INDIVIDUAL VARIATION AND SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF COLORATION IN MEDITERRANEAN MONK SEAL PUPS (<i>MONACHUS MONACHUS</i>)

Badosa, Enric; Grau, Eugeni García; Aparicio, Fernando; Layna, Jorge F.; Cedenilla, Miguel Angel

doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.1998.tb00732.x

Cited by 27 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Monk seal pups are born with a characteristic black to dark chocolate woolly coat (also known as ‘lanugo’ fur) and a white patch on the ventral side of the body (Badosa et al. , Dendrinos ). The shape, size, and position of the patch, which is often spotted (Dendrinos ), varies between individuals and according to gender (Badosa et al.…”

Section: Biologymentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Karamanlidis

Dendrinos

Larrinoa³

et al. 2015

Mammal Review

103

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The Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus is the most endangered seal species. In this review we summarize the status, ecology, and behaviour of the Mediterranean monk seal, and identify the main threats that currently affect the species and the conservation priorities for securing its survival. Once abundant throughout the Black Sea and Mediterranean, as well as off the Atlantic coasts of northwestern Africa and Macaronesia, the Mediterranean monk seal has recently suffered dramatic declines, both in abundance and geographical range. It is now estimated that fewer than 700 individuals survive in three or four isolated subpopulations in the eastern and western Mediterranean, the archipelago of Madeira and the Cabo Blanco area in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Mediterranean monk seals are coastal marine mammals. When resting and pupping on land, individuals generally seek refuge in inaccessible marine caves; this behaviour is, in part, believed to be an adaptation to increased disturbance by humans. Larger aggregations or colonies of the species can now be found only at Cabo Blanco in the Atlantic Ocean and on the island of Gyaros in the eastern Mediterranean. The main threats to the survival of the Mediterranean monk seal are habitat deterioration; deliberate killing, mainly by fishermen; and accidental entanglement and drowning in fishing gear. Limited availability of food sources and stochastic and unusual events have occasionally also contributed to Mediterranean monk seal mortality. Based on a common consensus among scientists and conservationists, the main conservation priorities for the monk seal are: habitat protection; mitigating negative interactions between seals and fisheries; scientific research and monitoring of local seal populations; education and public awareness campaigns; and rescue and rehabilitation of wounded, sick, and orphaned seals.

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Section: Biologymentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Karamanlidis

Dendrinos

Larrinoa³

et al. 2015

Mammal Review

103

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show abstract

“…Five minutes into parturition, Fem1 went into the water and out of sight of the monitoring system. At 0414 h, she reappeared from the sea accompanied by a female pup (Pup1) as determined by the ventral patch pattern (Badosa et al, 1998). For the next 20 min, Fem1 was active in an apparent attempt to lead her newborn pup onto the beach.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Karamanlidis¹,

Paravas²,

Trillmich³

et al. 2010

aquatic mammals

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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.

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“…The sex of the pups was determined by observation of either the genitalia or the pattern of the white ventral patch, which is sexually dimorphic (Badosa et al, 1998). The sex ratio was calculated for the whole period as the number of identi®ed males divided by the number of identi®ed females.…”

Section: Sex Ratiomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The gender of the pup was determined either by direct examination while tagging or, for the non-tagged pups, by observation at a distance of the ventral patch pattern, which is sexually-dimorphic (Badosa et al, 1998).…”

Section: Determination Of the Biological Characteristics Of Pupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pups were individually identi®ed either by the contour and pattern of spotting of their ventral patch (Badosa et al, 1998) or by plastic tags applied to the rear ippers. A catalogue with the ventral patch patterns of the pups was drawn up using both photographs and drawings obtained through direct observation.…”

Section: Determination Of the Biological Characteristics Of Pupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pupping season, perinatal sex ratio and natality rates of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) from the Cabo Blanco colony

et al. 1999

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Pupping seasonality, annual pup production, reproductive rate and sex ratio at birth were determined for the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus colony at Cabo Blanco, the only surviving population of the species which still shows a colony structure. Data were collected by means of a monitoring programme that operated continuously in the main reproductive areas of the population during the period March 1993±May 1997. Most (84%) of the pups observed were born in two caves separated by a short distance. Although both caves were used by females to bear the pups, preferences greatly¯uctuated from season to season with no apparent trend. Reproduction occurred throughout the year with a small peak of births in October. This unusual lack of seasonality is associated with the low latitudinal location of the colony and the effect of the upwelling that provides constant food throughout the year. The neonatal sex ratio did not differ signi®cantly from 1 : 1 and the estimated annual productivity ranged from 44±58 pups. Taking into account population numbers, the annual birth rates were estimated to range from 0.3 to 0.43 pups per reproductive female, an extremely low rate when compared to other pinniped populations, particularly those of a similar size. Such low rates may be either an evolutionary determined characteristic of the species or a demographic consequence of the low population density over the last few centuries. Coupled with high pup mortality rates, this may account for the observed non-recovery of the population.

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INDIVIDUAL VARIATION AND SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF COLORATION IN MEDITERRANEAN MONK SEAL PUPS (MONACHUS MONACHUS)

Cited by 27 publications

References 2 publications

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

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

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

Pupping season, perinatal sex ratio and natality rates of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) from the Cabo Blanco colony

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