Energy gain and loss during lactation and postweaning in southern elephant seal pups (Mirounga leonina) at King George Island

• Published in: Polar biology Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 437 - 440
• Main Authors: CARLINI, A. R, PANARELLO, H. O, MARQUEZ, M. E. I, DANERI, G. A, SOAVE, G. E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01-05-2000; Berlin Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic mammals; Biological and medical sciences; Breastfeeding & lactation; Deuterium; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Marine; Marine biology; Marine mammals; Mirounga leonina; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Weaning; Southern Ocean; Antarctica, South Shetland Is; Antarctica, South Shetland Is., King George I; Mirounga leonina; Carnivora; Lactation; Weaning; Body weight; Pinnipedia; Weight gain; Young animal; Body composition; King George Island; Marine environment; Vertebrata; Mammalia
• ISSN: 0722-4060; 1432-2056
• DOI: 10.1007/s003000050465

Deuterium-labeled water was used to measure changes in the proximate body composition during the lactation period and after weaning in southern elephant seal pups at King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. During the lactation period (23.0± 1.4days) pups gained a mean of 4.9±0.5kg/day (n=7). Of the total mass gain (112±8kg), 38% was water, 48% was fat, and 11% was protein. This represented an increase in total body gross energy of 2437±145MJ. The proportion of body mass represented by fat was less than 2% at birth, increasing to 35±2% at weaning. We followed the pups during a mean period of 36±3days after weaning. During this period, pups had a mean loss of 1.21±0.10kg/day (n=7) comprising 39% water, 48% fat, and 12% protein. The energy cost over this period was 952±168MJ, which represented, on average, 39% of the total energy gained during the suckling period.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]