Summary Abstract: Weddell seals lay down substantial fat deposits during the non-breeding season and then expend the stored energy during an intensive lactation period. Fluctuations in energy acquisition prior to breeding are expressed as variations in maternal mass and condition at parturition. Failure to locate sufficient food prior to parturition will result in poor reproductive success. The link between variations in energy aquisition (affected by environmental conditions) and maternal condition on lactating behaviour, pup condition and survivorship was examined by monitoring the Weddell seal colony at Hutton Cliffs, Erebus Bay during the breeding season. Females and their pups were captured post partum, during mid-lactation and at the end of the lactation period and weighed. Deuterium and tritium dilution techniques as well as ultrasonic techniques were used to assess the condition (total amount of fat possessed) of females to determine the relative change in body composition (i.e. fat and protein) over time and the growth of the pup. The over winter diet of the females was determined by taking a blubber sample and analysing it for fatty acid composition, lipid use and transfer during lactation. Fresh scat samples were also collected from around the colony for the entire field season and prey remains were identified. Because identification is sometimes difficult, a DNA based method was used to identify species of prey remains. Blood and milk samples were also collected at the beginning, mid and end of lactation and examined to determine the ontogeny of disease resistance in pups.

Geographic Coverage

N: -77.7333

S: -77.7333

E: 166.85

W: 166.85

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 2002-10-14

Stop Date: 2002-12-12

Start Date: 2003-10-21

Stop Date: 2003-12-13

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > HUTTON CLIFFS GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR

Science Keywords

BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION >ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES >MAMMALS >CARNIVORES >SEALS/SEA LIONS/WALRUSES

BIOSPHERE >ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS >SPECIES/POPULATION INTERACTIONS >EVOLUTIONARY ADAPTATION    [Definition]

ISO Topic Category

BIOTA

Platform

FIELD SURVEYS    [Information]

GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS    [Information]

FIELD INVESTIGATION    [Information]

Quality

Blood and milk samples still exist. Please contact the investigator directly for access to these samples. All other data is within the PhD thesis.

Keywords

BODY FAT

BREEDING SUCCESS

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Data Center

Antarctica New Zealand, New Zealand Antarctic Institute, New Zealand    [Information] Data Center URL: http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/ Data Center Personnel Name: SHULAMIT GORDON Phone: +64 3 358 0200 Fax: +64 3 358 0211 Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz Contact Address: Antarctica New Zealand Private Bag 4745 City: Christchurch Country: New Zealand

Personnel

KATHERINE E WHEATLEY Role: INVESTIGATOR Phone: +61 3 6226 2592 Fax: +61 3 6226 2745 Email: kew at utas.edu.au Contact Address: Antarctic Wildlife Research Unit School of Zoology University of Tasmania Private Bag 5 City: Hobart Province or State: Tasmania Postal Code: 7001 Country: Australia

LLOYD S DAVIS Role: INVESTIGATOR Phone: +64 3 479 7654 Fax: +64 3 479 7584 Email: adelie at stonebow.otago.ac.nz Contact Address: Zoology Department Center for Science Communication University of Otago PO BOX 56 City: Dunedin Country: New Zealand

CEISHA POIROT Role: DIF AUTHOR Phone: +64 3 358 0200 Fax: +64 3 358 0211 Email: c.poirot at antarcticanz.govt.nz Contact Address: Antarctica New Zealand Private Bag 4745 City: Christchurch Country: New Zealand

SHULAMIT GORDON Role: DIF AUTHOR Phone: +64 3 358 0200 Fax: +64 3 358 0211 Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz Contact Address: Antarctica New Zealand Private Bag 4745 City: Christchurch Country: New Zealand

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2008-10-13 Last DIF Revision Date: 2009-02-09

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