The dynamics of male harem dominance in southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) at the South Shetland Islands

• Published in: Polar biology Vol. 29; no. 9; pp. 796 - 805
• Main Authors: Carlini, Alejandro R., Poljak, Sebastián, Daneri, Gustavo A., Márquez, María E. I., Negrete, Javier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.08.2006; Berlin Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal ethology; Aquatic mammals; Biological and medical sciences; Breeding seasons; Breeding sites; Elephantidae; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Males; Mammalia; Mirounga leonina; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Seals; Sex ratio; Vertebrata; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; ANE, Eire, Connaught, Mayo; PSW, Antarctica, South Shetland Is., King George I; PSW, Antarctica, South Shetland Is; PSW, Antarctica, South Shetland Is., King George I., Stranger Point; Mirounga leonina; Breeding season; Carnivora; Polygamy; Social group; Harem; Social structure; Male; Pinnipedia; Climatic zone; Breeding behavior; Mating system; Reproduction; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Social behavior; South Shetland Islands; Social dominance; Social interaction; Breeding success; Polar region

Breeding chronology, harem structure and changes in male harem dominance were studied at Stranger Point, Isla 25 de Mayo/King George Island, principally by extensive field census work during the 2003 breeding season. Males were individually identified and their size estimated by using a photogrammet...