Population dynamics of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelli) in McMurdo Sound and the Victoria Land Coast: movement in the area, sub-adult populations, age structure and reproductive condition
Entry ID:
K017_1960_1973_NZ_1
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Summary
Abstract:
The population parameters of the Weddell seal in McMurdo Sound was initiated in the 1965-66 season following a 4 year study of the reproductive cycle of the Weddell seal and 2 years of tagging by the USARP. Secondary objectives of the study include assessment of the effects of fluctuations of environmental conditions upon daily activities and the onset of pupping and to study the behaviour of the ... Weddell seal. To study a population it is essential to determine how discrete it is. The study area was defined at the West coast of Ross Island between Scott Base and Cape Royds including the Dellbridge Islands. From the 1962-63 to the 1965-66 seasons, branding of seal pups was carried out. After this period, tagging of all seal pups and selected adults was the main method of marking individuals. Data on birth rate, longevity, life expectancy of the various age classes, dispersal, overall numbers and daily and seasonal movements were collected over several seasons. To check on possible movements of individuals into or out of the study area, trips were taken to other areas to look for tagged seals from the study area and to tag seals to see if they come to the study area. Several sites along the Victoria Land coast as far north as Cape Hallett were visited including, but not restricted to, Franklin Island, Cape Hallett, Cape Crozier, Cape Bird, Marble Point, Strand Moraines, White Island and various other sites. Sub-adult seals are absent from the study area. Reasons for this may be that they are residents in the pack ice or along the northern coast until returning to the breeding sites as adults. To determine if this is true, observations were collected via ship and quantitative census via helicopter at five sites on the Victoria Land Coast. Aerial censuses were carried out from helicopter to follow the build up of total numbers of seals and the seasonal population shift. To calculate the survival and productivity of the population, data on the age structure and reproductive condition of the population was facilitated by the collection of canine teeth and reproductive organs from seals killed for dog food at Scott Base (this practice ended in the 1980's) and from dead carcasses. 
Related URL
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Description:
The homepage for a related Weddell seal population study initiated at the same time as this study, and which is still ongoing today, is at this site. Results are available for download and the investigators details are available.
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Geographic Coverage
(Click for Interactive Map)
Spatial coordinates
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N: -68.0
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S: -78.0
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E: 170.0
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W: 160.0
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Temporal Coverage
Start Date:
1966-01-01
Stop Date:
1966-02-28
Start Date:
1966-11-22
Stop Date:
1967-02-21
Start Date:
1967-11-10
Stop Date:
1968-02-15
Start Date:
1968-10-20
Stop Date:
1969-01-28
Start Date:
1969-10-01
Stop Date:
1970-02-15
Start Date:
1970-10-21
Stop Date:
1970-12-19
Start Date:
1971-10-27
Stop Date:
1972-02-04
Start Date:
1972-10-20
Stop Date:
1972-12-30
Quality
The majority of the results of surveys, numbers, demographic values, ecology, and so on has been published in the references list. The investigator still holds tabulations of numbers of pups at different breeding colonies and various other values, necropsy forms completed in the early 60s from seals killed for dog food at Scott Base and some Weddell seal canine teeth, collected in the late 60s, that were used for age determination and, much later, some genetic work, listed in the publications. Please contact the investigator for more information.
Data Set Progress
COMPLETE
Personnel
Role:
INVESTIGATOR
Fax:
+01 780 492 9234
Email:
Ian.Stirling at EC.gc.ca
Email:
ian.stirling at ualberta.ca
Contact Address:
Department of Biological Science
University of Alberta
11455 Saskatchewan Drive
City:
Edmonton
Province or State:
Alberta
Postal Code:
T6G 2E9
Country:
CANADA
Role:
DIF AUTHOR
Phone:
+64 3 358 0200
Fax:
+64 3 358 0211
Email:
c.poirot at antarcticanz.govt.nz
Contact Address:
Antarctica New Zealand
Private Bag 4745
City:
Christchurch
Country:
New Zealand
Role:
DIF AUTHOR
Phone:
+64 3 358 0200
Fax:
+64 3 358 0211
Email:
s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz
Contact Address:
Antarctica New Zealand
Private Bag 4745
City:
Christchurch
Country:
New Zealand
Publications/References
Stirling, I. The seals of White Island: a hypothesis on their origin. Antarctic 4(6): 310-313, 1965. Stirling, I. A technique for handling live seals. Journal of mammalogy 46: 543-544, 1966. Stirling, I. Seal marking in McMurdo Sound. Antarctic 4(1): 363-364, 1966. Stirling, I. Population studies of the Weddell seal. Tuatara 15(3): 133-141, 1967. ... Stirling, I. Rudolph, E.D. Inland record of a live Crabeater seal in Antarctica. Journal of mammalogy 49: 161-162, 1968.
