Study on the mesopelagic foraging behavior of northern elephant seals using jaw motion recorders and seal head cameras

2011 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21380128
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General fisheries
• Research Institution: National Institute of Polar Research
• Principal Investigator: NAITO Yasuhiko 国立極地研究所, 名誉教授 (80017087)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): TAKAHASHI Akinori 国立極地研究所, 研究教育系, 准教授 (40413918) ; WATANABE Yuuki 国立極地研究所, 研究教育系, 助教 (60531043)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): YODA Kenyoda 名古屋大学, 環境学研究科, 准教授 (10378606)
• Project Period (FY): 2009 – 2011
• Keywords: 生態 / 行動

Research Abstract

In order to obtain a new insight into the deep diving behavior of the northern elephant seals we measured their feeding behavior using newly developed jaw motion sensors and seal head cameras. The seals dived into deep sea(500-650 m) and foraged numerous number(20, 000-40, 000) of small mesopelagic prey(10-20 g) by suction feeding mode. Seals modified their diving behavior according to the deal migration pattern of mesopelagic prey.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Northern elephant seals adjust gliding and stroking patterns with changes in buoyancy : validation of at sea metrics of body density (2011)
  • Author(s): Aoki, K., Watanabe, Y., Crocker, D. E., Robinson, P. W., Biew, M., Costa, D. P., Miyazaki, N., Fedak, M. A. & Miller, P. J. O.
  • Journal Title: J. Exp. Biol Volume: 214 Pages: 2973-2987
  • DOI: doi:10.1242/jeb.055137
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Underwater and surface behavior of homing juvenile northern elephant seals (2011)
  • Author(s): Matsumura, M., Watanabe, Y., Robinson, P. E, Millar, P. J. O, Cost, D. C. & Miyazaki, M.
  • Journal Title: J. Exp. Biol Volume: 214 Pages: 629-634
  • DOI: doi:10.1242/jeb.048827
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Penguin head movement detected using small accelerometers : a proxy of prey encounter rate (2011)
  • Author(s): Kokubun, N., Kim, J., Shin, H., Naito, Y. & Takahasi, A.
  • Journal Title: J. Exp. Bio. Volume: 214
  • DOI: doi:10.1242/jeb.066795.
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] What is"bio-logging" (2010)
  • Author(s): Naito, Y.
  • Journal Title: Aqua. Mamm Volume: 36 Pages: 307-322
  • DOI: DOI:10.1578/AM.36.3.2010.307
• [Journal Article] Fine-scale feeding behavior of Weddell seals revealed by a mandible accelerometer (2010)
  • Author(s): Naito, Y., Bornemann, H., Takahashi, A., McIntyre, T.
  • Journal Title: Polar Sci Volume: 4 Pages: 309-316
  • DOI: doi:10.10k16/j.polar.2010.05.009
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Using a mandible accelerometer to study fine-scale foraging behavior of free-ranging Antarctic fur seals
  • Author(s): Iwata, T., Sakamoto, K. Q. Takahashi, A., Edwards, E. W. Stanland, I. N., Trathan, P. N. & Naito, Y.
  • Journal Title: Mar. Mamm. Sci Volume: 28 Pages: 345-357
  • DOI: doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00482.x
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] Piece accumulative foraging behavior of female northern elephant seals (2011)
  • Author(s): Naito, Yasuhiko
  • Organizer: 19^<th> Biennial Conference on the biology of marine mammals
  • Place of Presentation: Tampa City Hall, Florida, U. S. A.
  • Year and Date: 20111100
• [Presentation] Paradox of diverse divers into the deep depth : A new aspect of foraging behavior of northern elephant seals (2011)
  • Author(s): Naito, Yasuhiko
  • Place of Presentation: Wrest Point Hotel, Hobert city, Tasmania, Australia
  • Year and Date: 2011-05-25
• [Book] バイオロギング「ペンギン目線」の動物行動学 (2012)
  • Author(s): 内藤靖彦、佐藤克文、高橋晃周、渡辺佑基
  • Publisher: 成山堂書店