Weddell seal

Weddell seal
At the D'Hainaut Island, Mikkelsen Harbour, Trinity Island
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Clade: Pinnipedia
Family: Phocidae
Genus: Leptonychotes
Gill, 1872
Species:
L. weddellii
Binomial name
Leptonychotes weddellii
(Lesson, 1826)
Weddell seal range
  Water
  Ice
  Range

The Weddell seal[2] (Leptonychotes weddellii) is a relatively large and abundant true seal with a circumpolar distribution surrounding Antarctica. The Weddell seal was discovered and named in the 1820s during expeditions led by British sealing captain James Weddell to the area of the Southern Ocean now known as the Weddell Sea.[3] The life history of this species is well documented since it occupies fast ice environments close to the Antarctic continent and often adjacent to Antarctic bases.[4] It is the only species in the genus Leptonychotes.

  1. ^ Hückstädt, L. (2015). "Leptonychotes weddellii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T11696A45226713. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T11696A45226713.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. ^ Todd B (2002). Seals and sea lions. New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd.
  4. ^ Siniff D (1991). "An overview of the ecology of Antarctic seals". American Zoologist. 31 (1): 143–149. doi:10.1093/icb/31.1.143.