Ringed Seals Phoca Hispida Research Articles

Postglacial loss of microsatellite variation in the landlocked Lake Saimaa ringed seal

The Lake Saimaa ringed sealPhoca hispida saimensis has lived as anisolated landlocked population in easternFinland since the early post-glacial. In thelast century, the population crashed down to c.200 individuals, and is under a constant threatof extinction. We evaluated the genetic historyof the Saimaa population through a comparisonwith the conspecific sister populations in theArctic Ocean and the Baltic Sea, which haveretained high levels of variation since thedeglaciation. At eight microsatellite loci, thecurrent gene diversity (heterozygosity) of theSaimaa seal was 69% lower than in thereference populations. Allowing reasonablemutation rates (μ = 10−4), thisimplies a long-term post-glacial effectivepopulation size of Ne ≃ 350,and a slow average rate of inbreeding ΔF≃ 0.15% per generation during the c.860 generations (9 500 years) of isolation. Thecurrent Ne is an order of magnitudesmaller and ΔF correspondinglylarger. Whereas the additional loss of markervariation in the short term will not be highrelative to that already taken place, it seemsunwarranted to suppose that the past, slowinbreeding would have effectively purged thepopulation of genetic load and reduced thegenetic risks from small population size.Although the population is now clearlygeographically subdivided in the complex lakesystem, we found little genetic differentiationbetween main breeding areas (FST =0.02). However, at the current low populationdensities, the subdivision may markedly furtherincrease the future rate of inbreeding.

Differences in contamination load between pelagic and sympagic invertebrates in the Arctic marginal ice zone: influence of habitat, diet and geography

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 235:157-169 (2002) - doi:10.3354/meps235157 Differences in contamination load between pelagic and sympagic invertebrates in the Arctic marginal ice zone: influence of habitat, diet and geography K. Borgå1,2,*, G. W. Gabrielsen1, J. U. Skaare3,4 1Norwegian Polar Institute, 9296 Tromsø, Norway 2Norwegian College of Fishery Science, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway 3Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, PO Box 8146 Department, 0033 Oslo, Norway 4National Veterinary Institute, PO Box 8156 Department, 0033 Oslo, Norway *E-mail: katrine.borga@npolar.no ABSTRACT: Concentration and transport of organic pollutants by Arctic sea ice may expose iceassociated fauna to high contaminant concentrations relative to pelagic organisms. Zooplankton and ice-associated amphipods were collected in the marginal ice zone near Svalbard to investigate whether habitat, diet and geographic sampling site influenced their organochlorine burden. Organochlorine concentrations were low in both zooplankton (Calanus hyperboreus, Thysanoessa inermis, Parathemisto libellula, Chaetognatha) and ice-associated amphipods (Apherusa glacialis, Gammarus wilkitzkii, Onisimus spp.), from 0.3 ng g-1 lipid weight trans-chlordane in A. glacialis to 36.9 ng g-1 lipid weight hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in G. wilkitzkii. Diet accounted for most of the explained organochlorine variance, followed by habitat and geographic sampling site. The concentrations were higher in carnivores (P. libellula, Chaetognatha, G. wilkitzkii, Onisimus spp.) than in herbivores (C. hyperboreus, T. inermis, A. glacialis). In comparison with zooplankton, ice fauna had high levels of organochlorines with high residence time in surface layers (hexachlorocyclohexane [HCH] and HCB), whereas compounds with higher particle affinity did not differ between habitats. This was attributed to the sea ice serving as a habitat that keeps ice fauna in the surface layer, rather than to the release of contaminants from the sea ice itself. HCHs were the only compounds that differed geographically. Higher α / γ -HCH ratios in C. hyperboreus and A. glacialis from the Greenland Sea relative to North of Svalbard, are consistent with the geographic patterns in HCH levels reported for air, water, ringed seals Phoca hispida and polar bears Ursus maritimus. KEY WORDS: Zooplankton · Ice-associated · Svalbard · Greenland Sea · Crustaceans · Organochlorines · γ -HCH · α-HCH · Redundancy analysis Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 235. Online publication date: June 19, 2002 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2002 Inter-Research.

Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds in the Greenland Marine Environment

Information on levels of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in the marine environment from pristine areas of the world are still sparse. In this study, PACs were analyzed in sediments and various organisms from the area of Qeqertarsuaq/Disko in the western part of Greenland. PAC levels were measured in sediments, blue mussels ( Mytilus edulis ), liver of shorthorn sculpins ( Myoxocephalus scorpius ), and blubber of ringed seals ( Phoca hispida ). The average levels of PAC in the four sample types were 359 w g/kg, 497 w g/kg, 2762 w g/kg, and 101 w g/kg dry weight respectively. Principal component analyses (PCA) revealed variations in PAC composition between the different samples that could be related to molecular weight of the PAC compounds and lifestyle characteristics of the biota.

Observations of Marine Birds and Mammals Wintering at Polynyas and Ice Edges in the Belcher Islands, Nunavut, Canada

In the Belcher Islands, southeast Hudson Bay, Canada, two types of open water exist during winter: 1) large, wind-driven expanses of water along landfast ice edges and 2) recurring polynyas located between small islands (most <10 ha and <15 m deep). In severe winters, only polynyas persist. In March 1998 and 1999, we recorded the species and numbers of birds and marine mammals present at ten polynyas and along four landfast ice edges around the Belcher Islands. To help interpret our observations, we also collected traditional ecological knowledge from local Inuit. Large flocks of common eiders Somateria mollissima (200-12500 birds) were seen along floe edges, and small groups occurred in some polynyas. King eiders S. spectabilis were also observed at several locations, always associated with common eiders. Oldsquaw ducks Clangula hyemalis were common (flocks of 100-500 birds) and occurred primarily at polynyas. Our observations of king eiders represent a significant northern range expansion for this species in Canada during winter. Ravens Corvus corax and snowy owls Nyctea scandiaca were observed along landfast ice edges. Ravens were feeding on the remains of seals killed by Inuit hunters and polar bears Ursus maritimus, and owls apparently hunted sea ducks that were loitering on ice edges at night. We regularly observed bearded seals Erignathus barbatus and ringed seals Phoca hispida at polynyas and floe edges. One beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas was observed by our Inuit guides along a western landfast ice edge, and three walrus Odobenus rosmarus were observed at a floe edge along the southern margin of the Belcher Islands. Clearly, the small recurring polynyas and ice floe edges around the Belcher Islands are important wintering habitat for oldsquaw and common and king eider ducks.

Prey preference and niche overlap of ringed seals Phoca hispida and harp seals P. groenlandica in the Barents Sea

Ringed seals Phoca hispida and harp seals P. groenlandica were collected for diet analysis along the ice edge in the Barents Sea to investigate possible niche overlap between these 2 seal species. The diet analysis is based on contents from stomachs and intestines. A resource availability survey was conducted concurrently based on an echo survey combined with demersal and pelagic trawling. This survey showed that the potential prey biomass was dominated by pelagic crustaceans (99% of total biomass) -principally Themisto libellula and Thyssanoessa spp. Despite the prevalence of these crustaceans both seal species showed a strong preference for fish of various species, which constituted only 1 % of the biomass in the area. The most common fish in their diet was polar cod Boreogadus saida, which had a Manly's prey preference index of 0.87 for ringed seals and 0.42 for harp seals. Pianka's niche overlap index for the 2 seal species in this area was 0.985, indicating an almost complete niche overlap. However, harp seals prey on significantly larger polar cod than ringed seals, and the larger cod were distributed in deeper water than smaller cod. Thus it appears that the 2 seal species exploit different fractions of the same resource.

The diet of the Saimaa ringed seal Phoca hispida saimensis

The diet of the Saimaa ringed seal Phoca hispida saimensis Nordquist, 1899 was studied by the analysis of stomach contents and by feeding trials with a captive seal. Nine prey species were found in the stomachs, the most important being small schooling fish species: perch Perca fluviatilis, roach Rutilus rutilus, vendace Coregonus albula, smelt Osmerus eperlanus and ruff Acerina cernua. The importance of crustaceans in the diet of the ringed seal in Lake Saimaa is insignificant. Length of the intestinal tract of the Saimaa ringed seal is relatively shorter than those of marine ringed seals. In cafeteria tests on one captive seal the preferred fish species were vendace and smelt. The captive seal displayed clear seasonal variation in feeding activity. The consumption of fish was lowest in springtime and highest in autumn and winter.

Cadmium, mercury, zinc and selenium in ringed seals (<i>Phoca hispida</i>) from Greenland and Svalbard

Muscle, liver, and kidney tissue from 456 ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from eight areas in Greenland were analysed for cadmium, mercury, zinc and selenium. In general, cadmium concentrations were high in liver and kidney tissue, with geometric means of 7.79 and 33.5 μg/g (all data on wet weight basis), respectively. Muscle levels were considerably lower, at 0.067 μg/g. The concentration of mercury was relatively high in liver tissue with a geometric mean of 2.59 μg/g. Muscle and kidney mercury levels were somewhat lower, with geometric means of 0.210 and 0.956 μg/g, respectively.Cadmium and mercury levels were strongly dependent upon age and sampling area, as well as the interaction combinations, indicating that the accumulation of cadmium and mercury varies with age and area. Mercury accumulated in all three tissues throughout life, whereas cadmium in liver and kidneys peaked in the age group 5-10 years old where after it dropped significantly.Cadmium levels showed a tendency towards higher concentrations in the northern municipalities, which may be due to the higher cadmium levels in certain prey items in the northern areas. Mercury levels were higher in seals from East Greenland compared to West Greenland. Variations in feeding habits probably explain some of the differences in levels of cadmium and mercury in ringed seals from different geographical areas.Cadmium concentrations were correlated (both pairwise and partial) in the three organs. This was true for mercury as well, whereas only half of the combinations were significant for zinc and selenium. Cadmium was strongly correlated to mercury in all three tissues and zinc only in liver and kidneys. Mercury was only correlated to selenium in liver and not to zinc.High concentrations of cadmium were found in the bile from 58 ringed seals, and were about 10-fold higher than in muscle. The concentration of mercury in bile was relatively low, being only one third of the muscle level. The bile levels reflect that substantial amounts of especially cadmium are circulated through the bile. However, it is uncertain whether these amounts are actually excreted or reabsorbed in the intestine (enterohepatic circulation).

Failure of reproduction in ringed seals (<i>Phoca hispida</i>) in Amundsen Gulf, Northwest Territories in 1984-1987

Ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in Thesiger Bay (about 71 °45'N, 125°00'W), in northwestern Amundsen Gulf in the western Canadian Arctic, suffered a failure of pup production in the years before 1987, starting probably in 1984. Pups taken in the summer hunt in the years before 1987 were reported scarce, and in 1987 were only 2.8% of the total 4+ and older. This low reproduction was associated with poor body condition in females and with an age distribution of adults that was weighted toward older animals (the modal year class was the 8+ class). An unusually high proportion of adult females had never reproduced; the median age of first birth was estimated at 8.6 years. By the summer of 1988 the age distribution had changed toward younger animals (modal age 5+), in better condition (by 20%), which had almost all ovulated. Pups were more numerous in the catch. In 1989 pups were very numerous in the catch (142% of the 4+ adults) and the estimated mean ageof first birth had decreased to 5.3 years; almost all 5-year-olds sampled had borne pups. A similar occurrence of low pup production had been documented in the early 1970s, and resumption of reproductive activity had then also been associated with an apparent turnover of the population, the mean age of adults decreasing from 16-17 years when reproduction was low to 10.9 years in the year before reproduction resumed. Long-term data on ringed seals in the western Canadian Arctic has shown an average age at first ovulation of about 5.55 years and first birth just before age 7, about 1 year older than seen in this sample in 1989. Our 1989 sample may have been able to mature earlier because food was temporarily more abundant, or breeding densities temporarily lower, than long-term average values.

Diet of the ringed seal (<i>Phoca hispida</i>) in Greenland

Analysis of 454 stomachs of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) collected from the Inuit hunt in six municipalities in West Greenland and 30 alimentary tracts collected by scientists in East Greenland, showed seasonal and regional differences in the diet. In Northwest and East Greenland polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and Arctic cod (Arctogadus glacialis) were the most dominant prey items. In contrast, seals in central West Greenland mainly preyed upon amphipods (Parathemisto spp.), capelin (Mallotus villosus), redfish (Sebastes sp.) and squid (Gonatus sp.), while capelin was the most important prey item in Southwest Greenland. The material from Uummannaq demonstrates seasonal variations, as euphausiids were common in spring, and snailfish (Liparis spp.) dominated from October through January, where after snailfish disappeared with the formation of fast ice. No age related differences in the diet were found in stomach samples from Avanersuaq, but in Upemavik crustaceans were more abundant in stomach samples from younger immature seals. Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) was only present in samples from seals older than 4 years. In Upemavik Arctic cod was the dominant prey item for seals caught in May at the iceedge, whereas polar cod dominated the samples from seals caught in open water.

Exploitation of ringed seals (<i>Phoca hispida</i>) in Greenland

The ringed seal (Phoca hispida) is the most important game for the Inuit hunters of Greenland, providing many of the basic needs in the original culture. It is distributed all around Greenland with the main distribution north of 69°N on the west coast and north of 66°N on the east coast. During 1974-76, studies were conducted in the most important ringed seal catching area, Upernavik, Northwest Greenland, and a total of 7,089 ringed seals were sampled. The methods used for catching ringed seals were categorised into five different groups. The most common hunting method used in the municipality of Upernavik during 1974-76 was netting under the ice, accounting for almost half of the total annual catch. Seals shot on the ice and seals shot at the ice edge accounted for one fifth and one tenth of the annual catch, respectively. In this region seals shot in open water made up about one fifth of the annual catch of ringed seals, while netting in open water contributed only a few percent.Of the seals sampled in Upernavik in 1974-76, 60% were males and 40% were females. In the ringed seal samples collected all around Greenland in the 1980s and 1990s the males comprised 56% and the females 44% (n=923). Similar ratios were found for all age classes and for all hunting methods suggesting either a skewed sex ratio in the ringed seal stock(s) around Greenland or a differencein availability to the hunters of male and female ringed seals. In tagging experiments a higher mobility was found for females than for males, which suggests differences in the behaviour of the two sexes.Catch and trade statistics on ringed seals are reviewed and evaluated for the period of 1954 until 1994, and the seasonal and regional variation is examined. The peak season for ringed seal hunting in Greenland as a whole is from January through May. This is particularly evident for the northern regions, where relatively few ringed seals are taken during the open water season from June to September. In the southern regions, however, the great majority of ringed seals are caught in openwater.In all regions, the catch of ringed seals showed great annual and long-term variation. The variations were not identical in all regions, but similar trends were found for Northwest and Central West, and for Southwest and South. From 1954 to 1994 there was a general, significant increase in the reported catches of ringed seals in west Greenland. For Greenland overall, the catch of ringed seals wasaround 43,000 per year in the 1950s, peaked in the late 1970s at almost 100,000 per year, but since decreased to about 70,000 in the early 1990s.

