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| species = tropicalis
| species = tropicalis
| authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1872
| authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1872
| synonyms = *''Arctocephalus elegans'' {{small|Peters, 1876}}
| image = Arctocephalus tropicalis CrozetIslands male.jpg
| image = Arctocephalus tropicalis CrozetIslands male.jpg
| image_caption = Male
| image_caption = Male
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}}
}}


The '''subantarctic fur seal''' ('''''Arctocephalus tropicalis''''') is found in the southern parts of the [[Indian Ocean|Indian]], [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]], and [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] Oceans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Subantarctic Fur Seals behaviour |url=https://www.marinebio.org/species/subantarctic-fur-seals/arctocephalus-tropicalis/ |archive-date=2021-05-07 |access-date=2021-05-07 |website=The MarineBio Conservation Society |date=18 May 2017}}</ref> It was first described by [[John Edward Gray|Gray]] in 1872 from a specimen recovered in northern Australia&mdash;hence the inappropriate specific name ''tropicalis''.<ref>https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/RefRpt?search_topic=Scientific_Author&search_value=%28J.+E.+Gray%2C+1872%29 {{bare URL inline|date=June 2023}}</ref>
The '''subantarctic fur seal''' ('''''Arctocephalus tropicalis''''') is a species of [[Fur seal|arctocephaline]] found in the southern parts of the [[Indian Ocean|Indian]], [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]], and [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] Oceans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Subantarctic Fur Seals behaviour |url=https://www.marinebio.org/species/subantarctic-fur-seals/arctocephalus-tropicalis/ |access-date=2021-05-07 |website=The MarineBio Conservation Society |date=18 May 2017}}</ref> It was first described by [[John Edward Gray|Gray]] in 1872 from a specimen recovered in northern Australia&mdash;hence the inappropriate specific name ''tropicalis''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/RefRpt?search_topic=Scientific_Author&search_value=(J.+E.+Gray,+1872)|title=ITIS - Standard Report Error|website=www.itis.gov}}</ref>


== Description ==
== Description ==
The [[subantarctic]] fur seal is medium in size compared with other [[fur seals]]. Males grow to 2{{nbsp}}m and 160&nbsp;kg, whereas females are substantially smaller&mdash;1.4{{nbsp}}m and 50&nbsp;kg. Both sexes are strongly [[sexual dimorphism|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. Males have a characteristic dark tuft of hair on the top of their head that stands erect when they are excited.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pinnipeds.org/seal-information/species-information-pages/sea-lions-and-fur-seals/subantarctic-fur-seal | title=Subantarctic Fur Seal }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Subantarctic Fur Seal: Arctocephalus tropicalis |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128043271002521 |archive-date=2021-05-07 |access-date=2021-05-07 |website=Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals (Third Edition) 2018, Pages 957-960|date=January 2018 |pages=957–960 |publisher=Academic Press |doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-804327-1.00252-1 |isbn=9780128043271 }}</ref> Subantarctic fur seals live for about 20–25 years.
The [[subantarctic]] fur seal is medium in size compared with other [[fur seals]]. Males grow to 2{{nbsp}}m and 160&nbsp;kg, whereas females are substantially smaller&mdash;1.4{{nbsp}}m and 50&nbsp;kg. Both sexes are strongly [[sexual dimorphism|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. Males have a characteristic dark tuft of hair on the top of their head that stands erect when they are excited.<ref name="Subantarctic Fur Seal">{{cite web | url=https://www.pinnipeds.org/seal-information/species-information-pages/sea-lions-and-fur-seals/subantarctic-fur-seal | title=Subantarctic Fur Seal }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Subantarctic Fur Seal: Arctocephalus tropicalis |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128043271002521 |access-date=2021-05-07 |date=January 2018 |pages=957–960 |publisher=Academic Press |doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-804327-1.00252-1 |isbn=9780128043271 }}</ref> Subantarctic fur seals live for about 20–25 years.


== Distribution ==
== Distribution ==
[[File:Arctocephalus tropicalis CrozetIslands pup.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.95|Pup in the [[Crozet Islands]]]]
[[File:Arctocephalus tropicalis CrozetIslands pup.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.95|Pup in the [[Crozet Islands]]]]
Subantarctic fur seals are geographically widespread. As their name implies, they generally breed in more northerly locations than the [[Antarctic fur seal]]s. 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.
''Arctocephalus tropicalis'', the subantarctic fur seal, is geographically widespread; as their specific and common names imply, they generally breed in and inhabit more northerly (subantarctic, or "tropical") locations than the [[Antarctic fur seal]] (''Arctocephalus gazella'') does. The largest known breeding colonies are on [[Gough Island]], in the South Atlantic, and [[Île Amsterdam]], in the southern reaches of the [[Indian Ocean]]. Breeding grounds are also located on Marion Island in the [[Prince Edward Islands]]—which is shared with the Antarctic fur seal—as well as the [[Crozet Islands]] and [[Macquarie Island]]. In places where the two species intermingle, ''A. tropicalis'' can be identified visually by the lighter, orange colouring on its chest. Occasional [[Hybrid (biology)|hybridisation]] has been known to occur between the two seals in these areas.<ref name="hybrid">{{cite journal |last1=Lancaster |first1=M L |last2=Gemmell |first2=N J |last3=Negro |first3=S |last4=Goldsworthy |first4=S |last5=Sunnucks |first5=P |title=Ménage à trois on Macquarie Island: hybridization among three species of fur seal (Arctocephalus spp.) following historical population extinction |journal=Molecular Ecology |date=15 October 2006 |volume=15 |issue=12 |pages=3681–3692 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-294X.2006.03041.x |pmid=17032266|bibcode=2006MolEc..15.3681L |s2cid=837633 }}</ref>


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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Subantarctic Fur Seal conservation status |url=https://www.pinnipeds.org/seal-information/species-information-pages/sea-lions-and-fur-seals/subantarctic-fur-seal |archive-date=2021-05-07 |access-date=2021-05-07 |website=Seal Conservation Society}}</ref> There appears to be 3 distinct genetic lineages in the species, with none of them representing any particular geographic area.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pinnipeds.org/seal-information/species-information-pages/sea-lions-and-fur-seals/subantarctic-fur-seal | title=Subantarctic Fur Seal }}</ref>
About 300,000 subantarctic fur seals are remaining today, a number likely to be substantially lower than when they were first discovered in 1810, as they were hunted excessively for their [[Fur|pelts]] throughout the 19th century. Populations from ancient history, prior to human contact, were likely even higher. However, the species recovers rapidly, it seems, albeit in areas wherein it is protected by the [[Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals]] (CCAS). A small population on [[Heard Island]] is considered [[Endangered species|endangered]]. The Antarctic fur seal was also rigorously hunted, to the point of all but one breeding colony remaining by the year 1900, resulting in an increasingly low species-wide genetic variability; meanwhile, the genetic diversity amongst subantarctic fur seals has remained high.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Subantarctic Fur Seal conservation status |url=https://www.pinnipeds.org/seal-information/species-information-pages/sea-lions-and-fur-seals/subantarctic-fur-seal |access-date=2021-05-07 |website=Seal Conservation Society}}</ref> There appear to be three distinct genetic lineages in the subantarctic species, though none of them represent any particular geographical area.<ref name="Subantarctic Fur Seal"/>


==Behavior==
==Behavior==
===Breeding===
===Breeding===
[[File:Arctocephalus tropicalis an injured male resting in the grass.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Male subantarctic fur seal with injuries from a recent fight with another male]]
[[File:Arctocephalus tropicalis an injured male resting in the grass.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Male subantarctic fur seal with injuries from a recent fight with another male]]
As with other otariids, subantarctic fur seals gather in large [[Rookery|rookeries]] on the shore to breed. They have a [[Polygyny|polygynous]] mating system in which dominant males will defend their harem of 6-20 females. Fights between males for mating rights are violent and can result in severe injuries. Apart from physically fighting, males will also compete against each other through vocalizations and threat displays.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Arctocephalus_tropicalis/ | title=Arctocephalus tropicalis (Subantarctic fur seal) | website=[[Animal Diversity Web]] }}</ref> The breeding season takes place from November to January. For females, gestation lasts around 51 weeks, at the end of which they will give birth to a single pup. 8-12 days after giving birth, they will breed again. Males are capable of mating at around 3-4 years of age, but they are unlikely to be able to hold a harem until they are 10-11 years old. Females reach sexual maturity at around 5 years.<ref name=animalia>{{cite web|url=https://animalia.bio/subantarctic-fur-seal|title=Subantarctic fur sea|publisher=Animalia|access-date=2023-05-31}}{{better source needed|reason=Animalia lists Wikipedia as a reference|date=May 2023}}</ref>
As with other otariids, subantarctic fur seals gather in large [[Rookery|rookeries]] on the shore to breed. They have a [[Polygyny in animals|polygynous]] mating system in which dominant males will defend their harem of 6-20 females. Fights between males for mating rights are violent and can result in severe injuries. Apart from physically fighting, males will also compete against each other through vocalizations and threat displays.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Arctocephalus_tropicalis/ | title=Arctocephalus tropicalis (Subantarctic fur seal) | website=[[Animal Diversity Web]] }}</ref> The breeding season takes place from November to January. For females, gestation lasts around 51 weeks, at the end of which they will give birth to a single pup. 8–12 days after giving birth, they will breed again. Males are capable of mating at around 3–4 years of age, but they are unlikely to be able to hold a harem until they are 10–11 years old. Females reach sexual maturity at around 5 years.<ref name=animalia>{{cite web|url=https://animalia.bio/subantarctic-fur-seal|title=Subantarctic fur sea|publisher=Animalia|access-date=2023-05-31}}{{better source needed|reason=Animalia lists Wikipedia as a reference|date=May 2023}}</ref>


===Life cycle===
===Life cycle===
[[File:2021-02 Amsterdam Island - Subantarctic fur seal 55.jpg|thumb|upright=0.99|Suckling]]
After being born, pups spend around 11 months feeding on their mother's milk, which contains around 39% fat. They stay at the rookery during this period. Weaning occurs shortly before the next offspring is born. They molt their black coat at around 3 months of age. As adults, they continue to molt their coat annually between March and May.<ref name=animalia/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pinnipeds.org/seal-information/species-information-pages/sea-lions-and-fur-seals/subantarctic-fur-seal | title=Subantarctic Fur Seal }}</ref>
After being born, pups spend around 11 months feeding on their mother's milk, which contains around 39% fat. The length of their lactation period is typical of otariid seals, and contrasts with the far shorter 4 month lactation period of the Antarctic fur seal.<ref name="Lactation w">{{cite journal |last1=Arnould |first1=J. P. Y. |last2=Luque |first2=S. P. |last3=Guinet |first3=C. |last4=Costa |first4=D. P. |last5=Kingston |first5=J. |last6=Shaffer |first6=S. A. |title=The comparative energetics and growth strategies of sympatric Antarctic and subantarctic fur seal pups at Îles Crozet |journal=Journal of Experimental Biology |date=15 December 2003 |volume=206 |issue=24 |pages=4497–4906 |doi=10.1242/jeb.00703 |pmid=14610034 |s2cid=5932149 |url=https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/206/24/4497/34293/The-comparative-energetics-and-growth-strategies|doi-access=free |hdl=10536/DRO/DU:30004384 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> They stay at the rookery during this period. Weaning occurs shortly before the next offspring is born. They molt their black coat at around 3 months of age. As adults, they continue to molt their coat annually between March and May.<ref name=animalia/><ref name="Subantarctic Fur Seal"/>


