Buoyancy Regulation and the Energetics of Diving in Dolphins Seals, Sea Lions and Sea Otters

摘要

We examined swim speed and ascent descent rates in sea lions and elephant seals in order to make comparisons in their diving strategies and how these may be effected by different strategies of buoyancy regulation. We experimentally examined the relationship between buoyancy and diving behavior in Juvenile northern elephant seals. This study demonstrated that buoyancy plays a significant role in shaping the diving behavior of seals and sea lions. We found that marine mammals either use either hydrostatic or hydrodynamic buoyancy regulation depending upon their swimming speed and diving strategy. True seals rely more on hydrostatic buoyancy regulation, while sea lions, fur seals and cetaceans rely more on hydrodynamic buoyancy regulation.