The behaviour of grey seals is diverse and subtle; it changes with age and with the seasons. It is also difficult to study due to the aqueous, remote lifestyle of grey seals. Especially little is known about the behaviour of young individuals, their early development, and the role of steroid hormones that might affect their nervous, immune and reproductive systems.
Research into social behaviour and factors that influence it could provide a better understanding of grey seal locomotion and behaviour in the water and on land, of how they gather in social groups, and provide us with the ability to recognize different individuals and behavioural changes during growth.
Our current research aims to evaluate the changes in social behaviour and steroid concentrations in grey seals during early ontogenesis (from weaning to maturity).
Behavioural research is performed in the wild during natural conditions on the Isle of May (Scotland), one of the largest grey seal breeding areas in UK. Between September and December, thousands of seals gather to give birth and mate afterwards. The behaviour is studied in collaboration with the most renowned grey seal behaviour specialists. We use high-quality behavioural recording tools and geographic information systems (ArcGIS, QGIS) for data registration and analysis.
Concentrations of steroids (cortisol, estradiol, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) are estimated using several different methods, like ELISA, thin layer chromatography (TLC), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Not only blood is used for steroid analysis, but also non-invasive sources like saliva and hair.