Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Moulting starvation in emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsten) chicks

  • Published:
Polar Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The moult fast in emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) chicks was studied during January 1990 at Drescher Inlet, eastern Weddell Sea. In early January feeding of the chicks had stopped and about 4,000–5,000 chicks were in the inlet. The number of starving chicks decreased rapidly until 26 January when all chicks had either left the inlet or died. Mean body mass loss of starving chicks was 257 g/day and the evaluated specific daily mass loss was 25 g/kg body mass. The critical body mass, i.e. the mass below which chicks die, during moulting starvation was estimated to be 4 kg. Mean body mass was higher and mass loss lower in chicks at more advanced moult stages. Chicks left the inlet before moult was completed, although the sea-ice was still stable.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams NJ, Brown CR (1990) Energetics of molt in penguins. In: Davis LS, Darby JT (eds) Penguin biology. Academic Press, San Diego, Calif., pp 297–315

    Google Scholar 

  • Barré H (1984) Metabolic and insulative changes in winter- and summer-acclimatized King penguin chicks. J Comp Physiol 1548:317–324

    Google Scholar 

  • Barré H (1986) Thermal adaptations in Subantarctic penguins during their passage to marine life. Oceanis 12:103–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown CR (1985) Energetic cost of moult in macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) and rockhopper penguins (E. chrysocome). J Comp Physiol 155B:515–520

    Google Scholar 

  • Budd GM (1962) Population studies in rookeries of the emperor penguin Aptenodytes forsteri. Proc Zool Soc, London 139:365–388

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherel Y, Le Maho Y (1985a) Metabolic investigations during the initial period of fasting in king penguin chicks. C R Acad Sci Paris (III) 300:541–544

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherel Y, Le Maho Y (1985b) Five months of fasting in king penguin chicks: body mass loss and fuel metabolism. Am J Physiol 249:R387-R392

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherel Y, Stahl JC, Le Maho Y (1987) Ecology and physiology of fasting in king penguin chicks. Auk 104:254–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherel Y, Robin JP, Walch O, Karmann H, Netchitailo P, Le Maho Y (1988a) Fasting in king penguin. I. Hormonal and metabolic changes during breeding. Am J Physiol 254:R170-R177

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherel Y, Leloup J, Le Maho Y (1988b) Fasting in king penguin. II. Hormonal and metabolic changes during molt. Am J Physiol 254: R178-R184

    Google Scholar 

  • Croxall JP (1982) Energy cost of incubation and moult in petrels and penguins. J Anim Ecol 51:177–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Culik B, Wilson RP (1991) Energetics of under-water swimming in Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae). J Comp Physiol B (in press)

  • Dewasmes G, Le Maho Y, Cornet A, Groscolas R (1980) Resting metabolic rate and cost of locomotion in long-term fasting emperor penguins. J Appl Physiol: Respirat Environ Exercise Physiol 49:888–896

    Google Scholar 

  • Groscolas R (1978) Study of molt fasting followed by an experimental forced fasting in the emperor penguin Aptenodytes forsteri: relationship between feather growth, body weight loss, body temperature and plasma fuel levels. Comp Biochem Physiol 61A:287–295

    Google Scholar 

  • Groscolas R (1982) Changes in plasma lipids during breeding, molting and starvation in male and female emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri). Physiol Zool 55:45–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Groscolas R (1986) Changes in body mass, body temperature and plasma fuel levels during the natural breeding fast in male and female emperor penguins Aptenodytes forsteri. J Comp Physiol 156B:521–527

    Google Scholar 

  • Groscolas R (1990) Metabolic adaptations to fasting in emperor and king penguins. In: Davis LS, Darby JT (eds) Penguin biology. Academic Press, San Diego Calif., pp 269–296

    Google Scholar 

  • Groscolas R, Rodriguez A (1981) Glucose metabolism in fed and fasted emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri). Comp Biochem Physiol 70A:191–198

