WHERE’S THE BEST SUPERMARKET DEAL? FEMALE SOUTHERN ROCKHOPPER PENGUINS SHOW VARIABLE FORAGING AREAS DURING THE GUARD STAGE AT ISLA DE LOS ESTADOS, ARGENTINA.

Understanding the spatial distribution of seabirds contributes to comprehending their ecological requirements and dispersion patterns. We studied the at-sea distribution of female southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome Foster, 1781; SRP) at Isla de los Estados colony during the early-chick rearing period. We used a clustering analysis approach to identify different groups according to the foraging trip (tracking and diving data from GPS-TD data loggers) and diet (δ15N composition on blood samples) characteristics. Foraging trips differed in duration, location, and dive depths explored. Females in clusters 1 and 3 travelled longer distances, in opposite directions (36.3 21.3 km and 40.3 14.0 km, respectively). Females in cluster 2 fed closer to the colony (16.8 7.8 km). Dives occurred in pelagic habitats. Higher δ15N values suggested a greater proportion of fish (e.g. Sprattus fuegensis Jenyns, 1842) consumption in the northern foraging areas (cluster 1). The variability observed in the spatial distribution suggests flexibility in the foraging behaviour of SRP and availability of adequate foraging areas within the colony range during the early chick-rearing period, both important features for SRP population. These results contribute to understanding the use of the Southern Ocean by marine meso- and top-predators and to the marine spatial planning in the area.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author