Analysis of diving behavior of Ad6lie penguins using acceleration data logger

Abstract: Acceleration data loggers were attached to five adult Adelie penguins at Hukuro Cove, Lutzow-Holm Bay in austral summer 1997/1998. The loggers recorded time series data of speed, depth, surging acceleration and swaying accelera-tion in flush memories inside. From time series analyses, the frequency of 2- to 3-Hz was found in the surging acceleration during descent in a straight line. The cycle seemed to correspond to wingbeat frequency of the Adelie penguin. The relation between wingbeat frequency and diving depth was that the frequency ranged from 1.5-Hz to 3.0-Hz when the penguins dive in water shallower than 30-m and was over 2.5-Hz in water deeper than 50-m. The acceleration data logger is a powerful tool to estimate kinematic parameters of free-range marine animals. key words: Adelie penguin, acceleration data logger, power spectrum density, wingbeat frequency, divin