Heart rate and energy expenditure of incubating wandering albatrosses: basal levels, natural variation, and the effects of human disturbance

摘要: Summary We studied the changes in heart rate (HR) associated metabolic under basal conditions or for incubating with of and resting adult wandering albatrosses are likely to be overestimates. (Diomedea exulans) on Crozet Combining relationship between HR Islands. Metabolic rates fitted both sexes, we estimate that external recorders were measured a expend 147 kJ kg –1 day incubate their eggs. chamber calibrate In addition, cost incubation was assumed vary . oxygen consumption ( VO2) (VO2=0.074× HR+0.019, because (i) higher during than at night, r 2 =0.567, P<0.001, where VO2 is ml min (ii) there an effect wind chill (<0 °C) beats ). Incubating then HR. The presence humans vicinity nest energy expenditure after band control shown increase within natural field conditions. also extended periods (2–3 h), suggesting examined variation effects increased as result disturbance. human disturbance nesting birds by monitoring Lastly, males females reacted differently handling Basal positively related terms response: more strongly mass individual. before handling, whereas took longer corresponded 1.5-fold (males) recover being handled. 1.8-fold (females) lower (BMR) this previous study.