Evaluating the function of the male harbour seal, Phoca vitulina, roar through playback experiments

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of vocalizations produced during the breeding season by the male harbour seal, an aquatically breeding pinniped. During the spring of 1999, playback experiments were conducted at eight locations in Elkhorn Slough, California, U.S.A. Through an underwate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Animal behaviour 2004-06, Vol.67 (6), p.1133-1139
Main Authors: HAYES, Sean A, KUMAR, Anurag, COSTA, Daniel P, MELLINGER, David K, HARVEY, James T, SOUTHALL, Brandon L, LE BOEUF, Burney J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal communication
Animal ethology
Animal reproduction
Biological and medical sciences
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Mammalia
Marine mammals
Phoca vitulina
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Vertebrata
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Summary:The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of vocalizations produced during the breeding season by the male harbour seal, an aquatically breeding pinniped. During the spring of 1999, playback experiments were conducted at eight locations in Elkhorn Slough, California, U.S.A. Through an underwater speaker, we presented male harbour seals with three acoustic stimuli: a long-duration, low-frequency roar (LL), a short-duration, high-frequency roar (SH) and amplified water noise (control). Male responses to the playback boat were characterized by increased approach rates and aggressive flipper slapping during 62.5% of SH sessions (N=8), 25% of LL sessions (N=8) and 0% of control sessions (N=8). No more than one identifiable seal responded during each playback location. We observed no responses by female harbour seals to playbacks. We conclude from these experiments that territorial male harbour seals use roars given by intruders to locate and challenge intruders. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0003-3472
1095-8282
DOI:10.1016/j.anbehav.2003.06.019