Body Growth in Hawaiian Monk Seals
April 23, 2013
Examination of body length and axillary girth measurements of more than 600 Hawaiian monk seals from 1 to 20 years old.
Body length and axillary girth measurements of more than 600 free-ranging Hawaiian monk seals from 1 to 20 years old were analyzed. Comparison of fitted von Bertalanffy growth models confirmed there is no evidence of sexual dimorphism in this species. Substantial differences in growth patterns were detected among seven subpopulations representing the species entire geographic range. The age at which seals would be expected to attain a reference length of 180 cm ranged from just over 3 years up to almost 7 years at the various sites. Subpopulations exhibiting slower growth have previously been found to also exhibit lower age-specific reproductive rates. Differences in growth of seals among sites likely indicate varying environmental conditions determining growth during the time periods represented in the sampled data.
Baker JD, Johanos TC, Wurth TA, Littnan CL. 2014. Body growth in Hawaiian monk seals. Marine Mammal Science 30(1): 259-271. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12035.