Skua and Penguin
Predator and Prey

A detailed ecological study which overturns current thinking about the relationship between these two species.

Euan Young (Author)

9780521018135, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 22 August 2005

472 pages, 97 b/w illus.
24.4 x 17 x 2.5 cm, 0.77 kg

"...provides a comprehensive summary of some interesting and useful data, and emphasizes the complexity of the skua-penguin association. Perhaps the main value of this lies in demonstrating that there is still great potential for novel and exciting research on this particular predator-prey system." Tony D. Williams, Quarterly Review of Biology

Areas of barren rock and scree around the edge of Antarctica provide a breeding ground for two of the continent's most well-known species of bird: the south polar skua and the Adélie penguin. This book considers the relationship between these two species, taking as its study site Ross Island. Through detailed observations of the foraging ecology of the skua, the traditional view that skuas are totally dependent on penguin eggs and chicks for food is challenged. In addition, studies of the impact of skuas on penguin breeding and the extent to which the skua breeding cycle is functionally related to that of the penguin provide further evidence to suggest that the two species occur together independently as a consequence of limited breeding space, rather than as a result of a distinct predator-prey relationship.

1. Introduction
2. The study area. Ross Island and the Cape Bird penguin colonies
3. The range of foods available to the skuas at Cape Bird during the breeding season
4. The biomass of penguin eggs and chicks on the Northern Colony
5. Factors of penguin biology that constrain or assist skua predation
6. Description of scavenging and predatory behaviour of skuas and the defensive behaviour of penguins
7. The diversity and intensity of skua foraging behaviour on the penguin colony
8. The amount of food taken by the skuas from the penguin colony
9. The costs and returns of foraging at the colony and at sea
10. Immediate impact of the contestants on each other
11. Appreciating the penguins
12. Associating together. The longer term implications
13. Synthesis
Appendices
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Ecological science, the Biosphere [PSAF]