Lungworm (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) infections in Canadian phocids

Otostrongylus circumlitus (Railliet, 1899) was found in 5% (16/308) of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), 6% (1/17; intensity = 38) of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina), and none of 100 harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) from eastern Canada and none of 31 ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from Holman, Northwest Territories. Eighty-two percent of these infections were observed in young-of-the-year seals. Filaroides (Parafilaroides) gymnurus (Railliet, 1899), detected in nodules in the superficial parenchyma of the lungs, infected 24% (5/16) of grey seals, 27% (4/15) of harbour seals, 57% (29/51) of harp seals, 81% (25/31) of ringed seals, and one stranded bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) (new host report for harp, ringed, and bearded seals; new locality report for Holman). Filaroides (Parafilaroides) hispidus Kennedy, 1986 was found in systematically sliced lungs of grey seals (2/3; new host report) and ringed seals (2/7) but not in harp seals (n = 11) or harbour seals (n = 5). Intensity ranged from 37 to 3570 for F. (P.) gymnurus and from 295 to 1196 for F. (P.) hispidus. No detrimental effect on body condition of seals could be associated with infection by lungworms.

Redescription of Filaroides (Parafilaroides) gymnurus (Railliet, 1899) (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea), with comments on other species in pinnipeds

The species Filaroides (Parafilaroides) gymnurus (Railliet, 1899) Anderson, 1978 is redescribed, based on examination of mature fifth-stage specimens from wild infected ringed seals (Phoca hispida), harp seals (Phoca groenlandica), harbour seals (Phoca vitulina), and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) collected in eastern and arctic Canadian waters. Mature specimens of Filaroides (Parafilaroides) hispidus Kennedy, 1986 from ringed seals and grey seals were also examined. Comparison of these worms with museum specimens and the literature led to a review of species in the subgenus Parafilaroides (Dougherty, 1946) Anderson, 1978. Filaroides (Parafilaroides) gymnurus (Railliet, 1899) Anderson, 1978, F. (P.) decorus (Dougherty and Herman, 1947) Anderson, 1978, F. (P.) hydrurgae (Mawson, 1953) Kennedy, 1986, and F. (P.) hispidus Kennedy, 1986 are recognized as valid species. Filaroides (Parafilaroides) arcticus (Delyamure and Alekseev, 1966) Kennedy, 1986 and F. (P.) krascheninnikovi (Yurakhno and Skrjabin, 1971) Kennedy, 1986 are synonymized with F. (P.) gymnurus (Railliet, 1899) Anderson, 1978. Filaroides (Parafilaroides) caspicus (Kurochkin and Zablotsky, 1958) Kennedy, 1986 is considered a species inquirenda.

Live Capture of Ringed Seals in Ice-Covered Waters

Fifteen ringed seals (Phoca hispida), from a small pup to fully mature adults, were captured 1 or more times in nets designed to line seal breathing holes in sea ice. Seals surfacing to breathe triggered the fall of a weight, causing an extension of the nets to drop below the undersurface of the ice and to purse. Nets were monitored acoustically to alert investigators to captures. Seals entered half of the nets set, but escaped in more than half of those instances. Modifications of the net's trigger and diameter should increase the capture rate.

Characterisation of the external features ofSchistocephalus solidus (M�ller, 1776) (Cestoda) from different geographical regions and an assessment of the status of the Baltic ringed sealPhoca hispida botnica (Gmelin) as a definitive host

A comparative study of some morphological (segment number, scolex morphology and biometry, length and weight) and biological (maturation in different hosts) features ofSchistocephalus solidus plerocercoids and adults from different geographical regions (Baltic Sea and the British Isles) was carried out. The length of the plerocercoids fromGasterosteus aculeatus was shown to be the variable that best correlated with segment number. A very clear bimodal distribution of segment numbers separated the majority of British and Baltic plerocercoids (British n=21, mean length 25.48, SD 5.63, range 14–34 mm; mean segment number 66.33, SD 8.68, range 51–86. Baltic n=30, mean length 33.23, SD 4.64, range 23–48 mm; mean segment number 117.27, SD 10.30, range 99–138). AdultS. solidus from the intestines of Baltic ringed sealsPhoca hispida botnica and from a Welsh cormorantPhalacrocorax carbo carbo were also compared, and a similar bimodal distribution of segment numbers was found (Baltic n=70, mean segment number 106.16, SD 10.60, range 77–136; Welsh n=98, mean segment number 73.13, SD 8.78, range 54–97). Neither the morphology nor measurements of the scolex from apical-view scanning electron microphotographs provided distinguishing features for taxonomic purposes. Of 580 adult worms from Baltic ringed seals only 2.9% were gravid, 2.1% from spring and 10.5% from autumn samples. By contrast, of 98 adults from the Welsh cormorant 46.7% were gravid. The proportion of gravid worms did not increase with increasing worm numbers in seals. Reasons for poor maturation are discussed. Plerocercoids of BritishS. solidus were fromleiurus (gymnurus) forms ofG. aculeatus, which were relatively small, whereas in the northern Baltic plerocercoids were fromsemiarmatus ortrachurus forms, which were larger. As segment number was definitively established during the growth of the plerocercoid in the stickleback, the hypothesis is proposed that segment number is a phenotypic variable related to stickleback length (size).

Comparative anatomy of the cardiac foramen ovale in the Pinnipedia

The structure of the cardiac foramen ovale from eight genera of pinnipeds was studied using the scanning electron microscope. Specimens were obtained from fetuses or neonates of the Californian sea lion (Zalophus californianus), Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella), walrus (Obenus rosmarus), grey seal (Halichoerus gryphus), ringed seal (Phoca hispida), bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus), Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddelli), and crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophagus). In each species, the structure that permits oxygenated blood from the placenta flowing in the caudal vena cava to pass directly into the left side of the heart, the foramen ovale, when viewed from the terminal part of the caudal vena cava had the appearance of the entrance to a short tunnel. A thin fold of tissue, the developed remains of the septum primum, projected from the caudal edge of the foramen ovale into the lumen of the left atrium. It constituted about 75% of the inner surface of the tunnel, and was generally unfenestrated. The wall of the interatrial septum contributed the "floor." The distal end of the tunnel was straight-edged. In most cases the septum primum was long enough to cover the foramen ovale. The siting of pulmonary veins in the roof of the left atrium appeared to be such that drainage from them after birth would press the septum primum over the foramen opening, thereby functionally closing it. Collapses of the tunnel was seen in all the neonatal seals, and in the 1-month-old neonate the fold of tissue was anchored to the interatrial septum along the surface of the crista dividens, which lay in the left atrium. Cellular protrusions and thread formation may play a role in the closure of the foramen ovale.

Differences in haul-out pattern in two nursing ringed seal Phoca hispida pups

This paper describes activity of two nursing ringed seal Phoca hispida pups from Svalbard based on 35 days of continuous recordings from VHF-transmitters glued to the fur of the pups. While still whitecoated the pups spent respectively 10.4% and 63.7% of the recorded time in the water, and were captured or observed at respectively 6 and 7 different breathing holes. The fact that the pups spend much time in the water while still nursing will result in skilled divers at an extremely early age. This, and the high number of breathing holes used by the individual pups, are considered to be adaptations to avoid surface predators.

