guano
/ˈɡwɑːnoʊ/
Definition
The excrement of seabirds or bats, which in this context is analyzed for its color and chemical composition to determine the diet of penguins.
Etymology
The word originates from the Quechua word 'wanu,' meaning dung. It entered English via Spanish in the 17th century after European explorers encountered the massive deposits of bird excrement used as fertilizer in South America.
In the news
Researchers used satellite imagery to analyze the spectral signature of penguin guano across Antarctica to track long-term shifts in the penguins' diet. This method allowed scientists to indirectly observe how climate change impacts food sources for the species on a continental scale.
Satellite Images of Pengiun Poo Reveal Climate Change's Impact on the Species
Read the full article ↗Universe Today