earless seal

File:Cranio Pliophoca etrusca, Orciano.JPG skull]]

The earliest known fossil earless seal is Noriphoca gaudini from the late Oligocene or earliest Miocene (Aquitanian) of Italy. Other early fossil phocids date from the mid-Miocene, 15 million years ago in the north Atlantic.{{Cite journal|last1=Dewaele|first1=Leonard|last2=Lambert|first2=Olivier|last3=Louwye|first3=Stephen|date=2017-02-21|title=On Prophoca and Leptophoca (Pinnipedia, Phocidae) from the Miocene of the North Atlantic realm: redescription, phylogenetic affinities and paleobiogeographic implications|journal=PeerJ|language=en|volume=5|pages=e3024|doi=10.7717/peerj.3024|pmid=28243538|doi-access=free|pmc=5322758}} Until recently, many researchers believed that phocids evolved separately from otariids and odobenids; and that they evolved from otter-like animals, such as Potamotherium, which inhabited European freshwater lakes. Recent evidence strongly suggests a monophyletic origin for all pinnipeds from a single ancestor, possibly Enaliarctos, most closely related to the mustelids and bears.{{Cite journal|last1=Paterson|first1=Ryan S.|last2=Rybczynski|first2=Natalia|last3=Kohno|first3=Naoki|last4=Maddin|first4=Hillary C.|date=2020|title=A Total Evidence Phylogenetic Analysis of Pinniped Phylogeny and the Possibility of Parallel Evolution Within a Monophyletic Framework|journal=Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution|language=en|volume=7|doi=10.3389/fevo.2019.00457|doi-access=free}}

Monk seals and elephant seals were previously believed to have first entered the Pacific through the open straits between North and South America, with the Antarctic true seals either using the same route or travelled down the west coast of Africa.{{cite book |author1=Savage, RJG |author2= Long, MR |name-list-style=amp|year=1986 |title= Mammal Evolution: an illustrated guide|url=https://archive.org/details/mammalevolutioni0000sava |url-access=registration |publisher= Facts on File|location=New York|pages= [https://archive.org/details/mammalevolutioni0000sava/page/94 94–95]|isbn= 978-0-8160-1194-0}} It is now thought that the monk seals, elephant seals, and Antarctic seals all evolved in the southern hemisphere, and likely dispersed to their current distributions from more southern latitudes.{{Cite journal|last1=Rule|first1=James P.|last2=Adams|first2=Justin W.|last3=Marx|first3=Felix G.|last4=Evans|first4=Alistair R.|last5=Tennyson|first5=Alan J. D.|last6=Scofield|first6=R. Paul|last7=Fitzgerald|first7=Erich M. G.|date=2020-11-11|title=First monk seal from the Southern Hemisphere rewrites the evolutionary history of true seals|journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences|volume=287|issue=1938|pages=20202318|doi=10.1098/rspb.2020.2318|pmid=33171079|pmc=7735288|doi-access=free}}

{{Cladogram|align=left|title=

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{{clade

|style=font-size:75%;line-height:75%;width:500px;

|label1=Pinnipedia

|1={{clade

|label1=Phocidae

|1={{clade

|label1=Phocinae

|1={{clade

|1=Bearded seal

|2={{clade

|1=Hooded seal

|label2=Phocini

|2={{clade

|1={{clade

|1={{clade

|1={{clade

|1={{clade

|1=Ringed seal

|2=Baikal seal

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|2=Caspian seal

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|2={{clade

|1=Spotted seal

|2=Harbor seal

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|2=Grey seal

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|2={{clade

|1=Ribbon seal

|2=Harp seal

}}

}}

}}

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|label2=Monachinae

|2={{clade

|1={{clade

|label1=Lobodontini

|1={{clade

|1={{clade

|1={{clade

|1=Weddell seal

|2=Leopard seal

}}

|2=Crabeater seal

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|2=Ross seal

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|label2=Miroungini|sublabel2=(elephant seals)

|2={{clade

|1=Southern elephant seal

|2=Northern elephant seal

}}

}}

|label2=Monachini

|2={{clade

|1=Mediterranean monk seal

|2=Hawaiian monk seal

|3=Caribbean monk seal

}}

}}

}}

|2={{clade

|1=Otariidae (eared seals)

|2=Odobenidae (Walrus)

