Dear Colleagues,
My co-authors and I are excited to share with you our new publication on
Leopard Seals:
Borras-Chavez, R., Soteres, R. L., Gómez-González, G., Martínez, F.,
Fernández-Ferrada, N., Castillo-Aguilar, M., ... & Kienle, S. S. (2024).
Occurrence, residency, and habitat characterization of leopard seals in
Chile. *Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution*, *12*, 1448098.

The article is open access and available here:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ecology-and-evolution/articles/10.3389/fevo.2024.1448098/full

Abstract:
"Leopard seals have traditionally been considered Antarctic predators with
a Southern Ocean distribution. Historically, sightings north of the
Antarctic Polar Front were considered extralimital. However, recent studies
suggest a significant presence of leopard seals in subantarctic regions.
Here, we assess the spatial occurrence, residency status, and temporal
trends of leopard seals in Chile using historical records, stranding
reports, standardized monitoring data, photo-identification (photo ID)
catalogs, and sightings from four research expeditions. We also
characterize glaciers where sightings are concentrated, identifying
glaciological and geomorphic attributes that prolong iceberg residency
time, which is linked to high leopard seal concentrations. Based on these
attributes, we evaluated other potential suitable glacial habitats in
Patagonia. We obtained 438 sighting records of leopard seals from 1927 to
2023. Over the last 15 years, we documented a 4-18% annual increase in
stranding events reported to national authorities. Most sightings (75%)
were concentrated in two hotspots: National Park San Rafael Lagoon, located
in Northern Patagonia, and Parry Fjord in Tierra del Fuego. Using photo ID
catalogs, we identified 19 resident leopard seals, including 16 multi-year
residents observed between 2010-2023 (10 in San Rafael, 6 in Tierra del
Fuego) and 3 potential residents (observed multiple months in the same year
in Tierra del Fuego). San Rafael monitoring data showed no inter-annual
trend, but seasonal trends were observed. We also provide evidence of
breeding in Chile, with records of at least 14 pups born and at least two
females giving birth in multiple years. Our habitat characterization
suggests that calving flux, fjord sinuosity, and fjord width variation are
crucial for prolonging iceberg residency in hotspot areas. Based on these
attributes, we identified 13 additional fjords in Patagonia as “very
likely” suitable for leopard seals. Our study confirms that Patagonia is
part of the species’ breeding distribution, shifting the paradigm that
leopard seals are merely visitors north of the Antarctic Polar Front. Given
the limited number of suitable glaciers in Chile and the potential impacts
of climate change, our assessment highlights glacial retreat as a major
threat for the ecosystem of this pagophilic marine apex predator in South
America"

Let me know if you have questions!:
renato_borras-cha...@baylor.edu

Thanks for your interest!
Best,
Renato

-- 
Renato F. Borras-Chavez, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
Postdoctoral Fellow Marine Mammal Ecophysiology, Baylor University, US
Council Member of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists
(APECS) APECS
Representative for EG-BAMM SCAR Group
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