Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Phocids

Phocid seals are ecologically diverse, occupying habitats from the tropics to the poles, feeding on a variety of prey. This book examines their behavior, ecology, and physiology, with 16 chapters written by 37 authors from 8 countries. It takes a holistic approach, focusing on the factors that constrain behavior and the proximate mechanisms driving it.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 645 pages
Publication date: 19 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Phocid seals, also known as earless or true seals, exhibit remarkable ecological diversity, inhabiting diverse marine and freshwater environments from the tropics to the poles. They possess a wide-ranging diet, consuming everything from tiny zooplankton to other marine mammals. With 18 recognized species, phocid seals display significant size variations, with the smallest, theringed seal, being more than 20 times smaller than the largest, the southern elephant seal. Some species also exhibit marked sexual dimorphism. This comprehensive book delves into the behavior, ecology, and physiology of phocid seals, exploring the mechanisms that enable them to thrive in such a wide range of habitats. Comprising 16 chapters authored by 37 experts from 8 countries, the book adopts a holistic approach, examining not only the behaviors themselves but also the factors that influence and drive them. In many instances, the chapters showcase collaborative efforts between established researchers and early-mid career individuals, bringing fresh perspectives and contributing to the advancement of phocid behavioral ecology.

Phocid seals, also known as earless or true seals, exhibit remarkable ecological diversity, inhabiting diverse marine and freshwater environments from the tropics to the poles. They possess a wide-ranging diet, consuming everything from tiny zooplankton to other marine mammals. With 18 recognized species, phocid seals display significant size variations, with the smallest, theringed seal, being more than 20 times smaller than the largest, the southern elephant seal. Some species also exhibit marked sexual dimorphism. This comprehensive book delves into the behavior, ecology, and physiology of phocid seals, exploring the mechanisms that enable them to thrive in such a wide range of habitats. Comprising 16 chapters authored by 37 experts from 8 countries, the book adopts a holistic approach, examining not only the behaviors themselves but also the factors that influence and drive them. In many instances, the chapters showcase collaborative efforts between established researchers and early-mid career individuals, bringing fresh perspectives and contributing to the advancement of phocid behavioral ecology.

Weight: 1003g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030889258
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022