Quantitative classification of harbor seal breeding calls in Georgia Strait, Canada

摘要: During breeding season, male harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) produce underwater calls used in sexual competition and advertisement. Call characteristics vary among populations, within-population differences are thought to represent individual variation. However, vocalizations have not been described for several populations of this widely-distributed genetically diverse species. This study describes the vocal repertoire from British Columbia, Canada. Underwater recordings were made near Hornby Island during summer 2014 using a single hydrophone. A wide variability was detected within site. Four candidate call types identified, containing six subtypes. Linear discriminant analysis showed 88% agreement with subjective classification types, 74% Classification tree gave 92% all splits on basis duration. Differences duration may reflected seals. suggests that area comprises continuum rather than discrete types. Further work ability localize help determine whether complexity represents due propagation conditions, animal orientation, or