Pinniped Phylogeny and a New Hypothesis for Their Origin and Dispersal
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Biology; of the Seal
7 PREFACE The first International Symposium on the Biology papers were read by title and are included either in of the Seal was held at the University of Guelph, On full or abstract form in this volume. The 139 particip tario, Canada from 13 to 17 August 1972. The sym ants represented 16 countries, permitting scientific posium developed from discussions originating in Dub interchange of a truly international nature. lin in 1969 at the meeting of the Marine Mammals In his opening address, V. B. Scheffer suggested that Committee of the International Council for the Ex a dream was becoming a reality with a meeting of ploration of the Sea (ICES). The culmination of such a large group of pinniped biologists. This he felt three years’ organization resulted in the first interna was very relevant at a time when the relationship of tional meeting, and this volume. The president of ICES marine mammals and man was being closely examined Professor W. Cieglewicz, offered admirable support as on biological, political and ethical grounds. well as honouring the participants by attending the The scientific session commenced with a seven paper symposium. section on evolution chaired by E. D. Mitchell which The programme committee was composed of experts showed the origins and subsequent development of representing the major international sponsors. W. N. this amphibious group of higher vertebrates. Many of Bonner, Head, Seals Research Division, Institute for the arguments for particular evolutionary trends are Marine Environmental Research (IMER), represented speculative in nature and different interpretations can ICES; A. W. Mansfield, Director, Arctic Biological be attached to the same fossil material. -
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A new marine vertebrate assemblage from the Late Neogene Purisima Formation in Central California, part II: Pinnipeds and Cetaceans Robert W. BOESSENECKER Department of Geology, University of Otago, 360 Leith Walk, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, 9054 (New Zealand) and Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University 200 Traphagen Hall, Bozeman, MT, 59715 (USA) and University of California Museum of Paleontology 1101 Valley Life Sciences Building, Berkeley, CA, 94720 (USA) [email protected] Boessenecker R. W. 2013. — A new marine vertebrate assemblage from the Late Neogene Purisima Formation in Central California, part II: Pinnipeds and Cetaceans. Geodiversitas 35 (4): 815-940. http://dx.doi.org/g2013n4a5 ABSTRACT e newly discovered Upper Miocene to Upper Pliocene San Gregorio assem- blage of the Purisima Formation in Central California has yielded a diverse collection of 34 marine vertebrate taxa, including eight sharks, two bony fish, three marine birds (described in a previous study), and 21 marine mammals. Pinnipeds include the walrus Dusignathus sp., cf. D. seftoni, the fur seal Cal- lorhinus sp., cf. C. gilmorei, and indeterminate otariid bones. Baleen whales include dwarf mysticetes (Herpetocetus bramblei Whitmore & Barnes, 2008, Herpetocetus sp.), two right whales (cf. Eubalaena sp. 1, cf. Eubalaena sp. 2), at least three balaenopterids (“Balaenoptera” cortesi “var.” portisi Sacco, 1890, cf. Balaenoptera, Balaenopteridae gen. et sp. indet.) and a new species of rorqual (Balaenoptera bertae n. sp.) that exhibits a number of derived features that place it within the genus Balaenoptera. is new species of Balaenoptera is relatively small (estimated 61 cm bizygomatic width) and exhibits a comparatively nar- row vertex, an obliquely (but precipitously) sloping frontal adjacent to vertex, anteriorly directed and short zygomatic processes, and squamosal creases. -
56. Otariidae and Phocidae
FAUNA of AUSTRALIA 56. OTARIIDAE AND PHOCIDAE JUDITH E. KING 1 Australian Sea-lion–Neophoca cinerea [G. Ross] Southern Elephant Seal–Mirounga leonina [G. Ross] Ross Seal, with pup–Ommatophoca rossii [J. Libke] Australian Sea-lion–Neophoca cinerea [G. Ross] Weddell Seal–Leptonychotes weddellii [P. Shaughnessy] New Zealand Fur-seal–Arctocephalus forsteri [G. Ross] Crab-eater Seal–Lobodon carcinophagus [P. Shaughnessy] 56. OTARIIDAE AND PHOCIDAE DEFINITION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION Pinnipeds are aquatic carnivores. They differ from other mammals in their streamlined shape, reduction of pinnae and adaptation of both fore and hind feet to form flippers. In the skull, the orbits are enlarged, the lacrimal bones are absent or indistinct and there are never more than three upper and two lower incisors. The cheek teeth are nearly homodont and some conditions of the ear that are very distinctive (Repenning 1972). Both superfamilies of pinnipeds, Phocoidea and Otarioidea, are represented in Australian waters by a number of species (Table 56.1). The various superfamilies and families may be distinguished by important and/or easily observed characters (Table 56.2). King (1983b) provided more detailed lists and references. These and other differences between the above two groups are not regarded as being of great significance, especially as an undoubted fur seal (Australian Fur-seal Arctocephalus pusillus) is as big as some of the sea lions and has some characters of the skull, teeth and behaviour which are rather more like sea lions (Repenning, Peterson & Hubbs 1971; Warneke & Shaughnessy 1985). The Phocoidea includes the single Family Phocidae – the ‘true seals’, distinguished from the Otariidae by the absence of a pinna and by the position of the hind flippers (Fig. -
Hunting and Social Behaviour of Leopard Seals (Hydrurga Leptonyx) at Seal Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica
University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Publications, Agencies and Staff of the U.S. Department of Commerce U.S. Department of Commerce 1999 Hunting and social behaviour of leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) at Seal Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica Lisa M. Hiruki National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, [email protected] Michael K. Schwartz National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Peter L. Boveng National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usdeptcommercepub Part of the Environmental Sciences Commons Hiruki, Lisa M.; Schwartz, Michael K.; and Boveng, Peter L., "Hunting and social behaviour of leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) at Seal Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica" (1999). Publications, Agencies and Staff of the U.S. Department of Commerce. 151. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usdeptcommercepub/151 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the U.S. Department of Commerce at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Publications, Agencies and Staff of the U.S. Department of Commerce by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. J. Zool., Lond. (1999) 249, 97±109 # 1999 The Zoological Society of London Printed in the United Kingdom Hunting and social behaviour of leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) at Seal Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica Lisa M. Hiruki*, Michael K. Schwartz{ and Peter L. -
Phoca Wymani and Other Tertiary Seals (Mammalia: Phocidae) Described from the Eastern Seaboard of North America
Phoca wymani and Other Tertiary Seals (Mammalia: Phocidae) Described from the Eastern Seaboard of North America CLAYTON E. RAY SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO PALEOB f r w mm^^mm *& SERIAL PUBLICATIONS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION The emphasis upon publications as a means of diffusing knowledge was expressed by the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. In his formal plan for the Insti tution, Joseph Henry articulated a program that included the following statement: "It is proposed to publish a series of reports, giving an account of the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year to year in all branches of knowledge." This keynote of basic research has been adhered to over the years in the issuance of thousands of titles in serial publications under the Smithsonian imprint, com mencing with Smithsonian ContrAutions to Knowledge in 1848 and continuing with the following active series: Smithsonian Annals of Flight Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology Smithsonian Contributions to Astrophysics Smithsonian Contributions to Botany Smithsonian Contributions to the Earth Sciences Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology Smithsonian Studies in History and Technology In these series, the Institution publishes original articles and monographs dealing with the research and collections of its several museums and offices and of professional colleagues at other institutions of learning. These papers report newly acquired facts, synoptic interpretations of data, or original theory in specialized fields. These pub lications are distributed by mailing lists to libraries, laboratories, and other interested institutions and specialists throughout the world. Individual copies may be obtained from the Smithsonian Institution Press as long as stocks are available. -
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Vol. 16: 149–163, 2012 ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH Published online February 29 doi: 10.3354/esr00392 Endang Species Res Age estimation, growth and age-related mortality of Mediterranean monk seals Monachus monachus Sinéad Murphy1,*, Trevor R. Spradlin1,2, Beth Mackey1, Jill McVee3, Evgenia Androukaki4, Eleni Tounta4, Alexandros A. Karamanlidis4, Panagiotis Dendrinos4, Emily Joseph4, Christina Lockyer5, Jason Matthiopoulos1 1Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK 2NOAA Fisheries Service/Office of Protected Resources, Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, USA 3Histology Department, Bute Medical School, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9TS, UK 4MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, 18 Solomou Street, 106 82 Athens, Greece 5Age Dynamics, Huldbergs Allé 42, Kongens Lyngby, 2800, Denmark ABSTRACT: Mediterranean monk seals Monachus monachus are classified as Critically Endan- gered on the IUCN Red List, with <600 individuals split into 3 isolated sub-populations, the largest in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Canine teeth collected during the last 2 decades from 45 dead monk seals inhabiting Greek waters were processed for age estimation. Ages were best estimated by counting growth layer groups (GLGs) in the cementum adjacent to the root tip using un - processed longitudinal or transverse sections (360 µm thickness) observed under polarized light. Decalcified and stained thin sections (8 to 23 µm) of both cementum and dentine were inferior to unprocessed sections. From analysing patterns of deposition in the cementum of known age- maturity class individuals, one GLG was found to be deposited annually in M. -
Pinniped Evolution and Puijila Darwini
A pP pP eE nN dD iI xX AE Pinniped Evolution and Puijila darwini Pinnipeds are carnivorous marine mammals that fossils, evolution scientists have not found any defini- have “finned back feet,” similar to the fins used by a tive fossils showing a land mammal evolving into a scuba diver. The Latin-derived word “pinniped” seal, sea lion or walrus. literally means “finned-foot.” Pinnipeds include three Canadian paleobiologist and professor, Dr. Natalia groups of mammals living today; namely, sea lions, Rybczynski of the Canadian Museum of Nature, wrote seals, and walruses. this candid assessment in 2009: The “fossil evidence of By 2007, when the first edition of this book was the morphological steps leading from a terrestrial published, scientists had discovered 20,000 fossil ancestor to the modern marine forms has been weak or pinnipeds. (See Appendix A.) Despite this plethora of contentious.” 1 All three types of pinnipeds Sea lion living today, sea lions (left), walruses (bottom left), and seals (below), have finned back feet, the telltale sign of a pinniped. Seal Walrus Appendix E: Puijila Adarwini p p e n d i x 239 A P P E N D I X EA Enaliarctos—The Oldest Pinniped Enaliarctos, the oldest fossil pinniped, looks like a between a terrestrial ancestor and the appearance of sea lion, and not a missing link. 2 (See photos below.) flippered pinnipeds. Indeed, most studies of pinniped Dr. Natalia Rybczynski highlights this missing link relationships and evolution do not consider the critical problem—the absence of fossils from a land mammal -
The Antarctic Ross Seal, and Convergences with Other Mammals
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Servicio de Difusión de la Creación Intelectual Evolutionary biology Sensory anatomy of the most aquatic of rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org carnivorans: the Antarctic Ross seal, and convergences with other mammals Research Cleopatra Mara Loza1, Ashley E. Latimer2,†, Marcelo R. Sa´nchez-Villagra2 and Alfredo A. Carlini1 Cite this article: Loza CM, Latimer AE, 1 Sa´nchez-Villagra MR, Carlini AA. 2017 Sensory Divisio´n Paleontologı´a de Vertebrados, Museo de La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina. CONICET, La Plata, Argentina anatomy of the most aquatic of carnivorans: 2Pala¨ontologisches Institut und Museum der Universita¨tZu¨rich, Karl-Schmid Strasse 4, 8006 Zu¨rich, Switzerland the Antarctic Ross seal, and convergences with MRS-V, 0000-0001-7587-3648 other mammals. Biol. Lett. 13: 20170489. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2017.0489 Transitions to and from aquatic life involve transformations in sensory sys- tems. The Ross seal, Ommatophoca rossii, offers the chance to investigate the cranio-sensory anatomy in the most aquatic of all seals. The use of non-invasive computed tomography on specimens of this rare animal Received: 1 August 2017 reveals, relative to other species of phocids, a reduction in the diameters Accepted: 12 September 2017 of the semicircular canals and the parafloccular volume. These features are independent of size effects. These transformations parallel those recorded in cetaceans, but these do not extend to other morphological features such as the reduction in eye muscles and the length of the neck, emphasizing the independence of some traits in convergent evolution to aquatic life. -
Biology; of the Seal
7 PREFACE The first International Symposium on the Biology papers were read by title and are included either in of the Seal was held at the University of Guelph, On full or abstract form in this volume. The 139 particip tario, Canada from 13 to 17 August 1972. The sym ants represented 16 countries, permitting scientific posium developed from discussions originating in Dub interchange of a truly international nature. lin in 1969 at the meeting of the Marine Mammals In his opening address, V. B. Scheffer suggested that Committee of the International Council for the Ex a dream was becoming a reality with a meeting of ploration of the Sea (ICES). The culmination of such a large group of pinniped biologists. This he felt three years’ organization resulted in the first interna was very relevant at a time when the relationship of tional meeting, and this volume. The president of ICES marine mammals and man was being closely examined Professor W. Cieglewicz, offered admirable support as on biological, political and ethical grounds. well as honouring the participants by attending the The scientific session commenced with a seven paper symposium. section on evolution chaired by E. D. Mitchell which The programme committee was composed of experts showed the origins and subsequent development of representing the major international sponsors. W. N. this amphibious group of higher vertebrates. Many of Bonner, Head, Seals Research Division, Institute for the arguments for particular evolutionary trends are Marine Environmental Research (IMER), represented speculative in nature and different interpretations can ICES; A. W. Mansfield, Director, Arctic Biological be attached to the same fossil material. -
First Record of a Galapagos Fur Seal (Arctocephalus Galapagoensis) In
Quintana-Rizzo et al. Marine Biodiversity Records (2017) 10:24 DOI 10.1186/s41200-017-0126-x MARINERECORD Open Access First record of a Galapagos fur seal (Arctocephalus galapagoensis) in Guatemala Ester Quintana-Rizzo1,4* , Lucia Garcia2, Rudy José López1, Susana Tobar-Hurtado3,5 and Airam López-Roulet1 Abstract Background: Galapagos fur seals, Arctocephalus galapagoensis, inhabit the Galapagos Archipelago. The species is considered to be non-migratory, remaining in the Galapagos year-round. On 9 June 2016, a live fur seal stranded on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. Results: Morphological characteristics (slightly rounded crown, short pointed muzzle with a lighter colored pelage extending into the face and over the eyes forming a small pale mask, tan ventrum contrasting with grizzled gray-brown fur on the back and sides) were used to identify the pinniped as a Galapagos fur seal, Arctocephalus galapagoensis. Additionally, the fur seal was estimated to be a subadult male based on body size and the presence of testicles. Total body length was estimated to be 140 cm and the weight was estimated to be 90 lb. For comparison, adult males of A. galapagoensis measured to date are slightly larger with an average length and weight equal to 150–160 cm and 132–150 lb., respectively. The species identification and age-class determination were confirmed by pinniped specialists. Conclusion: This is the first record of Galapagos fur seal in the Pacific coast of Guatemala and in the Central America region. Keywords: Arctocephalus galapagoensis, Galapagos fur seal, Guatemala, Stranding Background In the Americas, the distribution of Arctocephalus is The marine mammal fauna of Guatemala is comprised of limited to four species inhabiting localized areas: A. -
From the Late Miocene-Early Pliocene (Hemphillian) of California
Bull. Fla. Mus. Nat. Hist. (2005) 45(4): 379-411 379 NEW SKELETAL MATERIAL OF THALASSOLEON (OTARIIDAE: PINNIPEDIA) FROM THE LATE MIOCENE-EARLY PLIOCENE (HEMPHILLIAN) OF CALIFORNIA Thomas A. Deméré1 and Annalisa Berta2 New crania, dentitions, and postcrania of the fossil otariid Thalassoleon mexicanus are described from the latest Miocene–early Pliocene Capistrano Formation of southern California. Previous morphological evidence for age variation and sexual dimorphism in this taxon is confirmed. Analysis of the dentition and postcrania of Thalassoleon mexicanus provides evidence of adaptations for pierce feeding, ambulatory terrestrial locomotion, and forelimb swimming in this basal otariid pinniped. Cladistic analysis supports recognition of Thalassoleon as monophyletic and distinct from other basal otariids (i.e., Pithanotaria, Hydrarctos, and Callorhinus). Re-evaluation of the status of Thalassoleon supports recognition of two species, Thalassoleon mexicanus and Thalassoleon macnallyae, distributed in the eastern North Pacific. Recognition of a third species, Thalassoleon inouei from the western North Pacific, is questioned. Key Words: Otariidae; pinniped; systematics; anatomy; Miocene; California INTRODUCTION perate, with a very limited number of recovered speci- Otariid pinnipeds are a conspicuous element of the ex- mens available for study. The earliest otariid, tant marine mammal assemblage of the world’s oceans. Pithanotaria starri Kellogg 1925, is known from the Members of this group inhabit the North and South Pa- early late Miocene (Tortonian Stage equivalent) and is cific Ocean, as well as portions of the southern Indian based on a few poorly preserved fossils from Califor- and Atlantic oceans and nearly the entire Southern nia. The holotype is an impression in diatomite of a Ocean. -
Qt53v080hx.Pdf
UC Berkeley PaleoBios Title A new Early Pliocene record of the toothless walrus Valenictus (Carnivora, Odobenidae) from the Purisima Formation of Northern California Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/53v080hx Journal PaleoBios, 34(0) ISSN 0031-0298 Author Boessenecker, Robert W. Publication Date 2017-06-15 DOI 10.5070/P9341035289 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California PaleoBios 34:1-6, June 15, 2017 PaleoBios OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MUSEUM OF PALEONTOLOGY Boessenecker, Robert W. (2017). A New Early Pliocene Record of the Toothless Walrus Valenictus (Carnivora, Odobenidae) from the Purisima Formation of Northern California. Cover photo: Life restoration of the extinct Pliocene walrus Valenictus and flightless auks (Mancalla) hauled out on the rocky shore of the uplifted Coast Ranges of California (top right); cliff exposures of the Purisima Formation near Santa Cruz, from where Valenictus was collected by Wayne Thompson (left); bivalves, chiefly Clinocardium meekianum, exposed in the Purisima Formation near the locality (bottom). Photo credit and original artwork: Robert W. Boessenecker. Citation: Boessenecker, Robert W. 2017. A New Early Pliocene Record of the Toothless Walrus Valenictus (Carnivora, Odobenidae) from the Puri- sima Formation of Northern California. PaleoBios, 34. ucmp_paleobios_35289 A New Early Pliocene Record of the Toothless Walrus Valenictus (Carnivora, Odobenidae) from the Purisima Formation of Northern California ROBERT W. BOESSENECKER1,2 1Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29424; [email protected] 2University of California Museum of Paleontology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is a large tusked molluskivore that inhabits the Arctic and is the sole living member of the family Odobenidae.