The Weddell seal is a relatively large and abundant true seal with a circumpolar distribution around Antarctica and the only species in the genus Leptonychotes. It was discovered and named in the 1820s during expeditions led by the British sealing captain James Weddell to the area of the Southern Ocean that now bears his name, and because it lives on fast ice close to the Antarctic continent, often near research stations, its life history is unusually well documented for a polar seal. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Living or Extinct Scientific NameLeptonychotes weddellii 3 Conservation Status Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Leptonychotes weddellii
In Ecosystem
Source Wikidata: Southern Elephant Seal
Additional Source Antarctic Peninsula (Wikipedia)Article text
Source Wikidata: Antarctic Krill
Additional Source Ross Sea (Wikipedia)Article text
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014)
2. Weddell seal (Wikipedia)
Introduction
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. 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.
Article text
During the early periods of Antarctic exploration, Weddell seals suffered dramatic declines as they were hunted for food and oil.
View the Source3. Wikidata: Leptonychotes
WikidataStatements section, conservation status (P141)
IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): least concern.
- Wikidata Q313166 (P225 taxon name)
Wikidata Q313166 (P1034 main food source): fish
Main food source (Wikidata property P1034): fish.
- Child Taxon Of: Phocidae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source 4. UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat): Species+: Mammalia
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat)Species+ taxon_concepts, id 34Quote, Species+ taxon_concepts, id 34
"cites_listing":"I/II/III/NC","eu_listing":"A/B/C/D/NC","higher_taxa":{"kingdom":"Animalia","phylum":"Chordata","class":"Mammalia","order":null,"family":null},"synonyms":[],"common_names":[{"name":"Mammifères","language":"FR"},{"name":"Mammals","language":"EN"},{"name":"Mamíferos","language":"ES"},{"name":"哺乳纲","language":"ZH"}],"cites_listings":[]
5. Wikipedia: Weddell seal
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat): Species+: Phocidae
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat)Species+ taxon_concepts, id 519Quote, Species+ taxon_concepts, id 519
"cites_listing":"I/II/NC","eu_listing":"A/B/NC","higher_taxa":{"kingdom":"Animalia","phylum":"Chordata","class":"Mammalia","order":"Carnivora","family":"Phocidae"},"synonyms":[],"common_names":[{"name":"Focas","language":"ES"},{"name":"Eléphant De Mer Du Sud","language":"FR"},{"name":"Seals","language":"EN"},{"name":"海豹科","language":"ZH"}],"cites_listings":[]
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Leptonychotes weddellii
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyIn Biome: Open Ocean, Habitat Regions, biome: pelagicQuote, In Biome: Open Ocean, Habitat Regions, biome: pelagic
pelagic pelagic
Ross Sea (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem: Ross Sea, Article textQuote, In Ecosystem: Ross Sea, Article text
Marine mammals in the Ross Sea include the Antarctic minke whale, killer whale, Weddell seal, crabeater seal, and leopard seal.
Antarctic Peninsula (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIn Ecosystem: Antarctic Peninsula, Article textQuote, In Ecosystem: Antarctic Peninsula, Article text
The seals include: leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii), the huge southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), and crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophagus).
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