Annual variation in reproductive parameters of Adélie penguins at Edmonson Point, Victoria Land, Antarctica

Annual egg and chick production and breeding success at the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colony Edmonson Point (74°21′S- 165°10′E), Victoria Land, is presented for eight breeding seasons between 1995 and 2005. During this period the colony consisted of 10-13 subcolonies and averaged 2098 ± 278 breeding pairs. A sample of over 100 nests (114-150), belonging to two subcolonies, was monitored each year. Some breeding parameters remained constant while others showed substantial annual variation. Laying date showed little variation, and laying was highly synchronous: 82.5% of clutches were initiated in a 10-day period, 9-18 November. In contrast, clutch size (1.77-1.97) and incubation period (34.4 ± 2.5) varied significantly. Variation among years was also recorded in hatching success (from 58 to 86%) and breeding success. This last parameter, measured as number of chicks reared to crèche per nest with eggs, varied between 0.34 and 0.97. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.