Long-nosed Fur Seals Research Articles

Quantifying wildlife conflicts with metabarcoding and traditional dietary analyses: applied to seabird predation by long-nosed fur seals

Wildlife conflicts require robust quantitative data on incidence and impacts, particularly among species of conservation and cultural concern. We apply a multi-assay framework to quantify predation in a southeastern Australian scenario where complex management implications and calls for predator culling have grown despite a paucity of data on seabird predation by recovering populations of long-nosed fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri). We apply two ecological surveillance techniques to analyze this predator’s diet – traditional morphometric (prey hard-part) and environmental DNA metabarcoding (genetic) analyses using an avian specific primer for the 12S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene – to provide managers with estimated predation incidence, number of seabird species impacted and inter-prey species relative importance to the predator. DNA metabarcoding identified additional seabird taxa and provided relative quantitative information where multiple prey species occur within a sample; while parallel use of both genetic and hard-part analyses revealed a greater diversity of taxa than either method alone. Using data from both assays, the estimated frequency of occurrence of predation on seabirds by long-nosed fur seals ranged from 9.1–29.3% of samples and included up to 6 detected prey species. The most common seabird prey was the culturally valued little penguin (Eudyptula minor) that occurred in 6.1–25.3% of samples, higher than previously reported from traditional morphological assays alone. We then explored DNA haplotype diversity for little penguin genetic data, as a species of conservation concern, to provide a preliminary estimate of the number of individuals consumed. Polymorphism analysis of consumed little penguin DNA identified five distinct mitochondrial haplotypes – representing a minimum of 16 individual penguins consumed across 10 fur seal scat samples (equivalent to 10.1% of samples). We recommend rapid uptake and development of cost-effective genetic techniques and broader spatiotemporal sampling of fur seal diets to further quantify predation and hotspots of concern for wildlife conflict management.

A novel papillomavirus in a New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) with oral lesions

Despite being the predominant seal species in the Australian-New Zealand region and serving as a key indicator of marine environmental health, little is known about infectious diseases in New Zealand fur seals (Long-nosed fur seal; Arctocephalus forsteri). Several papillomaviruses have been identified in earless seals and sea lions, with the latter linked to cutaneous plaques and invasive squamous cell carcinoma. To date, no papillomaviruses have been reported in fur seals. We used traditional veterinary diagnostic techniques and metatranscriptomic sequencing of tissue samples to investigate the virome of New Zealand fur seals. We identified a novel papillomavirus, provisionally termed A. forsteri papillomavirus 1 (AforPV1) in an animal with clinically and histologically identified oral papilloma-like lesions. RT-PCR confirmed the presence of AforPV1 only in oral papilloma samples from the affected individual. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete 7926 bp genome of AforPV1 revealed that it grouped with taupapillomaviruses found in related Carnivora species. These findings highlight the need for further research into the disease associations and impact of undiagnosed and novel viruses on New Zealand fur seals.

Persistent organic pollutants and trace elements detected in New Zealand fur seals (long-nosed fur seal; Arctocephalus forsteri) from New South Wales, Australia, between 1998 and 2019

Environmental pollution is a growing threat to wildlife health and biodiversity. The relationship between marine mammals and pollutants is, however, complex and as new chemicals are introduced to ecosystems alongside concomitant, interacting threats such as climate change and habitat degradation, the cumulative impact of these stressors to wildlife continues to expand. Understanding the health of wildlife populations requires a holistic approach to identify potential threatening processes. In the context of environmental pollution in little studied wildlife species, it is important to catalogue the current exposome to develop effective biomonitoring programs that can support diagnosis of health impacts and management and mitigation of pollution. In New South Wales, Australia, the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) is a resident species experiencing population growth following devastating historic hunting practices. This study presents a retrospective investigation into the exposure of New Zealand fur seals to a range of synthetic organic compounds and essential and non-essential trace elements. Liver tissue from 28 seals were broadly analyzed to assess concentrations of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and essential and non-essential trace elements. In addition to contributing extensive pollution baseline data for the species, the work explores the influence of sex, age, and body condition on accumulation patterns. Further, based on these findings, it is recommended that a minimum of 11 juvenile male New Zealand fur seals are sampled and analyzed annually in order to maintain a holistic biomonitoring approach for this population.

