Email: t.mattern@eudyptes.net
Website: https://www.tawaki-project.org
Research Interests
I am a movement ecologist and for the past 20 years have been applying various bio-logging and wildlife telemetry technologies to study the at-sea behaviour of seabirds. My work also encompasses demography and population dynamics as well as physiological consequences of human disturbance on wildlife. I focus primarily on New Zealand penguins and have worked with all our endemic species but have also contributed to other seabird research in South America, Australia, Antarctica, and the Russian Arctic. Together with my wife Ursula Ellenberg I lead the Tawaki Project (www.tawaki-project.org), a long-term study of Fiordland penguins/tawaki and other crested penguins. I am furthermore the director of the New Zealand Penguin Initiative (www.penguin-conservation.nz) that works towards a better understanding of New Zealand penguins to improve their protection.
Current Projects
- Foraging ecology and population dynamics of Fiordland penguins/tawaki across their distributional range
- Utilization of the marine habitat by Yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho on the New Zealand mainland and examination of potential fisheries interactions
- Establishment of a nation-wide monitoring network of Little penguins/kororā
- Climate-related effects on the at-sea behaviour and population developments of Erect-crested and Eastern Rockhopper penguins
Publications
Harris, S., Scioscia, G., Klemens, P., Mattern, T., & Rey, A. R. (2020). Niche partitioning between coexisting gentoo Pygoscelis papua and Magellanic penguins Spheniscus magellanicus at Martillo Island, Argentina. Marine Biology, 167(8), 105. doi: 10.1007/s00227-020-03722-w
Cole, T. L., Rawlence, N. J., Dussex, N., Ellenberg, U., Houston, D. M., Mattern, T., … Waters, J. M. (2019). Ancient DNA of crested penguins: Testing for temporal genetic shifts in the world's most diverse penguin clade. Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution, 131, 72-79. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.10.025
Cole, T. L., Dutoit, L., Dussex, N., Hart, T., Alexander, A., Younger, J. L., … Ellenberg, U., … Mattern, T., … Waters, J. M. (2019). Receding ice drove parallel expansions in Southern Ocean penguins. PNAS, 116(52), 26690-26696. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1904048116
Pan, H., Cole, T. L., Bi, X., Fang, M., Zhou, C., Yang, Z., … Mattern, T., … Young, M. J., … Grosser, S., … Zhang, G. (2019). High-coverage genomes to elucidate the evolution of penguins [Data note]. GigaScience, 8(9), giz117. doi: 10.1093/gigascience/giz117
Ellenberg, U., Mattern, T., Houston, D., Long, R., Pütz, K., Garcia Borboroglu, P., & Seddon, P. (2019). Penguin plasticity: Surprisingly versatile marine life-style in Fiordland penguins/tawaki. Proceedings of the 10th International Penguin Conference (IPC10). (pp. 22). Retrieved from https://www.penguin-conference.com
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Mattern, T., Ellenberg, U., Houston, D. M., & Davis, L. S. (2018). Like clockwork: Nest attendance patterns and foraging behaviour of Snares penguins Eudyptes robustus as a function of daylength and oceanography. PeerJ Preprints. doi: 10.7287/peerj.preprints.26653v1
Mattern, T., Pütz, K., Garcia-Borboroglu, P., Ellenberg, U., Houston, D., Long, R., … Seddon, P. J. (2018). Marathon penguins: Reasons and consequences of long-range dispersal in Fiordland penguins/Tawaki during the pre-moult period. PeerJ Preprints. doi: 10.7287/peerj.preprints.26527v1
Mattern, T., McPherson, M., Ellenberg, U., van Heezik, Y., & Seddon, P. J. (2017). High definition video loggers provide new insights into behaviour, physiology, and the oceanic habitat of marine top predators. PeerJ Preprints. doi: 10.7287/peerj.preprints.2765v1
Chapter in Book - Research
Mattern, T. (2013). Fiordland penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus). In P. Garcia Borboroglu & P. D. Boersma (Eds.), Penguins: Natural history and conservation. (pp. 153-167). Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press.
