Body condition was independent of year and may indirectly affect the capacity to breed through its influence on arrival date and pre-laying attendance. Body condition and pre-laying attendance (and indirectly climate and food availability), may influence reproductive success, differentiating more and less successful breeders.
References
Barbraud, C., and Weimerskirch, H. (2006). Antarctic birds breed later in response to climate change. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 103, 6248–6251.| Antarctic birds breed later in response to climate change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XktFamsLs%3D&md5=713efec30f6a35aa0550f3f9b55a877bCAS | 16601100PubMed |
Barbraud, C., and Weimerskirch, H. (2012). Estimating survival and reproduction in a quasi-biennial breeding seabird with uncertain and unobservable states. Journal of Ornithology 152, 605–615.
| Estimating survival and reproduction in a quasi-biennial breeding seabird with uncertain and unobservable states.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Berrow, S. D., Humpidge, R., and Croxall, J. P. (2000). Influence of adult breeding experience on growth and provisioning of Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans chicks at South Georgia. Ibis 142, 199–207.
| Influence of adult breeding experience on growth and provisioning of Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans chicks at South Georgia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Blackmer, A. L., Mauck, R. A., Ackerman, J. T., Huntington, C. E., Nevitt, G. A., and Williams, J. B. (2005). Exploring individual quality: basal metabolic rate and reproductive performance in storm-petrels. Behavioral Ecology 16, 906–913.
| Exploring individual quality: basal metabolic rate and reproductive performance in storm-petrels.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brooke, M. (2004). ‘Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World.’ (Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.)
Brown, M. E. (1996). Assessing body condition in birds. Current Ornithology 13, 67–135.
| Assessing body condition in birds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burns, J. G., and Ydenberg, R. C. (2002). The effects of wing loading and gender on the escape flights of Least Sandpipers (Calidris minutilla) and Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 52, 128–136.
| The effects of wing loading and gender on the escape flights of Least Sandpipers (Calidris minutilla) and Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chandler, R., and Mulvihill, R. S. (1992). Effects of age, sex, and fat level on wing loading in Dark-eyed Juncos. Auk 109, 235–241.
| Effects of age, sex, and fat level on wing loading in Dark-eyed Juncos.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chastel, O., Weimerskirch, H., and Jouventin, P. (1995). Influence of body condition on reproductive decision and reproductive success in the Blue Petrel. Auk 112, 964–972.
| Influence of body condition on reproductive decision and reproductive success in the Blue Petrel.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chaurand, T., and Weimerskirch, H. (1994). The regular alternation of short and long foraging trips in Blue Petrel Halobaena caerulea: a previously undescribed strategy of food provisioning in a pelagic seabird. Journal of Animal Ecology 63, 275–282.
| The regular alternation of short and long foraging trips in Blue Petrel Halobaena caerulea: a previously undescribed strategy of food provisioning in a pelagic seabird.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Clutton-Brock, T. H. (1988). ‘Reproductive Success. Studies of Individual Variation in Contrasting Breeding Systems.’ (University of Chicago Press: Chicago, IL.)
Cobley, N. D., Croxall, J. P., and Prince, P. A. (1998). Individual quality and reproductive performance in the Grey-headed Albatross Diomedea chrysostoma. Ibis 140, 315–322.
| Individual quality and reproductive performance in the Grey-headed Albatross Diomedea chrysostoma.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Coulson, J. C. (1968). Differences in the quality of birds nesting in the centre and on the edges of a colony. Nature 217, 478–479.
| Differences in the quality of birds nesting in the centre and on the edges of a colony.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Drent, R. H., and Daan, S. (1980). The prudent parent: energetic adjustments in avian breeding. Ardea 68, 225–252.
Forster, I. P., and Phillips, R. A. (2009). Influence of nest location, density and topography on breeding success in the Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris. Marine Ornithology 37, 213–217.
Fridolfsson, A.-K., and Ellegren, H. (1999). A simple and universal method for molecular sexing of non-ratite birds. Journal of Avian Biology 30, 116–121.
| A simple and universal method for molecular sexing of non-ratite birds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Froy, H., Phillips, R. A., Wood, A. G., Nussey, D. H., and Lewis, S. (2013). Age-related variation in reproductive traits in the Wandering Albatross: evidence for terminal improvement following senescence. Ecology Letters 16, 642–649.
| Age-related variation in reproductive traits in the Wandering Albatross: evidence for terminal improvement following senescence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23438213PubMed |
Gibson, J. D. (1967). The Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans): results of banding and observations in New South Wales coastal waters and the Tasman Sea. Notornis 14, 47–57.
