| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 海洋研究所 === 97 === Penguins have 6 genera with 17 species worldwide. They are distinctive groups of pelagic seabirds widely distributed in the cooler waters of the southern Hemisphere, mostly between 45°S and 60°S. Comparative studies among different life history of penguins would be very valuable to understand their strategies of ecological adaptation other than phylogenetic linkage. This study is designed to explore life history patterns in penguins based upon 7 life history traits (LHT) that are age at maturity (Am), weight at maturity (Wx), incubating period (Eip), parent breeding period (Pb), molting period (Mo), latitude (Lat) and sea surface temperature (Sst). All variables were analyzed individually, correlatively and collectively. By principle component analysis three reduce factors, which were parental investment, environmental tolerance and maturity, could explain 92.48% variation. By cluster analysis for each of the three factoring LHT, penguin species could be classified into three or four groups with 94-100% correct classification. These significant life history patterns in penguins from LHT may understand better on their ecological adaptation and therefore provide theoretical criteria for penguins’ management in making conservation policy
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