Acquisition of gliding skills by Weddell seal ( Leptonychotes weddellii ) pups during lactation

摘要: Pinnipeds give birth to their pups ashore or on ice and forage in water. Therefore, neonates initially lack the adaptations sustain prolonged underwater diving activity. Although physiological development for breath-holding during has been investigated seal pups, little is known about concurrent of behavioral lactation. In this study, multisensor data loggers were used record behavior swimming gaits pre-weaned Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii) pups. Experiments conducted 16 at Syowa Station, Antarctica, from November December 1999 2004. Swimming speeds, dive depths flipper stroking rates recorded each individual 24 h. We found that glide index ascending was increased with body length, whereas dominant stroke cycle frequency not affected by depth descent ascent phase. All had significantly higher than ascent, but there no difference between speed. As we a positive relationship length age, considered as an growth. conclude gradually acquire ability utilizing buoyancy toward end