The energy assimilation efficiency of emperor penguins, Aptenodytes forsteri, fed a diet of Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba

Physiol Zool. 1997 Jan-Feb;70(1):27-32. doi: 10.1086/639535.

Abstract

Captive emperor penguins in Antarctica hand-fed Antarctic krill assimilated an average of 70.5% +/- 1.7% (n = 3) of the energy in the diet. Water intake estimated by tritiated water turnover was 9.4% +/- 2.4% less than that measured gravimetrically. Tritium took 1.5 h from injection to equilibrate with the penguins' body water pools.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antarctic Regions
  • Birds / metabolism*
  • Birds / physiology
  • Body Water
  • Crustacea / metabolism*
  • Diet / standards
  • Diet / veterinary*
  • Drinking / physiology
  • Eating / physiology
  • Energy Intake / physiology*
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology*
  • Tritium
  • Water / metabolism

Substances

  • Water
  • Tritium