Stirling, I. Distribution and abundance of the Weddell seal in the western Ross Sea, Antarctica. New Zealand journal of marine and freshwater research 3(2): 191-200, 1969.
Stirling, I. Ecology of the Weddell seal in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Ecology 50(4): 573-586, 1969.
Stirling, I. Population ecology of the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddelli) in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Ph.D. thesis : . 1969.
Stirling, I. Tooth wear as a mortality factor in the Weddell seal, (Leptonychotes weddelli). Journal of mammalogy 50(3): 559-565, 1969.
Stirling, I. Population aspects of Weddell seal harvesting at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Polar record 15(98): 652-667, 1971.
Stirling, I. Population dynamics of the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddelli) in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, 1966-1968. in: Antarctic Pinnipedia.Burt W.H.(ed.) Washington: American Geophysical Union. 1971. pp.141-161 [Antarctic research series: 18]
Stirling, I. Regulation of numbers of an apparently isolated population of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelli). Journal of mammalogy 53(1): 107-115, 1972.
Stirling, I. Greenwood, D.J. Observations on a stabilizing population of Weddell seals. Australian journal of zoology 20(1): 23-26, 1972.
Stirling, I. Movements of Weddell seals in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Australian journal of zoology 22(1): 39-43, 1974.
Stirling, I. Adaptations of Weddell and Ringed seals to exploit the polar fast ice habitat in the absence or presence of surface predators. in: Adaptations within Antarctic ecosystems.Llano G.A. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institute. 1977. pp.741-748
Lawrey, P.D. 19970. Effects of human interference on Weddell seals. BSc (Hons).project, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Fenwick, G.D. 1973. Breeding biology and population dynamics of the Weddell Seal, Leptonychotes weddelli: a review. Mauri Ora 1: 29-36.
Clement, I.T. 1973. Activity patterns of the Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddelli. BSc hons project, University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
Fenwick, G.D. 1972. The ecology of the Weddell seal and an examination of the population at White Island. MSc thesis, University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
Smith, M.S.R. 1966. Studies on the Weddell Seal Leptonychotes weddelli Lesson, at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. PhD thesis, University of Canterbury.
Crawley, M.C. 1978. Weddell seal harvesting at Scott Base, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, 1970-1976. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 1: 132-137.
Stirling, I. 1969. Birth of a Weddell seal pup. J. Mammalogy 50:155-156.
Stirling, I. and Kooyman, G.L. 1971. The crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophagus) in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, and the origin of mummified seals. Journal of Mammalogy 52:175-180.
Stirling, I. 1971. Variation in the sex-ratio of newborn Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelli) during the pupping season. Journal of Mammalogy 52:842-844.
Stirling, I. 1971. Leptonychotes weddelli. Mammalian Species. American Society of Mammalogy No. 6. 5 pp.
Gelatt, T.S, Davis, C.S, Stirling, I, Siniff, D.B., Strobeck, C, Delisle, I. 2009. History and fate of a small isolated population of Weddell seals at White Island, Antarctica. Journal of Mammalogy 90: DOI 10.1007/s10592-009-9856-6
Davis, C.S., Stirling, I., Strobeck, C., and Coltman, D. 2008. Population structure of ice-breeding seals. Molecular Ecology 17:3078–3094.
Davis, C., Stirling, I., and Strobeck, C. 2000. Genetic diversity of Antarctic pack ice seals in relation to life history characteristics. P. 56-62, In, Davison, W., Howard-Williams, C., and Broady, P. (Eds.), Antarctic Ecosystems: Models for Wider Ecological Understanding. New Zealand Natural Sciences, Christchurch, New Zealand. 332 pp.
Creation and Review Dates
DIF Creation Date:
2009-03-31
Last DIF Revision Date:
2009-05-11
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