Browsing by Author "Simmonds, Emma"

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    Seasonal and Temporal Variations in the Underwater Vocal Behaviour of Weddell Seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) Near Davis, Antarctica: Insights from Passive Acoustic Monitoring
    (University of New Brunswick, 2024-04) Simmonds, Emma; Terhune, John M.; Samways, Kurt M.
    Within the Antarctic environment, marine mammals rely on sound for communication. This study investigated the vocal behaviours of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) using passive acoustic monitoring of calls recorded under landfast ice near Davis, Antarctica (68°34'S, 77°58'E), provided by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). Vocalizations were examined throughout austral winter and summer. I analyzed hourly data—sampled every ten days from July 24th, 2021, to December 31st, 2021—and recorded the number of calls and elements for eight minutes. Statistical analyses included generalized linear models with a negative binomial distribution. Results show increased vocalizations before dawn and after sunset until 24 hours of sunlight. Furthermore, underwater vocalizations varied across seasons, with high calling rates during winter, low calling rates during breeding season, and a sharp decline in mid-November. These findings produce insights into the vocalization trends of Weddell seals and will be utilized by AAD for environmental impact assessments.