CCAMLR

We present data on sexual dimorphism in some morphological measurements (wing length, head length, bill depth and bill length) in the Antarctic Petrel Thalassoica antarctica. Males were on average larger than females for all measurements. Sexual dimorphism was on average largest for bill depths whereas wing lengths discriminated least between the sexes. A discriminant function including bill depth, head length and wing length correctly sexed 92% of the sample. Due to between-measurer variation it is recommended that morphometric measurements obtained by others on sexed birds are compared with ours before proceeding with the use of the discriminant function on unsexed individuals.

The study of diseases in wild penguins is important for the identification of endemic diseases and the detection of exotic diseases should these occur. It is also important in the understanding of the degree to which disease may be expected to influence the results of biological studies. Results may be confounded and interpretation made difficult by both the transient and long term presence of disease particularly if it is at the sub clinical level. We present here a compilation of diseases and parasites recorded for all species of penguins present both in the wild and in captivity. Normal values for blood biochemistry and haematology are given as an aid to the identification of illness in penguins.

Published in: Korean Journal of Polar Research, 4(2): 79-96 (1993)

This paper draws attention to the possible implications for the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP) of infectious and parasitic disease among penguin being monitored and to this end present a summary of all such diseases of penguin species found in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic. Haematological and biochemical values for healthy penguins which may be of use in diagnosis are presented also. Just as environmental factors are being examined for their possible effect on the variables being monitored we suggest that health of monitored species also should be considered in CEMP.

Thirty eight regurgitated casts collected in a colony at Half-moon Island, South Shetland Islands, during January and February 1993, were analyzed to determine the importance of fish in the diet of the blue-eyed shag Phalacrocorax atriceps bransfieldensis. Fish species were identified by means of otoliths found in the casts. The size and weight of the fish were estimated from the otolith lengths, using equations derived from data on local populations. Fish remains were present in all casts, comprising 91% of prey items. From the 937 otoliths found, 562 fish were represented and 524 were assigned to 5 demersal benthic species: Nototheniops nudifrons, Harpagifer antarcticus, Trematomus newnesi, Notothenia coriiceps and Gobionotothen gibberifrons. N. nudifrons was the most frequent (68.4%) and important by number (37.9%), whereas N. coriiceps prevailed in mass (35.8%). With the exception of G. gibberifrons, the fish species (and their size and age ranges) were identical to those found in a similar study at Duthoit Point, Nelson Island. However, the relative importance of the fish species in the diet differed between shags from the two areas.