Dredging activity in a highly urbanised estuary did not affect the long-term occurrence of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and long-nosed fur seals.

Dredging is an excavation activity used worldwide in marine and freshwater environments to create, deepen, and maintain waterways, harbours, channels, locks, docks, berths, river entrances, and approaches to ports and boat ramps. However, dredging impacts on marine life, including marine mammals (cetaceans, pinnipeds, and sirenians), remain largely unknown. Here we quantified the effect of dredging operations in 2005 and 2019 on the occurrence of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) and long-nosed fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) in the Port River estuary, a highly urbanized estuary in Adelaide, South Australia. We applied generalised linear models to two long-term sighting datasets (dolphins: 1992-2020, fur seals: 2010-2020), to analyse changes in sighting rates as a function of dredging operations, season, rainfall, and sea surface temperature. We showed that the fluctuations in both dolphin and fur seal occurrences were not correlated with dredging operations, whereas sea surface temperature and season were stronger predictors of both species sighting rates (with seals more prevalent during the colder months, and dolphins in summer). Given the highly industrial environment of the Port River estuary, it is possible that animals in this area are habituated to high noise levels and therefore were not disturbed by dredging operations. Future research would benefit from analysing short-term effects of dredging operations on behaviour, movement patterns and habitat use to determine effects of possible habitat alteration caused by dredging.

Implications of Escherichia coli community diversity in free-ranging Australian pinniped pups.

Escherichia coli is a widely studied bacterium, commonly used as an indicator of faecal contamination. Investigations into the structure and diversity of E. coli in free-ranging wildlife species has been limited. The objective of this study was to characterise intra-individual and inter-species E. coli phylotype and B2 sub-type diversity in free-ranging Australian pinniped pups, to determine whether a single E. coli colony is representative of the phylotype and B2 sub-type diversity in these hosts. Faecal samples were collected from free-ranging Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus), Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) and long-nosed fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) pups from three breeding colonies between 2018 and 2021. Faecal swabs from thirty randomly selected pups (n=10 from each species) were cultured and ten E. coli colonies were selected from each culture based on morphology and separation between colonies on agar plates. Molecular screening techniques were utilised to assign isolates to phylotypes and B2 sub-types. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in either intra-individual or inter-species E. coli phylotype and B2 sub-type diversity. The B2 phylotype was the most dominant, with 78% of isolates (n=234) assigned to this phylotype. Host factors (species, weight [kg] and standard length [cm]) did not significantly affect phylotype diversity. The absence of intra-individual and inter-species differences in E. coli diversity at a phylotype level suggests that a single E. coli colony could be used as an indicator of overall diversity of E. coli at a phylotype level in A. p. doriferus, N. cinerea and A. forsteri pups. These findings can be used to simplify and improve the efficiency of sampling protocols for ongoing monitoring of human-associated E. coli phylotypes in free-ranging pinniped populations.

Tracing Seal Predation Back to the Source Colony of Their Penguin Prey: A Trace Element and Stable Isotope Analysis

Marine predators recovering from historic, commercial, over-harvesting can create conservation challenges when they prey on vulnerable species. Pinniped predation of seabirds presents one such challenge and identifying the source colonies experiencing seal predation are needed to inform conservation management and decision planning. Here, we present a novel application of stable isotope and trace element techniques to identify the source colony of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) predated by long-nosed fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri). We created baseline biochemical ‘feather-prints’ from feathers for six major breeding colonies across south-east Australia to compare with feathers from predated penguins recovered from seal scats. Feeding trials of captive seals confirmed that digestion of penguin feathers did not compromise stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) or trace element (Al, Ti, Sr and Mg) signatures. The resulting biochemical ‘feather-prints’ were found to be robust in being correctly classified to local sites (78%) and broader regions (85%). The distinguishing ‘feather-prints’ appeared to be driven by industrial inputs from land, colony-specific foraging patterns and potentially proximity to oceanographic systems (i.e. upwelling). Here, we show that 46-70% of predated feathers were assigned to ‘local’ penguin colonies. We consider that the regional penguin abundances and the proximity of their colonies to seal sites, as well as demographic-specific foraging patterns may shape their contribution to seal diet at local, regional and inter-regional scales. This diagnostic tool is powerful, having broad applications identifying seabird colonies at greatest risk to pinniped predation and informing targeted, site-specific, conservation effort.

Carriage of antibiotic resistant bacteria in endangered and declining Australian pinniped pups.

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major concern for wildlife and ecosystem health globally. Genetic determinants of AMR have become indicators of anthropogenic pollution due to their greater association with humans and rarer presence in environments less affected by humans. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution and frequency of the class 1 integron, a genetic determinant of AMR, in both the faecal microbiome and in Escherichia coli isolated from neonates of three pinniped species. Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) and long-nosed fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) pups from eight breeding colonies along the Southern Australian coast were sampled between 2016–2019. DNA from faecal samples (n = 309) and from E. coli (n = 795) isolated from 884 faecal samples were analysed for class 1 integrons using PCRs targeting the conserved integrase gene (intI) and the gene cassette array. Class 1 integrons were detected in A. p. doriferus and N. cinerea pups sampled at seven of the eight breeding colonies investigated in 4.85% of faecal samples (n = 15) and 4.52% of E. coli isolates (n = 36). Integrons were not detected in any A. forsteri samples. DNA sequencing of the class 1 integron gene cassette array identified diverse genes conferring resistance to four antibiotic classes. The relationship between class 1 integron carriage and the concentration of five trace elements and heavy metals was also investigated, finding no significant association. The results of this study add to the growing evidence of the extent to which antimicrobial resistant bacteria are polluting the marine environment. As AMR determinants are frequently associated with bacterial pathogens, their occurrence suggests that these pinniped species are vulnerable to potential health risks. The implications for individual and population health as a consequence of AMR carriage is a critical component of ongoing health investigations.

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at high concentrations in neonatal Australian pinnipeds

Per and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) exposure was investigated in Australian pinnipeds. Concentrations of 16 PFAS were measured in the livers of Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) and a long-nosed Fur Seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) pup sampled between 2017 and 2020 from colonies in South Australia and Victoria. Findings reported in this study are the first documented PFAS concentrations in Australian pinnipeds.Median and observed range of values in ng/g wet weight were highest for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) in the liver of N. cinerea (PFOS = 7.14, 1.00–16.9; PFOA = 2.73, 0.32–11.2; PFNA = 2.96, 0.61–8.22; n = 28), A. forsteri (PFOS = 15.98, PFOA = 2.02, PFNA = 7.86; n = 1) and A. p. doriferus (PFOS = 27.4, 10.5–2119; PFOA = 0.98, 0.32–52.2; PFNA = 2.50, 0.91–44.2; n = 20). PFAS concentrations in A. p. doriferus pups were significantly greater (p < 0.05) than in N. cinerea pups for all PFAS except PFOA and were of similar magnitude to those reported in northern hemisphere marine animals. These results demonstrate exposure differences in both magnitude and PFAS profiles for N. cinerea in South Australia and A. p. doriferus in Victoria.This study reports detectable PFAS concentrations in Australian pinniped pups indicating the importance of maternal transfer of these toxicants. As N. cinerea are endangered and recent declines in pup production has been reported for A. p. doriferus at the colony sampled, investigation of potential health impacts of these toxicants on Australian pinnipeds is recommended.

An outbreak of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Kentucky infection in long-nosed fur seals.

An outbreak of salmonellosis occurred in a group of 7 long-nosed fur seals Arctocephalus forsteri undergoing rehabilitation after being found injured and malnourished on beaches along the northern New South Wales and southern Queensland coasts of Australia. Three of the 7 individuals developed clinical disease and died within 3 d. Clinical signs included profuse diarrhea, vomiting, depression, and lethargy. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Kentucky (S. Kentucky) was cultured from 2 of the 3 deceased animals. The other 4 animals showed similar signs and recovered following treatment. S. Kentucky (antigenic formula 8,20:i:z6) was isolated from the survivors and tissues recovered from post-mortem samples of deceased animals. The bacterium was susceptible to cephalothin and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanate, ampicillin/amoxicillin, tetracycline, and enrofloxacin. This organism has the potential to cause disease in aquatic wildlife, as well as posing a zoonotic threat to people who utilise the aquatic environment.

How the life support system can affect pinniped eye health: a case study with long-nosed fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri)

Eye health issues have commonly been reported in captive pinnipeds. Excessive exposure to UV light, poor enclosure design features and suboptimal water quality have all been associated with eye pathology in pinnipeds. A long-nosed fur seal Arctocephalus forsteri developed corneal disease shortly after introduction into a new facility. Medical therapies provided some alleviation of symptoms, but long-term sustained improvements in eye health were only achieved after life support system modifications. These modifications centred on lowering the production of disinfection by-products by removing most of the organic matter before applying ozone to the system. The reduction in eye pain following improvements in water quality were also critical for the keepers to be able to train the fur seal to receive eye drops voluntarily.

Diversity and Distribution of Escherichia coli in Three Species of Free-Ranging Australian Pinniped Pups

Anthropogenic activities and pollution are impacting marine environments globally. This has resulted in increasing numbers of human-associated phylotypes of Escherichia coli, an indicator of faecal contamination, being found in both aquatic environments and upper trophic marine mammals that are considered sentinels for marine health. The objective of this study was to determine the presence and diversity of E. coli in pups of three species of free-ranging pinnipeds in Australia. Faecal samples (n = 964) were collected between 2016 and 2019 from Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) and long-nosed fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) pups from eight breeding colonies extending along the Southern Australian coast. E. coli were isolated from 842 (87.3%) samples and molecular screening was applied to assign isolates to E. coli phylotypes and sub-types. The human associated E. coli phylotype B2 was the most frequently isolated in all species at seven of the eight colonies, with 73.7% of all E. coli isolates belonging to this phylotype. Phylotype distribution did not differ significantly within or across species, breeding colonies or breeding seasons. Further analysis of B2 isolates into sub-types showed a significant difference in sub-type distribution across breeding seasons at two colonies (Seal Rocks and Cape Gantheaume). The predominance of the B2 phylotype could indicate that all colonies are exposed to similar levels of anthropogenic pollution. This widespread occurrence of the human-associated E. coli phylotypes highlights the imperative for ongoing monitoring and surveillance of microbes in both the marine environment and sentinel species.

Environmental drivers of oceanic foraging site fidelity in central place foragers

Finding food is crucial to the survival and reproductive success of individuals. Fidelity to previous profitable foraging sites may bring benefits to individuals as they can allocate more time to foraging rather than searching for prey. We studied how environmental conditions influence when lactating long-nosed fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) adopt a risky (low fidelity) or conservative (high fidelity) foraging strategy at two intra-annual temporal scales when foraging in a highly variable oceanic environment. Core foraging areas (CFAs; n = 534; 30 × 30 km cells) of consecutive foraging trips were obtained from geolocation tracks of 12 females from summer to winter in 2016 (n = 5) and 2017 (n = 7). We used the spatial variability (standard deviation) of CFAs between or among oceanic foraging trips as a proxy for individual foraging site fidelity (IFSF). Over the entire oceanic foraging period (n = 12), IFSF in the latitudinal axis increased with stronger sea-surface temperature gradient (SSTgrad), but decreased with greater SSTgrad and sea-surface height gradient variability. Over a period of two consecutive oceanic foraging trips (n = 66), IFSF decreased with greater SSTgrad variability in the earlier foraging trip. LNFS show evidence that they use IFSF as a strategy to potentially optimise food acquisition, and that this behaviour is influenced by mesoscale oceanographic parameters.

