BIOLOGIYA MORYA, 2010, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 48-55

Cycle of transformation of shore associations of the spotted seal Phoca largha in Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan

© 2010 V. A. Nesterenko¹, I. O. Katin²

¹Institute of Biology and Soil Science, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok 690022;
²Far Eastern State Marine Nature Biosphere Reserve, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok 690041

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In Peter the Great Bay, the spotted seal Phoca largha is associated throughout the year with island haulout sites, where it forms shore aggregations of four types: preliminary, reproductive, molting, and rehabilitating. Long-term observations suggest that the change of shore associations of spotted seal produces an annual cycle. The successive types of associations are transformed through the disintegration of one associations accompanied by the simultaneous formation of others; characteristic redistribution of animals in the bay takes place. The formation and functioning of each type of shore associations of spotted seal are considered.

Key words: spotted seal, Phoca largha, shore association, haulout site, Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan.