Use of acoustic signals in Cape fur seal mother–pup reunions: individual signature, signal propagation and pup home range

• DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246917
• Publication Date: 2024-07-02T08:16:33Z
• Authors: Mathilde Martin; Tess Gridley; Antonia Immerz; Simon H. Elwen; Isabelle Charrier
• Keywords: Fur seal; Timbre; Cape; Confusion; Bioacoustics

ABSTRACT The Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) is one of the most colonial mammals, with colonies up to hundreds thousands individuals during breeding season. During lactation period, mothers and pups are regularly separated as females undertake multi-day foraging trips at sea. Mothers use a mutual vocal recognition system reunite after separation. Such communication highly constrained by both high background noise risk individual confusion owing density seals. This study aimed experimentally assess acoustic features relevant for mother–pup identification propagation properties their calls. Playback experiments revealed that mother pup signatures rely on temporal frequency parameters: amplitude modulations, timbre fundamental (f0). more parameters than in any species studied so far. combinational reinforces concept environmental social constraints may have acted selective pressures systems. Theoretical distances vocalisations were estimated be below range which reunions can occur. suggests seals strong abilities extract signals from noise, previously demonstrated king penguin. Investigating transmission information throughout signal well ability receiving decipher crucial understanding systems wild.