Corneal anatomy of marine mammals

The corneal anatomy of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), harp seals (Phoca groenlandica), ringed seals (Phoca hispida), and bearded seals (Eriganthus barbatus) was examined to determine if marine mammals have evolved specialized corneas for life in a marine habitat. One to seven eyes of each species were analyzed: paraffin sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin for light microscopy; and ultrathin sections for transmission electron microscopy. All corneas contain the five typical mammalian layers: epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium. The corneas of these marine mammals are thicker than human corneas because of a thicker stromal layer. The other layers are thinner than those found in humans, except for the epithelial layer in the bearded seal and the cetaceans where it may provide extra protection for the eye during feeding behaviour. The epithelial cells in all corneas studied have an abundance of tonofilaments, which may strengthen the cells and distribute force across the corneal surface. No special organization of collagen fibrils was found in the stroma that would offer protection from ultraviolet radiation or glare for pinnipeds when on ice. The thickness of the sclera in the cetaceans may serve to hold the inner globe of the eye in an elliptical shape, while the thinning of the sclera in the equatorial region in pinnipeds may flatten the eye in air to reduce aerial myopia.

Satellite tracking of ringed seals Phoca hispida off northwest Greenland

We monitored movements and haul‐out patterns of four ringed seals Phoca hispida, off Northwest Greenland between 5 June and 31 October 1988 using the Argos Data Collection and Location System When the seals were hauled out on fast ice their locations were accurately determined, but when they were at sea, few accurate locations were obtained, evidently because these seals spent little time at the surface between dives The seals remained within the fjord where they were tagged, and hauled out often to early July Thereafter, as fast‐ice disappeared, they dispersed widely and spent less time hauled out Time of day had no significant effect on haul‐out patterns Haul‐out periods declined significantly from June to August and increased in September‐October Satellite contact with one seal was lost after 16 d while the seal was still in the fjord in late June One seal travelled over 200 km southwest and was located 4 July in offshore waters of Smith Sound 30 d after instrumentation Another seal moved southeast along the Greenland coast where contact was lost after 49 d on 23 July The fourth seal moved north along the Greenland coast, hauled out regularly on ice, and returned south along the coast in late September and October after 181 d of contact with the satellite

Estimates of energy expenditure and energy consumption of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) throughout the year

We have employed a model for the energy balance of seals to estimate the energy consumption and energy expenditure of ringed seals throughout the year, using biological and physical parameters as input. Data on growth and seasonal changes in body mass and fat content “drives” the seasonal dynamics of the model output. The energy requirements for lactation and activity are based on data from earlier published studies. The analysis suggests that the food intake of ringed seals is highly seasonal. In adult males it is low during the periods of territory defense, mating and moulting from March to June. During this period the seals lose body mass, mainly as fat. The model predicts that lactating females increase their food intake to some extent during the approximately six-week lactation period. After the ice breakup, food intake increases in both sexes, partly as a result of increasing maintenance energy requirements, and partly because the body fat stores are rebuilt in late summer and autumn. The over-all energy requirements of the ringed seal appear to be basically similar to those of terrestrial mammals.

A Review of the Developmental, Behavioural and Physiological Adaptations of the Ringed Seal, <i>Phoca hispida</i>, to Life in the Arctic Winter

Ringed seals Phoca hispida, the smallest of the marine arctic pinnipeds, are one of only two seal species in the world adapted to life in the land-fast sea ice. The habitat is characterized by a stable ice platform forming in early winter and lies at latitudes subject to extreme low temperatures. The small body size of adults and semi-altricial pups are an unusual adaptation to cold, allowing ringed seals to use shelters that they construct in the snow overlying their breathing holes. These small subnivean structures act to hide adults and pups from predators, especially polar bears, Ursus maritimus, and arctic foxes, Alopex lagopus. It appears that dry lanugal pups could withstand the arctic cold without shelter, but pups that have been wetted become hypothermic and require shelter to regain thermoneutrality. Since female seals actively swim away with their pups from attacks on their birth lairs by foxes and bears, both the physical and the thermal protection of alternate subnivean lairs are important for the survival of the neonate. Weddell seals, Leptonychotes weddelli, resident in the land-fast ice of the Antarctic, are the ecological counterpart of the ringed seal. Their large body size is typical of the usual cold adaptive strategy of other polar phocid seals.Key words: ringed seal, behaviour, development, physiology, adaptations, arctic winter, Phoca hispida