This study compares the δ15N values and the trophic position of Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) throughout the Late Holocene in three regions in the South- Western Atlantic Ocean to assess the hypothesis that the decimation of megafauna lead to changes in the trophic position of mesopredators. Modern and ancient mollusc shells were also analysed to account for changes in the isotopic baseline through time. Results revealed that modern Magellanic penguins have higher δ15N values than their ancient conspecifics in the three regions, after controlling for changes in the isotopic baseline. Such temporal variability might be caused by three non-mutually exclusive processes: decreased availability of pelagic squat lobster resulting from decreasing primary productivity through the Late Holocene, increased availability of small fishes resulting from the sequential depletion of other piscivores (South American fur seal and sea lion and Argentine hake) since the late 18th century and modification of the migratory patterns of Magellanic penguins. Although disentangling the relative contribution of all those processes is impossible at this time, the results suggest that the ecology of Magellanic penguins has undergone major changes since the Late Holocene

11th International Penguin Conference, 4-9 September 2023, Viña del Mar, Chile

Peer reviewed