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Camille Lemonnier. (2021). Coping with socially stressful environments in colonial seabirds: a test of adaptive phenotype programming in king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus).
Abstract: Group-living is associated with both fitness benefits and costs for animals. In seabird colonies, spatial heterogeneity in social density and other environmental parameters may affect the quality of breeding territories. For instance, in king penguins, increased conspecific density has been correlated with increased stress hormone levels and increased energy expenditure in individual birds, suggesting a cost of colonial breeding. We unravelled the influences of early (genetic and early maternal effects) and rearing environments on chick growth trajectories, stress physiology and survival. Our results suggest that the rearing social environment (rather than biological background) can influence chicks’ phenotype, growth and survival. Especially, chicks reared in high density areas of the colony showed increased weight gain and survival probabilities. These results suggest either a difference in terms of parental quality between individual breeding at high and low social densities or a difference in chick’s competitiveness due to their early life social environment.
Programme: 119
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Camille Moreau, Baptiste Le Bourg, Piotr Balazy, Bruno Danis, Marc Eléaume, Quentin Jossart, Piotr Kuklinski, Gilles Lepoint, Thomas Saucède, Anton Van de Putte, Loïc N. Michel. (2021). Trophic markers and biometric measurements in Southern Ocean sea stars (1985–2017) (Vol. 103).
Abstract: Sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) are a key component of Southern Ocean benthos, with 16% of the known sea star species living there. In temperate marine environments, sea stars commonly play an important role in food webs, acting as keystone species. However, trophic ecology and functional role of Southern Ocean sea stars are still poorly known, notably due to the scarcity of large-scale studies. Here, we report 24,332 trophic marker (stable isotopes and elemental contents of C, N, and S of tegument and/or tube feet) and biometric (arm length, disk radius, arm to disk ratio) measurements in 2,456 specimens of sea stars. Samples were collected between 12 January 1985 and 8 October 2017 in numerous locations along the Antarctic littoral and subantarctic islands. The spatial scope of the data set covers a significant portion of the Southern Ocean (47.717° S to 86.273° S; 127.767° W to 162.201° E; depth, 6–5,338 m). The data set contains 133 distinct taxa, including 72 currently accepted species spanning 51 genera, 20 families, and multiple feeding guilds/functional groups (suspension feeders, sediment feeders, omnivores, predators of mobile or sessile prey). For 505 specimens, mitochondrial CO1 genes were sequenced to confirm and/or refine taxonomic identifications, and those sequences are already publicly available through the Barcode of Life Data System. This number will grow in the future, as molecular analyses are still in progress. Overall, thanks to its large taxonomic, spatial, and temporal extent, as well as its integrative nature (combining genetic, morphological, and ecological data), this data set can be of wide interest to Southern Ocean ecologists, invertebrate zoologists, benthic ecologists, and environmental managers dealing with associated areas. Please cite this data paper in research products derived from the data set, which is freely available without copyright restrictions.
Keywords: Antarctica Asteroidea benthos biometric measurements Echinodermata elemental contents invertebrates marine ecosystems sea stars Southern Ocean stable isotopes subantarctic Islands
Programme: 1044
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Camille Moreau, Quentin Jossart, Bruno Danis, Marc Eléaume, Henrik Christiansen, Charlène Guillaumot, Rachel Downey, Thomas Saucède. (2021). The high diversity of Southern Ocean sea stars (Asteroidea) reveals original evolutionary pathways (Vol. 190). Bachelor's thesis, , .
Abstract: Benthic life in the Southern Ocean (SO) features unique life history traits and species assemblages, but the origin and evolution of many of these taxonomic groups is still unclear. Sea stars (Asteroidea) are a diversified and abundant component of benthic ecosystems in the SO, in which they can play key ecological roles. Former studies suggest that the diversity of the entire class is still poorly known and underestimated, hampering the assessment of the origin and evolution of the class in the SO. In the present study, we analyse spatial patterns of SO sea star diversity using an occurrence database of ~14,000 entries. The biogeographic analysis is coupled with the exploration of an extensive molecular phylogeny based on over 4,400 specimen sequences to inform, support and/or question the observed diversity patterns. We show that the current taxonomy of SO asteroids needs revision and that their diversity has generally been overlooked and misinterpreted. Molecular results highlight the recent diversification of most studied taxa, at genus and species levels, which supports an evolutionary scenario referring to successive invasion and exchange events between the SO and adjacent regions, and clade diversification during periods of rapid environmental changes driven by the succession of glacial cycles. Our work advocates for employing, and endorsing the use of extensive genetic barcode libraries for biodiversity studies.
Keywords: Antarctica Biodiversity COI mtDNA Echinodermata Evolution Phylogeography
Programme: 1044,1124
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Candice Michelot, Akiko Kato, Thierry Raclot, Yan Ropert-Coudert. (2021). Adélie penguins foraging consistency and site fidelity are conditioned by breeding status and environmental conditions (Vol. 16).
Abstract: There is a growing interest in studying consistency and site fidelity of individuals to assess, respectively, how individual behaviour shapes the population response to environmental changes, and to highlight the critical habitats needed by species. In Antarctica, the foraging activity of central place foragers like Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) is constrained by the sea-ice cover during the breeding season. We estimated the population-level repeatability in foraging trip parameters and sea-ice conditions encountered by birds across successive trips over several years, and we examined their foraging site fidelity linked to sea-ice concentrations throughout the chick-rearing season. Penguins’ foraging activity was repeatable despite varying annual sea-ice conditions. Birds’ site fidelity is constrained by both sea-ice conditions around the colony that limit movements and resources availability, and also behavioural repeatability of individuals driven by phenological constraints. Adélie penguins favoured sea-ice concentrations between 20–30%, as these facilitate access to open water while opening multiple patches for exploration in restricted areas in case of prey depletion. When the sea-ice concentration became greater than 30%, foraging site fidelity decreased and showed higher variability, while it increased again after 60%. Between two trips, the foraging site fidelity remained high when sea-ice concentration changed by ± 10% but showed greater variability when sea-ice concentrations differed on a larger range. In summary, Adélie penguins specialize their foraging behaviour during chick-rearing according to sea-ice conditions to enhance their reproductive success. The balance between being consistent under favourable environmental conditions vs. being flexible under more challenging conditions may be key to improving foraging efficiency and reproductive success to face fast environmental changes.
Keywords: Animal behavior Animal sexual behavior Animal sociality Birds Foraging Nesting habits Penguins Reproductive success
Programme: 1091
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Carlo Cauzzi, Susana Custódio, Christos P. Evangelidis, Giovanni Lanzano, Lucia Luzi, Lars Ottemöller, Helle Pedersen, Reinoud Sleeman. (2021). Preface to the Focus Section on European Seismic Networks and Associated Services and Products (Vol. 92).
Abstract: Most of the articles of this focus section serve as good examples in the open science domain, in which data are expected to be “findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable” (Wilkinson et al., 2016). In many contributions, emphasis is placed on quality: as automated access to seismological archives via standardized web services emerges as the preferred user strategy, ensuring the high quality of data and metadata becomes more and more important (e.g., Büyükakpınar et al., 2021; Cambaz et al., 2021; Carrilho et al., 2021; Evangelidis et al., 2021; Mader and Ritter, 2021; Ottemöller et al., 2021; Péquegnat et al., 2021; Stammler et al., 2021; Strollo et al., 2021). Quality is especially important at a time when very large datasets are increasingly being processed routinely and “blindly” in machine‐learning approaches. The vast majority of seismological data centers already manage multisensor archives (seismometers, accelerometers, infrasound, amphibian seismological instruments, high‐rate global navigation satellite systems, etc.), and the inclusion of new types of data (e.g., rotational sensors, low‐cost instrumentation, and synthetic waveforms) in seismological archives poses new challenges and prompts for new technical solutions and standards for data archiving, metadata preparation, quality checks, data dissemination, and processing. A particular challenge over the next few years (Quinteros, Carter, et al., 2021) is the upcoming massive growth of data volume, due in particular to new instruments (large‐N experiments and distributed acoustic sensing systems) but also to increased volumes of traditional seismic data. It is expected that multisensor experiments will progressively dominate the technical and scientific discussion in geosciences in the coming decade, spurred by the societal need to develop multidisciplinary, multihazard science and research products. Joining forces and competences is therefore key to addressing future challenges: the EarthScope Consortium was recently established in the United States, and the European Plate Observing System (EPOS) was created as the framework to integrate all geoscience services in the greater European region. ORFEUS and its seismic network community strongly support the development and consolidation of EPOS by participating in the activities of its thematic core service for seismology.
Programme: 133
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Casey Youngflesh, Yun Li, Heather J. Lynch, Karine Delord, Christophe Barbraud, Rubao Ji, Stephanie Jenouvrier. (2021). Lack of synchronized breeding success in a seabird community: extreme events, niche separation, and environmental variability (Vol. 130).
Abstract: Synchrony in ecological systems, the degree to which elements respond similarly over time or space, can inform our understanding of how ecosystems function and how they are responding to global change. While studies of ecological synchrony are often focused on within-species dynamics, synchrony among species may provide important insights into how dynamics of one species are indicative of conditions relevant to the larger community, with both basic and applied implications. Ecological theory suggests there may be conditions under which communities might exhibit increased synchrony, however, the degree to which these patterns are borne out in natural systems is currently unknown. We used long-term breeding success data from a community of Antarctic seabirds to assess the degree of interspecific, community synchrony, and the role that extreme events play in driving these dynamics. We assessed theoretical links between community synchrony, niche separation, and environmental variability using data from this and three other seabird communities as well as a simulation study. Results show that reproductive success for individual species in the Antarctic seabird community fluctuated relatively independently from one another, resulting in little synchrony across this community, outside of extreme years. While an exceptionally poor year for a given species was not necessarily associated with an exceptionally poor year for any other species, one community-wide extreme year existed. When compared to other seabird communities, this group of Antarctic seabirds exhibited lower overall synchrony and higher estimated niche separation, supporting theoretical predictions. Empirical and simulation-derived results suggest that communities where temporal variation is small for conditions in which species respond substantially differently, and large for conditions in which species respond similarly, may exhibit more synchronous dynamics. Identifying where and why synchronous dynamics might be more apparent has the potential to inform how ecological communities might respond to future global change.
Keywords: Antarctica environmental indicators extreme events global change niche separation synchrony
Programme: 109
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Céline Albert, Hálfdán Helgi Helgason, Maud Brault-Favrou, Gregory J. Robertson, Sébastien Descamps, Françoise Amélineau, Jóhannis Danielsen, Rune Dietz, Kyle Elliott, Kjell Einar Erikstad, Igor Eulaers, Alexey Ezhov, Michelle G. Fitzsimmons, Maria Gavrilo, Elena Golubova, David Grémillet, Scott Hatch, Nicholas P. Huffeldt, Dariusz Jakubas, Alexander Kitaysky, Yann Kolbeinsson, Yuri Krasnov, Svein-Håkon Lorentsen, Erlend Lorentzen, Mark L. Mallory, Benjamin Merkel, Flemming Ravn Merkel, William Montevecchi, Anders Mosbech, Bergur Olsen, Rachael A. Orben, Allison Patterson, Jennifer Provencher, Christine Plumejeaud, Isabeau Pratte, Tone Kristin Reiertsen, Heather Renner, Nora Rojek, Marc Romano, Hallvard Strøm, Geir Helge Systad, Akinori Takahashi, Jean-Baptiste Thiebot, Thorkell Lindberg Thórarinsson, Alexis P. Will, Katarzyna Wojczulanis-Jakubas, Paco Bustamante, Jérôme Fort. (2021). Seasonal variation of mercury contamination in Arctic seabirds: A pan-Arctic assessment (Vol. 750).
