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.
A detailed ecological study which overturns current thinking about the relationship between these two species.
"...will no doubt assist biologists and ornithologists in their
research." Audubon Naturalist Society
"This well-written account details the predator-prey
interrelationships between breeding Adélie penguins and South Polar
skuas at Cape Bird on Ross Island, Antarctica. Every conceivable
aspect of these interrelationships is treated...deserves a place on
the shelf of all students of predator-prey relationships." Science
& Technology
"This is probably the most detailed account of the interactions
between any predator and its prey. Young and his team recorded the
activities of skuas in tremendous detail...This is an important
reference book for anyone working on penguins or skuas, and it will
prove useful to other scientists interested in predator-prey
dynamics." Kerry-Jane Wilson, Arctic Vol. 48.1 March 1995
"The overall result is that the reader can trust the conclusions
brought forth....I recommend this book highly to anyone studying
ecology of the antarctic fauna, predator-prey systems, and
particularly for anyone beginning a study on a predator-prey
relationship." Arctic and Alpine Research
"...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
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