Breeding Behavior in a Colony of Western Atlantic Gray Seals

Cameron, A. W. W.

doi:10.1139/z67-023

Cited by 21 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Gray seals possess different head morphology from other phocids. Cameron [39] and King [11] described the nose of male gray seals as high and arched, while females have a long, straight profile to the top of the head. Gray seals are similar to hooded and elephant ( Mirounga spp.)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fused Traditional and Geometric Morphometrics Demonstrate Pinniped Whisker Diversity

et al. 2012

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Vibrissae (whiskers) are important components of the mammalian tactile sensory system, and primarily function as detectors of vibrotactile information from the environment. Pinnipeds possess the largest vibrissae among mammals and their vibrissal hair shafts demonstrate a diversity of shapes. The vibrissae of most phocid seals exhibit a beaded morphology with repeating sequences of crests and troughs along their length. However, there are few detailed analyses of pinniped vibrissal morphology, and these are limited to a few species. Therefore, we comparatively characterized differences in vibrissal hair shaft morphologies among phocid species with a beaded profile, phocid species with a smooth profile, and otariids with a smooth profile using traditional and geometric morphometric methods. Traditional morphometric measurements (peak-to-peak distance, crest width, trough width and total length) were collected using digital photographs. Elliptic Fourier analysis (geometric morphometrics) was used to quantify the outlines of whole vibrissae. The traditional and geometric morphometric datasets were subsequently combined by mathematically scaling each to true rank, followed by a single eigendecomposition. Quadratic discriminant function analysis demonstrated that 79.3, 97.8 and 100% of individuals could be correctly classified to their species based on vibrissal shape variables in the traditional, geometric and combined morphometric analyses, respectively. Phocids with beaded vibrissae, phocids with smooth vibrissae, and otariids each occupied distinct morphospace in the geometric morphometric and combined data analyses. Otariids split into two groups in the geometric morphometric analysis and gray seals appeared intermediate between beaded- and smooth-whiskered species in the traditional and combined analyses. Vibrissal hair shafts modulate the transduction of environmental stimuli to the mechanoreceptors in the follicle-sinus complex (F-SC), which results in vibrotactile reception, but it is currently unclear how the diversity of shapes affects environmental signal modulation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fused Traditional and Geometric Morphometrics Demonstrate Pinniped Whisker Diversity

et al. 2012

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“…The gray seal is an excellent subject to test this hypothesis because breeding colonies are found in a variety of habitats, including open beaches, grassy island tops and rocky coastlines, as well as land-fast ice and pack ice (Hook and Johnels 1972;Mansfield and Beck 1977;Anderson and Harwood 1985). A polygynous mating system has been described for land-breeding gray seal colonies in the eastern and western Atlantic (e.g., Hewer 1960;Coulson and Hickling 1964;Cameron 1967;Anderson et al 1975). It is an unusual system compared to other polygynous pinnipeds in that males do not defend fixed territories or form dominance hierarchies, but instead compete for the right to remain within a shifting population of females (Boness and James 1979;Anderson and Fedak 1985).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The reproductive behavior and energetics of male gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) breeding on a land-fast ice substrate

Tinker

Kovacs

Hammill

1995

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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The reproductive behavior of male gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) breeding on land-fast ice at Amet Island, Nova Scotia, was studied. Data on energy expenditure (rate of mass loss over time) were collected. The average time budget of males at Amet Island was comparable to that of land-breeding males. The behavior of males showed seasonal changes, with a decrease in the proportion of time spent in the water and an increase in agonistic behavior during the peak mating period. The estimated amount of body mass lost over the season ranged between 25.6 and 77.1 kg, and the estimated percent of initial body mass lost ranged between 7.7 and 26.5% (n=10). The maximum number of observed copulations for an individual male was nine. Only 15 out of 42 males observed during 1992 and 1993 were seen copulating. The number of observed copulations per male was strongly correlated with success in remaining close to, or attending, females (r=0.91, P<0.001, n=42). The mean duration of attendance was 4.5 + 5.54 days (n=42). Large size was not an important factor in determining attendance success, but reproductive effort (the estimated proportion of body mass lost over the season) and success in agonistic interactions with other males were both correlated with male success.

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“…Gray seals are an ideal study species for wild, longitudinal, behavioral studies due to their temporally and spatially discrete breeding season, wide range of suitable breeding substrates, individually unique and stable natural markings, and site fidelity across years (Boyd et al . , Cameron , Boness and James , Anderson and Fedak , Twiss , Lawson , Twiss et al . , Pomeroy et al .…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The social system of the gray seal has been investigated extensively over the past 50 yr with considerable attention given to male aggression (Cameron , Boness and James , Anderson and Fedak , Twiss , Twiss et al . , Lidgard et al .…”

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confidence: 99%

Body slap: An innovative aggressive display by breeding male gray seals (Halichoerus grypus)

Bishop

Lidstone-Scott

Pomeroy

et al. 2013

Marine Mammal Science

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Aggression in male gray seals has been extensively studied; however it is often simplistically assumed that threat signals are mainly cephalic in nature for this species. We report on an undescribed and apparently new kind of threat signal used by male gray seals we term a Body Slap. The behavior has been observed at breeding sites in eastern England since 1993 but has not been studied ethologically or reported elsewhere. The aims of this study were to describe the behavior, test the influence of topographic variation on its frequency of occurrence, examine if it is used to signal dominance or submission, and to place it in intra‐ and interspecific contexts. Our results show Body Slaps were performed in 66.3% of interactions and by 57.2% of males; it was not performed by females. The Body Slap was positively associated with the Approach and Open‐Mouth Threat behaviors but was not related to dominance; nevertheless, display rates were greater for subsequent winners. These findings suggest that the Body Slap carries information about male resource holding potential and does not signal submission. This study furthers our understanding of geographic variants of male threat behaviors and of pinniped nonvocal communication.

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Breeding Behavior in a Colony of Western Atlantic Gray Seals

Cited by 21 publications

References 2 publications

Fused Traditional and Geometric Morphometrics Demonstrate Pinniped Whisker Diversity

Fused Traditional and Geometric Morphometrics Demonstrate Pinniped Whisker Diversity

The reproductive behavior and energetics of male gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) breeding on a land-fast ice substrate

Body slap: An innovative aggressive display by breeding male gray seals (Halichoerus grypus)

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