A novel method for identifying fine-scale bottom-use in a benthic-foraging pinniped.

ABSTRACT:

Background

For diving, marine predators, accelerometer and magnetometer data provides critical information on sub-surface foraging behaviours that cannot be identified from location or time-depth data. By measuring head movement and body orientation, accelerometers and magnetometers can help identify broad shifts in foraging movements, fine-scale habitat use and energy expenditure of terrestrial and marine species. Here, we use accelerometer and magnetometer data from tagged Australian sea lions and provide a new method to identify key benthic foraging areas. As Australian sea lions are listed as endangered by the IUCN and Australian legislation, identifying key areas for the species is vital to support targeted management of populations.

Methods

Firstly, tri-axial magnetome

SUBMITTER: Angelakis N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10257308 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature