Maternal responses to pup calls in a high-cost lactation species

• Published in: Biology Letters
• Main Authors: Linossier, Juliette, Casey, Caroline, Charrier, Isabelle, Mathevon, Nicolas, Reichmuth, Colleen
• Other Authors: Institute of Marine Sciences, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz), University of California (UC)-University of California (UC), Biophonia, Sualello, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay (NeuroPSI), Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Sensory Neuro-Ethology (ENES), Centre de recherche en neurosciences de Lyon - Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL), Université de Lyon-Université de Lyon-Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne (UJM)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL), Université de Lyon-Université de Lyon-Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne (UJM)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2021
• Subjects: acoustic communication; maternal investment; mother–offspring bonding; vocalizations; MESH: Animals; MESH: Female; MESH: Lactation; MESH: Maternal Behavior; MESH: Mothers; MESH: Recognition; Psychology; MESH: Seals; Earless; [SDV.NEU.NB]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Neurobiology; [SDV.NEU.PC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Psychology and behavior; [SDV.NEU.SC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Cognitive Sciences; Elephant Seal
• Online Access: https://hal.science/hal-03617080; https://hal.science/hal-03617080/document; https://hal.science/hal-03617080/file/Linossier_etal_BiologyLetter_NES_2022.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2021.0469

International audience Bonding between mothers and their young is fundamental to mammalian reproductive behaviour and individual fitness. In social systems where the risk of confusing filial and non-filial offspring is high, mothers should demonstrate early, strong and consistent responses to their kin throughout the period of offspring dependence, irrespective of maternal traits. We tested this hypothesis through playback experiments in the northern elephant seal Mirounga angustirostris , a phocid species that breeds in high-density colonies. We found that mothers recognized their offspring throughout lactation and as early as 1–2 days after parturition. Measures of experience (age) and temperament (aggressivity) did not predict their response strength to filial playback treatments, nor did pup age or sex. Some mothers showed great consistency in behavioural responses throughout the lactation period, while others were less predictable. The strength of a female's response did not influence her pup's weaning weight; however, more consistent females weaned pups of higher mass. This is a rare demonstration of individual recognition among phocid mothers and their offspring, and suggests that consistency in maternal responsiveness may be an important social factor influencing the pup's growth and survival.