Mattern, T. (2013). Snares penguin (Eudyptes robustus). In P. Garcia Borboroglu & P. D. Boersma (Eds.), Penguins: Natural history and conservation. (pp. 169-183). Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press.
Journal - Research Article
Harris, S., Scioscia, G., Klemens, P., Mattern, T., & Rey, A. R. (2020). Niche partitioning between coexisting gentoo Pygoscelis papua and Magellanic penguins Spheniscus magellanicus at Martillo Island, Argentina. Marine Biology, 167(8), 105. doi: 10.1007/s00227-020-03722-w
Cole, T. L., Rawlence, N. J., Dussex, N., Ellenberg, U., Houston, D. M., Mattern, T., … Waters, J. M. (2019). Ancient DNA of crested penguins: Testing for temporal genetic shifts in the world's most diverse penguin clade. Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution, 131, 72-79. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.10.025
Cole, T. L., Dutoit, L., Dussex, N., Hart, T., Alexander, A., Younger, J. L., … Ellenberg, U., … Mattern, T., … Waters, J. M. (2019). Receding ice drove parallel expansions in Southern Ocean penguins. PNAS, 116(52), 26690-26696. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1904048116
Mattern, T., Pütz, K., Garcia-Borboroglu, P., Ellenberg, U., Houston, D. M., Long, R., … Seddon, P. J. (2018). Marathon penguins: Reasons and consequences of long-rage dispersal in Fiordland penguins/Tawaki during the pre-moult period. PLoS ONE, 13(8), e0198688. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198688
Mattern, T., McPherson, M. D., Ellenberg, U., van Heezik, Y., & Seddon, P. J. (2018). High definition video loggers provide new insights into behaviour, physiology, and the oceanic habitat of a marine predator, the yellow-eyed penguin. PeerJ, 6, e5459. doi: 10.7717/peerj.5459
Meyer, X., MacIntosh, A. J. J., Chiaradia, A., Kato, A., Mattern, T., Sueur, C., & Ropert-Coudert, Y. (2017). Shallow divers, deep waters and the rise of behavioural stochasticity. Marine Biology, 164(6), 149. doi: 10.1007/s00227-017-3177-y
Thiebot, J.-B., Arnould, J. P. Y., Gómez-Laich, A., Ito, K., Kato, A., Mattern, T., … Seddon, P. J., … Takahashi, A. (2017). Jellyfish and other gelata as food for four penguin species: Insights from predator-borne videos. Frontiers in Ecology & the Environment, 15(8), 437-441. doi: 10.1002/fee.1529
Mattern, T., Meyer, S., Ellenberg, U., Houston, D. M., Darby, J. T., Young, M., van Heezik, Y., & Seddon, P. J. (2017). Quantifying climate change impacts emphasises the importance of managing regional threats in the endangered Yellow-eyed penguin. PeerJ, 5, e3727. doi: 10.7717/peerj.3272
Mattern, T., Ellenberg, U., Houston, D. M., Lamare, M., Davis, L. S., van Heezik, Y., & Seddon, P. J. (2013). Straight line foraging in yellow-eyed penguins: New insights into cascading fisheries effects and orientation capabilities of marine predators. PLoS ONE, 8(12), e84381. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084381
Ellenberg, U., Mattern, T., Houston, D. M., Davis, L. S., & Seddon, P. J. (2012). Previous experiences with humans affect responses of Snares Penguins to experimental disturbance. Journal of Ornithology, 153(3), 621-631. doi: 10.1007/s10336-011-0780-4
Browne, T., Lalas, C., Mattern, T., & van Heezik, Y. (2011). Chick starvation in yellow-eyed penguins: Evidence for poor diet quality and selective provisioning of chicks from conventional diet analysis and stable isotopes. Austral Ecology, 36(1), 99-108. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2010.02125.x
