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Multidimensional niche differentiation of chick-rearing sympatric auks in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

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Abstract

Niche theory predicts that similar species cannot occupy the same geographical space when resources are limited. Sympatric seabirds, such as auks, are ideal models for investigating niche differentiation because they share life history traits and form breeding colonies that rely on common prey items. Auk differentiation may be driven by variations in body mass and wing size, diving capacity, and visual acuity leading each species to forage at different distances, depths, or times of day, respectively. However, previous auk studies have produced diverse results, leaving us with an incomplete understanding of their foraging differentiation across spatial, environmental, and temporal dimensions. In 2021, we tested niche differences at the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Québec, Canada (50°11′ N, 63°13′ W) by utilizing GPS and time and depth recorders to track the positions of breeding Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica), razorbills (Alca torda), and common murres (Uria aalge), which were then paired with environmental data. There was high niche overlap in geographical foraging areas, with auk wing size and mass not appearing to influence their foraging distance. Instead, auk foraging was partitioned over different depths and times of day. Although razorbills and puffins generally exploited shallow foraging areas, puffin foraging activity occurred in deeper waters and at different times of day than razorbills. Murres foraged in the deepest benthic areas and were the only species to forage at night. Our study therefore suggests that auks could be facilitating their coexistence by exhibiting temporal and spatial differences in their foraging behaviours and locations.

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Data availability

The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Francis St-Pierre and Manon Sorais for contributing to data collection in the field. We want to thank Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Parks Canada staff, Aurore Perot, Marie-Claude Roy, Adam Desjardins, and Marie-Bé Leduc who facilitated fieldwork. We also thank Elliott lab members, A. Patterson, and F. Van Oordt, for help with data cleaning. This project was supported by the Fonds de Recherche Québec Nature et Technologies Master’s scholarship to C. Petalas at McGill University. Data collection was supported by Ocean Protection Plan (ECCC).

Funding

Funds and support were provided by the Fonds de Recherche Québec Nature et Technologies Master’s scholarship to C. P. at McGill University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 0G4, Canada

    Christina Petalas & Kyle H. Elliott

  2. Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Québec, G1J 0C3, Canada

    Raphaël A. Lavoie

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  1. Christina Petalas
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. CP conducted fieldwork and experiments. Data analysis was conducted by CP with feedback from RAL and KHE throughout. The writing and figures were written and made by CP with feedback from RAL and KHE throughout. All authors contributed and commented on manuscript drafts and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Christina Petalas.

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The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethics approval

All applicable institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. This work was carried out with permits to capture, band, and handle birds from #10711 bird banding permit. All animal experimentation met the Canadian Council for Animal Care wildlife guidelines for the ethical treatment of animals (authorization from the Easter Wildlife Animal Care Committee, Environment and Climate Change Canada, #21RL01). Access to the site was permitted by Parks Canada (MIN-2021–39198) and Canadian Wildlife Service (access to Migratory Bird Sanctuary, #RE-70).

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Petalas, C., Lavoie, R.A. & Elliott, K.H. Multidimensional niche differentiation of chick-rearing sympatric auks in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Mar Biol 171, 103 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-024-04422-5

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