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Annual and diurnal variations in the underwater vocalizations of Weddell seals

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Summary

Weddell seal vocalizations were recorded once a fortnight throughout 1984 at a major pupping site near Davis, Antarctica. Few vocalizations were heard between January and June. The number of vocalizations recorded increased from July to a peak in November and early December during the breeding period and then fell off rapidly through December. The increase in the number of seal vocalizations was correlated with a build up in seal numbers but some of the increase may be explained by an increased rate of vocalization by males.

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Author notes

  1. K. Green

    Present address: Department of Zoology, Australian National University, 2601, Canberra, A.C.T., Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, 7150, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia

    K. Green & H. R. Burton

Authors
  1. K. Green
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  2. H. R. Burton
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Green, K., Burton, H.R. Annual and diurnal variations in the underwater vocalizations of Weddell seals. Polar Biol 8, 161–164 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00443447

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00443447

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