Hourly variations in the rate of underwater vocalizations produced by leopard (Hydrurga leptonyx) and crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus) were compared with counts of these seals on ice floes. For both species maximum "haulout" corresponded with minimum underwater vocalizations. Consequently, sampling the vocal behaviour of pinnipeds may be used to determine their diurnal haulout pattern. This underwater vocalization rate potentially may be used to calculate a series of hourly correction factors that compensate for submerged seals not seen during a census.
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Thomas et al. (1982) studied this question.
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