caa a22 4500 606164804 CHVBK 20210128100650.0 cr unu---uuuuu 210128e20150701xx s 000 0 eng 10.1007/s10144-015-0496-z doi (NATIONALLICENCE)springer-10.1007/s10144-015-0496-z Mark-resight estimates of seasonal variation in harbor seal abundance and site fidelity [Elektronische Daten] [Line Cordes, Paul Thompson] Monitoring trends in abundance of pinnipeds typically involves counting seals at terrestrial haul-out sites during the breeding season. Counts of seals made at other times of the year are typically lower; however, it is often unknown whether this is because fewer animals are present or whether lower counts simply reflect a reduction in haul-out probability. Here we illustrate how photo-identification data from an individual-based study of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) can be used to estimate seasonal variation in abundance and site fidelity. Monthly data collected over a two-year period were analyzed using a mark-recapture mark-resight model accounting for individuals transitioning between observable and unobservable states. Levels of site fidelity were high throughout the year and abundance estimates showed no seasonal pattern. This suggests that individual seals used haul-out sites to the same extent throughout the year, and that peaks in counts during the breeding season are a result of seasonal changes in haul-out probability. The results of this study have implications for understanding population sub-structuring, gene flow and disease spread. The Society of Population Ecology and Springer Japan, 2015 Haul-out probability nationallicence Individual-based nationallicence Mark-recapture nationallicence Phoca vitulina nationallicence Photo-identification nationallicence Population dynamics nationallicence Cordes Line School of Ocean Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Askew Street, Menai Bridge, UK aut Thompson Paul Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Lighthouse Field Station, George Street, Cromarty, UK aut Population Ecology Springer Japan 57/3(2015-07-01), 467-472 1438-3896 57:3<467 2015 57 10144 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10144-015-0496-z text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI BK010053 XK010053 XK010000 Metadata rights reserved Springer special CC-BY-NC licence nationallicence 1 research-article jats NATIONALLICENCE NATIONALLICENCE NL-springer NATIONALLICENCE 856 40 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10144-015-0496-z text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Cordes Line School of Ocean Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Askew Street, Menai Bridge, UK aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Thompson Paul Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Lighthouse Field Station, George Street, Cromarty, UK aut NATIONALLICENCE 773 0- Population Ecology Springer Japan 57/3(2015-07-01), 467-472 1438-3896 57:3<467 2015 57 10144