Male–male contest behavior can contribute to spatial distributions of male pinnipeds during breeding seasons. To maximize breeding opportunities, the most competitive males would be expected to be surrounded by the highest numbers of reproductive-age females. As information regarding fine-scale spatial ecology of Weddell seals is lacking, we performed an exploratory study using kernel density analyses to evaluate age-specific habitat use of male Weddell seals in Erebus Bay, Antarctica. Additionally, we investigated the relationship between age and number of surrounding reproductive-age females using a competing set of regression models in a Bayesian framework that considered different functional forms of age while incorporating individual heterogeneity. As male adult Weddell seals aged, to at least 20 years, they were more likely to be found in areas associated with the greatest densities of reproductive-age females, but individual heterogeneity also influenced the number of reproductive-age female neighbors. The youngest males tended to haul out in offshore areas associated with better hunting, and older males tended to settle in more nearshore areas associated with more pup production. Our findings from this preliminary investigation indicate that male Weddell seal spatial behavior during the breeding season varies with age and individual and might be related to reproductive activity.

中文翻译：

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年龄和个体身份对南极洲埃里伯斯湾雄性威德尔海豹繁殖群栖息地利用的影响

在繁殖季节，雄性-雄性竞争行为会影响雄性鳍足类动物的空间分布。为了最大限度地提高繁殖机会，预计最具竞争力的雄性会被最多数量的育龄雌性包围。由于缺乏有关威德尔海豹精细空间生态学的信息，我们使用核密度分析进行了一项探索性研究，以评估南极洲埃里伯斯湾雄性威德尔海豹特定年龄的栖息地使用情况。此外，我们使用贝叶斯框架中的一组竞争回归模型研究了年龄与周围育龄女性数量之间的关系，该模型考虑了年龄的不同功能形式，同时结合了个体异质性。随着成年雄性威德尔海豹的衰老，至少到 20 岁，它们更有可能出现在育龄女性密度最大的地区，但个体异质性也影响育龄女性邻居的数量。最年轻的雄性倾向于在与更好的狩猎相关的近海地区捕猎，而年长的雄性倾向于在与更多幼崽生产相关的更近岸地区定居。我们从这项初步调查中发现的结果表明，雄性威德尔海豹在繁殖季节的空间行为随年龄和个体而变化，并且可能与繁殖活动有关。年长的雄性倾向于定居在与更多幼崽生产相关的更近岸地区。我们从这项初步调查中发现的结果表明，雄性威德尔海豹在繁殖季节的空间行为随年龄和个体而变化，并且可能与繁殖活动有关。年长的雄性倾向于定居在与更多幼崽生产相关的更近岸地区。我们从这项初步调查中发现的结果表明，雄性威德尔海豹在繁殖季节的空间行为随年龄和个体而变化，并且可能与繁殖活动有关。