Abstract
The mean assimilation efficiencies of 10 adult Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) and 10 Brünnich's Guillemots (Uria lomvia) fed on Capelin (Mallotus villosus) were 77.5% and 74.4%, respectively. When fed on Arctic Cod (Boreogadus saida) they were 83.1% and 78.2%, respectively. After correction for nitrogen retention, the assimilation efficiencies decreased to 72.2%, 70.6%, 81.2% and 74.7%, respectively. Kittiwakes and Brünnich's Guillemots seem to have the same ability to utilize the energy of the different food items. The differences in assimilation efficiencies when fed two fish species was mainly related to the fat content of the fish.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams NJ (1984) Utilization efficiency of a squid diet by adult King Penguins (Aptenodyes patagonicus). Auk 101:884–886
Bailey RS (1986) Food consumption by seabirds in the North Sea in relation to the natural mortality of exploited fish stocks. Inter Coun Explor Seas CM 1986/G:5
Belopol'skii LO (1957) Ecology of sea colony birds of the Barents Sea. Israel program for scientific translations (Jerusalem 1961) 346p
Biely J, March B (1954) Fat studies in poultry. 2. Fat supplements in chick and poult rations. Poultry Sci 33:1220–1227
Brugger KE (1993) Digestibility of three fish species by double-crested cormorants. Condor 95:25–32
Cairns DK, Chapdeline G, Montevecchi WA (1991) Prey exploitation by seabirds in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In: Therriault JC (ed) The Gulf of St. Lawrence: small ocean or big estuary? Can Spec Publ Fish Aquat Sci 113:277–291
Cooper J (1977) Energetic requirements for growth of the Jackass Penguin. Zool Afr 12:201–213
Cooper J (1978) Energetic requirements for growth and maintenance of the Cape Gannet (Aves: Sulidae). Zool Afr 13:305–317
Cooper J (1980) Energetic requirements for maintenance of a captive juvenile Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Cormorant 8:17–19
Copestake PG, Croxall JP, Prince PA (1983) Food digestion and energy consumption experiments on a captive King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus. Br Antarct Surv Bull 58:83–87
Croxall JP, Prince PA (1982) A preliminary assessment of the impact of seabirds on marine resources at South Georgia. Com Nat Franc Recherch Antarct 51:501–509
Dunn EH (1975) Caloric intake of nestling Double-crested Cormorants Auk 92:553–565
Eaton CA, Ackman RG, Tocher CS (1975) Canadian capelin 1972–1973. Fat and moisture composition, and fatty acids of some oils and lipid extract triglycerides. J Fish Res Board Can 32:507–513
FAO/WHO 1973: Energy and protein requirements.
Furness RW (1978) Energy requirements of seabird communities: a bioenergetics model. J Anim Ecol 47:39–53
Furness RW (1990) A preliminary assessment of the quantities of Shetland sandeels taken by seabirds, seals, predatory fish and the industrial fishery in 1981–83. Ibis J Anim Ecol 132:205–217
Furness RW, Barrett (1985) The food requirements and ecological relationships of a seabird community in North Norway Ornis. Scand 16:305–313
Gabrielsen GW (1994) Energy expenditure of breeding Common Murres. Can Wild Ser Curr Publ (in press)
Gabrielsen GW, Mehlum F (1989) Thermoregulation and energetics of Arctic seabirds. In: Bech C, Reinertsen RE (eds) Physiology of cold adaption in birds. Plenum Press, New York, pp 137–145
Gabrielsen GW, Mehlum F, Nagy KA (1987) Daily energy expenditure and energy utilization of free ranging Black legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla). Condor 89:181–186
Gabrielsen GW, Mehlum F, Karlsen HE (1988) Thermoregulation in four species of Arctic seabirds. J Comp Physiol B 157:703–708
Gabrielsen GW, Taylor JR, Konarzewski M, Mehlum F (1991a) Field and laboratory metabolism and thermoregulation in Dovekies (Alle alle). Auk 108:71–78
