Abstract
The costs associated with diving are a central component of a sea lion's energy budget. Accurate estimates of diving costs are needed to assess energetic and physiological constraints on foraging behavior, including the potential effects of changes in prey distribution or density. However, information on sea lion diving physiology is limited to relatively few species of pinnipeds, and there is currently no information for Steller sea lions. Information on diving energetics of pinnipeds has traditionally been gathered using either wild or captive animals. Studies with wild animals are logistically challenging and are limited by the opportunistic nature of data collection, while studies in captivity have been constrained by the physical restrictions of the holding facility. To circumvent some of these limitations, we combined the best aspects of both techniques by conducting diving metabolism studies with trained Steller sea lions in an open ocean environment. Two captive-reared Steller sea lions were housed in a holding pen and transported by boat to a diving trial area. The animals were trained to dive to predetermined depths for controlled periods of time using an underwater light targeting system and a video system to monitor behavior. At the end of each dive the sea lions returned to a respirometry dome on the surface where oxygen consumption was measured to estimate diving metabolism. This paper describes the experimental setup used to evaluate diving metabolism, discusses the logistical challenges of the study and the advantages of using such an approach to carry out physiological experiments with sea lions, and provides preliminary data on the diving energetics of Steller sea lions.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Sea Lions of the World |
Editors | AW Trites, SK Atkinson, DP DeMaster, LW Fritz, TS Gelatt, LD Rea, KM Wynne |
Place of Publication | Fairbanks |
Publisher | Alaska Sea Grant College Program |
Pages | 193-204 |
Number of pages | 12 |
ISBN (Print) | 1-56612-105-1 |
Publication status | Published - 2006 |
Event | 22nd Lowell Wakefield Fisheries Symposium on Sea Lions of the World - Anchorage Duration: 30 Sept 2004 → 3 Oct 2004 |
Conference
Conference | 22nd Lowell Wakefield Fisheries Symposium on Sea Lions of the World |
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City | Anchorage |
Period | 30/09/04 → 3/10/04 |