Characterization of Australian fur seal vocalizations during the breeding season

• Published in: Marine mammal science Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 913 - 928
• Main Authors: Tripovich, Joy S, Canfield, Rhondda, Rogers, Tracey L, Arnould, John P.Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.10.2008; Blackwell
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus; Australian fur seal; Autoecology; behavioral context; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Mammalia; Marine; Sea water ecosystems; Synecology; Vertebrata; vocal repertoire; vocalizations; Australia; Oceania; PSE, Australia, Victoria, Kanowna I; PSE, Australia, Bass Strait; Acoustic communication; Vocal repertoire; Breeding season; Carnivora; Animal communication; Fur; Australian fur seal; behavioral context; Sound production; Pinnipedia; Characterization; Marine environment; Aquatic environment; Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus; Vertebrata; Mammalia; vocalizations; Behavior
• ISSN: 0824-0469; 1748-7692
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2008.00229.x

The vocal repertoire, structure, and behavioral context of airborne vocalizations produced by Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) are described using recordings made at a breeding colony on Kanowna Island, Bass Strait, Australia. The study identified six different call types: three produced by males (bark, guttural threat, and submissive call); five produced by females (bark, guttural threat, submissive call, growl, and pup attraction call) and the female attraction call produced by pups and yearlings. Vocalizations were compared according to age and sex classes. The overall structure and function of the pup attraction and female attraction call produced by females, yearlings, and pups, was similar. However, while similar in their overall appearance, certain call types have a lower fundamental frequency when compared with other fur seals. In addition, the male bark call alters in rate of production according to the context used, where calls are slower when males are stationary and advertising their territorial status and faster when males are involved in confrontations with other males or actively herding females. Further research is required to investigate changes in environmental conditions and their effects on shaping the call structure and communication in Australian fur seals.