Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin, 1964. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Bibliography: leaves 168-170.

No description available.

Thesis (M.I.N.C.) -- Lincoln University, 2009. / Also available via the World Wide Web.

The distribution and subsequent availability of marine predators’ prey is highly variable and is linked to fluctuating oceanographic parameters. It is well documented that annual breeding success of seabirds is related to the temporal availability of prey. Knowledge of a seabird’s diet and at sea distribution is therefore critical in deducing the effect of a fluctuating environment on a seabirds’ population and, furthermore, to understand seabirds role in the environment. The gentoo penguin population at sub-Antarctic Marion Island experienced a decline of 52% between 1994 and 2012. It has been speculated that long term changes in the local marine environment, due to a southward shift of the sub-Antarctic Front (SAF), and subsequent changes in prey availability is the ultimate causal factor. Therefore, this thesis investigates the temporal variation in the diet these birds over three years, through the use of stomach content samples. It then investigates whether the composition of the diet has changed over the long term (approximately 18 years). Additionally, the at sea distribution of these birds was investigated using temperature-depth recorders (TDRs) and global positioning system (GPS) devices. This study represents the first to investigate variation in the diet over three years and over the long term. It is also the first study to track these birds fine scale movement. Over three years, the diet exhibited a high degree of variability. The birds primarily foraged on the fish, Lepidonotothen larseni and the crustaceans, Nauticaris marionis and Euphausia vallentiniy. Over three years, L. larseni became increasingly more important during the breeding season. This was attributed to an increase in availability of these fish during this time, as this time corresponded to the transition of these fish from the larval pelagic phase to the benthic adult phase. Furthermore, the proportions of N. marionis and E. vallentini in the diet varied significantly among years. This variation is possibly a result of the highly variable latitudinal position of the SAF. The diet changed over the long term. There was significantly less N. marionis and more E. vallentini in the diet during more recent years. The long term southward shift of the SAF is considered to be a leading cause of these significant changes in the diet. The shallow inter-island shelf between Marion and Prince Edward Island was an important foraging area possibly due to predictable prey resources. In addition, these birds exhibited an important and possibly unique foraging strategy. They performed short self-maintenance trips where after they return to land to roost for the night. The following day these trips were followed by a longer foraging trip that was followed by chick provisioning. This strategy is unique among seabirds longer trips are associated with self-maintenance and not chick provisioning. This study has provided important knowledge of the foraging ecology of the gentoo penguin at sub-Antarctic Marion Island. It highlights the necessity for continuation of diet and tracking studies of these birds if we are to fully understand the ultimate factors that are causing the decline in their breeding success and population numbers.

LL.M. (Law) / The position with regard to a number of fairly small result of the proximity of these islands to the coast of South West Africa and the fact that the latter is also entitled to lay claim to maritime zones, the potential for overlapping claims to such zones clearly exists. Consequently a solution is proposed to delimit these zones equitably. It amounts in short to awarding an enclave jurisdictional zone of 12 nautical miles to each of these islands, delimited in accordance with the equidistant principle. It is conceded, however, that in the final instance, the eventual delimitation of all these maritime zones depends on agrertent between the two parties concerned. islands off the coast of South West Africa/Nar'ibia, generally known as the Penguin Islands, their status as well as the maritime zones they may generate, are examined in this study. With the emphasis on the 1958 Geneva Conventions and the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention the endeavours to codify the rules of the Law of the Sea are set out as the backdrop against which the rules applicable to the position of these islands are to be discovered. The various definitions of islands in these codifications are identified and the elements of the definition in the 1982 Convention as well as some of the elements proposed by a number of delegations to the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference, are examined in detail. An investigation into the applicable conventional provisions and state practice, prove that in principle islands, just like mainland areas, are capable of generating territorial waters, a contiguous zone, an economic or fishing zone as w all as a continental shelf. In terms of the 1982 Convention so-called rocks do not qualify to generate areas of jurisdiction to the same extent as islands. The effect of islands on the delimitation of maritime zones between adjacent and opposite states is examined with a view to finding principles which could by analogy be applied to the delimitation of the maritime zones generated by the Penguin Islands and the mainland of South West Africa. In the case of territorial waters, it is initially left to the parties concerned to come to an agreement. Failing such agreement the equidistant principle applies unless a historic title or special circuitstances requires an alternative solution. In a number of instances the solution eventually arrived at amounted to awarding enclave maritime zones to islands and delimiting such zones against that of the opposite state by way of the equidistant principle. In the case of the delimitation of the continental shelf state practice revealed that, depending on their relative geographical location in relation to their own and opposite states, islands are accorded full or limited weight in delimiting the continental shelf between the mainland states concerned. Corresponding principles are applied in the delimitation of economic or fishery zones. South Africa's claims to territorial sovereignty over the Penguin Islands have been repeatedly questioned but the records show that these claims can he indisputably substantiated. Compliance with the definition of an island is of the utmost importance in ascertaining whether an insular formation is entitled to generate any specific maritime zone and, therefore, a description of each of these islands is provided. As a result of the proximity of these islands to the coast of South West Africa and the fact that the latter is also entitled to lay claim to aritime zones, the potential for overlapping claims to such zones clearly exists. Consequently a solution is proposed to delimit these zones equitably. It amounts in hort to awarding an enclave jurisdictional zone of 12 nautical miles to each of these islands, delimited in accordance with the equidistant principle. It is conceded, however, that in the final instance, the eventual delimitation of all these maritime zones depends on agrertent between the two parties concerned.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves: 31-34)

Marine top predators often occupy broad geographical ranges that encompass varied habitats. Therefore, a pre-requisite towards conserving these animals is to determine the components of their realized niche, and investigate whether a species is a specialist or a generalist. For generalist species, it is also necessary to understand if local specialisation occurs. Uncovering these components can allow us to build models of a species realized niche that may then be used to infer habitat use in unsampled locations. However, fully understanding the components of a marine top predators realized niche is challenging owing to the limited opportunity for in situ observations. Overcoming these limitations is a key step in marine top predator research. It will enhance our understanding of trophic coupling in marine systems, and aid in the development of tools to better study these predators in their dynamic environment. Seabirds, penguins (Spheniscids) in particular, are a group of animals for which investigating their realized niche is of vital importance. This is because numerous species face growing uncertainty in the Anthropocene, and in a time of rapid environmental change there is furthermore a need to better understand the potential use of these birds as indicators of ecosystem health. The aim of this thesis, therefore, is to investigate the foraging ecology of gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) at the Falkland Islands. At the Falkland Islands, limited historical information exists regarding this species foraging ecology, with most information coming from a single location at the Falklands. As the Falkland Islands have the world’s largest population of gentoo penguins, elucidating factors influencing this population will have global relevance. Furthermore, historical information indicated potential competition with fisheries, and with prospecting for hydrocarbons and an inshore fishery, there is a need to understand the distribution of these birds across the islands. Penguins are also well suited to carry biologging devices allowing for in situ observations of inter and intraspecific interactions, as well as habitat specific interactions. In this study, I sampled birds over three breeding seasons, from four breeding colonies - chosen for their varied surrounding at sea habitat - across the Falkland Islands. I investigated the diet with stomach content and stable isotope analysis, the at-sea distribution with GPS and time depth recorders, and how these birds behaved at sea using custom made animal-borne camera loggers. Furthermore, I developed a method to recognise prey encounter events from back mounted accelerometers, using a supervised machine learning approach. As part of the first species specific description of diet at this scale for the Falklands, I revealed six key prey items for the birds: rock cod (Patagonotothen spp.), lobster krill (Munida spp.), Falkland herring (Sprattus fuegensis), Patagonian squid (Doryteuthis gahi), juvenile fish (likely all nototheniids), and southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis). The use of animal-borne camera loggers verified that not only do gentoo penguins consume a diverse array of prey items, but they adopted various methods to capture and pursue prey, with evidence of birds following optimal foraging theory. Prey composition varied significantly between study sites with the at-sea distribution and habitat use of penguins reflecting that of local prey. Birds from colonies close to gently sloping, shallow waters, foraged primarily in a benthic manner and had larger niche widths. However, those at a colony surrounded by steeply sloping, deeper waters, typically foraged in a pelagic manner. Contrasting diet patterns were also prevalent from stable isotope data, and the niche widths of birds relating to both stomach content and stable isotope data were larger at colonies where benthic foraging was prevalent. Therefore, it was clear that surrounding bathymetry played a key role in shaping this species’ foraging ecology, and that at the population level at the Falkland Islands birds are generalists. However, at individual colonies some specialisation occurs to take advantage of locally available prey. I developed habitat distribution models - via boosted regression trees – which transferred well in time but poorly across space. Reasons for poor model transfer might relate to the generalist foraging nature of these birds and the reduced availability of environmental predictors owing to the limited range of these birds. I furthermore developed a method to identify prey encounter events that can also, to a degree, distinguish between prey items. This method will be a promising approach to refine habitat distribution models in future. These habitat distribution models could potentially contribute to marine spatial planning at the Falkland Islands. Footage from animal-borne camera loggers clearly showed that prey behaviour can significantly influence trophic coupling in marine systems and should be accounted for in studies using marine top predators as samplers of mid to lower trophic level species. Ultimately, flexibility in foraging strategies and inter-colony variation will play a critical role when assessing factors such as interspecific competition or overlap with anthropogenic activities.

