**Abstract:**

The ability of individuals and populations to adapt to a changing climate is a key determinant of population dynamics. While changes in mean behaviour are well studied, changes in trait variance have been largely ignored, despite being assumed to be crucial for adapting to a changing environment. As the ability to acquire resources is essential to both reproduction and survival, changes in behaviours that maximize resource acquisition should be under selection. Here, using foraging trip duration data collected over 7 years on black-browed albatrosses (Thalassarche melanophris) on the Kerguelen Islands in the southern Indian Ocean, we examined the importance of changes in the mean and variance in foraging behaviour, and the associated effects on fitness, in response to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Using double hierarchical models, we found no evidence that individuals change their mean foraging trip duration in response to a changing environment, but found strong evidence of changes in variance. Younger birds showed greater variability in foraging trip duration in poor conditions as did birds with higher fitness. However, during brooding, birds showed greater variability in foraging behaviour under good conditions, suggesting that optimal conditions allow the alteration between chick provisioning and self-maintenance trips. We found weak correlations between sea surface temperature and the ENSO, but stronger links with sea-level pressure. We suggest that variability in behavioural traits affecting resource acquisition is under selection and offers a mechanism by which individuals can adapt to a changing climate. Studies which look only at effects on mean behaviour may underestimate the effects of climate change and fail to consider variance in traits as a key evolutionary force.

**Authors:**

Samantha Patrick¹, Julien Martin², Caroline Ummenhofer³, Alexandre Corbeau⁴, Henri Weimerskirch⁴

¹University of Liverpool, ²University of Ottawa, ³WHOI, ⁴CEBC-CNRS

Does personality mediate the reproductive consequences of broad-scale climate phenomena?

**Abstract:**

Competition for high quality breeding sites in colonial seabird species is often intense, such that individuals may invest considerable time in site occupancy even outside of the breeding season. The site defence hypothesis predicts that site occupancy should be positively correlated with breeding phenology and success such that more successful sites are occupied earlier and/or more frequently. However, few studies have related non-breeding season attendance and subsequent breeding performance. Therefore, our understanding of the potential life-history benefits of this behaviour are limited. To address this, we used time-lapse photography to record the non-breeding attendance of >80 pairs of common guillemots, Uria aalge, breeding on the Isle of May, Scotland. Images were taken of sites every 15 minutes for three non-breeding seasons (start of October to end of March). We then recorded the time spent at each site, each day, each non-breeding season. We then followed breeding phenology and success at each site in the subsequent breeding season. Attendance at sites began in late October with sites gradually be attended more frequently and for longer until almost all sites were occupied for all daylight hours just prior to the breeding season (end March). We found that higher quality sites were occupied earlier and more often. Sites occupied more often had significantly earlier lay dates, and those occupied earlier were more successful, supporting the site defence hypothesis. These clear effects of non-breeding attendance on breeding timing and success highlight the potential fitness benefits of this behaviour on key life-history processes such a breeding.

**Authors:**

Sophie Bennett¹, Mike Harris¹, Sarah Wanless¹, Jonathan Green², Mark Newell¹, Kate Searle¹, Francis Daunt¹

¹UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, ²University of Liverpool

Colony attendance of common guillemots during the non-breeding season

**Abstract:**

Albatross are typically regarded as adapted to almost effortless aerial travel, with morphology and physiology facilitating an extreme ocean-wandering lifestyle but restricting their effectiveness below water to shallow dives at most. While few in number, depth recorder studies of albatross are consistent with this notion, suggesting that as a group they are very shallow divers, with about 7m the record diving depth of any species. However, informal observations of submergence times for BBA (Catry per obs) suggested that, in a Falklands population of this species at least, the picture may be more complex. We therefore conducted precision combined telemetry deployments (depth recorder, accelerometer, GPS) on BBA breeding on New Island in the western Falkands to investigate the details of foraging behaviour. In a sample of 27 breeding birds on foraging excursions during brood guard we found that the mean maximum diving depth was, surprisingly, around 11.2 m, with every individual diving to at least 2.9 m, 15 individuals diving > 10 m, and the single maximum dive depth recorded at around 20 m. Deeper dives were correspondingly long in duration, with a mean max submergence of about 50 seconds. These deep dives are relatively rare occurrences, but are widespread across individuals and show significant bottom-time features suggesting active pursuit of prey. Our findings suggest that the diving physiology of albatross may need to be reconsidered.