Abstract: Mercury (Hg) is a natural trace element found in high concentrations in top predators, including Arctic seabirds. Most current knowledge about Hg concentrations in Arctic seabirds relates to exposure during the summer breeding period when researchers can easily access seabirds at colonies. However, the few studies focused on winter have shown higher Hg concentrations during the non-breeding period than breeding period in several tissues. Hence, improving knowledge about Hg exposure during the non-breeding period is crucial to understanding the threats and risks encountered by these species year-round. We used feathers of nine migratory alcid species occurring at high latitudes to study bird Hg exposure during both the breeding and non-breeding periods. Overall, Hg concentrations during the non-breeding period were ~3 times higher than during the breeding period. In addition, spatial differences were apparent within and between the Atlantic and Pacific regions. While Hg concentrations during the non-breeding period were ~9 times and ~3 times higher than during the breeding period for the West and East Atlantic respectively, Hg concentrations in the Pacific during the non-breeding period were only ~1.7 times higher than during the breeding period. In addition, individual Hg concentrations during the non-breeding period for most of the seabird colonies were above 5 μg g−1 dry weight (dw), which is considered to be the threshold at which deleterious effects are observed, suggesting that some breeding populations might be vulnerable to non-breeding Hg exposure. Since wintering area locations, and migration routes may influence seasonal Hg concentrations, it is crucial to improve our knowledge about spatial ecotoxicology to fully understand the risks associated with Hg contamination in Arctic seabirds.
Keywords: Feathers Metal Polar Seasonal variation Top predators
Programme: 388
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Charlène Gémard, Thierry Aubin, Eliette L. Reboud, Francesco Bonadonna. (2021). Call rate, fundamental frequency, and syntax determine male-call attractiveness in blue petrels Halobaena caerulea (Vol. 75).
Abstract: In blue petrels (Halobaena caerulea), females are supposed to be particularly choosy and mate choice can take a couple of years. In these lifelong monogamous seabirds, choosing a good mate is crucial and has a strong influence on their fitness. Due to their nocturnal habits, the absence of sexual dimorphism, and the physical barrier between males calling from their burrow and females flying above the colony, vocal signals seem to be one of the main channels for males to communicate with potential mates. In a previous study, we investigated whether acoustic parameters of male calls carry information about morphological characteristics that might be indicators of males’ qualities. Here, we experimentally test whether these acoustic parameters linked to male characteristics are actually attractive to females. To do so, we played back modified calls of males to females in a colony of blue petrels of the Kerguelen archipelago. We found that flying females were more attracted by high-pitched calls, and by calls broadcasted at a high call rate. Previous studies showed a relationship between pitch and bill depth and length. In filter-feeding birds, such as blue petrels, bill morphology influences feeding efficiency. A high call rate is an indicator of sexual motivation and makes the caller easier to locate by potential mates and predators in the hubbub of the colony. We thus hypothesized that producing frequent high-pitched calls appeared to be preferable for a conspicuous sexual signaling although it may increase predation risks.
Programme: 354
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Charlène Gémard, Víctor Planas-Bielsa, Francesco Bonadonna, Thierry Aubin. (2021). Contextual variations in calls of two nonoscine birds: the blue petrel Halobaena caerulea and the Antarctic prion Pachyptila desolata (Vol. 32).
Abstract: Bird vocalizations are critical cues in social interactions as they convey temporary information varying with the social context, for example, the signaler motivation when facing a rival or a potential mate. To date, literature mainly focused on learning birds. Burrowing petrels (Procellariidae) are nonlearning birds with a limited vocal repertoire. Bachelor males communicate with conspecifics with a single call emitted in three situations: in the absence of a certain auditory (spontaneous calls), toward females (female-directed calls), and toward males (male-directed calls). We first hypothesized that, although the call structure is preserved, temporal and spectral parameters vary between the three call types of bachelor males, translating different motivations (Motivation Hypothesis). To go further, we hypothesized that acoustic variations in male-directed calls indicate the signaler’s aggressive motivation and, therefore, the variations are similar whether calls are produced by breeder or bachelor males (Breeding Status Hypothesis). We tested the two hypotheses performing field playback experiments on two petrel species: the blue petrel (Halobaena caerulea) and the Antarctic prion (Pachyptila desolata). Despite the obvious call stereotypy, we observed temporal variations and frequency shifts when males react to a female or a male, which may translate the sexual or aggressive motivation of the signaler. Furthermore, the similarity of variations in male-directed calls of both breeder and bachelor males suggests the aggressive motivation. So far, vocal plasticity in nonlearning birds has been greatly underestimated. Here, we highlighted the expression of different motivations through vocal variations and the ability to produce frequency variations in species with genetically coded vocalizations.
