Long-term decline in egg size of Atlantic puffins Fratercula arctica is related to changes in forage fish stocks and climate conditions

Barrett, Robert T.; Nilsen, Erlend B.; Anker‐Nilssen, Tycho

doi:10.3354/meps09813

Cited by 22 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The size of some species may also change over time, independent of age-related changes (Sheridan and Bickford 2011;Barrett et al 2012;Tomassini et al 2014), making older discriminant functions obsolete or older measurements incompatible with newer functions, though the variance introduced by this directional change is likely inconsequential.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Sexual size dimorphism and discriminant functions for predicting the sex of Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica)

et al. 2016

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Assortative mating is an important aspect of mate choice, especially in species where both sexes express ornamentation. Such ornaments could function as signals of individual quality and could result in individuals mating with partners of similar quality. We tested for assortative mating by measuring 63 pairs of Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) at two Canadian colonies (Gull Island, Witless Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador; and Machias Seal Island, New Brunswick), and constructed a function to predict the sex of puffins from Witless Bay. Male and female puffins have similar plumage, and both sexes have fleshy rosettes at the base of their bill, which are supposedly ornaments. We also examined changes in measurements over time in 5-30-year-old puffins recaptured at Machias Seal Island. Our discriminant function correctly predicted the sex of 88 % of puffins from Witless Bay. Overall, males were larger than females in all measurements, but within pairs, some females were larger in 4-27 % of individual measurements. We found no evidence of positive assortative mating or of assortative mating by rosette size, and rosette area did not increase with age. The importance of puffins' rosettes as indicators of quality requires further investigation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Sexual size dimorphism and discriminant functions for predicting the sex of Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica)

et al. 2016

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“…The quantity and quality of food availability prior to egg laying can influence the clutch and egg sizes of several seabird species (Sorensen et al 2009, Blight 2011, Barrett et al 2012, Kouwenberg et al 2013. Our analyses suggest that large fluctuations in fisheries related food availability in this region has played a significant role in the changes in Herring Gull egg production (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…Changes in habitat variables have been correlated with a decline in reproductive success (Hipfner 2012), fledging recruitment (Wanless et al 2005), clutch size (Clifford and Anderson 2001), and egg size in marine birds (Blight 2011, Barrett et al 2012. Ultimately, these measures of productivity and reproductive success are linked to individual survival and overall population trends.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Second, because the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index has been shown to affect zooplankton abundance in the nearby Gulf of Maine (Conversi et al 2001), the NAO can be used as a measure of broad-scale climatic and environmental conditions for our study area (Hurrell and Deser 2009). Finally, local climatic variables, such as sea surface temperature (SST), may also affect the prey base for seabirds and impact egg laying (e.g., Barrett et al 2012). We predicted positive correlations between Herring Gull egg volume and fisheries landings, but we had no a priori expectations on the direction or magnitude of SST or NAO effects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Variability in egg size and population declines of Herring Gulls in relation to fisheries and climate conditions

