Social effects of space availability on the breeding behaviour of elephant seals in Patagonia
Article Abstract:
Homogeneity, spaciousness, and continuity mark the Patagonian breeding colony of the Southern elephant seals. These breeding colonies accommodating 0-300 female seals are spread over 160 kms. Breeding that occurs at the lowest of the group densities increases female reproductivity through high pup survival. The small harems, which allow females to keep ample inter-animal distance, reduce aggression towards other females and pups. Since females are present over a wide area, males have greater access to them with almost 45% of the eligible males having harems.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Female distribution, genetic relatedness, and fostering behavior in harbour seals, Phoca vitulina
Article Abstract:
Harbour seals may choose relatives preferentially for fostering if they display natal philopatry together with breeding site fidelity. Population structure within the Sable Island breeding colony was investigated using behavioural and genetic data, to determine whether harbour seals foster related pups. The hypothesis that female distribution in the colony was not correlated with genetic relatedness was supported using DNA fingerprint data.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Evaluating the function of the male harbour seal, Phoca vitulina, roar through playback experiments
Article Abstract:
Details about the evaluation done to identify the role of vocalizations produced during the breeding season by the male harbour seal, an aquatically breeding pinniped are presented. The evaluation revealed that the territorial male harbour seal use roars given by intruders to locate and challenge intruders.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 2004
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Individual mating success, lek stability, and the neglected limitations of statistical power. Environmental conditions and male morphology determine alternative mating behavior in Trinidadian guppies
- Abstracts: Watch and learn: Preview of the fighting ability of opponents alters contest behaviour in rainbow trout. Big and brave: size selection affects foraging under risk of predation in juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Abstracts: Rapid climate variability in the North Pacific Ocean during the past 95,000 years. Uncertainty of short-term contracts is turning talent away from science
- Abstracts: Reflection signature of seismic and aseismic slip on the northern Cascadia subduction interface. Migration of seismic scatters associated with the 1993 Parkfield aseismic transient event
- Abstracts: Effects of forest fragmentation and flowering phenology on the reproductive success and mating patterns of the tropical dry forest tree Pachira quinata