Respiration and heart rate at the surface between dives in northern elephant seals

摘要: All underwater activities of diving mammals are constrained by the need for surface gas exchange. Our aim was to measure respiratory rate (fB) and heart (fH) at between dives in free-ranging northern elephant seals Mirounga angustirostris. We recorded fB fH acoustically six translocated juveniles, 1.8‐2.4 years old, three migrating adult males from rookery Ano Nuevo, California, USA. To each seal, we attached a instrument record pattern, satellite tag track movements location, digital audio tape recorder or acoustic datalogger with an external hydrophone sounds respiration surface, VHF transmitter facilitate recovery. During intervals averaging 2.2±0.4 min, breathed mean 32.7±5.4 times 15.3±1.8 breaths min -1 (means ± S.D., N=57). Mean 84±3 beats . The juveniles 26 % faster than that males, 19.2±2.2 total 41.2±5.0 during lasting 2.6±0.31 min. 106±3 did not change significantly over course intervals. Surface were clearly associated levels exertion, such as rapid horizontal transit apparent foraging, measures immediately previous subsequent performance, duration, depth swimming speed. Together, duration preceding dive significant predictors interval duration. This implies minimize time spent loading oxygen depending on rates uptake depletion stores.