Prey capture attempts can be detected in Steller sea lions and other marine predators using accelerometers

• Published in: Polar biology Vol. 33; no. 5; pp. 713 - 719
• Main Authors: Viviant, Morgane, Trites, Andrew W, Rosen, David A. S, Monestiez, Pascal, Guinet, Christophe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Berlin/Heidelberg : Springer-Verlag 01.05.2010; Springer-Verlag; Springer; Springer Nature B.V; Springer Verlag
• Subjects: Accelerometers; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Aquatic mammals; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Ecology; Environmental Sciences; Fishes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Life Sciences; Marine mammals; Microbiology; Mouth; Oceanography; Particular ecosystems; Plant Sciences; Predation; Predators; Prey; Sea lions; Sea water ecosystems; Short Note; Swimming; Synecology; Zoology; Accelerometers; Pinnipeds; Steller sea lion; Foraging activity; Prey capture; Jaw movements; Jaw; Carnivora; Foraging behavior; Capture; Marine environment; Prey; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Polar region; Predator; Prey capture · Accelerometers · Jaw movements · Foraging activity · Pinnipeds · Steller sea lion
• ISSN: 0722-4060; 1432-2056
• DOI: 10.1007/s00300-009-0750-y

We attached accelerometers to the head and jaw of a Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) to determine whether feeding attempts in a controlled setting could be quantified by acceleration features characteristic of head and jaw movements. Most of the 19 experimental feeding events that occurred during the 51 dives recorded resulted in specific acceleration patterns that were clearly distinguishable from swimming accelerations. The differential acceleration between the head-mounted and jaw-mounted accelerometers detected 84% of prey captures on the vertical axis and 89% on the horizontal axis. However, the jaw-mounted accelerometer alone proved to be equally effective at detecting prey capture attempts. Acceleration along the horizontal (surge)-axis appeared to be particularly efficient in detecting prey captures, and suggests that a single accelerometer placed under the jaw of a pinniped is a promising and easily implemented means of recording prey capture attempts.