Impact of miniature geolocation loggers on a small petrel, the thin billed prion Pachtyptila belcheri

Quillfeldt, P., McGill, R.A.R. , Furness, R.W., Mostl, E., Ludynia, K. and Masello, J.F. (2012) Impact of miniature geolocation loggers on a small petrel, the thin billed prion Pachtyptila belcheri. Marine Biology, 159(8), pp. 1809-1816. (doi: 10.1007/s00227-012-1971-0)

Abstract

Effects of deployment of miniaturised transmitters and loggers have been studied mainly in diving seabirds such as penguins, and less so in flying seabirds. However, some studies of albatrosses and petrels recorded extended trip durations and elevated rates of nest desertion following device attachment, especially if transmitter loads exceeded 3 % of adult mass. Studies have usually compared performance parameters such as trip duration, meal mass, breeding success or rate of return in the next season between birds with devices and controls. We here examined the effects of geolocator loggers (Global Location Sensing, (GLS)) on thin-billed prions Pachyptila belcheri (130 g), by comparing performance parameters and additionally eco-physiological parameters. GLS weighed ca. 1 % of the body mass, and were fixed on leg rings, which may influence the flight efficiency by creating an asymmetric load. We found no differences in the performance parameters, either in the season of attachment or the season following recovery. Similar stable isotope ratios in adult blood and feather samples further indicated that the foraging ecology was not influenced. However, after 1 year of logger deployment, adults differed in their hormonal response to stress: while baseline corticosterone levels were not influenced, corticosterone levels in response to handling were elevated. Moreover, increased heterophil/lymphocyte ratios and a decreased tail growth in winter suggest that carrying the GLS was energetically costly, and adults adapted physiologically to the higher work load, while keeping up a normal breeding performance.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McGill, Dr Rona and Furness, Professor Robert
• Authors: Quillfeldt, P., McGill, R.A.R., Furness, R.W., Mostl, E., Ludynia, K., and Masello, J.F.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Marine Biology
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• ISSN: 0025-3162
• ISSN (Online): 1432-1793
• Published Online: 06 June 2012