===Diet and foraging===
===Diet and foraging===
Subantarctic fur seals hunt in shallow waters at night, when [[lanternfish|myctophid]] fish come close to the surface. They also feed on [[squid]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pinnipeds.org/seal-information/species-information-pages/sea-lions-and-fur-seals/subantarctic-fur-seal | title=Subantarctic Fur Seal }}</ref> Other prey can include crustaceans, and occasionally [[Rockhopper penguin|rockhopper penguins]] and other [[seabird|seabirds]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.animalia.bio/subantarctic-fur-seal#:~:text=Diet%20and%20Nutrition,Rockhopper%20penguins%20and%20sea%20birds. | title=Subantarctic Fur Seal - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio }}</ref>
Subantarctic fur seals hunt in shallow waters at night, when [[lanternfish|myctophid]] fish come close to the surface. They also feed on [[squid]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pinnipeds.org/seal-information/species-information-pages/sea-lions-and-fur-seals/subantarctic-fur-seal | title=Subantarctic Fur Seal }}</ref> Other prey can include [[crustacean]]s, and occasionally [[rockhopper penguin]]s and other [[seabird]]s.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.animalia.bio/subantarctic-fur-seal#:~:text=Diet%20and%20Nutrition,Rockhopper%20penguins%20and%20sea%20birds. | title=Subantarctic Fur Seal - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio }}</ref>


A study conducted on subantarctic fur seals at Marion Island from 1996 to 2000 concluded that Myctophid fish constituted the largest part of the seals' diet, with fish from the families [[Channichthyidae]], [[Barracudina|Paralepididae]], [[Nototheniidae]], [[Microstomatidae]] and [[Notosudidae]] being eaten in smaller numbers. The size of prey fish ranged from small Myctophids with an average length of 25mm, to large [[Patagonian toothfish|Patagonian Toothfish]] with an average length of 70 cm.<ref>https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00300-013-1380-y</ref>
A study conducted on subantarctic fur seals at Marion Island from 1996 to 2000 concluded that Myctophid fish constituted the largest part of the seals' diet, with fish from the families [[Channichthyidae]], [[Barracudina|Paralepididae]], [[Nototheniidae]], [[Microstomatidae]] and [[Notosudidae]] being eaten in smaller numbers. The size of prey fish ranged from small Myctophids with an average length of 25mm, to large [[Patagonian toothfish]] with an average length of 70&nbsp;cm.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00300-013-1380-y | doi=10.1007/s00300-013-1380-y | title=The diet of the subantarctic fur seal Arctocephalus tropicalis at Marion Island | date=2013 | last1=Makhado | first1=A. B. | last2=Bester | first2=M. N. | last3=Somhlaba | first3=S. | last4=Crawford | first4=R. J. M. | journal=Polar Biology | volume=36 | issue=11 | pages=1609–1617 | bibcode=2013PoBio..36.1609M | hdl=2263/37197 | s2cid=253813200 | hdl-access=free }}</ref>


===Travelling===
===Travelling===
⚫
Subantarctic fur seals are unique in their tendency to occasionally travel very long distances from their home islands. Young males have been seen travelling thousands of miles from their native habitat. In July 2015, a young male seal was caught and later released by local fishermen off the coast of Kenya, more than 4,000 miles (6.400km) from its home. This is the furthest north that a subantarctic fur seal has been recorded travelling to.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.nature.org/2015/07/22/this-fur-seal-is-4000-miles-from-home-heres-why/ | title=This Fur Seal is 4,000 Miles from Home. Here's Why | date=22 July 2015 }}</ref> Lactating females have been seen travelling up to 530km from their colonies in order to forage for food.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pinnipeds.org/seal-information/species-information-pages/sea-lions-and-fur-seals/subantarctic-fur-seal#:~:text=Lactating%20female%20Subantarctic%20fur%20seals,is%20expected%20to%20be%20greater. | title=Subantarctic Fur Seal }}</ref>
[[File:Arctocephalus tropicalis en playa de El Fortín, Uruguay.jpg|thumb|upright=1.05|A male resting on a beach in playa de El Fortin, [[Uruguay]], having travelled far from its native area]]
[[File:Arctocephalus tropicalis en playa de El Fortín, Uruguay.jpg|thumb|upright=1.05|A male resting on a beach in playa de El Fortin, [[Uruguay]], having travelled far from its native area]]
⚫
Subantarctic fur seals are unique in their tendency to occasionally travel very long distances from their home islands. Young males have been seen travelling thousands of miles from their native habitat, being sighted in countries such as [[Brazil]], [[Angola]], Australia and [[New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oceansoffun.org/pinniped_species/39#:~:text=Distribution%3A,estimated%20to%20be%20277%2C000%20%E2%80%93%20356%2C000.|title=Subantarctic Fur Seal|publisher=Ocean Connections|access-date=5 February 2024}}</ref> In July 2015, a young male seal was caught and later released by local fishermen off the coast of [[Kenya]], more than 4,000 miles (6.400&nbsp;km) from its home. This is the furthest north that a subantarctic fur seal has been recorded travelling to.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.nature.org/2015/07/22/this-fur-seal-is-4000-miles-from-home-heres-why/ | title=This Fur Seal is 4,000 Miles from Home. Here's Why | date=22 July 2015 }}</ref> Lactating females have been recorded travelling up to 530&nbsp;km from their colonies in order to forage for food.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pinnipeds.org/seal-information/species-information-pages/sea-lions-and-fur-seals/subantarctic-fur-seal#:~:text=Lactating%20female%20Subantarctic%20fur%20seals,is%20expected%20to%20be%20greater. | title=Subantarctic Fur Seal }}</ref>

==Gallery==


{{Portal|Marine life|Mammals}}
{{Portal|Marine life|Mammals}}

<gallery widths="160px" heights="130px" perrow="4">
File:2021-03 Amsterdam Island - Subantarctic fur seal 97.jpg
File:2021-02 Amsterdam Island - Subantarctic fur seal 53.jpg
File:2021-08 Amsterdam Island - Subantarctic fur seal 57.jpg
File:2021-02 Amsterdam Island - Subantarctic fur seal 64.jpg
File:2021-04 Amsterdam Island - Subantarctic fur seal 14.jpg
File:2021-04 Amsterdam Island - Subantarctic fur seal 15.jpg
File:2021-08 Amsterdam Island - Subantarctic fur seal 65.jpg
File:2021-03 Amsterdam Island - Subantarctic fur seal 98.jpg
File:2021-06 Amsterdam Island - Subantarctic fur seal 26.jpg
File:2021-02 Amsterdam Island - Subantarctic fur seal 62.jpg
File:2021-06 Amsterdam Island - Subantarctic fur seal 39.jpg
File:2021-07 Amsterdam Island - Northern giant petrel 19.jpg
File:2021-09 Amsterdam Island - Northern rockhopper penguin 04.jpg
File:Arctocephalus tropicalis a male lightly scared.JPG
File:Strasbourg Musée zoologique (27).JPG
File:Gazelle-arctocephalus.jpg


</gallery>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 52: Line 77:


== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==
*Wynen, Louise P. ''et al.'' "[https://www.webcitation.org/5yCHRwosp Postsealing genetic variation and population structure of two species of fur seal (''Arctocephalus gazella'' and ''A. tropicalis'')]". ''[[Molecular Ecology]]''. Vol. 9. (2000). pp.&nbsp;299&ndash;314.
*Wynen, Louise P. ''et al.'' "[https://web.archive.org/web/20061116233750/http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/PUBLIPDF/2000/WME9.pdf Postsealing genetic variation and population structure of two species of fur seal (''Arctocephalus gazella'' and ''A. tropicalis'')]". ''[[Molecular Ecology]]''. Vol. 9. (2000). pp.&nbsp;299&ndash;314.
* {{ITIS |id=180632 |taxon=Arctocephalus tropicalis |access-date=24 January 2006}}
* {{ITIS |id=180632 |taxon=Arctocephalus tropicalis |access-date=24 January 2006}}
* {{RefAudubonMarineMammals}}
* {{RefAudubonMarineMammals}}
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[[Category:Fauna of subantarctic islands]]
[[Category:Fauna of subantarctic islands]]
[[Category:Mammals of Argentina]]
[[Category:Mammals of Argentina]]
⚫
[[Category:Carnivorans of Brazil]]
[[Category:Mammals of Chile]]
[[Category:Mammals of Chile]]
[[Category:Pinnipeds of Australia]]
[[Category:Pinnipeds of Australia]]
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[[Category:Mammals described in 1872]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1872]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Edward Gray]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Edward Gray]]
⚫
[[Category:Carnivorans of Africa]]
[[Category:Carnivorans of South America]]
[[Category:Least concern biota of South America]]
[[Category:Least concern biota of South America]]

Latest revision as of 23:41, 23 June 2024

Subantarctic fur seal
Male
Female
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Clade: Pinnipedia
Family: Otariidae
Genus: Arctocephalus
Species:
A. tropicalis
Binomial name
Arctocephalus tropicalis
Gray, 1872
Subantarctic fur seal range
Synonyms
  • Arctocephalus elegans Peters, 1876

The subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) is a species of arctocephaline 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.[4]

Description

[edit]

The 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. Males have a characteristic dark tuft of hair on the top of their head that stands erect when they are excited.[5] 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.[6] Subantarctic fur seals live for about 20–25 years.

Distribution

[edit]
Pup in the Crozet Islands

Arctocephalus tropicalis, the subantarctic fur seal, is geographically widespread; as their specific and common names imply, they generally breed in and inhabit more northerly (subantarctic, or "tropical") locations than the Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) does. The largest known breeding colonies are on Gough Island, in the South Atlantic, and Île Amsterdam, in the southern reaches of the Indian Ocean. Breeding grounds are also located on Marion Island in the Prince Edward Islands—which is shared with the Antarctic fur seal—as well as the Crozet Islands and Macquarie Island. In places where the two species intermingle, A. tropicalis can be identified visually by the lighter, orange colouring on its chest. Occasional hybridisation has been known to occur between the two seals in these areas.[7]

About 300,000 subantarctic fur seals are remaining today, a number likely to be substantially lower than when they were first discovered in 1810, as they were hunted excessively for their pelts throughout the 19th century. Populations from ancient history, prior to human contact, were likely even higher. However, the species recovers rapidly, it seems, albeit in areas wherein it is protected by the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS). A small population on Heard Island is considered endangered. The Antarctic fur seal was also rigorously hunted, to the point of all but one breeding colony remaining by the year 1900, resulting in an increasingly low species-wide genetic variability; meanwhile, the genetic diversity amongst subantarctic fur seals has remained high.[8] There appear to be three distinct genetic lineages in the subantarctic species, though none of them represent any particular geographical area.[5]

Behavior

[edit]

Breeding

[edit]
Male subantarctic fur seal with injuries from a recent fight with another male

As with other otariids, subantarctic fur seals gather in large rookeries on the shore to breed. They have a polygynous mating system in which dominant males will defend their harem of 6-20 females. Fights between males for mating rights are violent and can result in severe injuries. Apart from physically fighting, males will also compete against each other through vocalizations and threat displays.[9] The breeding season takes place from November to January. For females, gestation lasts around 51 weeks, at the end of which they will give birth to a single pup. 8–12 days after giving birth, they will breed again. Males are capable of mating at around 3–4 years of age, but they are unlikely to be able to hold a harem until they are 10–11 years old. Females reach sexual maturity at around 5 years.[10]

