Effects of pre-laying attendance and body condition on long-term reproductive success in Wandering Albatrosses

Abstract

To conserve threatened species it is important to protect the most productive individuals in the population, yet there is little information on the characteristics that distinguish such individuals. Among experienced Wandering Albatrosses (Diomedea exulans), we show that current breeding performance is correlated with previous breeding success. By comparing birds with unproductive and productive breeding histories, we test whether we can differentiate more and less successful breeders based on body condition, arrival date and attendance at the colony during the pre-laying period. Males in pairs with successful reproductive histories were present in the colony for longer than unsuccessful males. Productive females spent more days with their mates, suggesting that time spent with partners may be indicative of long-term reproductive success. Overall, birds that bred in a given season arrived earlier and spent more time at the colony than those that deferred breeding. Individuals with better body condition arrived earlier and spent more time at the colony. Body condition was independent of year and may indirectly affect the capacity to breed through its influence on arrival date and pre-laying attendance. Body condition and pre-laying attendance (and indirectly climate and food availability), may influence reproductive success, differentiating more and less successful breeders.