Intraspecific allometry of neonatal size in the Antarctic fur sea (Arctocephalus galapagoensis)

Costa, D.P.; Trillmich, F.; Croxall, J.P.. 1988 Intraspecific allometry of neonatal size in the Antarctic fur sea (Arctocephalus galapagoensis). Polar Biology, 22 (5). 361-364. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00295105

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Abstract/Summary

Intraspecific allometry of pup mass as a function of maternal mass was analysed in Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella), a highly dimorphic species. The allometric exponent was 0.6, much lower than in interspecific comparisons. Slopes were the same for mother-son pairs as for mother-daughter pairs, but adjusted means were significantly higher for the former, indicating higher reproductive effort of mothers of sons. The correlation of maternal mass with pup mass explained 59% of the variance in female pup mas but only 18% of that in male pup mass. Females appeared to produce sons which were as big as possible. Relative pup mass decreased with increasing maternal mass indicating a lower reproductive effort of bigger and presumably older mothers, contrary to expectations from life history theory. Sex ratio of pups showed no relation to maternal mass.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00295105
ISSN:	0722-4060
Additional Keywords:	life history, reproductive effort,
Date made live:	15 Nov 2018 10:04 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/521544

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