Satellite Tracks for Female Adelie Penguins During Breeding Season

Four satellite transmitters were deployed on female Adelie penguins during incubation to track foraging trips. Complete tracks were obtained for 2 birds, while two transmitters failed, and a control group of six nests was monitored to assess transmitter effects. The data was collected by SCIOPS and last updated in February 1989.

Use Cases

• Analyze penguin foraging trip duration and patterns based on satellite tracking during the 24-29 day incubation period.
• Study the potential behavioral effects of carrying transmitters by comparing tracked penguins with the control group of six nests.
• Model penguin movement and habitat use during the breeding season based on the satellite tracks.
• Investigate individual variation in foraging behavior among female Adelie penguins based on the obtained tracks.

Strengths

• Includes a control group of six nests to assess potential transmitter effects on behavior.
• Tracks were collected during a specific and critical biological period (incubation, 24-29 days).

Limitations

• Last updated 1989-02-06 23:59:59.999000; freshness should be verified.
• Row count and column-level documentation are absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Complete tracks were only obtained for 2 of the 4 birds, indicating potential data gaps.

Provenance

Source

SCIOPS via NASA Earthdata

Collection Method

Satellite transmitters were affixed to penguins with epoxy glue; nests were checked several times daily to record key events.

Time Range

Breeding season (incubation period), with foraging trips lasting 24-29 days.

Freshness

1989-02-06 23:59:59.999000

Geography

Likely Antarctic or sub-Antarctic regions where Adelie penguins breed.