}}

}}

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|caption=Cladogram showing relationships among the phocids, combining several phylogenetic analyses.{{cite journal | last1=Berta | first1=Annalisa | last2=Churchill | first2=Morgan | last3=Boessenecker | first3=Robert W. | title=The Origin and Evolutionary Biology of Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses | journal=Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences | publisher=Annual Reviews | volume=46 | issue=1 | date=2018-05-30 | issn=0084-6597 | doi=10.1146/annurev-earth-082517-010009 | pages=203–228| bibcode=2018AREPS..46..203B | s2cid=135439365 | doi-access=free }}

}}

In the 1980s and 1990s, morphological phylogenetic analysis of the phocids led to new conclusions about the interrelatedness of the various genera. More recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have confirmed the monophyly of the two phocid subfamilies (Phocinae and Monachinae).{{Cite journal|last1=Árnason|first1=Úlfur|last2=Bodin|first2=Kristina|last3=Gullberg|first3=Anette|last4=Ledje|first4=Christina|last5=Suzette|first5=Mouchaty|date=1995|title=A molecular view of pinniped relationships with particular emphasis on the true seals|journal=Journal of Molecular Evolution|volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=78–85|doi=10.1007/BF00166598|pmid=7714914 |bibcode=1995JMolE..40...78A |s2cid=7537924}}{{Cite journal|last1=Arnason |first1=Ulfur |last2=Gullberg |first2=Anette |last3=Janke|first3=Axel |last4=Kullberg|first4=Morgan |last5=Lehman |first5=Niles |last6=Petrov |first6=Evgeny A.|last7=Väinölä|first7=Risto|date=2006-11-01 |title=Pinniped phylogeny and a new hypothesis for their origin and dispersal|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |volume=41|issue=2 |pages=345–354|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2006.05.022 |pmid=16815048|bibcode=2006MolPE..41..345A }}{{Cite journal|last1=Fulton|first1=Tara Lynn|last2=Strobeck|first2=Curtis |date=2010|title=Multiple markers and multiple individuals refine true seal phylogeny and bring molecules and morphology back in line |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |volume=277 |issue=1684 |pages=1065–1070 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2009.1783|pmc=2842760|pmid=19939841}}{{Cite journal |last1=Fulton |first1=Tara L. |last2=Strobeck|first2=Curtis |date=2010|title=Multiple fossil calibrations, nuclear loci and mitochondrial genomes provide new insight into biogeography and divergence timing for true seals (Phocidae, Pinnipedia) |journal=Journal of Biogeography |volume=37|issue=5 |pages=814–829 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2699.2010.02271.x|bibcode=2010JBiog..37..814F |s2cid=59436229 }} The Monachinae (known as the "southern" seals), is composed of three tribes; the Lobodontini, Miroungini, and Monachini. The four Antarctic genera Hydrurga, Leptonychotes, Lobodon, and Ommatophoca are part of the tribe Lobodontini. Tribe Miroungini is composed of the elephant seals. The Monk seals (Monachus and Neomonachus) are all part of the tribe Monachini.{{Cite journal |last1=Scheel |first1=Dirk-Martin|last2=Slater|first2=Graham J.|last3=Kolokotronis|first3=Sergios-Orestis |last4=Potter |first4=Charles W.|last5=Rotstein|first5=David S.|last6=Tsangaras|first6=Kyriakos |last7=Greenwood|first7=Alex D.|last8=Helgen|first8=Kristofer M.|date=2014|title=Biogeography and taxonomy of extinct and endangered monk seals illuminated by ancient DNA and skull morphology |journal=ZooKeys|issue=409 |pages=1–33|doi=10.3897/zookeys.409.6244|pmc=4042687|pmid=24899841|doi-access=free|bibcode=2014ZooK..409....1S }} Likewise, subfamily Phocinae (the "northern" seals) also includes three tribes; Erignathini (Erignathus), Cystophorini (Cystophora), and Phocini (all other phocines). More recently, five species have been split off from Phoca, forming three additional genera.{{Cite journal|last1=Berta|first1=Annalisa |last2=Churchill|first2=Morgan|date=2012 |title=Pinniped taxonomy: review of currently recognized species and subspecies, and evidence used for their description|journal=Mammal Review |volume=42 |issue=3|pages=207–234 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2907.2011.00193.x|bibcode=2012MamRv..42..207B }}

Alternatively the three monachine tribes have been evaluated to familiar status, which elephant seals and the Antarctic seals are more closely related to the phocines.{{cite book | last1 = Bonner | first1 = N. | year = 1994| title = Seals and Sea Lions of the World | publisher = Blandford |location= United Kingdom | pages = 1–224 |isbn = 9780816057177}}

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File:Harbor seal with skeleton GS.jpg

File:Phoca vitulina 02 MWNH 1464.JPG skull (Phoca vitulina)]]

Adult phocids vary from {{convert|1.17|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length and {{convert|45|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in weight in the ringed seal to {{convert|5.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{convert|4000|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in the southern elephant seal, which is the largest member of the order Carnivora. Phocids have fewer teeth than land-based members of the Carnivora, although they retain powerful canines. Some species lack molars altogether. The dental formula is:

{{DentalFormula|upper=2–3.1.4.0–2|lower=1–2.1.4.0–2}}

While otariids are known for speed and maneuverability, phocids are known for efficient, economical movement. This allows most phocids to forage far from land to exploit prey resources, while otariids are tied to rich upwelling zones close to breeding sites. Phocids swim by sideways movements of their bodies, using their hind flippers to fullest effect.{{cite book|editor= Macdonald, D.|author= McLaren, Ian|year= 1984|title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location= New York|pages= [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/270 270–275]|isbn= 978-0-87196-871-5|url-access= registration|url= https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/270}} Their fore flippers are used primarily for steering, while their hind flippers are bound to the pelvis in such a way that they cannot bring them under their bodies to walk on them. They are more streamlined than fur seals and sea lions, so they can swim more effectively over long distances. However, because they cannot turn their hind flippers downward, they are very clumsy on land, having to wriggle with their front flippers and abdominal muscles.

File:Seal kidney-- FMVZ USP-08.jpg

Phocid respiratory and circulatory systems are adapted to allow diving to considerable depths, and they can spend a long time underwater between breaths. Air is forced from the lungs during a dive and into the upper respiratory passages, where gases cannot easily be absorbed into the bloodstream. This helps protect the seal from the bends. The middle ear is also lined with blood sinuses that inflate during diving, helping to maintain a constant pressure.

Phocids are more specialized for aquatic life than otariids. They lack external ears and have sleek, streamlined bodies. Retractable nipples, internal testicles,{{cite book|author1=Perrin, William F. |author2=Würsig, Bernd |author3= Thewissen, J.G.M.|title=Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2rkHQpToi9sC&q=phocid+OR+phocidae|date=2009|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=978-0-08-091993-5}} and an internal penile sheath provide further streamlining. A smooth layer of blubber lies underneath the skin. Phocids are able to divert blood flow to this layer to help control their temperatures.{{Cite journal|last1=Favilla|first1=Arina B.|last2=Costa|first2=Daniel P.|date=2020-09-11|title=Thermoregulatory Strategies of Diving Air-Breathing Marine Vertebrates: A Review|journal=Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution|volume=8|pages=555509|doi=10.3389/fevo.2020.555509|issn=2296-701X|doi-access=free}}

