Marine Apex Predator Research Unit Latest News

You go this way. I go that way. Spatial segregation in Wandering Albatrosses at sea

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 22:00:00 GMT

Florian Orgeret (Marine Apex Predator Research Unit), Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa) and colleagues have published in the Journal of Animal Ecology on tracking globally Vulnerable Wandering Albatrosses at sea from Marion and Possession Islands’

MAPRU postdoc awarded prestigious CCAMLR Scientific Scholarship

Sun, 07 Feb 2021 22:00:00 GMT

MAPRU postdoc Chris Oosthuizen was awarded a prestigious CCAMLR Scientific Scholarship (2021–2022) to develop monitoring indices that can quantify functional responses of penguins to changes in their prey field. This work is a precursor to developing new monitoring parameters using marine predators such as penguins to improve ecosystem-based feedback management of fisheries.

International collaboration produces article on ecosystem assessment of the Southern Ocean.

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 22:00:00 GMT

An international collaboration involving MAPRU's Prof. Pierre Pistorius has produced an ecosystem assessment of the Southern Ocean, with a particular focus on seabirds and marine mammals - the Southern Ocean top predators. This paper packs a wealth of information on what is known about these top predators, the current and emerging pressures they face and future prospects. For the full article, click here.

New study finds a decrease in the abundance of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Plettenberg Bay.

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 22:00:00 GMT

The abundance and population trends of Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins in South African waters are poorly understood.

Biologging and stable isotope analysis reveal niche segregation in sibling seabird species.

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 22:00:00 GMT

A combination of GPS tracking, environmental data and stable isotope analysis were used to characterise and compare the foraging habitat and trophic ecology of two giant petrel species which are morphologically similar and have overlapping diets and distributions. For the full article, click here.

First study to assess at-sea movements of Cape fur seals along South African coast.

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 22:00:00 GMT

This study, which was led by and involved several MAPRU members in collaboration with researchers from other institutes, found clear differences between colonies which are likely related to differences in habitat availability and oceanographic conditions throughout the population's range.

How are seabirds responding to environmental variability?

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 22:00:00 GMT

"..behavioural plasticity may separate 'winners' from 'losers' in light of rapid environmental changes due to climate change."

Did you know that penguins originated in Australia and New Zealand, not the Antarctic?

Sun, 04 Oct 2020 22:00:00 GMT

A recent study co-authored by MAPRU's Prof Pierre Pistorius, investigated the drivers of penguin diversification using genomes.

E-tracking marine predators to protect Southern Ocean’s rich feeding grounds

Tue, 19 May 2020 22:00:00 GMT

Advances in tracking technology have helped Marine Scientists discover more about the criptic life of Marine Top Predators at sea. But, how has this helped scientists identify ecologically important areas in the ocean? To find out more, read the full article here.

MAPRU's finding of penguin's communicating underwater features in the Weekend Argus

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 22:00:00 GMT

The amazing finding of MAPRU's Andrea Thiebault that penguin's call underwater has featured in the Weekend Argus.

Click here to read the article