Ecologia reprodutiva de Catharacta Lonnbergi na ilha Elefante, arquipélago das Shetlands do Sul - Antártica

Abstract

Large scale patterns, as climate and resources show time fluctuations, what can influence individuals phenology and reproductive success. On a smaller scale, factors like adult quality, nest composition and location are also important to reproductive success. We aim to describe and evaluate Brown Skua phenology and reproductive success at Elephant Island, South Shetlands, and to evaluate how some nests characteristics can influence those factors fluctuations. Data were collected at 2009/10 and 2010/11 reproductive seasons at Stinker Point, Elephant Island, where 37 and 40 reproductive pairs were monitored each season. Laying and hatching date, number of chicks and eggs were recorded each nest visit. Nests and other seabird colonies (resources) location were recorded using a handheld GPS receiver. Distances of the nests to resources and to the nearest neighbor (NND) were calculated by means of Arcgis software. Nest components proportion (mosses, lichens and rocks) were obtained through photo classification at Envi software. There is no pattern on egg laying date and reproductive success in relation to nest components. Mean egg laying date were at early December. Reproductive success differed between seasons (χ2=20,25 P<0,001) and chick survival probability varied according to laying order (Nagelkerke R²=0.137 P=0,01), being higher at December both seasons (Nagelkerke R²= 0.137 P= 0,01). Reproductive success was related to the distance from nests to Pygoscelis antarctica breeding colonies at 2009/10 (Nagelkerke R2=0,20 P=0,03) and 2010/11 (Nagelkerke R²=0.177 P=0,02). NND were negatively correlated to chick survival (Nagelkerke R2=0,30 P=0,02). Egg laying date did not differ according to NND neither according to nest distance from other seabirds breeding colonies. We found a lower chick survival probability at nests closer to recourses, what differ from what is described at literature, nevertheless, two factors observed could explain this pattern, which are: nests located near to resources are found to be densely distributed, what increases competition and conspecific predation; social information access, based on egg laying date, results on a higher nests concentration and consequently on different chick survival probabilities.