Observations of neonate ringed seals, Phoca hispida, after early break-up of the sea ice in Prince Albert Sound, Northwest Territories, Canada, spring 1998
Tg. Smith et La. Harwood, Observations of neonate ringed seals, Phoca hispida, after early break-up of the sea ice in Prince Albert Sound, Northwest Territories, Canada, spring 1998, POLAR BIOL, 24(3), 2001, pp. 215-219
In late May 1998, a large area of the land-fast ice in Prince Albert Sound,
Northwest Territories bordering the Amundsen Gulf, broke up almost 1 month
earlier than usual. In June and July, 92 neonate ringed seals were sampled
. Of 50 examined in June 1998, 25 still had remains of their white lanugal
pelage. In July, 2 of 42 pups collected still retained some of their white
lanugal fur. The pups, with lanugo still showing, were in significantly poo
rer body condition than their fully moulted cohort members. Mean condition
of moulted pups, in June 1998, was higher than that of moulted pups collect
ed in June of 1971, 1972, 1976-1978, and 1993-1997. All indications were th
at marine productivity was high in June 1998. Fully moulted pups fed more o
n Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) than did the smaller pups retaining some la
nugal fur. Adult and juvenile seals fed primarily on Arctic cod. Mean lengt
hs of lanugal pups and fully moulted pups in June were lower than predicted
using growth equations. This may have resulted from later birth dates or s
hortened lactation and consequent slower growth, but the causes are not def
ined.