Meeting Abstract
The feeding behaviors and kinematics of captive bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), ringed seals (Pusa hispida), and spotted seals (Phoca largha) were characterized through controlled feeding trials. All species primarily used a suction feeding strategy but biting was also observed, specifically pierce feeding. Suction and pierce feeding behaviors were relatively consistent across all four species. Suction feeding was kinematically distinct from pierce feeding and was characterized by significantly faster feeding event times, smaller gape and gape angles, smaller gular depressions, and fewer jaw motions. Most species showed higher variability in suction feeding performance, indicating that suction is a behaviorally flexible feeding strategy. Bearded seals exhibited the fastest feeding event times, largest gapes, and fewest jaw motions, providing further support for their classification as suction feeding specialists. Although harbor, ringed, and spotted seals are classified as pierce feeders based on skull and dental morphologies, behavioral and kinematic analyses reveal that these species are able to generate suction for prey ingestion. Our comparative study therefore indicates that skull morphology may not reflect the true diversity of feeding behaviors used by pinnipeds. The ability of all four species to use multiple feeding strategies is likely advantageous for these marine carnivores foraging in spatially and temporally dynamic marine ecosystems.
