First Observations of Parturition and Postpartum Behavior in the Mediterranean Monk Seal (<I>Monachus monachus</I>) in the Eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

Understanding reproductive behavior, especially the circumstances surrounding parturition and the events following the first days postpartum, is essential in developing effective conservation strategies for endangered pinnipeds. In the case of the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), difficulties in documenting events such as parturition are compounded by the very low population numbers and the inaccessibility of the habitat occupied by the species. In this study, the authors report the first observations of parturition for the species from the central Aegean Sea, Greece, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Using a state-of-the-art infrared remotemonitoring system, two births were documented, and important information on the total duration of the events; the total duration of attempted suckling; as well as information on the presentation of the pups, their sex, and habitat were recorded. This new information on the reproductive biology of the species in this part of its range outline the importance of suitable reproductive caves for the conservation of the species and the urgency of protecting them. In addition, considering the high cost and logistics of the study, monitoring the species on a large scale to effectively protect it will require the development of new, low-cost, and time-efficient methodologies.

Individual signatures in the vocal repertoire of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal: new perspectives for population monitoring

“…Recently, monitoring success was greatly improved through the development and application of autonomous monitoring systems (Dendrinos et al 2007b, Gücü 2009, Karamanlidis et al 2010. However, even this development has proven to have certain limitations.…”

The Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus: status, biology, threats, and conservation priorities

“…, Karamanlidis et al. , Dendrinos ). At the end of lactation, pups at Cabo Blanco are already capable of spending approximately three minutes at a depth of more than 10 m (Gazo et al.…”

“…Compared with other pinnipeds, little information exists on the diving capacities and behaviour of Mediterranean monk seals. Monk seal pups may enter the water already by the first week of their life, and their diving capacity increases gradually with age (Mursaloglu 1986, Karamanlidis et al 2010, Dendrinos 2011. At the end of lactation, pups at Cabo Blanco are already capable of spending approximately three minutes at a depth of more than 10 m ).…”

A Mediterranean Monk Seal Pup on the Apulian Coast (Southern Italy): Sign of an Ongoing Recolonisation?

“…Mediterranean monk seal females give birth to only one pup per year using coastal caves as shelter. Parturition usually occurs from September to November [6][7][8] and the pup is breastfed up to five months of age, after which it begins to move and feed itself [35,36]. The great ability of monk seals to travel long distances in the open sea and the genetic results probably indicate that the mother of the pup was a vagrant individual coming from the Ionian Islands (Greece) who chose the Apulian coasts for parturition.…”

“…After mating in water, the females make their way to land and give birth to pups in coastal caves probably as an adaptation to predation, including hunting by humans [4,5]. Parturition usually occurs during the autumn season [6][7][8] but, in the Cabo Blanco colony, the birth of pups has also been observed in other months of the year as a result of favorable environmental conditions and the availability of food [6,9].…”