Acoustic occurrence and behavior of ribbon seals (Histriophoca fasciata) in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas

Vocalizations of bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) and their influence on the soundscape of the western Canadian Arctic

“…Increased call activity, which was observed throughout spring months (mid‐March until late May/mid‐June), coincides with the mating season (Frouin‐Mouy et al, 2016; Hannay et al, 2013; MacIntyre et al, 2013) and has been demonstrated in many other aquatic pinnipeds, e.g., ribbon seals, Histriophoca fasciata ; Frouin‐Mouy et al (2019); leopard seals, Hydrurga leptonyx , and crabeater seals, Lobodon carcinophaga ; Van Opzeeland et al (2010), and for Weddell seals, Leptonychotes weddellii ; Rouget, Terhune, & Burton (2007). Published evidence to date suggests that vocalizations are most likely only produced by male bearded seals (Burns, 1981; Van Parijs et al, 2001, 2004) after they reach sexual maturity (Davies et al, 2006), although no evidence has been found so far to rule out potential female vocalizations.…”

Seasonal variation in Arctic marine mammal acoustic detection in the northern Bering Sea

“…While ribbon seal vocalization detections were scarce, they were generally consistent with previously described occupancy in the Bering Sea from mid‐March to mid‐July (Boveng et al, ). Previous PAM studies of ribbon seals found peaks in ribbon seal detections in the Bering Sea from February to June (Frouin‐Mouy et al, ; Miksis‐Olds & Parks, ), and between the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, north of Point Barrow, during the autumn open water season (Frouin‐Mouy et al, ; Jones et al, ). Additionally, no ribbon seal vocalizations were detected outside of the winter/spring seasons in the Bering Sea (Frouin‐Mouy et al, ; Miksis‐Olds & Parks, ).…”

“…Previous PAM studies of ribbon seals found peaks in ribbon seal detections in the Bering Sea from February to June (Frouin‐Mouy et al, ; Miksis‐Olds & Parks, ), and between the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, north of Point Barrow, during the autumn open water season (Frouin‐Mouy et al, ; Jones et al, ). Additionally, no ribbon seal vocalizations were detected outside of the winter/spring seasons in the Bering Sea (Frouin‐Mouy et al, ; Miksis‐Olds & Parks, ). While ribbon seals range from the North Pacific to the Chukchi Sea, including a subpopulation in the Sea of Okhotsk, finer‐scale distribution of this species is poorly understood in the Pacific Arctic.…”

“…. Previous PAM studies of ribbon seals found peaks in ribbon seal detections in the Bering Sea from February to June(Frouin-Mouy et al, 2019;Miksis- Olds & Parks, 2011), and between the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, north of Point Barrow, during the autumn open water season(Frouin-Mouy et al, 2019;Jones et al, 2014). Additionally, no ribbon seal vocalizations were detected outside of the winter/spring seasons in the Bering Sea(Frouin-Mouy et al, 2019;Miksis-Olds & Parks, 2011).…”

Resonance plays a secondary role in amplifying underwater vocalizations of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii)

“…Resonance may be present in other seals species whose calls have comparable amplitudes such as harp, ribbon, and leopard seals (Frouin‐Mouy et al, 2019; Rogers, 2014; Rossong & Terhune, 2009). Unfortunately, in the absence of long duration, wide frequency, tonal calls in these species, it will not be possible to use the method in this study to confirm the presence of resonance in those species.…”