Articles tagged with Pinnipeds
A recent study by the University of California, Davis, highlights the devastating impact of H5N1 on pinniped populations worldwide. The virus has infected over 400 million poultry and tens of thousands of seals and sea lions, with significant consequences for conservation efforts.
Research shows Australian sea lion pups can learn foraging behaviour from their mothers, a discovery that could aid conservation efforts. The pups adapt to their mother's foraging style, changing their feeding patterns and habitats.
Researchers observed a female Antarctic leopard seal exhibiting postmortem attentive behavior, or PAB, where she cared for her deceased pup for over 20 days. This unique phenomenon is rare in marine mammals and sheds light on the complex behaviors of these apex predators.
A new study by UH Mānoa-Led research revealed 25 distinct underwater vocalizations in Hawaiian monk seals, including a previously undocumented foraging call and a novel 'combinational' communication strategy. The findings provide a baseline for understanding the acoustic world of this endangered species.
Researchers found that regional differences in environmental conditions, rather than diet quality, drive divergent health trends in California Sea Lions. Despite similar diets, populations in Mexico are declining while those in the US are thriving.
Researchers discovered seals can detect size differences of just 17.6mm between vortex rings, helping them identify fish escape directions. This ability may allow seals to outmaneuver fleeing fish.
Jessica Kendall-Bar, a UCSC Ph.D. graduate, has won the Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists for her groundbreaking research on elephant seal sleep habits while at sea. Her work revealed that these marine mammals sleep bilaterally during deep dives and have a flexible sleep duration range-wide 'sleepscape.'
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 72% of US-managed cetacean and pinniped stocks are highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change. The researchers used a trait-based climate vulnerability assessment framework to evaluate the impacts on marine mammals.
Researchers analyzed aerial images of seal colonies to study distribution patterns and found harbour seals stay at larger distances from conspecifics than grey seals, suggesting an evolutionary response to respiratory virus susceptibility. This finding provides opportunities to gather more information about pinnipeds in remote regions.
A new study found that male California sea lions have grown bigger as their population increased over the past 50 years. The researchers analyzed skull and bone samples to find that males expanded their ecological niche, foraging on a more diversified group of prey. This expansion allowed them to grow larger despite increased competition.
Scientists recorded brain activity in wild elephant seals, revealing they take short naps during deep dives, averaging just 2 hours of sleep per day at sea. They switch between getting a lot of sleep on land and less when foraging at sea.
Two species, South American sea lion and fur seal, are primarily involved in interactions with fisheries and aquaculture activities. The economic losses to fisheries related to sea lion depredation are low, while incidental capture and mortality of seals remain unknown.
A new study reveals a sharp threshold in the relationship between mass gain and pup production in female elephant seals, suggesting a physiological tipping point. The researchers found that dive depth was the strongest predictor of mass gain, with animals gaining more than 260 kilograms having almost guaranteed pup success.
A Baylor University researcher led a study comparing pinniped craniofacial musculature and its potential role in aquatic feeding, revealing unique adaptations in suction- and biting-specialist species. The study provides foundational data for further research on pinnipeds and their evolution of functional morphology.
Researchers used drones to take aerial photographs of leopard seals, finding they can accurately estimate body size and mass. This non-invasive method could be used to assess body condition in other pinnipeds, tracking responses to environmental changes and managing marine ecosystems.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created a detailed map of the California sea lion's brain, highlighting its unique somatosensory system. The study revealed specific areas in the brain responsible for processing touch information from whiskers and flippers, similar to those found in mice and humans.
Thomas Cullen's research found evidence of sexual dimorphism in seals between 20-27 million years ago, suggesting that early pinnipeds formed harems. This discovery sheds light on the history of pinnipeds and has major implications for the future of the species due to climate change.
Researchers in Alaska are studying a shift in shark populations due to climate change, with salmon sharks and Pacific sleeper sharks increasing in numbers. The declining number of sea lions, seals, and other pinnipeds suggests that top predators have shifted from orcas and pinnipeds to orcas, sharks, and decreasing numbers of the latter.