16 Questions
What is the average age range of sexual maturity for pinnipeds?
3-7 years
What is the interbirth interval for odobenids?
2 years
What type of studies are best for studying pinniped life history?
Longitudinal studies
What are the three main features of pinniped general life history characteristics?
High annual survival, average age of sexual maturity, and one pup per cycle
What is the reproductive strategy of the Australian sea lion?
Year-round breeding
Which method is used for longitudinal studies on pinnipeds?
Long-term mark-recapture
What life history strategy do pinnipeds use for milk production?
Capital breeding
What is unique about the reproductive system of male pinnipeds?
Embryonic diapause during gestation
What determines the duration of lactation in pinnipeds?
Stability of habitat and vulnerability to predation
What is the difference in lactation periods between land-breeding phocids and ice-breeding phocids?
Land-breeding phocids have longer lactation periods
How do land-breeding otariids' lactation periods compare to ice-breeding otariids?
Land-breeding otariids have longer lactation periods
What is the significance of vocal and olfactory signatures for pup survival in colonial pinniped species?
Maternal recognition
What is disputed in terms of dugong sexual maturity?
Sexual maturity period
What type of breeding is common among pinnipeds?
Polygyny
What determines whether pinnipeds breed annually?
Cost versus benefit of breeding
What type of studies provide limited information on pinnipeds, mainly focusing on females attending to offspring on land?
Cross-sectional studies
Study Notes
Pinniped Reproduction and Breeding Strategies
- Pinnipeds are annual breeders, except the Australian sea lion, which breeds year-round
- Longitudinal studies are conducted using long-term mark-recapture methods on species such as Weddell seals, Northern Elephant Seals, and Grey seals
- Cross-sectional studies, often commercial harvests, provide limited information, mainly on females attending to offspring on land
- Pinnipeds employ life history strategies such as capital breeding (using endogenous reserves for milk production) and income breeding (offsetting costs by foraging)
- Individuals have the option of reproducing annually, but may not breed every year due to the cost versus benefit of breeding
- Polygyny is common among pinnipeds, with large body size, sexual dimorphism, and gregarious breeding
- Female pinnipeds have a reproductive system similar to terrestrial carnivores, while males have a unique embryonic diapause during gestation
- The duration of lactation in pinnipeds depends on the stability of habitat and vulnerability to predation, with weaning being sudden for phocids and gradual for otariids
- Land-breeding phocids have longer lactation periods than ice-breeding phocids
- Land-breeding otariids have lactation periods lasting several months to one year, with foraging trips varying between fur seals and sea lions
- Pup survival in colonial species depends on polygynous breeding practices, and maternal recognition through vocal and olfactory signatures
- Manatees and dugongs have different sexual maturity, gestation, and weaning periods; they use tusks for lekking and are disputed in terms of dugong sexual maturity
Test your knowledge of pinniped reproduction and breeding strategies with this quiz. Explore annual breeding patterns, life history strategies, lactation durations, and unique reproductive features of pinnipeds. Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of pinniped reproductive biology.
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