Age, geographical distribution and taphonomy of an unusual occurrence of mummified crabeater seals on James Ross Island, Antarctica

Nelson, Anna E.; Smellie, John L.; Williams, M.; Moreton, S.. 2008 Age, geographical distribution and taphonomy of an unusual occurrence of mummified crabeater seals on James Ross Island, Antarctica. Antarctic Science, 20 (5). 485-493. 10.1017/S095410200800134X

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Abstract/Summary

An unusually dense collection of some 150 dead crabeater seals (Family Phocidae), in various stages of decay, occurs in the Brandy Bay hinterland, north-western James Ross Island, northern Antarctic Peninsula. Throughout the past 100 years, the presence of shelf ice (no longer present today) and sea ice in Prince Gustav Channel, between James Ross Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, has prevented seals from readily accessing the western side of James Ross Island. However, open water pools, some over one kilometre in diameter, remain accessible throughout the winter months, allowing seals to haul out onto the ice. It is likely that some of these seals may become disorientated as they wander away from the pools and instead head toward Brandy Bay and onto low-lying and snow-covered Abernethy Flats, easily mistaken for sea ice in early winter, where they perish. The large number of variably-decayed animals present suggests that this has probably happened on numerous occasions. However, some of the dead seals also probably perished during a documented mass dying event of crabeater seals in Prince Gustav Channel caused by an unidentified epidemic, possibly phocine distemper virus (PDV), during the spring of 1955.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1017/S095410200800134X
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Greenhouse to Icehouse. Evolution of the Antarctic Cryosphere and Palaeoenvironment
ISSN:	0954-1020
NORA Subject Terms:	Biology and Microbiology Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	18 Jan 2011 14:40 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/11575

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1017/S095410200800134X

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Greenhouse to Icehouse. Evolution of the Antarctic Cryosphere and Palaeoenvironment

ISSN:

0954-1020

NORA Subject Terms:

Biology and Microbiology
Ecology and Environment

Date made live:

18 Jan 2011 14:40 +0 (UTC)