Chemical patterns of colony membership and mother-offspring similarity in Antarctic fur seals are reproducible over time

Abstract

20 21 45 indicating not only that patterns of colony membership persist over time, but also that 46 chemical signatures are colony-specific in general. Our study systematically confirms 47 and extends our previous findings, while also implying that temporal and spatial 48 heterogeneity need not necessarily negate the reproduction and generalization of 49 ecological research findings. 50 51 52 53Replication studies are fundamental to the scientific process as they are essential for evaluating 54