Project Title

Collaborative Research: The Drivers and Role of Immigration in the Dynamics of the Largest population of Weddell Seals in Antarctica Under Changing Conditions

Summary

Event Number:
B-009-M
NSF / OPP Award 2147553

Program Director:
Dr. William Ambrose

ASC POC/Implementer:
Ryan Steiner / Randolph Jones

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Jay Rotella
rotella@montana.edu
Montana State University Bozeman
Department of Ecology
Bozeman, Montana

Project Web Site:
https://www.montana.edu/weddellseals/index.html

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station
Research Locations: Erebus Bay

Description

The Weddell seal population in the Ross Sea is the most southerly mammal population in the world and has been intensively monitored since 1978. Over the past 15 years, the team has focused on monitoring both the number of pups produced annually and new immigrants. While continuing the long-term monitoring of the study of the Erebus Bay Weddell seal population, this project will add population modeling and genomic analyses to learn about the environmental factors that influence population dynamics, the geographic origin of immigrants, and immigrants’ role in the local population. The team also has a robust plan for early-career science training and education and outreach activities related to this project.

Field Season Overview

Eight McMurdo Station-based participants will deploy from early October to mid-December, focusing on all pupping colonies and haul-outs across Erebus Bay from Cape Evans to Pram Point, at White Island, and at select sites outside of Erebus Bay. These sites include Lewis Bay, Marble Point, and several other sites to be determined based on seal numbers. The team will visit each Weddell seal colony within Erebus Bay every other day to find and tag newborn pups and associate them with their mothers. Any untagged mothers will be tagged. The team will also conduct six surveys per season throughout the Erebus Bay study area to record the identity of previously tagged individuals, tag unmarked animals, and replace broken or missing tags. They will continue collect a tissue sample from each of up to 150 locally born mothers and immigrant mothers throughout the study area for subsequent genetic comparisons. They will also use helicopter support for periodic reconnaissance flights over the study area and to outlying areas such as Marble Point and Lewis Bay, to search for seals and for travel to White Island to conduct population monitoring.

Deploying Team Members