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Variations in behavior and condition of a Southern Ocean top predator in relation to in situ oceanographic conditions
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 21:17 authored by Biuw, M, Boehme, L, Guinet, C, Mark HindellMark Hindell, Costa, D, Charrassin, JB, Roquet, F, Bailleul, F, Meredith, M, Thorpe, S, Tremblay, Y, McDonald, B, Park, YH, Rintoul, SR, Bindoff, N, Goebel, M, Crocker, D, Lovell, P, Nicholson, J, Monks, F, Fedak, MAResponses by marine top predators to environmental variability have previously been almost impossible to observe directly. By using animal-mounted instruments simultaneously recording movements, diving behavior, and in situ oceanographic properties, we studied the behavioral and physiological responses of southern elephant seals to spatial environmental variability throughout their circumpolar range. Improved body condition of seals in the Atlantic sector was associated with Circumpolar Deep Water upwelling regions within the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, whereas High-Salinity Shelf Waters or temperature/salinity gradients under winter pack ice were important in the Indian and Pacific sectors. Energetic consequences of these variations could help explain recently observed population trends, showing the usefulness of this approach in examining the sensitivity of top predators to global and regional-scale climate variability. © 2007 by The National Academy of Sciences of the USA.
History
Publication title
Proceedings National Academy of SciencesVolume
104Issue
34Pagination
13705-13710ISSN
0027-8424Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Proceedings National Academy of SciencesPlace of publication
USARepository Status
- Restricted