全球变化知识资源中心

The southern elephant seal (SES), Mirounga leonina, has an estimated abundance of 900,000 individuals and a nearly circumpolar distribution in the Southern Hemisphere. In Chile, the species inhabits three colonies in the Magallanes Region (54 degrees 24S) and the northernmost sightings have been attributed to vagrant individuals. The aim of this study is to reassess the distribution of SES on the Pacific Coast. Censuses were conducted from 2004 to 2017, from 29 degrees 02S to 29 degrees 16S and from 38 degrees 22S to 48 degrees 23S. Data from social media and official landing records were also incorporated to complement the research sightings. A total of 72 SES were sighted in 40 haul-out sites; 42% of the animals were found in haul-out sites shared with the South American sea lion, 4% in wetland haul-out sites, and 54% in other haul-out sites. We recorded a parturition event in the Dallico wetland, at latitude 42 degrees 19S, which establishes the northernmost location of breeding SES in the Pacific Coast. Our data show an increase in the number of adult and immature SESs sighted in middle latitudes during survey years with similar sampling effort (2007-2016). Interestingly, we corroborated the sighting of an adult female for 9years in the Marine Protected Area Isla Chanaral (29 degrees 02S), evidencing long-term fidelity to foraging regions in nonbreeding ranges of the species. The high productivity in the distribution area, where isolated and protected areas are located, makes these ideal places to find new foraging and resting grounds at middle-low latitude hotspots.