**Authors:**

Tim Guilford¹, Oliver Padget¹, Louise Maurice², Paulo Catry³

¹Oxford University, ²British Geological Survey, ³ISPA ? Instituto Universitário

Widespread but infrequent deep diving in a mollymawk albatross

**Abstract:**

Background. Humboldt penguin (Sphenisuc humboldti) is consider as a protected species worldwide and also in Peru. Anthropic activities can alter the behavior of penguins at physiological and hormonal levels, and can cause negative effects during their breeding season. In this research, the objectives were to examine the differences between the behavior of penguin in relation with the marine anthropic activities, and to analyze the alert and flushed behavior in relation with the distance approach and with the size group. Methods. Two islands on the center of the Peruvian coast were visited in 2018 -2019 during the non-breeding season of Humboldt penguins. Marine anthropic activities test considers the type of marine activity (jet ski, kayak, compressor-diving, tourism boat, fishing with string), the approach distance (20, 30, 50, 80 and 100 m) and the group size. The behavioral response of penguins was categorized in non-reacting, alert and flushed. Results. The type of marine anthropic activity, the approach distance and their interaction had influence on the behavior of the Humboldt penguins. Jet ski and compressor-diving were the most disturbing activities with 80 % and 15 % of reactions registered from 100 m away the colony respectively, while kayak and fishing with string were less disturbing. At distances of 50 m away, all activities caused more than 50 % of reactions. Conclusion. This study shows the relation between the distance approach and the percentage of reactions of alert and flushed of Humboldt penguins. Different anthropic activities can cause different reactions. It´s important to analyze the context on each reproductive site of Humboldt penguin to have a better management of the marine area.

**Authors:**

Cinthia Irigoin-Lovera¹, Maite Arangüena Proaño¹, Diego Gonzales-Del Carpio¹, Carlos Zavalaga Reyes¹

¹Universidad Cientifica del Sur

The effect of marine anthropic activities on the behavior of Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) in two guano islands of Peru

**Abstract:**

Species migratory behaviour and preferences in oceanic habitats respond to dynamic changes in their environment, they will adapt their foraging strategies which can impact predator-prey relationships, displace other species, change species range or alter their annual cycle. Wedge-tailed shearwaters Ardenna pacifica are a migratory procellariiform found throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans, utilising a variety of tropical and sub-tropical habitats and breeding across a wide latitudinal range that recently has been extending poleward. Information on their diet, niche breadth and habitat utilisation has not been well-documented for populations at their southern-most extent, with limited information of this species from temperate south-eastern Australia. Wedge-tailed shearwaters were tracked over a three-year period across two distinct latitudinal breeding colonies (temperate versus sub-tropical) from south-eastern Australia, with both populations showing high-levels of winter site-fidelity and dietary consistency. This was not the case during the breeding phase, with clear habitat partitioning exhibited with the temperate population targeting an area much further south on or near the sub-tropical frontal zone (STFZ). The results identified a staging trip just prior to their northern migration down to the STFZ for all three years for the temperate population and less predictably for the sub-tropical population. The analysis from feather stable isotopes revealed different foraging strategies exhibited during the breeding phase with a degree of trophic δ15N and habitat δ13C variation. The results from this study, show clear habitat partitioning occurred between populations and a high degree of plasticity between years.

**Authors:**

Penny Beaver¹, Mary-Anne Lea¹, Nicholas Carlile²

¹University of Tasmania, ²NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet

A comparative study of a temperate and subtropical, small procellariiform, the Wedge-tailed shearwater Ardenna pacifica in southeastern Australia

**Abstract:**

Gulls are one of the very few avian taxa to occur on all continents, and many species have adapted remarkably well to living alongside humans in urban environments. Paradoxically, many of these species continue to experience overall population declines, even as urban-nesting populations grow. In this talk, we will present details about several gull species that occupy the Pacific coast of North America: Glaucous-winged (Larus glaucescens), Western (L. occidentalis), Herring (L. argentatus), Mew (L. canus), and Heermann's (L. heermanni). Drawing on six years of field work across Canada and the US, we will compare and contrast the urban ecologies of these species with those of their declining, non-urban conspecifics. Nest site demographics, as well as colony density, nest fidelity, and reproductive success figures will be presented. We will also discuss several spatial models that we have developed to predict urban-nesting behaviour in these species. As urban-nesting becomes more commonplace, a host of new human-wildlife conflicts can arise, as well as many exciting conservation opportunities. These issues and ideas demand a deeper knowledge of the breeding ecology of urban gulls, and our work represents another step toward this.

