Weddell seals produce ultrasonic vocalizations

Seals (phocids) are generally not thought to produce vocalizations having ultrasonic fundamental frequencies (≥20 kHz), although previous studies could have been biased by sampling limitations. This study characterizes common, yet, previously undescribed, ultrasonic Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) vocalizations. The vocalizations were identified in more than one year (2017–2018) of broadband acoustic data obtained by a continuously recording underwater observatory in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Nine recurrent call types were identified that were composed of single or multiple vocal elements whose fundamental frequencies spanned the ultrasonic range to nearly 50 kHz. Eleven vocal elements had ultrasonic center frequencies (≥20 kHz), including chirps, whistles, and trills, with two elements at >30 kHz. Six elements had fundamental frequencies always >21 kHz. The fundamental frequency of one repetitive U-shaped whistle element reached 44.2 kHz and descending chirps (≥3.6 ms duration) commenced at ≤49.8 kHz. The source amplitude of one fully ultrasonic chirp element (29.5 kHz center frequency) was 137 dB re 1 μPa-m. Harmonics of some vocalizations exceeded 200 kHz. Ultrasonic vocalizations occurred throughout the year with the usage of repetitive ultrasonic chirp-based calls appearing to dominate in winter darkness. The functional significance of these high-frequency vocalizations is unknown.