The Reproduction of the Weddell Seal Leptonychotes weddellii (Phosidae) in the Waters of the Argentine Islands Archipelago

• Published in: Ukrainian Antarctic Journal
• Main Author: P. B. Khoyetskyy
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; Ukrainian
• Published: State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center 2019
• Subjects: leptonychotes weddellii; reproduction; numbers; argentine islands; antarctica; Meteorology. Climatology; QC851-999; Geophysics. Cosmic physics; QC801-809; Argentine; Argentine Islands; Barchans; Forge Islands; Grotto; The Barchans; Three Little Pigs; Uruguay; Weddell; Antarc*; Antarctica; Sea ice; Weddell Seal; Weddell Seals
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.33275/1727-7485.1(17).2018.37; https://doaj.org/article/a550d288df054daa98b4a2c84e804f95

Objective. The study of Leptonychotes weddellii (Phocidae) reproduction in the waters of the Argentine Islands archipelago. Methods. The inventory of Weddell seals was carried out on the islands of the archipelago by the route method with an inspection of the places where seals are likely to be located. Moving to the islands, depending on the ice situation, the weather conditions, was carried out on the sea ice or using a boat. The identification of L. weddellii was carried out in accordance with common methods. Results. In September—October 2015, in the waters of the Argentine Islands archipelago, five breeding sites of L. weddellii were revealed. At the first site (the Three Little Pigs Islands), five parturition cases were identified, at the second one (near the old English station), the births of 4 seal pups were recorded, at the third one (the Forge Islands) — 4 pups, at the fourth one (the Black — Leopard Islands) — 8 pups, and at the fifth breeding site (Grotto — Corner — Uruguay Islands) — 11 seal pups. The sixth site was probably the Barchans Islands. During the period of the study, over 76 % of the female seals with offspring and about 24 % without seal pups were recorded. Observations indicate that females swim in advance into the water of the archipelago for further reproduction. It was found that in six females parturitions occurred a day after their appearance on the island’s shore or the ice cover, some females brought pups four, six and seven days later. During September – October 2015 more than 50 % of females gave birth to pups on the ice cover, but at the distance which did not exceed 10—15 m from the shore. The births of pups at a considerable distance from the shores of the island were recorded rarely. Conclusions. In the spring of 2015, the first female seal at birth was recorded in early September, the last one — in the second ten-day period of October, the maximum number of parturition cases was found in the third ten-day period of September. The breeding period lasted 38 days. There were ...