Vocalizations and vocal mimicry in captive harbor seals, Phoca vitulina

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1050-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Ralls ◽  
Patricia Fiorelli ◽  
Sheri Gish
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Phoca Vitulina ◽  
Harbor Seals ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Human Speech ◽  
Vocal Mimicry ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Speech Cues ◽  
Sexually Mature

Vocalizations recorded from captive harbor seals are described and illustrated. Pups of both sexes vocalized, but females over 1 year of age rarely vocalized. Sexually mature males were the most vocal animals. Two adult males produced sounds that mimicked one or more English words and phrases, which is noteworthy in view of the rarity of demonstrated vocal learning in mammals. Although similar in many ways to other seal sounds, these speechlike sounds contained a variety of human speech cues. We speculate that male harbor seals may mimic other males in the wild.

Hearing Thresholds of Two Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) for Helicopter Dipping Sonar Signals (1.3-1.4 kHz)

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-355
Author(s):  
Ronald A. Kastelein ◽  
Robin Gransier ◽  
Marloe Brouwers ◽  
Lean Helder-Hoek
Keyword(s):  
Phoca Vitulina ◽  
Harbor Seals ◽  
Hearing Thresholds

Variation of Male–Male Aggression Patterns in Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina)

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-123
Author(s):  
Anders Galatius ◽  
Jonas Teilmann ◽  
Jakob Tougaard ◽  
Rune Dietz
Keyword(s):  
Phoca Vitulina ◽  
Harbor Seals ◽  
Male Aggression

scholarly journals PCB-Related Alteration of Thyroid Hormones and Thyroid Hormone ReceptorGene Expression in Free-Ranging Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina)

2006 ◽  
Vol 114 (7) ◽  
pp. 1024-1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maki Tabuchi ◽  
Nik Veldhoen ◽  
Neil Dangerfield ◽  
Steven Jeffries ◽  
Caren C. Helbing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Thyroid Hormones ◽  
Phoca Vitulina ◽  
Harbor Seals ◽  
Free Ranging

scholarly journals Birdsong Decreases Protein Levels of FoxP2, a Molecule Required for Human Speech

2008 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 2015-2025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie E. Miller ◽  
Elizabeth Spiteri ◽  
Michael C. Condro ◽  
Ryan T. Dosumu-Johnson ◽  
Daniel H. Geschwind ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Motor Deficits ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Area X

Cognitive and motor deficits associated with language and speech are seen in humans harboring FOXP2 mutations. The neural bases for FOXP2 mutation-related deficits are thought to reside in structural abnormalities distributed across systems important for language and motor learning including the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. In these brain regions, our prior research showed that FoxP2 mRNA expression patterns are strikingly similar between developing humans and songbirds. Within the songbird brain, this pattern persists throughout life and includes the striatal subregion, Area X, that is dedicated to song development and maintenance. The persistent mRNA expression suggests a role for FoxP2 that extends beyond the formation of vocal learning circuits to their ongoing use. Because FoxP2 is a transcription factor, a role in shaping circuits likely depends on FoxP2 protein levels which might not always parallel mRNA levels. Indeed our current study shows that FoxP2 protein, like its mRNA, is acutely downregulated in mature Area X when adult males sing with some differences. Total corticosterone levels associated with the different behavioral contexts did not vary, indicating that differences in FoxP2 levels are not likely attributable to stress. Our data, together with recent reports on FoxP2's target genes, suggest that lowered FoxP2 levels may allow for expression of genes important for circuit modification and thus vocal variability.

Body size and organ accumulation of mercury and selenium in young harbor seals (Phoca vitulina)

1989 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Himeno ◽  
C. Watanabe ◽  
T. Hongo ◽  
T. Suzuki ◽  
A. Naganuma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Phoca Vitulina ◽  
Harbor Seals

CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC CONSIDERATIONS OFCLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILEIN HARBOR SEALS (PHOCA VITULINA) AT A MARINE MAMMAL REHABILITATION CENTER

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea E. Anderson ◽  
Martin Haulena ◽  
Erin Zabek ◽  
Gregory Habing ◽  
Stephen Raverty
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Phoca Vitulina ◽  
Harbor Seals ◽  
Rehabilitation Center

Population parameters of ringed seals (Phoca hispida Schreber, 1775) in the Svalbard area

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 1021-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Lydersen ◽  
Ian Gjertz
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Ringed Seal ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Phoca Hispida ◽  
Age Class ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sexually Mature

Samples were taken from 284 ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in the Svalbard area during April–July 1981 and March–April 1982. The age of 283 seals was determined by reading annuli in the cementum of the canine teeth. The mean age of the males was 11.3 years, and of the females, 14.9 years. Females were found to be significantly older than males. The mean length of sexually mature ringed seals was 128.9 cm for both sexes. The mean weight of adult males and females was 53.5 and 61.4 kg, respectively. Females were found to be significantly heavier than males. The sex ratio was 47.8% males and 52.2% females. Studies of microscopic sections of testis and epididymis from ringed seal males showed that 63, 75, and 80% of 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old animals, respectively, were sexually mature. The weights of testis and epididymis, diameters of tubuli, and the size of testis all showed a marked increase in the 5-year age-class. Macroscopic sections of ovaries from ringed seal females showed that 20, 60, and 80% of 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old animals, respectively, were sexually mature. The size of the ovaries showed a marked increase in the 5-year age-class. The ovulation rate of ringed seals from Svalbard was calculated to be 0.91.

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