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Black Footed Penguins Lab Report

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Exploring Braying in the African Black-Footed Penguin

The African black-footed, Galapagos, Humboldt, and Magellanic penguins are all members of the Spheniscus family. Sharing common ancestry, these penguins share very similar morphological traits as well as behavioral traits. In order to try to determine what makes each of these species different, scientist in the field have turned to studying vocal repertoires of each penguin that is a part of the Spheniscus family. It has been concluded that although the Spheniscus demersus, commonly named the African black-footed penguin, has similarly behaving relatives in the Spheniscus family, it is only the black footed penguin that not only uses the braying vocalization for breeding, but during …show more content…

Different types of calls are made possible by an organ in the penguin’s throat called the syrinx. Each species syrinx differs slightly allowing different calls to be made. A study was conducted by Nina Thumser and Millicent Ficken that proved each species calls differ in the number of syllables, length, and frequency. This is why a recommended method used to classify the behavior of penguins is to understand and identify vocalizations. The African penguin had the greatest maximum frequency of the longest syllable when comparing it to the braying in Humboldt and Magellanic penguins. In addition, during mating seasons both sexes of African penguins will contribute their own bray call, however, in species such as the Spheniscus mendiculus commonly known as the Galapagos penguin, it’s mainly the males who bray when breeding. The African penguin also brays more frequently because they are more likely to display aggression via braying. because in a study, also done by Nina Thumser and Millicent Ficken, it was discovered that African Penguins are more aggressive towards each other than other Spheniscus penguins were towards other members.

The African black-footed penguin is unique, as in comparison to its Spheniscus family relatives due to its extensive use of the braying call. These uses developed as a result of behaviors and the lifestyle seen in the African penguin that are not as clearly seen in its Galapagos, Magellanic, and Humboldt relatives. The harsh, loud, sharp, and intense sound of the bray has developed to benefit the penguin. Without it the species would not be successful in reproduction, establishing territory, or locating other members of the

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