Hormonal correlates of foraging effort in a pelagic seabird

摘要

The ability of individuals to adjust energy expenditure while foraging will determine the amount of resources that can be expended on fitness-related activities. Because a trade-off between foraging costs and investment in reproduction is predicted, understanding physiogical mechanisms governing foraging decision is essential. Amoung them, the hormone Corticosterone deserves attention because of its potential role in foraging activities. However, elevated Corticosterone levels can also induce nest desertion. How then individuals modulate corticosterone secretion to optimise foraging and reproductive success? In this study, we investigated relationships between corticosterone levels (prior to and after a foraging trip) and precise components of foraging behaviour in incubating Wandering Albatrosses (Diomedea exulans) by using satellite tracking and wet-dry activity data loggers.