The subantarcticfur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) is found in the southern parts of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans.[3] It was first described by Gray in 1872 from a specimen recovered in northern Australia—hence the inappropriate specific name tropicalis.
The subantarctic fur seal is medium in size compared with other fur seals. Males grow to 2m and 160 kg, whereas females are substantially smaller—1.4m and 50 kg. Both sexes are strongly sexually dimorphic, with creamy-orange chests and faces. Their bellies are more brownish. Males have a dark grey to black back, while females are a lighter grey. Pups are black at birth, but molt at about 3 months old. The snout is short and flat, and the flippers are short and broad.[4] Subantarctic fur seals live for about 20–25 years.
Distribution
Subantarctic fur seals are geographically widespread. As their name implies, they generally breed in more northerly locations than the Antarctic fur seals. The largest breeding colonies are on Gough Island in the South Atlantic and Île Amsterdam in the southern part of the Indian Ocean. Breeding grounds are also found at Marion Island in the Prince Edward Islands (where an overlap with Antarctic fur seals occurs), the Crozet Islands, and Macquarie Island. Where grounds overlap, the subantarctic species can be identified by the orange colour on the chest.
About 300,000 subantarctic fur seals are alive today, probably substantially down from when they were first discovered in 1810, as they were hunted for their pelts throughout the 19th century. Populations are recovering rapidly, though, in most areas whilst under the protection of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals. A small population on Heard Island is endangered. Unlike the Antarctic fur seal, whose genetic variation is low due to hunting making all but one breeding colony extinct by 1900, the diversity amongst subantarctic specimens remains high.[5]
Diet
Subantarctic fur seals hunt in shallow waters at night, when myctophid fish come close to the surface. They also feed on squid.
^Hofmeyr, G.J.G. (2015). "Arctocephalus tropicalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T2062A45224547. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T2062A45224547.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
^"Subantarctic Fur Seals behaviour". The MarineBio Conservation Society. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
^Subantarctic Fur Seal: Arctocephalus tropicalis. Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals (Third Edition) 2018, Pages 957-960. Academic Press. January 2018. pp. 957–960. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804327-1.00252-1. ISBN9780128043271. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
^"Subantarctic Fur Seal conservation status". Seal Conservation Society. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
Further reading
Wynen, Louise P. et al. "Postsealing genetic variation and population structure of two species of fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella and A. tropicalis)". Molecular Ecology. Vol. 9. (2000). pp. 299–314.
Randall R. Reeves; Brent S. Stewart; Phillip J. Clapham; James A. Powell (2002). National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. ISBN0-375-41141-0.
January 30, 2023
subantarctic, seal, subantarctic, seal, arctocephalus, tropicalis, found, southern, parts, indian, pacific, atlantic, oceans, first, described, gray, 1872, from, specimen, recovered, northern, australia, hence, inappropriate, specific, name, tropicalis, malefe. The subantarctic fur seal Arctocephalus tropicalis is found in the southern parts of the Indian Pacific and Atlantic Oceans 3 It was first described by Gray in 1872 from a specimen recovered in northern Australia hence the inappropriate specific name tropicalis Subantarctic fur sealMaleFemaleConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 CITES Appendix II CITES 2 Scientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraClade PinnipediaFamily OtariidaeGenus ArctocephalusSpecies A tropicalisBinomial nameArctocephalus tropicalisGray 1872Subantarctic fur seal range Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution 3 Diet 4 See also 5 References 6 Further readingDescription EditThe subantarctic fur seal is medium in size compared with other fur seals Males grow to 2 m and 160 kg whereas females are substantially smaller 1 4 m and 50 kg Both sexes are strongly sexually dimorphic with creamy orange chests and faces Their bellies are more brownish Males have a dark grey to black back while females are a lighter grey Pups are black at birth but molt at about 3 months old The snout is short and flat and the flippers are short and broad 4 Subantarctic fur seals live for about 20 25 years Distribution EditSubantarctic fur seals are geographically widespread As their name implies they generally breed in more northerly locations than the Antarctic fur seals The largest breeding colonies are on Gough Island in the South Atlantic and Ile Amsterdam in the southern part of the Indian Ocean Breeding grounds are also found at Marion Island in the Prince Edward Islands where an overlap with Antarctic fur seals occurs the Crozet Islands and Macquarie Island Where grounds overlap the subantarctic species can be identified by the orange colour on the chest About 300 000 subantarctic fur seals are alive today probably substantially down from when they were first discovered in 1810 as they were hunted for their pelts throughout the 19th century Populations are recovering rapidly though in most areas whilst under the protection of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals A small population on Heard Island is endangered Unlike the Antarctic fur seal whose genetic variation is low due to hunting making all but one breeding colony extinct by 1900 the diversity amongst subantarctic specimens remains high 5 Diet EditSubantarctic fur seals hunt in shallow waters at night when myctophid fish come close to the surface They also feed on squid See also Edit Marine life portal Mammals portalReferences Edit Hofmeyr G J G 2015 Arctocephalus tropicalis IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015 e T2062A45224547 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2015 4 RLTS T2062A45224547 en Retrieved 12 November 2021 Appendices CITES cites org Retrieved 2022 01 14 Subantarctic Fur Seals behaviour The MarineBio Conservation Society 18 May 2017 Retrieved 2021 05 07 Subantarctic Fur Seal Arctocephalus tropicalis Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals Third Edition 2018 Pages 957 960 Academic Press January 2018 pp 957 960 doi 10 1016 B978 0 12 804327 1 00252 1 ISBN 9780128043271 Retrieved 2021 05 07 Subantarctic Fur Seal conservation status Seal Conservation Society Retrieved 2021 05 07 Further reading EditWynen Louise P et al Postsealing genetic variation and population structure of two species of fur seal Arctocephalus gazella and A tropicalis Molecular Ecology Vol 9 2000 pp 299 314 Arctocephalus tropicalis Integrated Taxonomic Information System Retrieved 24 January 2006 Randall R Reeves Brent S Stewart Phillip J Clapham James A Powell 2002 National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World Alfred A Knopf Inc ISBN 0 375 41141 0 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Subantarctic fur seal amp oldid 1121500691, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
