Abstract

KASINSKY, Tatiana; SUAREZ, Nicolás  and  YORIO, Pablo. EVALUATION OF BREEDING PARAMETERS OF THE KELP GULL (LARUSDOMINICANUS) IN ONE OF THE LARGEST COLONIES IN PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA. Hornero [online]. 2022, vol.37, n.1, pp.4-4. ISSN 0073-3407.

Knowledge of the breeding biology of birds is relevant to un-derstand aspects of their life histories and interpret how they respond to the increasing changes they face globally. The breeding biology of the Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) was evaluated at the Punta Tombo Natural Protected Area, Chubut, site of one of the largest colonies in Argentine Patagonia. During 2016 and 2017, 160 and 161 nests were monitored, respectively. The median laying date was similar in both years (November 19, 2016 and Novem-ber 21, 2017). The mean clutch size was similar between years (2016: 2.09 ± 0.67 and 2017: 1.99 ± 0.67). The incu-bation period was 26.47 ± 3.43 and 27.76 ± 2.06 days for 2016 and 2017, respectively. Hatching success was higher in 2016 than in 2017 (1.23 ± 0.89 vs. 0.81 ± 0.99, respectively). The chick-rearing stage spanned 9 and 10 weeks in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The data obtained suggests that predation was the main cause of nest loss. Breeding success was significantly higher in 2016 than in 2017 (0.53 ± 0.73 vs 0.34 ± 0.66 chicks per nest, respectively), and individuals that started breeding earlier had significantly higher breeding success. The information obtained constitutes a baseline for monitoring the reproduction of the Kelp Gull in this protected area and to identify possible changes in response to anthropogenic changes in coastal environments of Chubut.

Keywords : breeding success; breedingparameters; Kelp Gull; Larus dominicanus; Punta Tombo.

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