    Google Scholar 

  • Jouventin P (1975) Mortality parameters in emperor penguins Aptenodytes forsteri. In: Stonehouse B (ed) The biology of penguins. Macmillan Press, London Basingstoke, pp 435–446

    Google Scholar 

  • Klages NTW, Gerdes D (1988) A little known colony of emperor penguins on the coast of the eastern Weddell Sea. S Afr J Antarct Res 18:18–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Klages NTW (1989) Food and feeding ecology of emperor penguins in the eastern Weddell Sea. Polar Biol 9:385–390

    Google Scholar 

  • Kooyman GL, Gentry RL, Bergman WP, Hammel HT (1976) Heat loss in penguins during immersion and compression. Comp Biochem Physiol 54A:75–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Kooyman GL, Croll D, Stone S, Smith S (1990) Emperor penguin colony at Cape Washington, Antarctica. Polar Rec 26:103–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Maho Y (1977) The emperor penguin: a strategy to live and breed in the cold. Am Sci 65:680–693

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Maho Y (1983) Metabolic adaptations to long-term fasting in Antarctic penguins and domestic geese. J Therm Biol 8:91–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Maho Y, Delclitte P, Chatonnet J (1976) Thermoregulation in fasting emperor penguins under natural conditions. Am J Physiol 231:913–922

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Ninan F, Cherel Y, Robin JP, Leloup J, Le Maho Y (1988) Early changes in plasma hormones and metabolites during fasting in king penguin chicks. J Comp Physiol 158B:395–401

    Google Scholar 

  • Nachtigall W, Bilo D (1980) Strömungsanpassung des Pinguins beim Schwimmen unter Wasser. J Comp Physiol 137A:17–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Prévost J (1961) Ecologie du Manchot empereur Aptenodytes forsteri Gray. Hermann, Paris, 204 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Robin JP, Cherel Y, Le Maho Y (1986) Fasting and proteic catabolism in Antarctic penguins. Oceanis 12:77–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Robin JP, Frain M, Sardet C, Groscolas R, Le Maho Y (1988) Protein and lipid utilization during long-term fasting in emperor penguins. Am J Physiol 254:R61-R68

    Google Scholar 

  • Spellerberg IF (1975) The predators of penguins. In: Stonehouse B (ed) The biology of penguins. Macmillan Press, London Basingstoke, pp 413–434

    Google Scholar 

  • Stonehouse B (1953) The emperor penguin Aptenodytes forsteri Gray. I. Breeding behaviour and development. Falkld Isl Depend Sur Sci Rep 6:1–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Stonehouse B (1964) Emperor penguins at Cape Crozier. Nature 203:849–851

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor JRE (1986) Thermal insulation of the down and feathers of pygoscelid penguin chicks and the unique properties of penguin feathers. Auk 103:160–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaucoulon P, Groscolas R, Barré H (1985) Photoperiodic and food control of moult in the juvenile king penguin. Comp Biochem Physiol 81A:347–351

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams AJ, Siegfried WR, Burger AE, Berruti A (1977) Body composition and energy metabolism of moulting eudyptid penguins. Comp Biochem Physiol 56A:27–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson EA (1907) Aves. In: Rep Brit Nat Antarct Exped (1901–1904). (Nat Hist Zool) 2 (2):1–31

  • Wilson RP (1985) The jackass penguin (Spheniscus demersus) as a pelagic predator. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 25:219–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Yeates GW (1975) Microclimate, climate and breeding success in Antarctic penguins. In: Stonehouse B (ed) The biology of penguins. Macmillan Press, London Basingstoke, pp 397–409

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung für Meereszoologie, Institut für Meereskunde der Universität Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, W-2300, Kiel, Germany

    Klemens Pütz

  2. Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Columbusstrasse, W-2850, Bremerhaven, Germany

    Joachim Plötz

Authors
  1. Klemens Pütz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joachim Plötz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pütz, K., Plötz, J. Moulting starvation in emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsten) chicks. Polar Biol 11, 253–258 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00238459

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00238459

Keywords

Search

Navigation