| Subantarctic fur seal | |
|---|---|
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| Male | |
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| Female | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Otariidae |
| Genus: | Arctocephalus |
| Species: | A. tropicalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Arctocephalus tropicalis Gray, 1872 | |
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| Subantarctic fur seal range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Thesubantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) is a species ofarctocephaline found in the southern parts of theIndian,Pacific, andAtlantic Oceans.[3] It was first described byGray in 1872 from a specimen recovered in northern Australia—hence the inappropriate specific nametropicalis.[4]
Thesubantarctic fur seal is medium in size compared with otherfur seals. The two sexes are stronglysexually dimorphic: males grow to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) and 160 kg (350 lb), whereas females are substantially smaller—1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) and 50 kg (110 lb). Subantarctic fur seals have 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.
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 theAntarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) does. The largest known breeding colonies are onGough Island, in the South Atlantic, andÎle Amsterdam, in the southern reaches of theIndian Ocean. Breeding grounds are also located on Marion Island in thePrince Edward Islands—which is shared with the Antarctic fur seal—as well as theCrozet Islands andMacquarie Island. In places where the two species intermingle,A. tropicalis can be identified visually by the lighter, orange colouring on its chest. Occasionalhybridisation 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 theirpelts 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 theConvention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS). A small population onHeard Island is consideredendangered. 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]
As with other otariids, subantarctic fur seals gather in largerookeries on the shore to breed. They have apolygynous 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. Males will also compete against each other through vocalizations and threat displays.[9] The breeding season takes place from November to January. Gestation lasts around 51 weeks, at the end of which the female 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]
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]
Subantarctic fur seals hunt in shallow waters at night, whenmyctophid fish come close to the surface. They also feed onsquid.[12] Other prey can includecrustaceans, and occasionallyrockhopper penguins and otherseabirds.[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 familiesChannichthyidae,Paralepididae,Nototheniidae,Microstomatidae andNotosudidae being eaten in smaller numbers. The size of prey fish ranged from small Myctophids with an average length of 25 mm, to largePatagonian toothfish with an average length of 70 cm (28 in).[14]
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 asBrazil,Angola, Australia andNew Zealand.[15] In July 2015, a young male seal was caught and later released by local fishermen off the coast ofKenya, 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 (330 mi) from their colonies in order to forage for food.[17]
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