Journal of Avian Biology 33(1): 95-99 (2002)
Swim speed of free ranging Adelie penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae, and relation to the maximum depth of dives.
Ropert-Coudert Y, Kato A, Baudat J, Sato K, Bost C-A, Le Maho Y, Naito Y
Swim speed and depth utilization were recorded at a sampling rate of 1Hz in 14 free-ranging Adélie penguins in Adélie Land, Antarctica during the austral summers of 1996/1997 and 1998/1999. The average swim speed during the descent, bottom and ascent phases of dives were independent of the maximum depth, while the variability in swim speed decreased with increasing maximum depth, reflecting the physiological constraints of diving. Descent speed, which was less variable with the maximum depth than speeds measured during other part of dives, was significantly different among birds. In addition to the speed analysis, a new category of dive profiles with a flat bottom phase and an extremely reduced swim speed is reported. The probable benthic nature of such dives is discussed.
PG01-5
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