Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina, Linnaeus 1758)

MIRTHA LEWIS; EDER ELENA

Ecology and Conservation of Pinnipeds in Latin America

SPRINGER

Año: 2021; p. 165 - 190

Among the five seal species inhabiting the southern hemisphere and distributed around and south of the Antarctic Convergence, the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina, Pinnipedia, Phocidae) has the northernmost distribution, reaching sites surrounded by temperate waters. During the annual cycle, seals spend most of their time at sea, alternating with two highly synchronized shore-based haul-out periods for breeding and molting. On land, the distribution area is restricted to locations on islands or mainland, while at sea they travel distances of thousands of km2. In the global distribution, there are four genetically identified stocks; two are settled in Latin America (Georgias del Sur-South Georgia and Península Valdés). In this chapter, we focus on the colonies of Argentina, Chile, and the Antarctic Peninsula that have resident animals for breeding and molting and from where tagged seal migration covers a wide latitudinal range from the equator to Antarctica. Long-term and systematic studies at the Península Valdés colony facilitated the comparison with other colonies further south. Annual cycle, demographic, and foraging aspects are described in this chapter emphasizing migrations at sea and distribution. The chapter closes with a consideration of conservation status and threats.