New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
Seasonal variation in survival, weights, and population counts of blue penguins (Eudyptula Minor) in Otago, New Zealand
Edda Johannesen*
Harald Steen*†
University of Otago
Department of Zoology
P.O. Box 56
Dunedin, New Zealand
*Author for correspondence
Lyndon Perriman
Department of Conservation
Box 5244, Moray Place
Dunedin, New Zealand
*Present address: University of Oslo, Department of Biology, Div. of Zool. Box 1050 – Blindern 0316 Oslo, Norway.
Abstract To estimate the cost of moulting on blue penguin survival we conducted a 17-month mark recapture study. We used a round-up trap set at sunset to catch penguins returning from the sea to their burrows. Survival and density were modelled using capture-recapture models. We found that survival was lower in the post-moult months compared with the rest of the year. No mortality was found during the period from egg laying to chick fledging. The peak of the breeding season was the time when the population size could be estimated most accurately. However, 3 trapping nights seems to be too low for reliable population size estimation. From a subsample of the captured penguins we found weights similar to those recorded previously for this species in Otago.
Keywords blue penguins; Eudyptula minor; blue penguin survival; blue penguin density estimation; conservation; survival cost of moulting
Z01031 Received 3 August 2001; accepted 11 April 2002; published 9 September 2002
New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2002, Vol. 29: 213–219
0301–4223/02/2903–0213 $7.00/0 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2002
PDF file of entire paper: Print-quality (132K) | screen-quality (69K)
This year's abstracts |
Journal home page |
All abstracts |
Publishing home page
