Australian Fur Seal: Adapting to Coexist in a Shared Ecosystem

Abstract

The Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) resulted from an emigration by South African fur seals (A. p. pusillus) across the Indian Ocean 18,000 to 12,000 years ago. The sub-species look and behave similarly. The Australian fur seal has a smaller range, smaller population density and smaller total population probably because waters around south-eastern Australia are less productive than coastal waters off Southern Africa. The Australian fur seals’ distribution and habitat uses are likely influenced by interactions with New Zealand fur seals (A. forsteri) and Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea), which had prior occupation of southern Australian waters. Australian fur seals are primarily benthic foragers and adaptable generalist predators. Their life history traits are comparable to other otariids, being linked to an annual reproductive cycle, a territorial defense/polygynous mating system, and extreme sexual dimorphism—males are twice the size of females. Conservation issues facing Australian fur seals are comparable to those facing other otariids, and include competition from fisheries, entanglement in marine debris, exposure to pollutants, and disturbance on land.