Image of an Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) alanvannorman / iNaturalist Antarctic penguins are changing their breeding calendar. A study published in the scientific journal Journal of Animal Ecology showed that three species began to occupy colonies and start the reproductive season earlier and earlier over the last decade, in one of the fastest phenological responses ever recorded in animals to climate change. ? Also follow Terra da Gente on Instagram The research followed 37 colonies distributed across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands between 2012 and 2022. To do this, scientists used a network of 77 automatic cameras that recorded, for ten years, the behavior of Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) and white-browed penguins (Pygoscelis papua). According to the researchers, all species began to reproduce earlier. The advance was estimated at about 10 days per decade for Adélie penguins and chinstrap penguins and at approximately 13 days per decade for gentoo penguins, which showed the most intense change. Furthermore, measurements made by the cameras themselves showed that the places where the colonies are located are warming about four times faster than the average recorded for the Antarctic continent, reinforcing the relationship between regional warming and changes in reproductive behavior. See what's trending on g1:
Why are penguins changing their breeding schedule in Antarctica?
Image of an Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) alanvannorman / iNaturalist Antarctic penguins are changing their breeding calendar. A study published in the scientific journal Journal of Animal Ecology showed that...
Change among the fastest ever recorded In the discussion of the work, the authors highlight that the speed of this change is exceptional. "These changes are among the most rapid phenological changes ever observed in any animal." The researchers also state that, when compared to a worldwide review of faunal responses to climate change, gentoo penguins showed the fastest phenological response ever recorded among birds. Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) alanvannorman / iNaturalist See more news from Terra da Gente, on g1: DISGUISE: How this beetle can 'fool' an entire colony of termites 'GHOST' PRIMATE: Unpublished photos show newborn parauacu chick INVASORA TILÁPIA? New technical note reignites debate about the species in Brazil Not all penguins respond in the same way Although the three species have anticipated reproduction, they do not react in the same way to environmental changes. The study points out that the gentoo penguin, as it has a more varied diet and remains close to colonies throughout the year, may be better prepared to deal with the new climate scenario. Adelie penguins, more dependent on sea ice, and chinstrap penguins, specialists in krill-based food, may face greater challenges if conditions continue to change. This difference can alter the balance between species. According to the authors, the anticipation of reproduction is reducing the ecological separation between them, which tends to increase competition for space and resources in colonies. White-browed Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) sergioueda / iNaturalist What does this mean? Although the change in the reproductive calendar is evident, the researchers state that it is still not possible to know whether it is increasing, reducing or not altering the reproductive success of the species. In the article, the authors highlight: "It is not yet known whether this change is affecting the penguins' reproductive success or whether it is part of the species' adaptation to environmental changes." They add that it also remains open to what extent these species will be able to continue adjusting their breeding calendar if the region's warming continues at its current rate. VIDEOS: Highlights Terra da Gente See more content about nature on Terra da Gente
