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Geolocation and immersion loggers reveal adult red-footed boobies are year-round residents in the tropical Indian Ocean
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  • Stephen Votier,
  • Grace Corcoran,
  • Pete Carr,
  • Ruth Dunn,
  • Robin Freeman,
  • Malcolm Nicoll,
  • Hannah Wood,
  • Alice Trevail
Stephen Votier
Heriot-Watt University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Grace Corcoran
University of Exeter
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Pete Carr
Institute of Zoology of the Zoological Society of London
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Ruth Dunn
Lancaster University
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Robin Freeman
Institute of Zoology of the Zoological Society of London
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Malcolm Nicoll
Institute of Zoology of the Zoological Society of London
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Hannah Wood
Institute of Zoology of the Zoological Society of London
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Alice Trevail
University of Exeter
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Abstract

Bio-logging has revealed much about high-latitude seabird migratory strategies, but tropical species are comparatively understudied. Here we use geolocators to study the year-round movement behaviour of adult red-footed boobies (Sula sula rubripes) from the Chagos Archipelago, tropical Indian Ocean. Light levels suggest that red-footed boobies are resident in the archipelago year-round, although there are large latitudinal errors this close to the equator. However, immersion data revealed tracked birds returned to land year-round, with no extended at-sea periods, further indicating this population is non-migratory. Our findings have important implications for seabird conservation and phylogenetics, as well as for assessing the impact of seabird nutrients on coral reef ecosystems.
16 Jun 2023Submitted to Journal of Avian Biology
19 Jun 2023Submission Checks Completed
19 Jun 2023Assigned to Editor
19 Jun 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
03 Jul 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
08 Sep 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
27 Jan 20242nd Revision Received
29 Jan 2024Submission Checks Completed
29 Jan 2024Assigned to Editor
29 Jan 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 Jan 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Feb 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
15 Apr 2024Submission Checks Completed
15 Apr 2024Assigned to Editor
15 Apr 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending