Spatiotemporal Variation in Marine Mammal Antipredator Behaviors Resulting From a Predation Pinch Point.

ABSTRACT: Predator-prey relationships are fundamental aspects of ecological systems that determine the behavior and distribution of animals across time and space. Variation in predation risk can be used to explore when and why individuals perform antipredator behaviors. In marine environments, it is difficult to observe predation and antipredator behaviors. Fortunately, biologgers have long been used to study the distribution and dive behaviors of northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) on their twice-yearly foraging trips. Here, we analyzed the horizontal and vertical movements of 353 adult female seals across 17 years to investigate how they move through a "predation pinch point"-an area where predators and prey co-occur due to habitat features. Specifically, we explored the diel

SUBMITTER: Hale CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12862279 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature