LAYING ASYNCHRONY IN GENTOO PENGUINS ON CROZET ISLANDS - CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

Pygoscelis papua has a long laying season, especially in the Crozet archipelago. Unusually large variations in the timing of breeding may be related to food shortage early in the breeding season. The capacity of this penguin to overcome reproductive failure by relaying seems to be the major factor responsible for the extended laying season. Relaying was, however, associated with a cost; birds breeding late in one year often either did not breed or had their breeding delayed in the following year. -from Authors