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Mating tactics and mating system of an aquatic-mating pinniped: the harbor seal, Phoca vitulina

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Abstract

Our best understanding of marine mammal mating systems comes from land-mating pinnipeds. Logistical problems of observing behavior at sea have limited our ability to make inferences about species with aquatic-mating systems, which comprise over half the pinnipeds. The mating systems of these species likely involve different mating tactics than land-mating species. We used several methods in combination (e.g., animal-borne cameras, radio telemetry, time-depth recorders, and DNA paternity assessment) to provide a comprehensive study of the aquatic-mating tactics of harbor seal males. Males decreased time offshore (26.0 vs 14.8%) and increased time near shore (33.8 vs 43.7%) between premating and mating periods, respectively. Concomitantly, males reduced foraging effort and increased activities associated with competition for females (e.g., visual/vocal displays and threats). As females come into estrus near the end of lactation and spend more time at sea, males reduced their near-shore ranges (4.2 vs 1.0 km2), which were clustered within 1–1.5 km of the beach where females attended their pups. Body mass of males was not a major factor affecting their reproductive behavior. From a small number of paternity assignments to study males, it appears that females select males. These combined results are more consistent with a lek-type mating system than with the territorial or female defense systems characteristic of land-mating pinnipeds.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the following people for assistance in the field: Brian Beck, Dave Coltman, Sarah Ellis, Sara Iverson, Jim McMillan, and Monica Muelbert. Gerry Forbes of the Department of Environment, Canada provided logistical assistance on Sable Island. Dave Coltman conducted the DNA paternity analysis and kindly provided the data. Sara Iverson, Martha Leonard, Chris Wemmer, Sophie van Parijs, and an anonymous reviewer provided helpful feedback on drafts of the manuscript. The project was supported by the Smithsonian Institution, Friends of the National Zoo, Department of Fisheries and Oceans of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and National Geographic Society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Conservation Biology, Conservation and Research Center, Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, Washington, DC, 20008, USA

    Daryl J. Boness

  2. Department of Wildlife Ecology and School of Marine Science, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA

    Daryl J. Boness

  3. Marine Fish Division, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2, Canada

    W. Don Bowen

  4. Mission Programs, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC, 20036, USA

    Birgit M. Buhleier & Gregory J. Marshall

  5. 41 Green Acres Road, Hartford, ME, 04220-5035, USA

    Daryl J. Boness

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  1. Daryl J. Boness
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  2. W. Don Bowen
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  3. Birgit M. Buhleier
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  4. Gregory J. Marshall
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Correspondence to Daryl J. Boness.

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Communicated by F. Trillmich

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Boness, D.J., Bowen, W.D., Buhleier, B.M. et al. Mating tactics and mating system of an aquatic-mating pinniped: the harbor seal, Phoca vitulina . Behav Ecol Sociobiol 61, 119–130 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-006-0242-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-006-0242-9

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