Underwater Acoustic Signaling of Bearded Seals (Erignatus barbatus) in the White Sea

Abstract

The bearded seal occurs in virtually all Arctic seas. During the spring (pupping and mating season), this species is characterized by high underwater acoustic activity; studies performed in the foreign countries in the 1960s showed that sexually mature males produced the signals. The present article discusses a comprehensive analysis of bearded seal acoustic signals recorded in 1984–2017 in different parts of the White Sea. The main types of signals were identified, the physical characteristics of the signals were described, and territorial and temporal variability of the signals was assessed. High overall stability was demonstrated for bearded seals’ underwater acoustic signaling system. Acoustic census methods to account for individuals present in the studied water area have been proposed based on the results.