McGraw, K. J., Massaro, M., Rivers, T. J., & Mattern, T. (2009). Annual, sexual, size- and condition-related variation in the colour and fluorescent pigment content of yellow crest-feathers in Snares Penguins (Eudyptes robustus). Emu, 109(2), 93-99. doi: 10.1071/mu08034
Mattern, T., Houston, D. M., Lalas, C., Setiawan, A. N., & Davis, L. S. (2009). Diet composition, continuity in prey availability and marine habitat: Keystones to population stability in the Snares Penguin (Eudyptes robustus). Emu, 109, 204-213. doi: 10.1071/mu08001
Ellenberg, U., Mattern, T., & Seddon, P. J. (2009). Habituation potential of yellow-eyed penguins depends on sex, character and previous experience with humans. Animal Behaviour, 77(2), 289-296. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.09.021
Chiaradia, A., Ropert-coudert, Y., Kato, A., Mattern, T., & Yorke, J. (2007). Diving behaviour of Little Penguins from four colonies across their whole distribution range: Bathymetry affecting diving effort and fledging success. Marine Biology, 151, 1535-1542. doi: 10.1007/s00227-006-0593-9
Mattern, T., Ellenberg, U., Houston, D. M., & Davis, L. S. (2007). Consistent foraging routes and benthic foraging behaviour in yellow-eyed penguins. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 343, 295-306. doi: 10.3354/meps06954
Ellenberg, U., Mattern, T., Seddon, P. J., & Jorquera, G. L. (2006). Physiological and reproductive consequences of human disturbance in Humboldt penguins: The need for species-specific visitor management. Biological Conservation, 133, 95-106.
Mattern, T., Ellenberg, U., Luna-Jorquera, G., & Davis, L. S. (2004). Humboldt penguin census on Isla Chañaral, Chile: Recent increase or past underestimate of penguin numbers? Waterbirds, 27(3), 368-376.
Journal - Research Other
Pan, H., Cole, T. L., Bi, X., Fang, M., Zhou, C., Yang, Z., … Mattern, T., … Young, M. J., … Grosser, S., … Zhang, G. (2019). High-coverage genomes to elucidate the evolution of penguins [Data note]. GigaScience, 8(9), giz117. doi: 10.1093/gigascience/giz117
Mattern, T., & Long, R. (2017). Survey and population size estimate of Fiordland penguin (tawaki; Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) in Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, New Zealand [Short note]. Notornis, 64, 97-101.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Ellenberg, U., Mattern, T., Houston, D., Long, R., Pütz, K., Garcia Borboroglu, P., & Seddon, P. (2019). Penguin plasticity: Surprisingly versatile marine life-style in Fiordland penguins/tawaki. Proceedings of the 10th International Penguin Conference (IPC10). (pp. 22). Retrieved from https://www.penguin-conference.com
Hickcox, R. P., van Heezik, Y., Mattern, T., Young, M. J., & Seddon, P. J. (2019). Environmental, climatic, and biological interactions influencing the marine distribution of yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes). Proceedings of the 10th International Penguin Conference (IPC10). (pp. 36). Retrieved from https://www.penguin-conference.com
Young, M. J., Robertson, F., Dutoit, L., Mattern, T., Seddon, P. J., Robertson, B. C., & van Heezik, Y. (2019). Evidence for declining diet quality of mainland yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes): Is this their final dive? Proceedings of the 10th International Penguin Conference (IPC10). (pp. 73). Retrieved from https://www.penguin-conference.com
Cole, T. L., Dutoit, L., Dussex, N., Hart, T., Alexander, A., Frugone, M. J., … Ellenberg, U., … Mattern, T., … Waters, J. M. (2019). Contrasting demographic histories between widespread and endemic penguin taxa. Proceedings of the 10th International Penguin Conference (IPC10). (pp. 39-40). Retrieved from https://www.penguin-conference.com
