Physical changes recorded by a deep diving seal on the Patagonian slope drive large ecological changes

Aubone, N.; Saraceno, Martín; Alberto, M.L. Torres; Campagna, Julieta; Ster, Loïc Le; Picard, Baptiste; Hindell, Mark A.; Campagna, Claudio; Guinet, Christophe

doi:10.1016/j.jmarsys.2021.103612

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…In addition to physical oceanographic data, behavioral data, such as diving patterns and acceleration serve as valuable indicators for estimating underwater foraging. Detailed feeding indices can be estimated from foraging diving depths and prey capture movements (Nachtsheim et al, 2019;Aubone et al, 2021;Viviant et al, 2010;Heerah et al, 2019;Volpov et al, 2015;Photopoulou et al, 2020). 80 https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2757 Preprint.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal foraging behavior of Weddell seals relation to oceanographic environmental conditions in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

Chung,

Park,

Park

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Abstract. Understanding the foraging behavior of marine animals is crucial for assessing their ecological significance and responses to environmental changes. In the context of Antarctica, marine animals face rapid and profound environmental changes related with global warming. However, our understanding of their responses remains limited owing to the formidable challenges inherent in conducting observations, particularly during the harsh austral winter months. In this study, we investigated the influence of changes in seawater properties and light conditions on the seasonal foraging behavior of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. We affixed 35 Weddell seals with CTD tags to record their locations and dive profiles, including depth, head acceleration, temperature, and salinity. We found that seals foraged more frequently in modified shelf water and ice shelf water compared to Antarctic surface water. This preference could be connected to greater food availability. Additionally, seals also dove to greater depths and displayed increased activity in capturing prey during daylight hours. This behavior may correspond to the diel vertical migration of pelagic prey in response to varying light conditions. Our findings suggest that Weddell seals have adjusted their foraging behaviors to adapt to spatial and temporal changes in oceanographic conditions. This highlights the importance of extrinsic factors in estimating their seasonal foraging behavior.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal foraging behavior of Weddell seals relation to oceanographic environmental conditions in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

Chung,

Park,

Park

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…While at sea, the spatial distribution of females and males is quite different [10]. Males forage mostly on the Patagonian shelf [11] and females mainly along the Patagonian shelf slope, shelf break, or Argentine Basin [12][13][14][15]. SESs females breed between late August and November and molt between December and January along ca.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…SESs have been instrumented in PV since 1992 [14]. The oceanographic data collected by the PV colony have been used to study mesoscale structures in the open ocean [18], identify foraging places [12], and relate the species that the SESs eat to different water masses along the Patagonian shelf slope [13]. Based on the SESs path, speed, and swimming pattern, Campagna et al [14] suggested that the shelf area is mainly a transit zone and is not the preferred feeding ground of the SESs females of PV.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Satellite and High-Spatio-Temporal Resolution Data Collected by Southern Elephant Seals Allow an Unprecedented 3D View of the Argentine Continental Shelf

Martinez,

Ruiz-Etcheverry,

Saraceno

et al. 2023

Remote Sensing

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High spatial and temporal resolution hydrographic data collected by Southern Elephant Seals (Mirounga leonina, SESs) and satellite remote sensing data allow a detailed oceanographic description of the Argentine Continental Shelf (ACS). In-situ data were obtained from the CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth), accelerometer, and hydrophone sensors attached to five SESs that crossed the ACS between the 17th and 31st of October 2019. The analysis of the temperature (T) and salinity (S) along the trajectories allowed us to identify two different regions: north and south of 42°S. Satellite Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data suggests that north of 42°S, warm waters are coming from the San Matias Gulf (SMG). The high spatio-temporal resolution of the in-situ data shows regions with intense gradients along the T and S sections that were associated with a seasonal front that develops north of Península Valdés in winter due to the entrance of cold and fresh water to the SMG. The speed of the SESs is correlated with tidal currents in the coastal portion of the northern region, which is in good agreement with the macrotidal regime observed. A large number of Prey Catch Attempts (PCA), a measure obtained from the accelerometer sensor, indicates that SESs also feed in this region, contradicting suggestions from previous works. The analysis of wind intensity estimated from acoustic sensors allowed us to rule out the local wind as the cause of fast thermocline breakups observed along the SESs trajectories. Finally, we show that the maximum depth reached by the elephant seals can be used to detect errors in the bathymetry charts.

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Patagonian Shelf-Break Front: The Ecosystem Services Hot-Spot of the South West Atlantic Ocean

Martinetto,

Kahl,

Alemany

et al. 2024

Aquatic Ecology Series

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Physical changes recorded by a deep diving seal on the Patagonian slope drive large ecological changes

Cited by 6 publications

References 57 publications

Seasonal foraging behavior of Weddell seals relation to oceanographic environmental conditions in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

Seasonal foraging behavior of Weddell seals relation to oceanographic environmental conditions in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

Satellite and High-Spatio-Temporal Resolution Data Collected by Southern Elephant Seals Allow an Unprecedented 3D View of the Argentine Continental Shelf

Patagonian Shelf-Break Front: The Ecosystem Services Hot-Spot of the South West Atlantic Ocean

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