Foraging ecology of masked boobies (Sula dactylatra) in the world’s largest “oceanic desert”

摘要: The South Pacific Gyre has the most hyper-oligotrophic waters in world and is considered largest “oceanic desert.” Rapa Nui (Easter Island), located within Gyre, a breeding ground for masked boobies (Sula dactylatra), which are seabirds with foraging range that effectively confines them gyre. ecology of this species gyre was examined by attaching GPS time-depth devices to chick-rearing adult birds (9 14 2016 2017, respectively) collecting regurgitates (18 15 samples respectively). In addition, birds’ between years compared. Masked traveled various directions, dived at unspecific locations, explored areas < 110 km from colony. Local environmental conditions were not significantly different years, differences parameters (maximum range, trip duration, dive depth) greater among individuals than years. characteristics suggest resources ephemerally distributed around colony, similar abundances across Under these conditions, traveling locations may increase area covered probability prey encounter. spatial temporal consistencies explain uniformity ability exploit seascapes like help its pantropical distribution.