Calling depth and time and frequency attributes of harp ( Pagophilus groenlandicus ) and Weddell ( Leptonychotes weddellii ) seal underwater vocalizations

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Moors, Hilary B, Terhune, John M
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2005
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Weddell; Harp Seal; Pagophilus groenlandicus; Sea ice; Weddell Seal; Weddell Seals
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z05-135; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z05-135

Harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus (Erxleben, 1777)) daytime calling depth during the breeding season and Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii (Lesson, 1826)) daytime and nighttime calling depth during the winter and breeding seasons were investigated using a small vertical array with hydrophones placed at depths of 10 and 60 m. Rough calling depth estimates (<35 m, ~35 m, >35 m) and more accurate point depth estimates (±5–10 m in most cases) were obtained. Significantly more calls were produced at depths ≤35 m for both species. The point depth estimates indicated that the calls occurred most frequently at depths >10 m; 60% of harp seal calls and 71% of Weddell seal calls occurred at depths between 10 and 35 m. The seals called predominately within areas of the water column where light would likely penetrate, but still avoided sea-ice interference to some extent. The vocalizations did not change over depth with respect to call type, the number of elements within a call, or total call duration, or with respect to season and light condition for Weddell seals. Frequency (kHz) of calls also did not change with depth, suggesting that harp and Weddell seals control the pitch of their vocalizations with the vocal cords of the larynx.