Physiological Development anmd Survival of Juvenile Weddell Seals

威德尔海豹在它们生命的第一年的生理、行为和生存是这项科学调查的主题。对于韦德尔海豹来说，这一时期包括母体依赖的短暂时期(6周)，游泳和潜水能力的发展，以及随着岸上快速结冰和开阔水域的形成而从出生群体中扩散。这是任何哺乳动物生命周期中最不为人所知的方面，可能是影响它们从成年期存活到最终繁殖成功的最重要时期。将重点介绍以下几个方面：1)与母体投入、断奶和潜水能力发展有关的生理变化；2)利用卫星遥测技术研究幼崽第一年的潜水行为和分散的个体发育。3)利用卫星遥测技术对年龄较大的青少年(1-2岁)的跳水和动作进行比较研究。4)母体、生理、生理和行为因素对幼崽活动的影响，以及对幼崽一岁存活率的影响；5)在麦克默多海湾继续测量威德尔海豹的种群数量、存活率和生产力，作为对其种群动态的持续长期研究，并为解释幼年状况或行为的年际变化提供背景。

The physiology, behavior, and survival of Weddell seals in their first year of life is the subject of this scientific investigation. For Weddell seals, this period encompasses the brief period of maternal dependence (6 weeks), development of swimming and diving abilities and dispersal from natal colonies as shore-fast ice turns to pack ice and open water. It is the least known aspect of the life cycle of any mammal and likely to be the most important period affecting their survival to adulthood and eventual reproductive success. The following areas will be emphasized: 1) physical and physiological changes related to maternal investment, weaning, and development of diving abilities; 2) the ontogeny of diving behavior and dispersal of pups in their first year using satellite telemetry. 3) comparative study of diving and movements by older juveniles (1-2 years old) using satellite telemetry. 4) correlative study of the maternal, physical, physiological and behavioral factors that affect the movements, condition possibly the survival of pups in their first year of life; and 5) continued measurement of population size, survival rates and productivity of Weddell seals in McMurdo Sound as a continued long term study of their population dynamics and context for interpreting interannual variation in condition or behavior of juveniles.