Climate-driven environmental changes along the Western Antarctic Peninsula heavily influence marine predator-prey dynamics. This thesis characterized and compared the foraging behavior of sympatric Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae) and Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) penguins breeding on Ardley Island over five consecutive summer seasons. Utilizing an extensive biotelemetry dataset integrated with bathymetric and tidal models, multi-dimensional niche utilization was evaluated. The study revealed clear vertical niche segregation, where Gentoo penguins exhibited a deeper foraging strategy with a strong affinity for benthic boundaries, whereas Adélie penguins operated predominantly as shallower, epipelagic foragers. Horizontal spatial analysis showed high coexistence within pelagic waters, which was functionally mediated by this vertical stratification. Conversely, horizontal segregation intensified in benthic habitats. Furthermore, high-frequency tidal cycles induced divergent spatial tactics at a core foraging area scale, causing Gentoo hotspots to shift dynamically while Adélies maintained a more rigid geographical fidelity. These findings demonstrate that multi-dimensional spatial-vertical segregation facilitates congeneric coexistence, providing critical ecological baselines for marine spatial management in rapidly altering polar ecosystems.
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