Sex differences in diving and foraging behaviour of northern elephant seals
Abstract Sex differences in the foraging behaviour of adult northern elephant seals, Mirounga angustirostris, are predicted from the great disparity in size between the sexes, males being 1.5-10 times larger than females. Males must consume approximately three times more prey per day than females. B...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Book Part |
| Language: | unknown |
| Published: |
Oxford University PressOxford
1993
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198540694.003.0009 https://academic.oup.com/book/chapter-pdf/52430134/isbn-9780198540694-book-part-9.pdf |
| Summary: | Abstract Sex differences in the foraging behaviour of adult northern elephant seals, Mirounga angustirostris, are predicted from the great disparity in size between the sexes, males being 1.5-10 times larger than females. Males must consume approximately three times more prey per day than females. By examining the diving behaviour, during which all foraging occurs, our aim was to elucidate how males do this and when the strategy develops. Dive data were collected by microcomputer time-depth recorders attached to the backs of free-ranging seals (nine adult males, 10 adult females, seven juvenile males and six juvenile females) during periods at sea ranging from one to three months. The sexes foraged in different locations and exhibited differences in foraging-type dives, suggesting different foraging strategies and, possibly, different prey. Females moved steadily across the north-eastern Pacific from the coast to as far as 150 °W, in the range 44-52 °N, foraging daily en route. Males migrated to areas along continental margins off the state of Washington, to as far as the northern Gulf of Alaska and the eastern Aleutian Islands, where they exhibited concentrated foraging. |
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