Life cycle

[edit]
Suckling

After being born, pups spend around 11 months feeding on their mother's milk, which contains around 39% fat. The length of their lactation period is typical of otariid seals, and contrasts with the far shorter 4 month lactation period of the Antarctic fur seal.[11] They stay at the rookery during this period. Weaning occurs shortly before the next offspring is born. They molt their black coat at around 3 months of age. As adults, they continue to molt their coat annually between March and May.[10][5]

Diet and foraging

[edit]

Subantarctic fur seals hunt in shallow waters at night, when myctophid fish come close to the surface. They also feed on squid.[12] Other prey can include crustaceans, and occasionally rockhopper penguins and other seabirds.[13]

A study conducted on subantarctic fur seals at Marion Island from 1996 to 2000 concluded that Myctophid fish constituted the largest part of the seals' diet, with fish from the families Channichthyidae, Paralepididae, Nototheniidae, Microstomatidae and Notosudidae being eaten in smaller numbers. The size of prey fish ranged from small Myctophids with an average length of 25mm, to large Patagonian toothfish with an average length of 70 cm.[14]

Travelling

[edit]
A male resting on a beach in playa de El Fortin, Uruguay, having travelled far from its native area

Subantarctic fur seals are unique in their tendency to occasionally travel very long distances from their home islands. Young males have been seen travelling thousands of miles from their native habitat, being sighted in countries such as Brazil, Angola, Australia and New Zealand.[15] In July 2015, a young male seal was caught and later released by local fishermen off the coast of Kenya, more than 4,000 miles (6.400 km) from its home. This is the furthest north that a subantarctic fur seal has been recorded travelling to.[16] Lactating females have been recorded travelling up to 530 km from their colonies in order to forage for food.[17]

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References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ "Subantarctic Fur Seals behaviour". The MarineBio Conservation Society. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  4. ^ "ITIS - Standard Report Error". www.itis.gov.
  5. ^ a b c "Subantarctic Fur Seal".
  6. ^ Subantarctic Fur Seal: Arctocephalus tropicalis. Academic Press. January 2018. pp. 957–960. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804327-1.00252-1. ISBN 9780128043271. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  7. ^ Lancaster, M L; Gemmell, N J; Negro, S; Goldsworthy, S; Sunnucks, P (15 October 2006). "Ménage à trois on Macquarie Island: hybridization among three species of fur seal (Arctocephalus spp.) following historical population extinction". Molecular Ecology. 15 (12): 3681–3692. Bibcode:2006MolEc..15.3681L. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2006.03041.x. PMID 17032266. S2CID 837633.
  8. ^ "Subantarctic Fur Seal conservation status". Seal Conservation Society. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  9. ^ "Arctocephalus tropicalis (Subantarctic fur seal)". Animal Diversity Web.
  10. ^ a b "Subantarctic fur sea". Animalia. Retrieved 2023-05-31.[better source needed]
  11. ^ Arnould, J. P. Y.; Luque, S. P.; Guinet, C.; Costa, D. P.; Kingston, J.; Shaffer, S. A. (15 December 2003). "The comparative energetics and growth strategies of sympatric Antarctic and subantarctic fur seal pups at Îles Crozet". Journal of Experimental Biology. 206 (24): 4497–4906. doi:10.1242/jeb.00703. hdl:10536/DRO/DU:30004384. PMID 14610034. S2CID 5932149.
  12. ^ "Subantarctic Fur Seal".
  13. ^ "Subantarctic Fur Seal - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio".
  14. ^ Makhado, A. B.; Bester, M. N.; Somhlaba, S.; Crawford, R. J. M. (2013). "The diet of the subantarctic fur seal Arctocephalus tropicalis at Marion Island". Polar Biology. 36 (11): 1609–1617. Bibcode:2013PoBio..36.1609M. doi:10.1007/s00300-013-1380-y. hdl:2263/37197. S2CID 253813200.
  15. ^ "Subantarctic Fur Seal". Ocean Connections. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  16. ^ "This Fur Seal is 4,000 Miles from Home. Here's Why". 22 July 2015.
  17. ^ "Subantarctic Fur Seal".

Further reading

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