Goutte, A., Angelier, F., Chastel, C. C., Trouvé, C., Moe, B., Bech, C., Gabrielsen, G. W., and Chastel, O. (2010). Stress and the timing of breeding: glucocorticoid-luteinizing hormones relationships in an Arctic seabird. General and Comparative Endocrinology 169, 108–116.
| Stress and the timing of breeding: glucocorticoid-luteinizing hormones relationships in an Arctic seabird.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtFGju7jM&md5=9e98b63aa777be3f2b4c8b97983002c9CAS | 20688061PubMed |
Green, A. J. (2001). Mass/length residuals: measures of body condition or generations of spurious results? Ecology 82, 1473–1483.
| Mass/length residuals: measures of body condition or generations of spurious results?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hayes, J. P., and Shonkwiler, J. S. (2001). Morphological indicators of body condition: useful or wishful thinking? In ‘Body Composition Analysis of Animals: A Handbook of Non-destructive Methods’. (Ed. J. R. Speakman.) pp. 8–38. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)
Højsgaard, S., Halekoh, U., and Yan, J. (2005). The R Package geepack for generalized estimating equations. Journal of Statistical Software 15, 1–11.
Huyvaert, K. P., Anderson, D. J., and Parker, P. G. (2006). Mate opportunity hypothesis and extrapair paternity in Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata). Auk 123, 524–536.
| Mate opportunity hypothesis and extrapair paternity in Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jones, M. G. W., Techow, N. M. S. M., and Ryan, P. G. (2012). Dalliances and doubtful dads: what determines extra-pair paternity in socially monogamous Wandering Albatrosses? Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 66, 1213–1224.
| Dalliances and doubtful dads: what determines extra-pair paternity in socially monogamous Wandering Albatrosses?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jouventin, P., Lequette, B., and Dobson, S. (1999). Age-related mate choice in the Wandering Albatross. Animal Behaviour 57, 1099–1106.
| Age-related mate choice in the Wandering Albatross.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 10328796PubMed |
Krebs, J. R., and Davies, N. B. (1993). ‘An Introduction to Behavioural Ecology’, 3rd edn. (Blackwell Science: Oxford, UK.)
Lack, D. (1968). ‘Ecological Adaptations for Breeding in Birds.’ (Methuen & Co: London.)
Lecomte, V. J., Sorci, G., Cornet, S., Jaeger, A., Faivre, B., Arnoux, E., Gaillard, M., Trouvé, C., Besson, D., Chastel, O., and Weimerskirch, H. (2010). Patterns of aging in the long-lived Wandering Albatross. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 107, 6370–6375.
| Patterns of aging in the long-lived Wandering Albatross.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXkslehsb8%3D&md5=d20284b8db22f31348ab499ef8ff48baCAS | 20308547PubMed |
Lequette, B., and Weimerskirch, H. (1990). Influence of parental experience on the growth of Wandering Albatross chicks. Condor 92, 726–731.
| Influence of parental experience on the growth of Wandering Albatross chicks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lewis, S., Wanless, S., Elston, D. A., Schultz, M. D., Mackley, E., Du Toit, M., Underhill, J. G., and Harris, M. P. (2006). Determinants of quality in a long-lived colonial species. Journal of Animal Ecology 75, 1304–1312.
| Determinants of quality in a long-lived colonial species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17032362PubMed |
Lewis, S., Nussey, D. H., Wood, A. G., Croxall, J. P., and Phillips, R. A. (2012). Intrinsic determinants of a population trend in timing of breeding in the Wandering Albatross. Oikos 121, 2061–2071.
| Intrinsic determinants of a population trend in timing of breeding in the Wandering Albatross.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mills, J. A. (1989). Red-billed Gull. In ‘Lifetime Reproduction in Birds’. (Ed. I. Newton.) pp. 387–404. (Academic Press: London.)
Møller, A. P., Brohede, J., Cuervo, J. J., de Lope, F., and Primmer, C. (2003). Extrapair paternity in relation to sexual ornamentation, arrival date, and condition in a migratory bird. Behavioral Ecology 14, 707–712.
| Extrapair paternity in relation to sexual ornamentation, arrival date, and condition in a migratory bird.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Møller, A. P., de Lope, F., and Saino, N. (2005). Reproduction and migration in relation to senescence in the Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica: a study of avian ‘centenarians’. Age 27, 307–318.
| Reproduction and migration in relation to senescence in the Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica: a study of avian ‘centenarians’.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23598664PubMed |
Moreno, J. (2003). Lifetime reproductive success in seabirds: interindividual differences and implications for conservation. Scientia Marina 67, 7–12.