Identifying foraging habitats of adult female long-nosed fur seal Arctocephalus forsteri based on vibrissa stable isotopes

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 628:223-234 (2019) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13113 Identifying foraging habitats of adult female long-nosed fur seal Arctocephalus forsteri based on vibrissa stable isotopes Dahlia Foo1,*, Mark Hindell1, Clive McMahon2, Simon Goldsworthy3 1Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7004, Australia 2Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales 2088, Australia 3Aquatic Sciences Centre, South Australian Research and Development Institute, West Beach, South Australia 5024, Australia *Corresponding author: dahlia.foo@utas.edu.au ABSTRACT: We investigated how foraging ecotypes of female long-nosed fur seals Arctocephalus forsteri could be identified from vibrissa stable isotopes. We collected regrowths of vibrissae from adult females (n = 18) from Cape Gantheaume, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, from 2 breeding seasons (2016, 2017). The period represented by the regrowth was known, and 8 individuals were administered with 15N-enriched glycine as a biomarker to mark the start date of the regrowth. Non-glycine-marked and glycine-marked vibrissae were used to estimate the rate of the individual vibrissa regrowth. Using individual growth rates (0.18 ± 0.04 mm d-1), we reconstructed a stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) time series for each regrowth and allocated them to corresponding at-sea locations either based on geolocation tracks (n = 14) or foraging habitat type (shelf or oceanic) based on diving data (n = 2) of the sampled seals. Mean (±SD) δ15N from vibrissa segments was higher when females foraged on the continental shelf region (16.1 ± 0.7‰, n = 29) compared to oceanic waters (15.1 ± 0.7‰, n = 106) in 2017, whereas it was similar in both regions in 2016 (shelf: 15.3 ± 0.4‰, n = 13; oceanic: 15.4 ± 0.4‰, n = 15). Based on the stable isotope signatures of vibrissa segments, model-based clustering analysis correctly classified 79.8% as originating from shelf or oceanic foraging habitats. This demonstrates the potential of using vibrissa stable isotopes for studying the foraging ecology of an important top marine predator. KEY WORDS: Isoscape · Foraging strategies · Trophic dynamics · Continental shelf · Oceanic · Marine top predators Full text in pdf format Supplementary material PreviousCite this article as: Foo D, Hindell M, McMahon C, Goldsworthy S (2019) Identifying foraging habitats of adult female long-nosed fur seal Arctocephalus forsteri based on vibrissa stable isotopes. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 628:223-234. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13113 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 628. Online publication date: October 10, 2019 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2019 Inter-Research.

Hunting behaviour of white sharks recorded by animal-borne accelerometers and cameras

ABSTRACT: Hunting large, fast-moving mammals by top predators often involves highly energetic burst locomotion, and studying such behaviour can reveal how physiological capacity shapes predator-prey relationships. Although increasingly sophisticated animal-borne devices have allowed the recording of terrestrial predators’ behaviour (e.g. cheetahs) hunting herbivorous mammals, similar approaches have rarely been applied to marine predators hunting mammals. Here, we deployed video cameras (lasting for 6 h) and accelerometers (lasting for 2 d) on 8 white sharks Carcharodon carcharias aggregating near colonies of long-nosed fur seals Arctocephalus forsteri. Video showed one shark attacking a seal, during which an intensive swimming event (lateral acceleration: 3.7 × g, tailbeat frequency: 3.3 Hz, estimated swim speed: 6.7 m s-1) was recorded. Based on this confirmed event, 7 potential predation events were identified from 150 h of acceleration data. The events occurred at various depths (0-53 m) and primarily at nighttime and during crepuscular periods, partly contrasting with well documented seal-hunting breaching behaviour that occurs primarily during crepuscular periods. This study demonstrates that, despite inherent difficulties, recording infrequent hunting events of top marine predators provides insight into their hunting strategies and maximum locomotor performance.