Gabrielsen GW, Mehlum F, Karlsen HE, Andresen Ø, Parker H (1991b) Energy cost during incubation and thermoregulation in female Common Eider (Somateria mollissima). N Polarinstitutt Skrifter 195:51–62
Harris LE (1966) Biological energy interrelationships and glossary of energy terms Publ 1411, National Academy Sciences, Washington, DC
Hartel H (1986) Influence of food input and procedure of determination on metabolisable energy and digestibility of the diet measured with young and adult birds. British Poultry Sci 27:11–39
Heath RGM, Randall RM (1985) Growth of Jackass penguin chicks (Spheniscus demersus) hand reared on different diet. J Zool (London) (A) 205:91–105
Holm H, Hustvedt BE, Løvø A (1973) Protein metabolism in rats with ventromedial hypothalamic lesions. Metabolism 22:1377–1387
Hurwitz S, Plavnik I, Bengal I, Bartov I (1986) Responses of growing turkeys to dietary fat. Poultry Sci 67:420–426
Jackson S (1986) Assimilation efficiencies of white-chinned petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis fed different prey. Comp Biochem Physiol 85A:301–303
Jackson S (1990) Seabird digestive physiology in relation to foraging ecology. Ph.D. diss., University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
Jangaard PM (1974) The capelin Mallotus villosus. Biology, distribution, exploitation, utilization and composition. Bull Fish Res Board Can 186
Jensen LS, Schumaier GW, Latshaw JD (1970) “Extra caloric” effect of dietary fat for developing turkeys as influenced by caloriprotein ratio. Poultry Sci 49:1697–1704
Lønne OJ, Gabrielsen GW (1992) Summer diet of seabirds feeding in sea-ice-covered waters near Svalbard. Polar Biol 12:685–692
Løvenskiold HL (1964) Avifauna Svalbardensis Norsk Polarinstitutts Skrifter 129
Maioino PM, Al-Hozab AA, Mitchell R, Reid L (1986) Animal fat effects on nutrient utilization. Poultry Sci 65:2304–2313
Mateos GG, Sell JL (1980) Influence of carbohydrate and supplemental fat source on the metabolizable energy of the diet. Poultry Sci 59:2129–2135
McNab JM, Shannon DWF (1974) The nutritional value of barley, maize, oats and wheat for poultry. Brith Poult Sci 15:561–567
Mehlum F, Bakken V (in press) Seabirds in Svalbard: status, recent changes and management, in Nettleship DN, Burger J, Gochfeld M (eds) Seabirds on islands. Threats, Case Studies and Action plans. International Council for Bird Preservation Technical Publ. Cambridge U.K.
Mehlum F, Gabrielsen GW (1993) The diet of high-arctic seabirds in coastal and ice-covered, pelagic areas near the Svalbard archipel-ago. Polar Res 12:1–20
Montevecchi WA, Piatt J (1984) Composition and energy contents of mature inshore spawning capelin Mallotus villotus: implications for seabird predators. Comp Biochem Physiol 1:15–20
Sell JL, Owings WJ (1981) Supplemental fat and metabolizable energy-to-nutrient ratios for growing turkeys. Poultry Sci 60:2293–2305
Sibbald IR (1982) Measurement of bioavailable energy in poultry feeding stuffs: a review. Can J Anim Sci 62:938–1048
Sunde J (1954) The use of animal fats in poultry feeds. J Am Oil Chem 31:49–52
Titus HW, Mehring Jr AL, Johnson Jr D, Nesbitt LL, Tomas T, (1959) An evaluation of MCF (Micro-Cell-Fat), a new type of fat product. Poultry Sci 38:1114–1119
Tochburn SP, Naber EC (1966) The energy value of fats for growing turkeys. Proc 13th World's Poultry Congr, Kiev, USSR:190–195
Whitlow GC (1986) In Avian physiology. Sturkie PD (ed) Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York
Zenkevitch C (1963) Biology of the seas of the USSR. Allan & Unwin, London, 136pp
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brekke, B., Gabrielsen, G.W. Assimilation efficiency of adult Kittiwakes and Brünnich's Guillemots fed Capelin and Arctic Cod. Polar Biol 14, 279–284 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239177
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239177