Almost, penguins have been perceived as models of fidelity, embodying the romantic image of couples united for life. However, this idyllic vision masks a much more nuanced reality. Far from being systematically monogamous, some species display high separation rates, where unions sometimes only last a season. Divorce in penguins is not an anecdotal phenomenon: it obeys precise logics, dictated by reproduction, available resources and even natural selection. Why do these birds so attached to their partners sometimes choose to break?
The penguins, really faithful?
For decades, penguins have been associated with the image of the ideal couple, crossing winds and tides to find their partner year after year. This stereotype is largely based on observations of certain species such as the Emperor penguin or the Papuan penguin, known for their solid links and their well -established love rituals. Scientists have long assumed that monogamy was a dominant feature in these sea birds, an evolutionary advantage promoting parental cooperation and young people's farming.
However, more recent research relayed by Forbes, has revealed a much broader diversity of behaviors than we imagined. Several species actually display surprising separation rates.
In small penguins in Australia, for example, unions are not as stable as you thought. Long -term follow -ups have highlighted frequent cases of ruptures, some couples separating after only one breeding season. These discoveries suggest that loyalty in penguins is not an absolute rule, but rather a contextual strategy, influenced by environmental and reproductive factors.
Variations between species also show that some of them, such as magellan penguins or jugular penguins, change partner each year in more than 80% of cases. Conversely, others, like the royal penguin, display a more fluctuating fidelity, where separation remains frequent but depends more on the synchronization between partners at the time of reproduction. These disparities point out that monogamy in penguins is not a biological necessity, but an adaptive response to the specific challenges of their habitat and their living conditions.
Why is divorce in penguins?
A study by researchers from Monash University in Australia on the largest colony of small penguins in the world, located on Phillip Island, revealed that on nearly 1,000 couples followed over thirteen years, around 250 had divorced. These separations did not follow a fixed scheme, but vary strongly from year to year.
In some favorable seasons, the divorce rate remained around 5%, while in others, marked by difficult conditions, it could reach 36%. This fluctuation is explained by several elements closely linked to ecological pressures and reproductive imperatives.
The failure of reproduction is one of the main causes of separation. In penguins, having a healthy chick is essential. If a couple fails to give birth to a young viable, one of the partners can seek elsewhere. This choice increases the chances of long -term reproduction. Rather than persistent, it is better to try a new union.
Environmental conditions also influence the stability of couples. A shortage of food or a difficult climate complicate reproduction. Stress increases and puts the relationship to the test. The survival of small ones depends on the resources available. A partner deemed ineffective may be replaced. This choice allows you to hope for better reproduction for the future.
There is also a form of natural selection that pushes certain penguins to search for partners deemed more apt. In the animal kingdom, the reproductive instinct promotes the choices which maximize the transmission of genes, and an individual who considers to be able to find a partner offering better chances of success will not hesitate to leave his previous companion.
This dynamic explains why, even after several years of common life, some couples eventually separate when one of the two partners detects a more advantageous opportunity.
An impact on the colony?
If the divorce can be beneficial on an individual scale, it generates notable consequences on a collective scale. A separation necessarily leads to a transition period, during which each individual must seek a new partner. In small penguins in Australia, this process can take time, especially due to the complex seduction rituals preceding the formation of a new couple.
This period has a direct effect on the reproductive cycle. The late the couples, the more the laying is pushed, which reduces the window available to raise the chicks before winter conditions. A late reproduction means that young people can be less robust when they have to face the ocean by themselves, thereby reducing their survival rate.
Another challenge concerns coordination between new partners. When a couple reforms, he must adapt to properly manage incubation and feeding. Those who have already experienced several seasons together are more effective. On the other hand, the new couples must find their rhythm. This adaptation phase can lead to errors in the breeding of young people. Sometimes she even leads to the abandonment of nests.
A high divorce rate can also have a domino effect. If too many couples separate at the same time, the colony becomes unstable. Rivalries to find a new partner are increasing, creating stress. Energy devoted to conflicts and seduction increases. This reduces time and resources dedicated to reproduction. Ultimately, the whole colony is weakening.
The researchers found that during the years when the divorce rate was particularly high, the overall productivity of the colony fell significantly. Less eggs hatch, less chicks reach adulthood, and the group's demographic growth slows down.
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
