Abstract
Fostering and allo-suckling are widespread among pinnipeds, and several
hypotheses have been formulated to explain their occurrence. Here, we
describe the occurrence of allo-suckling in harbour seals from
photo-identification data of females and pups in Orkney (Scotland)
during the pupping seasons between 2016 and 2019. We used a generalised
linear model framework to investigate the effect of allo-suckling on the
duration of lactation (females) and of nursing period (pups). A
generalised additive model framework was used to explore how the
probability of allo-suckling varied throughout the pupping season, and
with changes in mother-pup separation time. Allo-suckling was observed
in 31 females, at higher rates (18–37% of lactating females and 18–47%
of the pups every year) than those observed in other phocid populations,
with 13 females allo-suckling in multiple years. The duration of the
pups’ nursing period was not affected by allo-suckling occurrence.
However, females in mother-pup pairs where both mother and pup
allo-suckled had longer lactation duration than when only the pup
allo-suckled, or than in pairs where no allo-suckling was observed. The
probability of allo-suckling increased during the pupping season and
with increased mother-pup separation time. However, the proximate causes
and the consequences on future reproductive output and pup survival
remain unknown.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 121 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology |
Volume | 75 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 17 Aug 2021 |
Keywords
- Allo-suckling
- Lactation duration
- Nursing period
- Phocids
- Harbour seal
- Non-filial
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Allo-suckling occurrence and its effect on lactation and nursing duration in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in Orkney, Scotland'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Datasets
-
Allo-suckling occurrence and its effect on lactation and nursing duration in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in Orkney, Scotland (datasets)
Arso Civil, M. (Creator), Hague, E. (Creator), Langley, I. (Creator) & Scott-Hayward, L. A. S. (Creator), University of St Andrews, 23 Jun 2021
DOI: 10.17630/07c2d13f-3f4e-4f4b-adb0-c20ae0ab6f6b
Dataset
File