INVESTIGADORES
LEWIS Mirtha Noemi
artículos
Título:
Fine Scale Breeding Habitat Preferences of Southern Elephant Seals (Mirounga leonina) on Península Valdés
Autor/es:
RETANA, MARÍA V.; GUZMAN, J.; LEWIS, M,
Revista:
AQUATIC MAMMALS
Editorial:
Illinois University
Referencias:
Lugar: Illinois; Año: 2013 vol. 39 p. 233 - 240
ISSN:
0167-5427
Resumen:
This study analyzed fine-scale habitat selection of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) on Península Valdés, Patagonia Argentina, during a decade of population stability. The results showed repeatability and consistency in harem formation in a predictable manner and according to specific environmental characteristics. Censuses were conducted during the peak of the breeding seasons (2001-2007 and 2010) and ten topographic variables were surveyed along 12 km of coast. The breeding social context was associated with certain topographic variables. Reproductive groups tended to occur in bays sheltered by cliffs with accessible beaches of slope less than 4º and unconsolidated substrates. The non-reproductive groups were found on shelf points. The spatial distribution reported here will contribute to the understanding of the large-scale distribution of breeding groups on Península Valdés and other breeding colonies of southern elephant seals.
