Scientists are excited about a new research method that may help reveal the mysteries of marine life beneath the waves.
Researchers from the University of Otago — Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka are optimistic that their innovative research approach will assist in uncovering underwater secrets of marine wildlife.
They often attach small cameras or sensors to animals like penguins and seals to monitor their daily behaviors, including how they interact with predators and make decisions.
Nonetheless, there are still unanswered questions about the finer details of their feeding habits, particularly regarding how they select prey and their foraging methods.
A recent study published in the journal PeerJ involved analyzing footage captured by cameras attached to Humboldt, King, and Tawaki/Fiordland penguins.
The researchers employed image-analysis software to translate the pixels into actual measurements, allowing them to assess the energy content of the penguins’ food.
Owen Dabkowski, the lead author and a master’s student in the Department of Marine Science, believes this represents a significant advancement in marine biology.
“Our research will clarify why certain prey species are favored by these animals, and it will indicate the energy they gain during feeding compared to the energy they expend,” he explains.
“This new method offers a unique viewpoint for examining diet composition and foraging behavior, highlighting previously hidden interactions that happen underwater.”
The researchers collaborated with the Tawaki Project, which is a long-term study focused on the marine ecology, breeding patterns, and population dynamics of New Zealand’s crested penguins, to develop this technique.
Dr. Ursula Ellenberg, Dabkowski’s supervisor in Otago’s Department of Marine Sciences and co-director of the Tawaki Project, expressed her satisfaction with the findings.
“Accurate estimations of prey size obtained from video footage recorded by animals will greatly improve our understanding of predator-prey interactions and energy dynamics within marine ecosystems,” she states.
