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Prebasic molt initiation and progress in northern fulmars of the High Arctic: do molt and breeding overlap?

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Abstract

We examined feather molt progress of northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) at Cape Vera in the Canadian High Arctic through opportunistic observation of individuals in flight from 2003 to 2006, and examination of bodies and wings of 127 individuals collected at the site, from 2003 to 2005. We found no evidence suggesting that fulmars shed primary feathers during breeding. Prebasic molt was initiated in the head, neck, sides, belly and back approximately 1 week before hatch. We failed to detect a sex effect on molt progress, but molt among breeders was delayed compared to molt in non- or failed breeders. This study constitutes a baseline we feel may be useful to: (1) researchers interested in feather replacement chronology, wherein feathers are used as sources of biological information; and (2) researchers interested in eventual assessment of relationships among large-scale environmental processes and molt progress in this species, especially in light of predicted changes to Arctic regions.

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Acknowledgments

This project would not have been possible without the financial and logistic assistance of Environment Canada (CWS), Natural Resources Canada (PCSP), the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (NCP, ECDI and NSTP), Carleton University, and NSERC. Thanks to the numerous field assistants on the Cape Vera Project in 2003–2005 and Prince Leopold Island in 2005, and to three anonymous referees for constructive reviews of the manuscript. Collections were made under permits as follows: animal care (2004PNR017, 2004PNR021), land use (59A/7–2-2), wildlife research (NUN-SCI-03-02, WL000714).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ACWERN, Biology Department, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 45111, Fredericton, NB, Canada, E3B 6E1

    Karel A. Allard

  2. Canadian Wildlife Service, Box 1714, Iqaluit, NT, Canada, X0A 0H0

    Mark L. Mallory

  3. Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1S 5B6

    Mark L. Mallory & Mark R. Forbes

  4. Avian Energetics Laboratory, Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Fund, Bird Studies Canada, 115 Front Street, Port Rowan, ON, Canada, N0E 1M0

    Kerrie L. Wilcox

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  1. Karel A. Allard
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  2. Mark L. Mallory
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  3. Kerrie L. Wilcox
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  4. Mark R. Forbes
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Correspondence to Mark L. Mallory.

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Allard, K.A., Mallory, M.L., Wilcox, K.L. et al. Prebasic molt initiation and progress in northern fulmars of the High Arctic: do molt and breeding overlap?. Polar Biol 31, 181–188 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-007-0345-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-007-0345-4

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