Thesis (M. Appl. Sc.)--University of Canberra, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 184-209).

Knowledge of diet and distribution in marine top predators is critical in interpreting their ecological role. Furthermore, this information is required for effective management and conservation of these species. For gentoo penguins at the Falkland Islands a previous overlap in dietary items with commercial fisheries was recognised. Despite this the at-sea distribution has been poorly studied and only at a few localities. Therefore, this thesis looks to broaden the knowledge of foraging ecology for gentoo penguins at another site in the archipelago, Cow Bay. The aim was firstly, through stomach content analysis, to determine if diet changed over a large temporal scale (2002/03/04 – 2011/12/13), and between the chick guard and crèche periods of chick rearing. Secondly, through GPS loggers, to assess distribution at sea during the incubation and chick guard periods (2012/13). Additionally, foraging ecology between genders was investigated. Gentoo penguins at Cow Bay foraged primarily on fish (66-99 percent) throughout the entire study period. The principle prey item by mass was Patagonotothen spp., considered previously as discard by fisheries but now an important commercial resource, for all periods (47-78 percent) except that of the 2012/13 crèche period (19 percent). During this period Sprattus fugensis made up the bulk of the diet (52 percent). Cephalopods, particularly Loligo gahi (1-24 percent), were also prominent in the diet and crustaceans contributed negligibly. The diet indicated that gentoo penguins are capable of both a benthic and pelagic feeding strategy which likely reflects changes in local prey abundance. Birds typically conducted foraging activities during daylight hours with greater trip duration, path length, maximum distance and area utilised during the incubation period than the guard. All trips were confined to the continental shelf and within the boundaries of a marine management zone, the Falkland Islands Interim Conservation Zone (FICZ). Males and females fed on the same size and composition of prey items. Trip duration, path length and maximum distance from the colony were not significantly different, although males foraged in a slightly larger area than females marginally to the north. As at-sea distribution was confined within the FICZ this management area provides protection to food resources of gentoo penguins breeding at Cow Bay. At this site, the population is increasing, likely associated with increased prey availability as evidenced by record catches of Patagonotothen spp. in recent years at the Falkland Islands. Continued long term monitoring of gentoo penguin diet and fishery yields to allow detection of possible competition in the future is recommended. As marine sentinels, on-going monitoring of gentoo penguin populations at the Falkland Islands is likely to provide early warning signs of reduced prey availability.

Daily regime of humboldt penguin (Spheniscus Humboldti) at Prague Zoo This dissertation is focused on day regime of humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) at Prague zoo over period summer to autumn 2012. Day activity of penguins is for better clarity presented by tables and diagrams. This work contains list of all species of penguin (measurements and description, environment, diet, social behaviour and breeding). Key