Ross seal distribution in the Weddell Sea : fact and fallacy
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Date
Authors
Bester, Marthan Nieuwoudt
Wege, Mia
Oosthuizen, Wessel Christiaan
Bornemann, Horst
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
The presence of Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii) throughout the Weddell Sea is at best equivocal although overview articles usually depict this as fact on distribution maps. This study reviewed the appropriate literature on the distribution of Ross seals in the Weddell Sea sensu lato and investigated their presence/absence during two expeditions (summer/autumn of 2014 and 2018) into its most southern reaches off the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf. Both ship-board and helicopter surveys were done primarily along the eastern aspect and the south-western limit of the Weddell Sea. Evidence suggests that Ross seals are absent from the Weddell Sea during winter, utilizing the northernmost fringes of the pack-ice during the spring breeding (pupping and mating) season. Ross seals are absent from the inner reaches of the Weddell Sea past about 73° S in summer and early autumn when they occur in number in the eastern Weddell Sea eastwards from about 30° W longitude.
Description
Keywords
Seasonal distribution, Ship-board census, Aerial census, Weddell sea, Pack-ice, Subject Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii)
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Bester, M.N., Wege, M., Oosthuizen, W.C. et al. Ross seal distribution in the Weddell Sea: fact and fallacy. Polar Biology 43, 35–41 (2020). https://doi-org.uplib.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s00300-019-02610-4.