Age distribution of breeding female Antarctic fur seals in relation to changes in population growth rate

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (10) ◽  
pp. 2209-2213 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. L. Boyd ◽  
N. J. Lunn ◽  
P. Rothery ◽  
J. P. Croxall
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
South Georgia ◽  
Breeding Female ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Antarctic Fur Seals

The age distribution of breeding female Antarctic fur seals at Bird Island, South Georgia, in 1988 was compared with the age distribution of a sample obtained in 1971–1973. The mean age in 1971–1973 was 7.41 (SE = 0.26) years and in 1988 it was 6.93 (SE = 0.20) years. After correction for age-dependent arrival time at the pupping beach in 1988, the mean age was 6.22 (SE = 0.14 years), which was significantly lower than in 1971–1973. Indicators of population size suggested that population growth at Bird Island had declined to below 3% annually by 1988 compared with rapid growth (17%) in 1958–1972. Exponential models fitted to the frequency distribution of age-classes greater than age 5 years and corrected for the rate of increase of the population gave adult survival rates of 0.66 (SE = 0.03) and 0.88 (SE = 0.02) for the 1988 and 1971–1973 samples, respectively. The reduced apparent adult survival rate in the 1988 sample was probably caused by emigration brought about by high densities of females on the pupping beaches. There are few signs from this analysis that the fur seal population at South Georgia is close to carrying capacity.

The diet of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella Peters 1875) during winter at South Georgia

1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Reid
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Minor Importance ◽  
Arctocephalus Gazella ◽  
Scat Analysis ◽  
South Georgia ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Mean Size ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Large Adult ◽  
Antarctic Fur Seals

The diet of mainly adult and sub-adult male Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) was investigated during the austral winters of 1992 and 1993 using faecal (scat) analysis. Of samples containing identifiable prey remains (n = 376), c. 28% contained krill alone, c. 37% contained fish alone and c. 35% contained both krill and fish. The mean size of krill taken was smaller than in summer due to the absence of large adult krill of 55–60 mm total length. Of the 25 fish taxa taken, krill-feeding species predominated, especially in scats that also contained krill. Non-krill feeding species were more abundant in scats containing fish alone. The mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari Lönnberg 1905), which feeds mainly on krill, was the most important fish species in terms of absolute frequency (53%), frequency of occurrence (69%) and estimated biomass (47%); fur seals may have a significant impact on local stocks of this species. Cephalopods and pelagic fish (myctophids) were of minor importance in the diet (<2%). The importance of krill and krill-feeding fish species suggests that the male fur seals, which are present around South Georgia in winter, are targeting their foraging on a krill and fish community, probably associated with krill aggregations.

Linking predator and prey behaviour: contrasts between Antarctic fur seals and macaroni penguins at South Georgia

2009 ◽  
Vol 157 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire M. Waluda ◽  
Martin A. Collins ◽  
Andrew D. Black ◽  
Iain J. Staniland ◽  
Philip N. Trathan
Keyword(s):  
South Georgia ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Antarctic Fur Seals

Demography of barren-ground grizzly bears

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 294-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip D McLoughlin ◽  
Mitchell K Taylor ◽  
H Dean Cluff ◽  
Robert J Gau ◽  
Robert Mulders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Birth Interval ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Grizzly Bears ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Barren Ground ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
The Mean

Between May 1995 and June 1999, we equipped 81 barren-ground grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) with satellite radio collars within a study area of 235 000 km2, centred 400 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We used data from radiotelemetry to estimate survival rates, reproductive parameters, and the finite rate of increase of the population (λ). The annual survival rate of adult females was estimated at 0.979 (95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.955–0.998), while the survival rate of adult males was 0.986 (95% CI = 0.942–1.0). The cub survival rate was 0.737 (95% CI = 0.600–0.844) and the yearling survival rate was 0.683 (95% CI = 0.514–0.821). Cub litter size averaged 2.23 (SE = 0.13, n = 35), while yearling litter size decreased to a mean of 1.86 (SE = 0.12, n = 35). The mean litter size of females with 2-year-olds was 1.85 (SE = 0.15, n = 20). The mean birth interval was 2.8 years (SE = 0.3 years, n = 17). The mean reproductive interval, which is calculated by excluding the loss of whole litters from the sample, was 3.9 years (SE = 0.4 years, n = 9). Mean litter size divided by mean birth interval yielded an annual natality rate of 0.81 cubs per adult female per year. The mean age at first parturition was 8.1 years (SE = 0.5 years, n = 10). We believe the population to be currently stable or slightly increasing (λ = 1.033, 95% CI = 1.008–1.064).

