Biol. Bull. Sign up for etocs!
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF) Free
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Nevitt, G. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Nevitt, G. A.

The Biological Bulletin, Vol 198, Issue 2 245-253, Copyright © 2000 by Marine Biological Laboratory

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Olfactory foraging by Antarctic procellariiform seabirds: life at high Reynolds numbers

GA Nevitt
Section of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis 95616, USA. ganevitt@ucdavis.edu

Antarctic procellariiform seabirds forage over vast stretches of open ocean in search of patchily distributed prey resources. These seabirds are unique in that most species have anatomically well-developed olfactory systems and are thought to have an excellent sense of smell. Results from controlled experiments performed at sea near South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic indicate that different species of procellariiforms are sensitive to a variety of scented compounds associated with their primary prey. These include krill-related odors (pyrazines and trimethylamine) as well as odors more closely associated with phytoplankton (dimethyl sulfide, DMS). Data collected in the context of global climatic regulation suggest that at least one of these odors (DMS) tends to be associated with predictable bathymetry, including upwelling zones and seamounts. Such odor features are not ephemeral but can be present for days or weeks. I suggest that procellariiforms foraging over vast distances may be able to recognize these features reflected in the olfactory landscape over the ocean. On the large scale, such features may aid seabirds in navigation or in locating profitable foraging grounds. Once in a profitable foraging area, procellariiforms may use olfactory cues on a small scale to assist them in locating prey patches.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
E. Tew Kai, V. Rossi, J. Sudre, H. Weimerskirch, C. Lopez, E. Hernandez-Garcia, F. Marsac, and V. Garcon
Top marine predators track Lagrangian coherent structures
PNAS, May 19, 2009; 106(20): 8245 - 8250.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
G. A. Nevitt
Sensory ecology on the high seas: the odor world of the procellariiform seabirds
J. Exp. Biol., June 1, 2008; 211(11): 1706 - 1713.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
G. A. Nevitt, M. Losekoot, and H. Weimerskirch
From the Cover: Chemical Ecology Special Feature: Evidence for olfactory search in wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans
PNAS, March 25, 2008; 105(12): 4576 - 4581.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
T. W. O'Dwyer, A. L. Ackerman, and G. A. Nevitt
Examining the development of individual recognition in a burrow-nesting procellariiform, the Leach's storm-petrel
J. Exp. Biol., February 1, 2008; 211(3): 337 - 340.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
F. Bonadonna, S. Caro, P. Jouventin, and G. A. Nevitt
Evidence that blue petrel, Halobaena caerulea, fledglings can detect and orient to dimethyl sulfide
J. Exp. Biol., June 1, 2006; 209(11): 2165 - 2169.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Biol LettHome page
S. Kowalewsky, M. Dambach, B. Mauck, and G. Dehnhardt
High olfactory sensitivity for dimethyl sulphide in harbour seals
Biol Lett, March 22, 2006; 2(1): 106 - 109.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Biol LettHome page
G. A Nevitt and F. Bonadonna
Sensitivity to dimethyl sulphide suggests a mechanism for olfactory navigation by seabirds
Biol Lett, September 22, 2005; 1(3): 303 - 305.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Proc R Soc BHome page
F Bonadonna, C Bajzak, S Benhamou, K Igloi, P Jouventin, H.P Lipp, and G Dell'Omo
Orientation in the wandering albatross: interfering with magnetic perception does not affect orientation performance
Proc R Soc B, March 7, 2005; 272(1562): 489 - 495.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ScienceHome page
F. Bonadonna and G. A. Nevitt
Partner-Specific Odor Recognition in an Antarctic Seabird
Science, October 29, 2004; 306(5697): 835 - 835.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
F. Bonadonna, G. B. Cunningham, P. Jouventin, F. Hesters, and G. A. Nevitt
Evidence for nest-odour recognition in two species of diving petrel
J. Exp. Biol., October 15, 2003; 206(20): 3719 - 3722.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
G. A. Nevitt and K. Haberman
Behavioral attraction of Leach's storm-petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) to dimethyl sulfide
J. Exp. Biol., May 1, 2003; 206(9): 1497 - 1501.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
F. Bonadonna and V. Bretagnolle
Smelling home: a good solution for burrow-finding in nocturnal petrels?
J. Exp. Biol., August 15, 2002; 205(16): 2519 - 2523.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Adaptive BehaviorHome page
W. Li, J. A. Farrell, and R. T. Card
Tracking of Fluid-Advected Odor Plumes: Strategies Inspired by Insect Orientation to Pheromone
Adaptive Behavior, September 1, 2001; 9(3-4): 143 - 170.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
F Bonadonna, J Spaggiari, and H Weimerskirch
Could osmotaxis explain the ability of blue petrels to return to their burrows at night?
J. Exp. Biol., January 4, 2001; 204(8): 1485 - 1489.
[Abstract] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2000 by the Marine Biological Laboratory.