Development of homeothermy in the diving petrels Pelecanoides urinatrix exsul and P. georgicus, and the Antarctic prion Pachyptila desolata

Abstract

1. 1. Body temperatures of South Georgia diving petrel ( P. georgiens) chicks increased from about 37.5°C at hatching to between 38.5 and 39°C within two weeks. Temperatures of common diving petrel P. u. exsul chicks averaged 38.8°C after two weeks of age. Burrow temperatures varied between 5 and 10°C. 2. 2. Measurements of oxygen consumption and body temperature indicated that chicks achieve effective endothermy at 5°C after 9 days in P. u. exsul, 5–6 days in P. georgicus, and 0 days in the Antarctic prion ( Pachyptila desolata). 3. 3. The maximum mass-specific, cold-induced oxygen consumption of small chicks that we could measure with our apparatus (ca. 5–6 cc O 2/g per hr) was achieved at 5–6 days in P. u. exsul. 3 days in P. georgicus, and 0 days in P. desolata. 4. 4. Mass-specific thermal conductance decreased with age and body size in all 3 species, but was highest in P. u. exsul and lowest in P. desolata. Conductance was similar at the age of effective endothermy in all 3 species (ca. 3 J/g per hr per °C). 5. 5. The period required for the development of endothermy is related to age-specific changes in both conductance and capacity for heat production and it closely parallels the length of the brooding period. 6. 6. It is suggested that the length of the period of thermal dependence of the chick is related to the distance between feeding areas and the nesting site.