Young, M. J., Seddon, P. J., Pütz, K., Mattern, T., Robertson, B. C., & van Heezik, Y. (2019). Go forth and prosper? Post-fledging dispersal and the decline in juvenile survival of mainland yellow-eyed penguins. Proceedings of the 10th International Penguin Conference (IPC10). (pp. 96). Retrieved from https://www.penguin-conference.com
Mattern, T., Clarkson, G., Pütz, K., Garcia Borboroglu, P., Ellenberg, U., Houston, D., … Seddon, P. (2019). Marathon penguins: Reasons and consequences of long-range dispersal in Fiordland penguins/tawaki during the pre-moult period. Proceedings of the 10th International Penguin Conference (IPC10). (pp. 61). Retrieved from https://www.penguin-conference.com
White, J., Mattern, T., Ellenberg, U., Garcia-Borboroglu, P., Houston, D. M., Seddon, P., … Mays, H. (2019). Investigating Fiordland penguin (tawaki) dietary plasticity using stable isotope analysis. Proceedings of the 10th International Penguin Conference (IPC10). (pp. 75). Retrieved from https://www.penguin-conference.com
Mattern, T., Ellenberg, U., Seed, R., van Heezik, Y., & Seddon, P. (2019). A birds-eye view on food: Using animal-borne cameras to study Yellow-eyed penguin foraging ecology. Proceedings of the 10th International Penguin Conference (IPC10). (pp. 18). Retrieved from https://www.penguin-conference.com
Cole, T., Dutoit, L., Dussex, N., Hart, T., Alexander, A., Frugone, M. J., … Ellenberg, U., … Mattern, T., … Waters, J. (2019). Receding ice drove rapid expansions in eight Southern Ocean penguins. Proceedings of the Genetics Society of Australasia (GSA) Conference. Retrieved from https://event.crowdcompass.com/gsa2019
Wilson, K.-J., & Mattern, T. (2018). Identifying conservation actions required to protect Little Penguins in New Zealand. Proceedings of the Birds New Zealand Conference. (pp. 23-24). Retrieved from https://www.osnz.org.nz/
Mattern, T., & Wilson, K.-J. (2018). Identifying conservation actions required to protect Tawaki in New Zealand. Proceedings of the Birds New Zealand Conference. (pp. 24). Retrieved from https://www.osnz.org.nz/
Mattern, T., Seed, R., Ellenberg, U., van Heezik, Y., & Seddon, P. (2018). Penguin-cams: Gaining a whole new perspective on the foraging ecology and marine habitat of Yellow-eyed penguins. Proceedings of the Birds New Zealand Conference. (pp. 16). Retrieved from https://www.osnz.org.nz/
Mattern, T., Ellenberg, U., Garcia-Borboroglu, P., Pütz, K., Houston, D., & Seddon, P. (2017). The advantages of breeding in diverse habitats: Site-dependent effects of El Niño on foraging behaviour in Fiordland penguins/tawaki. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 44(2), (pp. 170-171). doi: 10.1080/03014223.2016.1264079
Mattern, T., Ellenberg, U., Houston, D. M., Seddon, P. J., & Davis, L. S. (2013). The Pros and Cons of being a benthic forager: How anthropogenic alterations of the seafloor affect Yellow-eyed penguins [Keynote]. Proceedings of the 8th International Penguin Conference (IPC8). (pp. 16). Retrieved from https://www.penguin-conference.com
Garcia-Borboroglu, P., Boersma, D., Trathan, P., Pütz, K., Wienecke, B., Le Maho, Y., … Mattern, T., … Ellenberg, U., Seddon, P., van Heezik, Y., … Davis, L., … Hindel, M. (2010). Penguin status in troubled oceans. In H. Urquhart, D. Laughlin & P. DiBona (Eds.), Proceedings of the 7th International Penguin Conference. (pp. 44). Boston, MA: New England Aquarium. [Abstract]
