Hitchhiking goose barnacles and their potential implications on the functioning of animal-borne instruments

Goose barnacles (Lepas australis) were found attached to satellite-tracking and time-depth recording (TDR) instruments carried by two lactating Subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis) from Marion Island. We report on the movements of these seals, both of which crossed the Subantarctic Fron...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: McIntyre, Trevor, Postma, Martin, Van der Merwe, Derek S., Wege, Mia, Bester, Marthan Nieuwoudt
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Southern African Wildlife Management Association 2011
Subjects:
Goose barnacle
Animal-borne instruments
Lepas australis
Subantarctic fur seal
Barnacles
Artificial satellites > Tracking
Southern fur seals
Marine Mammal Monitoring
Marion Island
Southern Fur Seals
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/2263/18011
Description
Summary:Goose barnacles (Lepas australis) were found attached to satellite-tracking and time-depth recording (TDR) instruments carried by two lactating Subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis) from Marion Island. We report on the movements of these seals, both of which crossed the Subantarctic Front. Barnacles surrounding the temperature probe of one TDR device did not appear to directly influence temperature recordings, although disturbances to recording accuracies by other highprecision devices carrying goose barnacles are considered likely. The Department of Science and Technology (administered through the National Research Foundation) for funding the marine mammal monitoring programme at Marion Island. http://www.sawma.co.za/ ab2012

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