Ommatophoca is a monotypic genus of true seal, family Phocidae, containing the single species the Ross seal, whose range is confined entirely to the pack ice of Antarctica. It is the smallest Antarctic pinniped, notable for disproportionately large eyes reflected in its scientific name, a short and broad muzzle, the shortest fur of any seal species, and complex, trilling, siren-like vocalizations; it was first documented during the Ross expedition of 1841 and remains the least abundant and least well known of the Antarctic pinnipeds.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Member Count Band Era First Appeared Classification
Living or Extinct In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ19817251, descriptionView the Source 2. Wikipedia: Ross seal
Taxonomic rank (Wikipedia confirms the entity; rank from slug/structure-wave classification)View the Source 3. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Ommatophoca
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCountQuote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 1
4. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Ommatophoca
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Ommatophoca" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 0.0117 ... "early_interval": "Holocene"
Wikidata: Ommatophoca
WikidataWikidata Q837610, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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