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Underwater sound production of free-ranging Hawaiian monk seals

K. Parnell,Caroline Smith,A. Díaz,K. Fertitta,P. Thompson,Philip T. Patton,Isabelle Charrier,Stacie J. Robinson,Aude F. Pacini,Lars Bejder

Published 2025 in Royal Society Open Science

ABSTRACT

Hawaiian monk seals (HMS; Neomonachus schauinslandi) are endemic and endangered with a population of approximately 1600 individuals. While research has provided extensive information on HMS biology, movements and population ecology, its underwater vocal behaviour remains largely undocumented, with previous descriptions limited to two individuals in human care. To broaden our understanding of sound production in free-ranging seals, we deployed passive acoustic recorders at five sites across the Hawaiian archipelago. From >4500 h of recordings, we manually detected and classified >23 000 underwater vocalizations. A discriminant function analysis of 10 call types yielded an average correct classification rate of 63%. We identified 25 call types, including five published elemental calls and 20 novel calls. Nineteen of the novel call types were combinational calls—an undocumented communication strategy in pinnipeds. The novel Whine, captured via biologging tag- and citizen-scientist videos, provided a rare example of context-specific call use in pinnipeds. Vocalizations were low frequency (<1 kHz), short–medium duration (<7 s), with 66% occurring in bouts. Calls were detected throughout the day at three of five sites, with peaks at night and late afternoon. These findings establish a baseline for HMS vocal behaviour and emphasize the importance of acoustic communication in future research and conservation efforts.

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