Foraging while breeding: alternative mating strategies by male Weddell seals?

• Published in: Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
• Main Authors: Harcourt, R. G., Kingston, J. J., Waas, Joseph R., Hindell, M. A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2008
• Subjects: Weddell seal; mating strategy; polygyny; aquatic breeding; dive depth; feeding; McMurdo Sound; Turtle Rock; Weddell; Weddell Seal; Weddell Seals
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10289/8315; https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.915

1. In terrestrially breeding phocid seals males are significantly larger than females with their large size conferring advantage in male–male competition, and increasing their ability to fast during the breeding season, prolonging tenure and hence mating opportunities. 2. For aquatically breeding se...