Foraging trips of female South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) from Isla Chañaral, Chile

Muñoz, Lily; Pavez, Guido; Inostroza, Patricia; Sepúlveda, Maritza

doi:10.5597/lajam00178

Cited by 11 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…In contrast, adult females with pups, as income breeders, alternate foraging trips at sea and suckling bouts ashore during the whole lactation period (7–12 mo) and are thus confined to a more limited foraging range in close proximity to the colony (Muñoz et al . ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Spatial, temporal, age, and sex related variation in the diet of South American sea lions in southern Chile

Sepúlveda

Pavez

Santos‐Carvallo

et al. 2016

Marine Mammal Science

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We analyzed spatial, temporal, and age/sex variation in the diet of the South American sea lions (SASL, Otaria byronia) in southern Chile via δ13C and δ15N isotope analysis, with emphasis on exotic farmed and feral salmonids as a source of prey for this generalist predator. Isotope mixing models show that the primary prey consumed by SASL were demersal and benthopelagic fishes. Individuals sampled in summer and in the outer coast had higher δ15N values than those from winter or from the inner coast due to consumption of high trophic level demersal fish. We also found evidence of an ontogenetic shift in isotopic niche width as measured by δ13C and δ15N standard ellipse areas, with juveniles showing a restricted isotopic niche width (1.0‰2) in comparison to subadult (2.2‰2) and adult males (1.9‰2). The proportion of salmonids in the diet of the SASL was negligible and lower than reported in previous studies, which may be related to a recent drop in the production of salmon aquaculture in the region. Our study suggests that the SASL are able to adapt to shifts in spatiotemporal variations in the abundance of potential prey, including feral and farmed salmonids.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Spatial, temporal, age, and sex related variation in the diet of South American sea lions in southern Chile

Sepúlveda

Pavez

Santos‐Carvallo

et al. 2016

Marine Mammal Science

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“…Females in this site are more sensitive to disruption by tourist activities, because they do not have pups and are not within a male territory, thus they do not have to remain in the colony (Muñoz et al . ). In contrast, females in the breeding site are usually dedicated to attend their pups (Campagna ) and/or to protect them from attacks from other sea lions (Fernández‐Juricic and Cassini ), which is likely the reason they reacted less intensively to the presence of vessels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Variation in behavioral responses of the South American sea lion to tourism disturbance: Implications for tourism management

Pavez

Muñoz

Barilari

et al. 2014

Marine Mammal Science

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Due to the highly predictable patterns of occupancy on land, pinnipeds are one of the main marine resources observed by tourists, which, in turn, could strongly perturb their behavior. We analyzed the behavioral responses of the South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) to the presence of tourists and its variation according to temporal (2012 vs. 2013 austral summer months), spatial (breeding vs. nonbreeding sites of the colony), and age/sex class (adult males vs. subadult males vs. females) factors, and determined the relationship between the degree of responses by sea lions and the distance of the vessel to the colony, visitation time, and tourist behavior. We recorded 1,232 boat visits during 2012 and 2013. Subadult males were the age/sex class most affected in the breeding site, followed by adult females at the nonbreeding site. More disturbing conduct by tourists, longer visitation time, and vessels closer to the colony caused greater responses by sea lions. The established minimum distance from the colony is not enforced, generating an adverse response by sea lions. We recommend the development of management plans with the local coastal communities to decrease the impact of ecotourism on the species and enhance the sustainability of this industry.

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“…These results may be associated with the mutual mother-pup recognition demonstrated in otariids (Insley et al 2003) and with the reproductive behavioral pattern of this species (Campagna 1985, Campagna & Le Boeuf 1988a, Fernández-Juricic & Cassini 2007. Females alternate foraging trips at sea with suckling periods ashore, and when they return, mother and offspring have to find each other among the individuals in the colony (Charrier et al 2009, Muñoz et al 2011. Because in O. flavescens the lactation period is about 8-10 months (Cappozzo & Perrin 2009), during the NBS most of the juveniles, which correspond to pups that were born during the previous BS, are still nursing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of behavioral patterns of South American sea lions between breeding and non-breeding seasons

Pérez‐Álvarez¹,

Carrasco²,

Sepúlveda

et al. 2013

Rev. biol. mar. oceanogr.

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Resumen.-Se han descrito tácticas reproductivas para machos y hembras en sistemas reproductivos poligínicos, dentro de las cuales, una respuesta conductual sexo-específico sería esperable para maximizar el éxito reproductivo. El presente estudio da cuenta de un seguimiento conductual del lobo marino común Otaria flavescens durante la época reproductiva (ER) y no reproductiva (ENR) en el Santuario de la Naturaleza Lobería Cobquecura, Chile central. Se registraron patrones conductuales de machos, hembras, juveniles y crías entre mayo de 2008 y diciembre de 2009. Los machos presentaron más registros de conductas asociadas a agresión, desplazamiento y reconocimiento durante ER, mientras que la conducta descanso fue mayor durante ENR. Hembras y juveniles presentaron mayores registros de reconocimiento durante ENR mientras que las otras categorías conductuales no presentaron diferencias entre ER y ENR. Las conductas agresivas por parte de los machos así como las relacionadas al cuidado parental por parte de las hembras podrían ser estrategias conductuales desarrolladas por ambos sexos para asegurar la viabilidad poblacional. Este estudio contribuye al conocimiento de los patrones conductuales reproductivos de la especie y forma parte de uno de los seguimientos conductuales reproductivos más continuos desarrollados en la actualidad en el lobo marino común. Dado que el estudio se realiza en un área protegida dentro del marco legal de Santuario de la Naturaleza, los resultados expuestos serán de utilidad para futuras comparaciones con loberas reproductivas afectadas por actividad antrópica. Palabras clave: Sistema reproductivo poligínico, comportamiento reproductivo, otáridos, Otaria flavescens, ChileAbstract.-In a polygynous mating system males and females have different reproductive strategies; so it is expectable that both sexes have evolved different reproductive behavioral responses to maximize their reproductive success. We analyze the behavior of different sex/age classes of Otaria flavescens during breeding (BS) and non-breeding seasons (NBS) at a Nature Sanctuary breeding colony, central Chilean coast. From May 2008 to December 2009 data of males, females, juveniles and pups were recorded. Males performed more aggression, locomotion and recognizing behaviors during the BS, while they mostly rested during the NBS. Females and juveniles performed more recognizing behavior in the NBS, while the other behavior categories did not show differences between the NBS and the BS. As reproductive behavioral strategies, male aggression and maternal care may increase the overall population viability. This study contributed to a better understanding of the reproductive behavior patterns of this species based on what is to our knowledge the most continuous monitoring of a South American sea lion breeding colony. Since the study has been undertaken in a Nature Sanctuary, the results may be used as a baseline to compare with behavioral data from colonies perturbed by human activities.

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Foraging trips of female South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) from Isla Chañaral, Chile

Cited by 11 publications

References 27 publications

Spatial, temporal, age, and sex related variation in the diet of South American sea lions in southern Chile

Spatial, temporal, age, and sex related variation in the diet of South American sea lions in southern Chile

Variation in behavioral responses of the South American sea lion to tourism disturbance: Implications for tourism management

Comparison of behavioral patterns of South American sea lions between breeding and non-breeding seasons

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