Sunday16 February 2025
ps-ua.com

Oh, those penguins: why the idea of "marital" fidelity in birds turned out to be a myth.

Scientists have found that penguins separate from their partners after an unsuccessful breeding season. It was previously believed that these birds remained loyal regardless of the circumstances.
О пингвинах: почему миф о "супружеской" верности этих птиц оказался не более чем иллюзией.

A recent study examined the mating patterns of penguins. These animals, residing in Australia, exhibited behaviors that challenge conventional beliefs about lifelong partnerships, writes ScienceAlert.

Observations made over several breeding seasons aimed to answer questions about who changed partners, what factors influenced these changes, where they occurred, when they became noticeable, and why such behavior might enhance reproductive outcomes.

Researchers from Monash University studied a colony of little penguins on Philip Island over 12 breeding seasons from 2000 to 2013. They recorded nearly 250 instances where penguins formed new pair bonds after previous relationships.

While many birds paired with the same partner each season, the analysis revealed that nearly half of the bonded pairs occasionally separated. A pair of penguins was considered altered when the marked bird reappeared with a different partner.

Eco-physiologist Richard Reina, who has been studying the island colony for 20 years, explained: "In favorable times, penguins mostly stay with their partners, although additional connections often arise between pairs. However, after an unsuccessful breeding season, they may seek a new partner the following season to enhance their reproductive success."

исследования, животные, спаривание животных, размножение животных, спаривание пингвинов, пингвины, пингвины, природа

The study also highlighted that the mating behavior of these birds is not as fixed as many had believed. Although several species of penguins maintained pair bonds during the breeding season, changes in partner selection were observed even among those considered monogamous, such as emperor penguins and Adele penguins.

In one observation, birds were able to form multiple pairs in a single night, particularly when the previous breeding provided additional mating opportunities. Marine scientist Andre Chiariada from Monash University noted that changes in breeding timing due to climate change offered extra chances for new pairs.

The research provided insights into how reproductive success is linked to the decision to switch partners, especially after an unsuccessful breeding season, as such adaptive behavior improves the birds' prospects of raising offspring in challenging conditions.

The results demonstrated that variations in mating patterns can directly impact the reproductive success of the colony. By considering how social interactions affect breeding outcomes, conservation efforts can be better planned to support the survival of species.