Ecology Summary - Ptychoramphus aleuticus

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Ecology of Ptychoramphus aleuticus

Main Ref.	SAUP Database, 2006
Remarks	Found along the continental shelf; <150 km. Exhibits plunge diving behavior (Ref. 356). Relatively small bird. Based on stable isotope analysis (SIA) diet study of egg albumin, belongs to lower N signature group (based on ratios of stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon) indicating a more planktivorous diet, indicative of more pelagic foraging range. Copulation occurring ashore and ovum fertilization happens at sea; delayed fertilization possible because of sperm-storage glands; allows birds to feed at sea while egg forms and prior to the long period of fasting during egg incubation. Yolk formation occurs at sea where daily yolk deposition rapidly increases to a sharp peak. Double-brooded and can raise two broods annually. Reproductive success may be linked to long duration of pair bonds. Nest is usurped by the larger Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) and Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) by the destruction of its eggs and chicks. ENSO event of 1982-1983 saw absence of returning birds to Farallon Is. In central California to breed, possibly due to the death of many older breeders. Reduced breeding rates and clutch size are the identified sublethal effects of exposure to oil from spill accidents (Ref. 87784).

Main Ref.

SAUP Database, 2006

Remarks

Found along the continental shelf; <150 km. Exhibits plunge diving behavior (Ref. 356). Relatively small bird. Based on stable isotope analysis (SIA) diet study of egg albumin, belongs to lower N signature group (based on ratios of stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon) indicating a more planktivorous diet, indicative of more pelagic foraging range. Copulation occurring ashore and ovum fertilization happens at sea; delayed fertilization possible because of sperm-storage glands; allows birds to feed at sea while egg forms and prior to the long period of fasting during egg incubation. Yolk formation occurs at sea where daily yolk deposition rapidly increases to a sharp peak. Double-brooded and can raise two broods annually. Reproductive success may be linked to long duration of pair bonds. Nest is usurped by the larger Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) and Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) by the destruction of its eggs and chicks. ENSO event of 1982-1983 saw absence of returning birds to Farallon Is. In central California to breed, possibly due to the death of many older breeders. Reduced breeding rates and clutch size are the identified sublethal effects of exposure to oil from spill accidents (Ref. 87784).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

	Marine - Neritic	Marine - Oceanic	Brackishwater	Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies	supra-littoral zone littoral zone sublittoral zone	epipelagic mesopelagic epipelagic abyssopelagic hadopelagic	estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas mangroves marshes/swamps	rivers/streams lakes/ponds caves exclusively in caves

Highighted items on the list are where Ptychoramphus aleuticus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

feeding

Feeding type
Feeding type Ref.
Feeding habit
Feeding habit Ref.

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method	original sample		unfished population		Remark
Estimation method	Troph	s.e.	Troph	s.e.	Remark
From diet composition
From individual food items	3.96	0.57			Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.

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