KEY WORDS |
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Eco-physiology / Ecology / Behaviour / Foraging efficiency / Feeding activity / Predator-prey interactions /
Hunting strategies / Time-budget / Seabirds / Marine mammals. |
MODELS |
During my PhD and subsequent works, I investigated the feeding behaviour and foraging activity of
free-ranging penguins in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic territories. From 2001, I enlarged my models
to several seabird species from temparate zones: mainly gannets and boobies (South Africa, UK,
tropical islands, Australia), cormorants (Greenland), and little penguins (Australia). These latter are monitored in collaboration with A,. Chiaradia at Phillip Island Nature Park since 2004. Another long-term monitoring started in 2007 at Coats Island in Canada on Brünnich guillemots with A. Gaston. Finally, starting in 2010 I also collaborate with Spanish colleagues on at-sea activity of puffins in the Mediterranean sea. |
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QUESTIONS |
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How does individual quality help predators facing environmental changes? Starting in 2008, I focused on the age and experience component of individual quality. To address this question I use a dual approach where the breeding activity of a population is measured via automatic identification systems (AIS) so that the age, sex and the whereabouts of each individual is known + the foraging efficiency of individuals is measured via bio-logging systems (see above). I am especially interested in studying the way animals organize their foraging time to optimize energy gains, how they allocate resources between survival and reproduction and optimize their breeding success. I am now moving onto new components of what can define individual quality, i.e. telomere size (collaboration with F. Criscuolo) and hormonal processes (collaboration with T. Raclot). In parallel and in collaboration with A. MacIntosh at Kyoto University, I examine the patterns of complexity of diving behaviour as a way to distinguish performant from non performant individuals. |
PROJECTS |
I am currently engaged into 23 research projects with colleagues from
all over the world. Among these: |
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Details about my research activity can be found in my "Fieldwork" page. |
Anim Behav, Afr J Mar Sci, Aquatic Biol, Behav Ecol, Comp Biochem Physiol, Conserv Biol, Deep-Sea Res, Ecology, Ecol Lett, Ecol Res, Emu, Endang Species Res, Envir Sci Pollut Res, Estuar Coast Shelf Sci, Func Ecol, Global Change Biol, Ibis, J Anim Ecol, J Avian Biol, J Exp Biol, J Exp Mar Biol Ecol, J Ethol, J Field Ornithol, J R Soc Interface, Mam Biol, Mar Biol, Mar Ecol Prog Ser, Mar Ornit, Meth Ecol Evol, PLoS ONE, Polar Biol, Proc R Soc Lond, Sci Eng Ethics, Zoology |
* Associate Editor for Marine Ornithology (2011~) * Executive editor of the proceedings of the International Symposium on Bio-logging Science * Assistant editor to POLAR BIOSCIENCE |
* Secretary of the SCAR Birds and Marine Mammals Expert Group (2009~)
* Member of the ANTABIF Steering Committee (2009~) |