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Multi-state mark-recapture models as a novel approach to estimate factors affecting attendance patterns of lactating subantarctic fur seals from Marion Island

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 November 2014

M. Wege ,
M. Nevoux ,
P.J.N. de Bruyn  and
M.N. Bester
M. Wege*
Affiliation:
Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
M. Nevoux
Affiliation:
Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa Agrocampus Ouest, 65 rue de Saint Brieuc, CS 84215, 35042 RENNES Cedex, France
P.J.N. de Bruyn
Affiliation:
Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
M.N. Bester
Affiliation:
Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
*
mwege@zoology.up.ac.za
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Abstract

Observer-based studies often underestimate key ecological parameters. Here a fresh approach was used to analyse six years (2006–11) of attendance cycles to estimate foraging trip lengths of a lactating flipper-tagged otariid: subantarctic fur seals at Marion Island. Multi-state mark-recapture models were used to calculate detection failures of females, correct estimates accordingly, and investigate the effects of year, season, pup sex and the presence of a telemetry device on attendance cycle parameters. There were no differences between corrected and uncorrected attendance data. This is attributed to the high capture probability across all seasons (range: 83–98%). This illustrates that observer-based studies are useful to augment telemetry studies. Only season and pup sex had a significant impact on female provisioning rates. In winter, foraging trip durations were longer (t-value=25.22, P<0.0001) and attendance durations shorter (t-value=-2.15, P=0.01) than during summer. Females with female pups spent a higher proportion of their time on land (χ2=6.6, P<0.05). Male pups have higher growth demands and are larger which suggests they can deplete female milk-stores faster.

Keywords

Arctocephalus tropicalisdetection probabilitypup sexseasonal effectstransition probability
Type
Biological Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , June 2015 , pp. 252 - 262
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Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 2014 

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