Seasonal occurrence and diet of leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) at Bird Island, South Georgia

1998 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. Walker ◽  
I. L. Boyd ◽  
D. J. McCafferty ◽  
N. Huin ◽  
R. I. Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Euphausia Superba ◽  
Mirounga Leonina ◽  
South Georgia ◽  
Tag Loss ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Hydrurga Leptonyx ◽  
Southern Elephant Seals ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Time ◽  
Sexually Mature

Seasonal haul-out patterns and diet of individually marked leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) were investigated at Bird Island, South Georgia during the 1983–96 winters. A total of 2956 leopard seal sightings were made, and 121 seals were tagged during the study, mainly between 1993 and 1996. Photographs of scars and pelage patterns were also used to identify a subset of these individuals across years, which provided no evidence of tag loss between or within years. Leopard seals were observed between April and November; the mean time between the first and last sightings in each year was 208 d (s d ± 48). Between 1993–96, eight seals were resident around the island for more than 100 d, and the longest recorded residence was 130 d. The proportion of tagged seals resighted was 0.35 and 0.17 in 1995 and 1996 respectively. Based on estimates of body length, <5% of the seals were juveniles (0–1 years) and >70% were not sexually mature. There was considerable inter-annual variation in abundance, with a maximum of 502 sightings during 1994, compared with a minimum of 21 during 1986 and 1989. Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) were the main prey item (58% of kills observed and 53% of scats). Other items included penguins (28% of kills observed and 20% of scats) and fish (24% of scats). Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) and seabirds other than penguins were also present in the diet in small quantities.

Dispersal of male and female Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella)

1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 845-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
I L Boyd ◽  
D J McCafferty ◽  
K Reid ◽  
R Taylor ◽  
T R Walker
Keyword(s):  
Arctocephalus Gazella ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
The South ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
South Georgia ◽  
Orkney Islands ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
South Orkney Islands ◽  
Antarctic Fur Seals

This study examined the foraging locations of adult male and female Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) in the Scotia Sea during the postbreeding period. Satellite transmitters were used to track adult males and females and to obtain information about dive depths. Male fur seals migrated away from the breeding area during the postbreeding period whereas females remained close to the breeding grounds and foraged in the same area during two consecutive years. The most intensive foraging by females was associated with the edge of the continental shelf of South Georgia. Males dived deeper than females. Counts of males at South Georgia and at the South Orkney Islands support the result from satellite tracking data showing that males move from South Georgia to the South Orkney Islands at the end of the breeding season. Unlike males, females were limited in their foraging range by the necessity to return to feed dependent young, so breeding sites are likely to be located close to foraging areas that are optimal for females. Locations used for feeding by females were avoided by males, either because they were suboptimal for males or because foraging by females at South Georgia causes local depletion of food, and males, which have the option to forage further afield, can forage more successfully in regions where there are no females. Comparison with fisheries data also suggests that these fur seals are targeting the most abundant exploitable prey.

Age-specific growth, survival, and population dynamics of female Australian fur seals

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
pp. 902-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Gibbens ◽  
J.P.Y. Arnould
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rates ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Recent Change ◽  
Body Growth ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Population Recovery ◽  
Foraging Mode ◽  
Sea Lions ◽  
Fur Seals

Postsealing population recovery rates of fur seals and sea lions have differed markedly, perhaps owing to habitat type. Australian fur seals ( Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus Wood Jones, 1925) employ a benthic foraging mode similar to sea lions, and have exhibited similarly slow population recovery. Nonetheless, the population doubled in recent decades, suggesting a recent change in demographic rates. In the present study, the frequency and size of known-age females (n = 297) were used to create body growth and survivorship models. These were compared with models obtained in the 1970s before the recent population increase. Body growth, which is relatively rapid in comparison to other fur seal species, remains unchanged since the 1970s, suggesting that density-dependent effects are absent despite the population increases. Adult survival rates (weighted mean: 0.885) have increased greatly since the 1970s and are the likely mechanism of the recent increases. Total population abundance was estimated to be 4.5 times that of pups. Australian fur seals display high survivorship, rapid body growth, low fecundity, and low population growth rates; all are characteristics typical of benthic foraging sea lions rather than other fur seals.

Pup production and distribution of breeding Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) at South Georgia

1993 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. L. Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Initial Period ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Arctocephalus Gazella ◽  
South Georgia ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Antarctic Fur Seals

A census of the breeding population of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) at South Georgia was carried out during the 1990/91 breeding season. Using counts of adult females ashore at the breeding grounds during the pupping period, together with corrections for the likelihood of a female being ashore at a census and for pregnancy rate (71% in 1990/91), pup production was estimated as 269 000 (95% confidence intervals 188 000-350000). The breeding population in 1990/91 was reduced at long-term study sites probably because of limited food availability. Data from these sites were used to estimate the pup production of the population had 1990/91 been a typical year. Based on values from 1983/84 to 1990/91, pup production in 1990/91 would have been 378000 (se=19100) if it had been an average year. The annual increase in pup production from 1976/77 to 1990/91 has declined to 9.8% since the initial period of population expansion in the 1950s and 1960s. Increased population size has led to an expansion of the breeding range at South Georgia.

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