Morphological measurements of Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica naumanni) in High-Arctic Greenland

Burnham, Kurt K.; Burnham, J. L.; Johnson, Jeff

doi:10.33265/polar.v39.5242

Cited by 7 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The colony has an estimated 15–35 pairs, with puffins arriving at the start of June and departing by mid-to-late September ([ 15 ]; K. Burnham unpubl. data).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The species is currently listed as vulnerable, with decreasing colony size and low breeding success reported for many European colonies (which constitutes 90% of all puffins) and the European population is predicted to decline by an estimated 50–79% between 2000 and 2065 [ 20 , 21 ]. Throughout their range the species demonstrates a clinal increase in body size from south to north, with individuals breeding in the far north significantly larger than those nesting farther south [ 15 , 18 , 22 ]. Additionally, despite an overlap in body sizes between sexes, the species is sexually dimorphic with males on average being heavier (mass) and larger (wing length, bill length, bill depth, etc.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, despite an overlap in body sizes between sexes, the species is sexually dimorphic with males on average being heavier (mass) and larger (wing length, bill length, bill depth, etc.) than females [ 15 , 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The high Arctic of northwest Greenland is home to the most northern population of puffins in the western North Atlantic with an estimated 150–250 pairs distributed among ~8 colonies ([ 15 , 29 ]; K. Burnham unpubl. data).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Puffins belonging to the naumanni subspecies in northwest Greenland are among the largest puffins documented, and are significantly larger (mass, bill, wing) than puffins in populations farther south in temperate and low Arctic areas [ 15 ]. However, extreme variation in body size exists both within and between sexes in this population when compared with more southern populations, and the largest males are over 50% heavier than the smallest females [ 15 ]. The reason(s) behind these differences are unknown, but environmental conditions may play an important role.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Migratory movements of Atlantic puffins Fratercula arctica naumanni from high Arctic Greenland

Burnham¹,

Burnham

Johnson

et al. 2021

PLoS ONE

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Although the Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica is well studied throughout its temperate and low Arctic breeding range, few have studied the species in its far northern distribution. This study is the first to present data on the migratory movements of the “large-billed” subspecies, F. a. naumanni, that breeds in the high Arctic and which has significantly larger body size than those farther south. During 2013–2015, migration tracks were collected from nine adult puffins (6 males and 3 females) tagged with geolocators in northwest Greenland. Overall, female puffins traveled farther than males on their annual migration, with one female puffin traveling over 13,600 km, which was nearly a third farther than any tagged male in our study. Differential migration was observed in migratory phenology and route, with males using a form of chain migration with acute synchrony between individuals while females appeared to largely use leap-frog migration and showed little synchrony between individuals. Extreme sexual segregation in wintering areas was evidenced by two females that migrated to the southern limit of the species’ range while the six males remained at the northern limit, and wintered along the sea ice edge during portions of the non-breeding season. Male puffins thus wintered in regions with sea surface temperatures up to 10° C cooler than female puffins, and in areas with generally colder sea surface temperatures when compared to previously known wintering areas of temperate and low Arctic puffin breeding populations. The degree to which body size enables male F. a. naumanni to remain in colder waters likely reflects differing life history constraints between sexes and populations (i.e., subspecies). Further study is warranted to investigate how recent changes in climate have further exacerbated the observed differences between sexes in high Arctic puffins and possibly other marine avian species.

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“…The colony has an estimated 15–35 pairs, with puffins arriving at the start of June and departing by mid-to-late September ([ 15 ]; K. Burnham unpubl. data).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Migratory movements of Atlantic puffins Fratercula arctica naumanni from high Arctic Greenland

Burnham¹,

Burnham

Johnson

et al. 2021

PLoS ONE

Self Cite

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Evidence of colony- and individual-level variation in habitat usage of Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica)

Cleasby,

Hughes,

Morrissey

et al. 2024

Mar Biol

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Complex population structure of the Atlantic puffin revealed by whole genome analyses

et al. 2021

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The factors underlying gene flow and genomic population structure in vagile seabirds are notoriously difficult to understand due to their complex ecology with diverse dispersal barriers and extensive periods at sea. Yet, such understanding is vital for conservation management of seabirds that are globally declining at alarming rates. Here, we elucidate the population structure of the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) by assembling its reference genome and analyzing genome-wide resequencing data of 72 individuals from 12 colonies. We identify four large, genetically distinct clusters, observe isolation-by-distance between colonies within these clusters, and obtain evidence for a secondary contact zone. These observations disagree with the current taxonomy, and show that a complex set of contemporary biotic factors impede gene flow over different spatial scales. Our results highlight the power of whole genome data to reveal unexpected population structure in vagile marine seabirds and its value for seabird taxonomy, evolution and conservation.

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Morphological measurements of Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica naumanni) in High-Arctic Greenland

Cited by 7 publications

References 36 publications

Migratory movements of Atlantic puffins Fratercula arctica naumanni from high Arctic Greenland

Migratory movements of Atlantic puffins Fratercula arctica naumanni from high Arctic Greenland

Evidence of colony- and individual-level variation in habitat usage of Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica)

Complex population structure of the Atlantic puffin revealed by whole genome analyses

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