Influence of shelf oceanographic variability on alternate foraging strategies in long-nosed fur seals

Central place foragers often change their foraging behaviour in response to changes in prey availability in the environment. Lactating long-nosed fur seals Arctocephalus forsteri (LNFS) at Cape Gantheaume in South Australia have been observed to display alternate foraging strategies, whereby they forage on the shelf in summer and switch to oceanic foraging in winter. We investigated the relationship between changes in shelf summertime upwelling and the timing and variability when females switch from predominantly shelf to oceanic foraging. Geolocation tags were deployed on females from summer to winter in 2016 and 2017, giving us longitudinal tracks over the transition period. The timing of switching from shelf to oceanic foraging was primarily driven by seasonal oceanographic changes on the shelf—specifically when the strength of the seasonal localised upwelling began to decline. The individual variability in the timing of the switch was driven by the strength of the coastal upwelling, with variability being greater in years when upwelling strength was weaker. By comparing our results to those of previous studies on the same colony, we found qualitative evidence that inter-annual environmental variability likely influences whether individuals display a single or multiple foraging strategies. This further highlights the flexibility in foraging strategies used by LNFS in response to environmental changes. The effect of inter-annual differences in foraging strategies on overall reproductive success warrants further investigation.

Swimming strategies and energetics of endothermic white sharks during foraging.

Some fishes and sea turtles are distinct from ectotherms by having elevated core body temperatures and metabolic rates. Quantifying the energetics and activity of the regionally endothermic species will help us understand how a fundamental biophysical process (i.e. temperature-dependent metabolism) shapes animal ecology; however, such information is limited owing to difficulties in studying these large, highly active animals. White sharks, Carcharodon carcharias, are the largest fish with regional endothermy, and potentially among the most energy-demanding fishes. Here, we deployed multi-sensor loggers on eight white sharks aggregating near colonies of long-nosed fur seals, Arctocephalus forsteri, off the Neptune Islands, Australia. Simultaneous measurements of depth, swim speed (a proxy for swimming metabolic rate) and body acceleration (indicating when sharks exhibited energy-efficient gliding behaviour) revealed their fine-scale swimming behaviour and allowed us to estimate their energy expenditure. Sharks repeatedly dived (mean swimming depth, 29 m) and swam at the surface between deep dives (maximum depth, 108 m). Modal swim speeds (0.80-1.35 m s-1) were slower than the estimated speeds that minimize cost of transport (1.3-1.9 m s-1), a pattern analogous to a 'sit-and-wait' strategy for a perpetually swimming species. All but one shark employed unpowered gliding during descents, rendering deep (>50 m) dives 29% less costly than surface swimming, which may incur additional wave drag. We suggest that these behavioural strategies may help sharks to maximize net energy gains by reducing swimming cost while increasing encounter rates with fast-swimming seals.

Dispersion of long-nosed fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) determined by tagging

Long-nosed fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) were tagged as pups in colonies on Kangaroo Island, South Australia in eight consecutive pupping seasons from 1988–89 to 1995–96. Thirty-nine tagged animals were sighted on the southern Australian coast, being 0.89% of those tagged. They were aged from 9 months to 14 years 6 months, with half in their second and third years. Most records (88%) were of animals that moved eastwards. The most distant records were from Sydney in the east (1700 km), south of Tasmania in the south (1240 km) and Head of Bight in the west (700 km). One animal was seen twice, both times on the north coast of Kangaroo Island, once underwater and two years later ashore. Satellite telemetry studies of juvenile A. forsteri from Kangaroo Island showed that they typically forage in pelagic waters ~1000 km further south in association with the subtropical front. The study reported here shows that some animals tagged as pups disperse widely as juveniles around the southern Australian coast. The possibility of genetic interchange between breeding colonies is suggested by sightings of three tagged females aged 4 years and older at non-natal colonies.

Fur seals and sea lions (family Otariidae) on the breakwaters at Adelaide

Long-nosed fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) and Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) on the breakwaters at the mouth of the Port River estuary at Adelaide’s Outer Harbor were counted from 2004 to 2015. Observed counts were modelled using a generalised linear model. Fur seal numbers have been increasing since 2011; for sea lions there was a small discernible annual trend in counts. Counts of fur seals varied seasonally; most annual maxima were in August or September with modelled peak numbers around 9–11 September. The maximum count of fur seals was 79 in September 2015. For sea lions, the model predicts annual peaks in the period 28 August to 19 September. The maximum count of sea lions was nine in September 2009. The haulout sites on the Outer Harbor breakwaters are easily accessible by boats, including pleasure craft. In particular, the seaward end of the outer breakwater is a popular spot with recreational anglers whose lines are often within a few metres of the seals. We propose that a management plan should be developed involving a study of the effect of boat approaches on seals utilising the Outer Harbor area followed by education coupled with enforcement.

Novel morphological and molecular data for Corynosoma hannae Zdzitowiecki, 1984 (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) from teleosts, fish-eating birds and pinnipeds from New Zealand

The polymorphid acanthocephalan, Corynosoma hannae Zdzitowiecki, 1984 is characterised on the basis of newly collected material from a New Zealand sea lion, Phocarctos hookeri (Gray), and long-nosed fur seal, Arctophoca forsteri (Lesson) (definitive hosts), and from Stewart Island shags, Leucocarbo chalconotus (Gray), spotted shags, Phalacrocorax punctatus (Sparrman) and yellow-eyed penguins, Megadyptes antipodes (Hombron & Jacquinot) (non-definitive hosts) from New Zealand. Specimens are described in detail and scanning electron micrographs for C. hannae are provided. Additionally, cystacanths of C. hannae are reported and described for the first time from the body cavity and mesenteries of New Zealand brill, Colistium guntheri (Hutton) and from New Zealand sole, Peltorhamphus novaezeelandiae Günther from Kaka Point, Otago in New Zealand. Partial sequence data for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene (cox1) for adults, immature specimens and cystacanths of C. hannae were obtained. Phylogenetic analyses of the newly-generated sequences and for available cox1 sequences of Corynosoma spp. revealed a close relationship between C. hannae and C. australe Johnston, 1937, both species infecting pinnipeds in the Southern Hemisphere. However, a morphological comparison of the species suggests that C. hannae mostly closely resembles C. evae Zdzitowiecki, 1984 and C. semerme (Forssell, 1904), the latter of which occurs in pinnipeds in the Northern Hemisphere.

The long-nosed fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) in South Australia in 2013–14: abundance, status and trends

The long-nosed (or New Zealand) fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) breeds in southern Australia and New Zealand. Most of the Australian population is in South Australia, between Kangaroo Island and Eyre Peninsula. Fur seal populations in southern Australia were heavily exploited by colonial sealers between 1801 and 1830, resulting in major reductions. Numbers remained low for 150 years, then slowly built up and new colonies established across their presumed former range. Here we present estimates of pup abundance at South Australia colonies, mostly during the 2013–14 breeding season. Long-nosed fur seals bred from Baudin Rocks in the south-east to Fenelon Island in the north-west. In total, 29 breeding colonies produced 20 431 pups, 3.6 times greater than the 1989–90 estimate; the increase is attributed to recovery from 19th century overharvesting. The 2013–14 pup estimate leads to an estimate of abundance of long-nosed fur seals in South Australia of 97 200. Most pups were on Kangaroo Island (49.6%) and the Neptune Islands (38.6%). New breeding colonies were identified on Williams Island and at two small sites on Kangaroo Island. The increasing trend in South Australia is likely to continue over the coming decade, primarily by expansion in colonies on Kangaroo Island and by establishment of new colonies.