Effect of weather conditions and presence of visitors on adrenocortical activity in captive African penguins ( Spheniscus demersus )

Highlights • We investigated the adrenocortical activity of a colony of captive African penguins. • We used the non-invasive method of assessing faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs). • The number of visitors did not influence the FGM concentration of the penguins. • The local weather conditions...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:General and comparative endocrinology 2017-02, Vol.242, p.49-58
Main Authors: Ozella, L, Anfossi, L, Di Nardo, F, Pessani, D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adrenal Glands
Animals
Animals, Zoo
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites
Feces - chemistry
Glucocorticoids - chemistry
Glucocorticoids - metabolism
Immersive zoo
Jackass penguin
Marine
Microclimatic conditions
Reproduction
Spheniscidae - physiology
Spheniscus demersus
Stress
Stress, Physiological - physiology
Visitor effect
Weather
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Summary:Highlights • We investigated the adrenocortical activity of a colony of captive African penguins. • We used the non-invasive method of assessing faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs). • The number of visitors did not influence the FGM concentration of the penguins. • The local weather conditions influenced the physiological stress on these birds. • Two climatic indices (THI and WCI) are useful indicators of weather discomfort in this species.
ISSN:0016-6480
1095-6840
DOI:10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.12.002