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Abstract

abstract

The breeding population of Arctocephalus tropicalis at Amsterdam Island during the 1981/82 summer consisted of approximately 6 070 adult males and 19 657 adult females, with 16 512 pups born. These estimates were derived by applying correction factors for undercounting, pup mortality, pregnancy rate and seasonal cycle. Extension of breeding colony sites has occurred ,since previous censuses in 1955/56 and 1969/70, concomitant with an initial annual intrinsic rate of population increase of 7,8 per cent to 1969/70, followed by an exponential phase of 16,5 per cent to 1981/82. Localised population increases were used to describe the process of recolonisation.