Programme: 354
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Charlène Guillaumot. (2021). Modelling the response of Antarctic marine species to environmental changes. Methods, applications and limitations. /// Modéliser la réponse des espèces marines antarctiques aux changements environnementaux. Méthodes, applications et limites. Bachelor's thesis, , .
Abstract: Parmi les outils qui permettent de mieux comprendre les systèmes naturels, la modélisation écologique a connu un essor particulièrement important depuis une vingtaine d’années. Les modèles écologiques, représentation simplifiée d’une réalité complexe, permettent de mettre en avant les facteurs environnementaux qui déterminent la niche écologique des espèces et de mieux comprendre leur réponse aux changements de l’environnement. Dans le cas des faunes marines antarctiques, la modélisation écologique fait face à plusieurs défis méthodologiques. Les jeux de données de présence des espèces sont très souvent agrégés dans le temps et dans l’espace, à proximité des stations de recherche. Ces données sont souvent trop peu nombreuses pour caractériser l’espace environnemental occupé par les espèces ainsi que leur physiologie. Enfin, les jeux de données environnementales manquent encore de précision pour finement représenter la complexité des habitats marins. Dans ces conditions, est-il possible de générer des modèles performants et justes à l’échelle de l’océan Austral ? Quelles sont les approches possibles et leurs limites ? Comment améliorer les méthodes afin de générer de meilleurs modèles ? Au cours de ce travail de thèse, trois types de modèles ont été étudiés et leurs performances évaluées. (1) Les modèles physiologiques de type DEB (Dynamic Energy Budget) simulent la manière dont l’environnement abiotique influe sur le métabolisme des individus et proposent une représentation de la niche fondamentale des espèces. (2) Les modèles de distribution d’espèces (SDMs pour Species Distribution Models) prédisent la probabilité de distribution des espèces en étudiant la relation spatiale entre données de présence et environnement. Ils proposent une représentation de la niche réalisée des espèces. Enfin (3), les modèles de dispersion de type lagrangien prédisent le mouvement de propagules dans les masses d’eau. Les résultats montrent que les modèles physiologiques réussissent à simuler les variations métaboliques des espèces antarctiques en fonction de l’environnement et à prédire les dynamiques de populations. Cependant, davantage de données sont nécessaires pour pouvoir caractériser finement les différences physiologiques entre populations et évaluer correctement les modèles. Les résultats obtenus pour les SDMs montrent que les modèles générés à l’échelle de l’océan Austral et leurs prédictions futures ne sont pas fiables du fait du manque de données disponibles pour caractériser l’espace occupé par les espèces, du manque de précision des scénarios climatiques futurs et de l’impossibilité d’évaluer les modèles. De plus, les modèles extrapolent sur une très grande proportion de l’espace projeté. L’apport d’information complémentaire sur les limites physiologiques des espèces (observations, résultats d’expériences, sorties de modèles physiologiques) permet de réduire l’extrapolation et d’augmenter la capacité des modèles à décrire la niche réalisée des espèces. L’agrégation spatiale des données, qui influençait les prédictions et l’évaluation des modèles a également pu être corrigée. Enfin, les modèles de dispersion ont montré un potentiel intéressant pour révéler le rôle des barrières géographiques ou à l’inverse, la connectivité spatiale, mais également le lien existant entre distribution, physiologie et histoire phylogénétique des espèces. Ce travail de thèse propose de nombreux conseils et fournit des codes annotés parfois sous forme de tutoriels, afin de constituer une aide utile aux futurs travaux de modélisation sur les espèces marines antarctiques.
Programme: 688,1044
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