Abstract: Stress exposure and stress response are likely to vary according to life history strategies and across environmental contexts. If the release of glucocorticoids (e.g. corticosterone, CORT) in response to acute stress enables animals to rightfully cope with the situation, chronic exposure to high CORT levels can lead to deleterious cascading effects on animal’s physiology, behavior and fitness. Some species may be more adapted to cope with stressful events than others and might exhibit natural adaptations to limit the adverse consequences of prolonged high CORT levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of experimentally elevated CORT levels on the growth, energetics and ageing of king penguin chicks (Aptenodytes patagonicus), using sub-cutaneous CORT implants. We investigated the effects of CORT both on the medium (23 days
after implant) and the long-term (fledging: ~ 200 days after the implant) on morphological (i.e. body mass and size), behavioral (i.e. aggressivity, physical activity) and physiological traits (i.e. heart rate, CORT response to acute stress, oxidative stress, mitochondrial density and telomere length). Although CORT-treated chicks were taller, more aggressive and displayed lower CORT response to acute stress on the medium-term, there was no significant impact of CORT on the body mass and whole-body energetics assessed through heart rate and physical activity. Moreover, CORT chicks displayed lower oxidized glutathione on the medium and long-term, thus indirectly preventing
oxidative damage, while telomere length and mitochondrial density were not influenced by CORT implants. Although chronic elevation of glucocorticoid levels is mostly known to result in negative physiological and behavioral outcomes, our results indicating some positive effects of CORT implants are consistent with the hypothesis that species who encounter several noxious stressors in their environment, could be naturally adapted to cope with them. The growth-enhancing effect of CORT might be mediated by a higher efficiency at which food is assimilated and/or used, and CORT chicks might benefit from aggressive behaviors during competitive interactions or predation
encounters. Through the antioxidant glutathione system, CORT treated chicks seem to have developed a resistance to oxidative stress that could last over time (i.e. possibly through a reduction
of ROS production). While CORT implants did not accelerate ageing or bring short and mediumterm costs, possible long lasting programming effects of CORT should be further investigated.

Abstract: We argue the need to improve climate change forecasting for ecology, and importantly, how to relate long-term projections to conservation. As an example, we discuss the need for effective management of one species, the emperor penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri. This species is unique amongst birds in that its breeding habit is critically dependent upon seasonal fast ice. Here, we review its vulnerability to ongoing and projected climate change, given that sea ice is susceptible to changes in winds and temperatures. We consider published projections of future emperor penguin population status in response to changing environments. Furthermore, we evaluate the current IUCN Red List status for the species, and recommend that its status be changed to Vulnerable, based on different modelling projections of population decrease of ?50% over the current century, and the specific traits of the species. We conclude that current conservation measures are inadequate to protect the species under future projected scenarios. Only a reduction in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions will reduce threats to the emperor penguin from altered wind regimes, rising temperatures and melting sea ice; until such time, other conservation actions are necessary, including increased spatial protection at breeding sites and foraging locations. The designation of large-scale marine spatial protection across its range would benefit the species, particularly in areas that have a high probability of becoming future climate change refugia. We also recommend that the emperor penguin is listed by the Antarctic Treaty as an Antarctic Specially Protected Species, with development of a species Action Plan.