**Authors:**

Edward Kroc¹, Louise Blight²

¹University of British Columbia, ²Procellaria Research & Consulting

Urban gulls of the Pacific coast of North America: Balancing wildlife conflict concerns with the protection of urban breeding sites

**Abstract:**

The two species of yellow-nosed albatross, Atlantic (Thalassarche chlororhynchos) and Indian (Thalassarche carteri), are morphologically similar, however, they show some differences in behaviour and breeding range. We studied genetic variation within and among the two species using nuclear (microsatellite, Pema7 and Occa9) and mitochondrial (control region) markers. We analysed 201 samples of Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross from Nightingale, Inaccessible and Gough Islands and 33 samples of Indian yellow-nosed albatross from Amsterdam Island. Both sets of markers differentiated the two species. Microsatellite and Occa9 nuclear markers revealed two genetically distinct groups within Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross, grouping birds from Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands together and separating birds from Gough Island. Differences in at-sea distribution might have resulted in genetic differentiation within Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross, but there is no evidence currently of such differences. Both species are listed as endangered due to their limited number of breeding sites and threats from introduced diseases, introduced predators and fishing mortality. Our results contribute to conservation and management plans for the two species, and suggest the need for separate management of the two genetically distinct groups of Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross breeding at the Tristan group (80%) and Gough Island (20%). Key words: yellow-nosed albatross, genetic variation, microsatellite, nuclear marker

**Authors:**

Dilini Abeyrama¹, Zach Dempsey¹, Peter Ryan², Theresa Burg¹

¹University of Lethbridge, ²FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology

Speciation and population differentiation in yellow-nosed albatrosses

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that infects most warm-blooded organisms, including humans and causes the infectious disease, Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma gondii is transmitted to humans through consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked meats. While it is transmitted to grazing animals through consumption of feed and/or water contaminated with T. gondii in cat feces. Toxoplasmosis can cause humans and animals alike to have miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital defects, and other clinical symptoms. Currently, there is no widespread vaccine or treatment for T. gondii in sheep and goats. Therefore, once identified it is necessary that preventative mechanisms are taken. Hence, the objective of this study was to test for T. gondii in lambs found on Delaware State University’s Hickory Hill farm. To identify T. gondii, blood samples were collected from 15 lambs and the white blood cells separated, isolated, and stored at –80 oC for further processing. After isolation, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from the white blood cells of each animal and used to conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a surface antigen one (SAG-1) gene specific forward and reverse primer to amplify the T. gondii gene. After PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis was conducted to fractionate the gene of interest by size and allow for visualization. Data indicated that none of the 15 lambs tested were positive for T. gondii at Hickory Hill Farm as the SAG-1 gene was not present. Under the conditions of this study, it can be concluded that T. gondii parasite is not present on the farm.

Identification of Toxoplasma gondii in Katahdin Lambs

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Meat Goats at Hickory Hill Farm Odell Ozbay1 , Mariline Hilaire2 , Kwame Matthews, Ph.D.2 1 Smyrna High School, Smyrna DE 19938 2Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Delaware State University, Dover, DE 19901 Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protozoan found in animals and is the cause of the infection known toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is highly transmissible and affects a variety of animals from birds to cattle, sheep, goats and even humans. This disease causes symptoms such as blindness, abortion, mumification, pneumonia, severe body pain, headache, and damage to the nervous system. It is important to detect T. gondii early on so it can be treated or controlled to reduce farm production losses. The goal of this project was to test for Toxoplasma gondii in goats found on Delaware State University’s Hickory Hill farm. To identify T. gondii, whole blood samples were collected individual from 15 goats and the white blood cells separated from red blood cells, isolated and stored at –80 oC. Secondly, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from the white blood cells of each goat to conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thirdly, PCR was conducted using a surface antigen one (SAG-1) gene specific forward and reverse primer to amplify the T. gondii gene. Lastly, gel electrophoresis was conducted to separate the gene of interest by size and allow for visualization under UV light. Data indicated that none of the 15 goats tested were positive for T. gondii as the SAG-1 gene was not present. Under the conditions of this study, it can be concluded that PCR was an accurate method for the detection of T. gondii parasites and none of the goats tested were positive for the parasite. Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, goat, abortion, white blood cell, PCR, SAG-1 gene Acknowledgements: We acknowledge CIBER Center for funding my internship and the Project Director, Dr. Venu Kalavacharla for providing this internship opportunity. Additionally, we acknowledge the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education Partnership Grant for funding the supplies used for this project.

Underline digital video library

Does personality mediate the reproductive consequences of broad-scale climate phenomena?

Colony attendance of common guillemots during the non-breeding season

Widespread but infrequent deep diving in a mollymawk albatross

The effect of marine anthropic activities on the behavior of Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) in two guano islands of Peru

A comparative study of a temperate and subtropical, small procellariiform, the Wedge-tailed shearwater Ardenna pacifica in southeastern Australia

Urban gulls of the Pacific coast of North America: Balancing wildlife conflict concerns with the protection of urban breeding sites

Speciation and population differentiation in yellow-nosed albatrosses

Identification of Toxoplasma gondii in Katahdin Lambs

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in meat goats at Hickory Hill Farm

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