Track and dive-based movement metrics do not predict the number of prey encountered by a marine predator.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Studying animal movement in the context of the optimal foraging theory has led to the development of simple movement metrics for inferring feeding activity. Yet, the predictive capacity of these metrics in natural environments has been given little attention, raising serious questions of the validity of these metrics. The aim of this study is to test whether simple continuous movement metrics predict feeding intensity in a marine predator, the southern elephant seal (SES; Mirounga leonine), and investigate potential factors influencing the predictive capacity of these metrics.

Methods

We equipped 21 female SES from the Kerguelen Archipelago with loggers and recorded their movements during post-breeding foraging trips at sea. From accelerometry, we estimated the nu

SUBMITTER: Allegue H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9862577 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature