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The Weddell Seal: Eco-Physiological Adaptations to a High-Latitude Seasonal Environment

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Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Phocids

Part of the book series: Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals ((EBEMM))

Abstract

As the world’s southernmost living mammal, the Antarctic Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) experiences large shifts in light levels, temperature, ice extent, and prey availability. Understanding the extent that environmental constraints impact the seals’ physiology and behavior has been supported by isolated hole diving experiments and technological advances in behavioral data loggers. A >50-year-long mark recapture program has revealed how organismal-level processes translate to demographic variation at the individual and population-scales. In combination, research has demonstrated that during the austral summer, Weddell seals utilize a mixed capital/income breeding strategy and have a short post-breeding recuperation period. This is shortly followed by the annual molt and onset of active gestation. Foraging effort is elevated during winter, particularly in pregnant females. While a suite of adaptations enable Weddell seals to thrive in highly seasonal environments, the same traits and specificity in timing of key life history events may make the species particularly vulnerable to climate and anthropogenic perturbations that impact habitat and prey accessibility. This chapter focuses on phenotypic and behavioral flexibility (and thresholds) to cope with environmental stressors, and knowledge gained from the unique attributes of the Weddell seal study system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA

    Michelle R. Shero

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA

    Jennifer M. Burns

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  1. Michelle R. Shero
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Correspondence to Michelle R. Shero .

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  1. Center for Ocean Health, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA

    Daniel P. Costa

  2. University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Elizabeth A. McHuron

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Shero, M.R., Burns, J.M. (2022). The Weddell Seal: Eco-Physiological Adaptations to a High-Latitude Seasonal Environment. In: Costa, D.P., McHuron, E.A. (eds) Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Phocids . Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-88923-4_13

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