Assimilation efficiency and growth of Rhinoceros Auklet chicks fed with Japanese Sand Lance and krill

Abstract

Abstract. The assimilation efficiency and growth of Rhinoceros AukletThe assimilation efficiency (corrected with nitrogen retention) of the sand lance-fed chicks (82.8 0.5 ) was significantly higher than the krill-fed chicks (76.6 0.6 ). During the experiment, daily mass increments of the sand lance-fed chicks were 11.0 4.7 (g/d, n 12) and of the krill-fed chicks 9.7 2.7 (g/d, n 14). Sand lance-fed chicks gained body mass significantly faster than did krill-fed chicks after controlling for the significant age effect. Krill may be inadequate for chick growth of the auklets due to the poorer lipid content, compared with sand lance.