Newton, I. (1989). ‘Lifetime Reproduction in Birds.’ (Academic Press: London.)
Owen, M., and Black, J. M. (1989). Barnacle Goose. In ‘Lifetime Reproduction in Birds’. (Ed. I. Newton.) pp. 349–362. (Academic Press: London.)
Pickering, S. P. C. (1989). Attendance patterns and behaviour in relation to experience and pair-bond formation in the Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans at South Georgia. Ibis 131, 183–195.
| Attendance patterns and behaviour in relation to experience and pair-bond formation in the Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans at South Georgia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Potts, G. R., Coulson, J. C., and Deans, I. R. (1980). Population dynamics and breeding success of the Shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis, on the Farne Islands, Northumberland. Journal of Animal Ecology 49, 465–484.
| Population dynamics and breeding success of the Shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis, on the Farne Islands, Northumberland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
R Development Core Team (2010). ‘R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing.’ (R Foundation for Statistical Computing: Vienna.) Available at http://www.R-project.org [Verified 1 December 2013].
Rønning, B., Moe, B., and Bech, C. (2005). Long-term repeatability makes basal metabolic rate a likely heritable trait in the Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata. Journal of Experimental Biology 208, 4663–4669.
| Long-term repeatability makes basal metabolic rate a likely heritable trait in the Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16326947PubMed |
Saurola, P. (1989). Ural Owl. In ‘Lifetime Reproduction in Birds’. (Ed. I. Newton.) pp. 327–345. (Academic Press: London.)
Schulte-Hostedde, A. I., Zinner, B., Millar, J. S., and Hickling, G. J. (2005). Restitution of mass-size residuals: validating body condition indices. Ecology 86, 155–163.
| Restitution of mass-size residuals: validating body condition indices.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shaffer, S. A., Weimerskirch, H., and Costa, D. P. (2001). Functional significance of sexual dimorphism in Wandering Albatrosses, Diomedea exulans. Functional Ecology 15, 203–210.
| Functional significance of sexual dimorphism in Wandering Albatrosses, Diomedea exulans.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Speakman, J. R. (2001). Introduction. In ‘Body Composition Analysis of Animals: A Handbook of Nondestructive Methods’. (Ed. J. R. Speakman) pp. 1–7 (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)
Stearns, S. C. (1992). ‘The Evolution of Life Histories.’ (Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.)
Tickell, W. L. N. (1968). Biology of the great albatrosses, Diomedea exulans and Diomedea epomophora. Antarctic Research Series 12, 1–55.
Tickell, W. L. N. (2000). ‘Albatrosses.’ (Pica Press: Sussex.)
Weimerskirch, H. (1990). The influence of age and experience on breeding performance of the Antarctic Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialoides. Journal of Animal Ecology 59, 867–875.
| The influence of age and experience on breeding performance of the Antarctic Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialoides.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weimerskirch, H. (1992). Reproductive effort in long-lived birds: age-specific patterns of condition, reproduction and survival in the Wandering Albatross. Oikos 64, 464–473.
| Reproductive effort in long-lived birds: age-specific patterns of condition, reproduction and survival in the Wandering Albatross.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weimerskirch, H., and Wilson, R. P. (2000). Oceanic respite for Wandering Albatrosses. Nature 406, 955–956.
| Oceanic respite for Wandering Albatrosses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXmtlKrurk%3D&md5=88a1f364a2e80a6045a884c8d407c5ccCAS | 10984040PubMed |
Weimerskirch, H., Lequette, B., and Jouventin, P. (1989). Development and maturation of plumage in the Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans. Journal of Zoology 219, 411–421.
| Development and maturation of plumage in the Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wendeln, H., and Becker, P. H. (1999). Effects of parental quality and effort in the reproduction of Common Terns. Journal of Animal Ecology 68, 205–214.
| Effects of parental quality and effort in the reproduction of Common Terns.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wooller, R. D., Bradley, J. S., Skira, I. J., and Serventy, D. L. (1989). Short-tailed Shearwater. In ‘Lifetime Reproduction in Birds’. (Ed. I. Newton.) pp. 405–417. (Academic Press: London.)
Yan, J. (2002). geepack: yet another package for generalized estimating equations. R-News 2/3, 12–14.
Yan, J., and Fine, J. P. (2004). Estimating equations for association structures. Statistics in Medicine 23, 859–874.
| Estimating equations for association structures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15027075PubMed |
Zuur, A. F., Ieno, E. N., Walker, N., Saveliev, A. A., and Smith, G. M. (2009). ‘Mixed Effects Models and Extensions in Ecology with R.’ (Springer: Berlin.)