Bennett¹,

Jamieson²,

Ronconi³

et al. 2017

ACE

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ABSTRACT. Changes in clutch and egg size in many avian species have been linked to seasonal variation, female physiological state, and laying date during breeding season. These reproductive variables have also been linked to population status and habitat variables. Recent declines in Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) populations in the Atlantic region may be associated with environmental changes, fishery activities, or natural species interactions and fluctuations. We studied variability and trends in Herring Gull egg, clutch, and population size at a cluster of three islands of the Grand Manan Archipelago in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. A generalized linear model investigating variability in Herring Gull egg volume over a 28-year period (1988 to 2015) showed increasing egg volume since a low in 2000, significant positive correlations with regional fisheries landings, and weak interactions with sea surface temperature and the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index. Herring Gull egg size decreased by 11.6% from 1988 to 2000, but both egg size and clutch size have increased significantly since 2001. A 2015/2016 population estimate of the three islands showed a 36% decline in Herring Gull numbers since 2001. Changes in annual and seasonal availability of various fishery related food sources, specifically decreasing Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) and groundfish landings and increasing American lobster (Homarus americanus) landings, may be linked to these increases in reproductive variables. However, it appears that other factors may be influencing the declining gull population because despite increased availability of alternative food sources and increased clutch size and egg volume, there has been no documented increase in abundance. Interspecific interactions, anthropogenic activities, and climatic variability may also have a role in these population dynamics. Variabilité de la taille des oeufs et baisse des populations chez le Goéland argenté en relation avec la pêche commerciale et les conditions climatiquesRÉSUMÉ. Les changements dans la taille des oeufs et de la ponte chez plusieurs espèces d'oiseaux ont été associés aux variations saisonnières, à l'état physiologique des femelles et à la date de ponte pendant la saison de nidification. Des diminutions récentes des populations de Goélands argentés (Larus argentatus) dans la région de l'Atlantique seraient peut-être liées à des changements environnementaux, aux activités de pêche ou aux interactions et fluctuations naturelles des espèces. Nous avons étudié la variabilité et la tendance de la taille des oeufs, de la ponte et des populations dans un groupe de trois îles dans l'archipel de Grand Manan dans la baie de Fundy, Canada. Un modèle linéaire généralisé conçu pour examiner la variabilité du volume des oeufs de ce goéland sur une période de 28 ans (1988 à 2015) a révélé un volume croissant depuis un minimum atteint en 2000, une corrélation positive significative avec les débarquements de pêche commerciale régionale et de faibles interactions avec la ...

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“…Similarly, clutch and egg-size of the omnivorous yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis decreased after closure of an open-air landfill that functioned as a ready food source for the species (Steigerwald et al 2015). Three longer-term studies of seabirds have also shown that declines in a preferred food base early in the egg-production period may cause declines in egg and/or clutch size over 3-9 decades (Mills et al 2008, Blight 2011, Barrett et al 2012).…”

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confidence: 99%

Ocean climate and egg investment in the black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla

Barrett¹,

Erikstad²,

Reiertsen³

2017

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Birds allocate substantial resources to their eggs during the laying period, resources also needed for other concurrent costly processes such as mate acquisition, nest building and site defence. Egg and clutch sizes may thus vary in response to food availability prior to egg-laying. We investigated the variation in egg and clutch size of black-legged kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla in a North Norwegian colony over a 33 yr period (1980-2012). There was considerable interannual variation in both egg-and clutch sizes but no temporal trends. To identify environmental conditions explaining the variation, we modelled egg size and number in relation to the influx of warm Atlantic Water (AW) into the Barents Sea and to the abundance of two of the kittiwakes' most preferred prey species. Most of the variation was explained by the volumes of Atlantic Water that flowed into the Barents Sea in winter and autumn. Both had a negative effect on egg investment. There was also a smaller, positive effect on egg investment of AW inflow (and capelin numbers for clutch size) immediately prior to egg-laying. The negative impact of an increased influx of AW on kittiwakes may be partly due to the resulting warming of the waters forcing a more northerly distribution of capelin beyond the foraging range of the kittiwakes at the colony or to changes at different trophic levels that are detrimental to kittiwake forage fish ecology. A further warming of the Barents Sea through climate change is thus forecast to be detrimental for the kittiwake.

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Long-term decline in egg size of Atlantic puffins Fratercula arctica is related to changes in forage fish stocks and climate conditions

Abstract: Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherMean volume of Norwegian puffin eggs (y-axis, 60-68 ml) have decreased at 2 widely separated colonies over a 32-yr period .

Cited by 22 publications

References 43 publications

Sexual size dimorphism and discriminant functions for predicting the sex of Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica)

Sexual size dimorphism and discriminant functions for predicting the sex of Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica)

Variability in egg size and population declines of Herring Gulls in relation to fisheries and climate conditions

Ocean climate and egg investment in the black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla

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