Unlike otariids, true seals do not communicate by "barking". Instead, they communicate by slapping the water and grunting. True seals have also been documented to clap at each other underwater.{{cite web|last1=Hocking|first1=David|last2=Burnville|first2=Ben|last3=Marx|first3=Felix Georg|url=https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2020/02/conversationsealsclapping/|title=Comment: Grey seals discovered clapping underwater to communicate|work=The Conversation|via=Newcastle University|date=February 3, 2020|accessdate=April 15, 2025}} One study published in Animal Behaviour found that seals use rhythmic percussive signalling in both "agonistic interactions" and display behavior.{{cite journal |last1=Kocsis |first1=Kinga |last2=Duengen |first2=Diandra |last3=Jadoul |first3=Yannick |last4=Ravignani |first4=Andrea |title=Harbour seals use rhythmic percussive signalling in interaction and display |journal=Animal Behaviour |date=January 2024 |volume=207 |pages=223–234 |doi=10.1016/j.anbehav.2023.09.014 |bibcode=2024AnBeh.207..223K }}

With short front flippers and because their rear flipper is unable to rotate, true seals cannot walk when out of the water like sea lions. As a result, they bounce themselves forward in a motion called galumphing;{{cite book|last=Dipper|first=Frances|title=RSPB Spotlight: Seals|page=20|publisher=Bloomsbury Wildlife|location=London|isbn=978-1-4214-0305-2|date=2021}}{{cite book|last=Derocher|first=Andrew E.|title=Polar Bears: A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Behavior|page=73|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|location=Baltimore|isbn=978-1-4214-0305-2|date=2012}} the polar explorer Edward Wilson referred to the motion as lolloping.{{cite book|last=Schmidt|first=Jeremy|title=Weddell Seals: Science, Life History, and Population Dynamics|page=59|publisher=Weddell Seal Science|isbn=978-1-881480-19-8|date=2023}}

File:Earless seal (Puerto Madryn, Argentina).jpg

File:Pusa hispida saimensis ca 1956.jpg, Finland, Saimaa ringed seals, a subspecies of ringed seal, are among the most endangered seals in the world, having a total population of only about 400 individuals.{{cite web |title= Saimaa Ringed Seal |url= https://wwf.fi/en/saimaaringedseal/ |access-date=22 December 2018}}]]

Phocids spend most of their time at sea, although they return to land or pack ice to breed and give birth. Pregnant females spend long periods foraging at sea, building up fat reserves, and then return to the breeding site to use their stored energy to nurse pups. However, the common seal displays a reproductive strategy similar to that used by otariids, in which the mother makes short foraging trips between nursing bouts.{{fact|date=April 2025}}

Because a phocid mother's feeding grounds are often hundreds of kilometers from the breeding site, she must fast while lactating. This combination of fasting with lactation requires the mother to provide large amounts of energy to her pup at a time when she is not eating (and often, not drinking). Mothers must supply their own metabolic needs while nursing. This is a miniature version of the humpback whales' strategy, which involves fasting during their months-long migration from arctic feeding areas to tropical breeding/nursing areas and back.{{fact|date=April 2025}}

Phocids produce thick, fat-rich milk that allows them to provide their pups with large amounts of energy in a short period. This allows the mother to return to the sea in time to replenish her reserves. Lactation ranges from five to seven weeks in the monk seal to just three to five days in the hooded seal. The mother ends nursing by leaving her pup at the breeding site to search for food (pups continue to nurse if given the opportunity). "Milk stealers" that suckle from unrelated, sleeping females are not uncommon; this often results in the death of the mother's pup, since a female can only feed one pup.{{fact|date=April 2025}}

The pup's diet is so high in calories that it builds up a fat store. Before the pup is ready to forage, the mother abandons it, and the pup consumes its own fat for weeks or even months while it matures. Seals, like all marine mammals, need time to develop the oxygen stores, swimming muscles, and neural pathways necessary for effective diving and foraging. Seal pups typically eat no food and drink no water during the period, although some polar species eat snow. The postweaning fast ranges from two weeks in the hooded seal to 9–12 weeks in the northern elephant seal.{{Cite journal|title = The energetics of lactation in the Northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris|journal = Journal of Zoology|date = 1986|pages = 21–33|volume = 209|issue = 1|doi = 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1986.tb03563.x|first1 = D. P.|last1 = Costa|first2 = B. J. Le|last2 = Boeuf|first3 = A. C.|last3 = Huntley|first4 = C. L.|last4 = Ortiz}} The physiological and behavioral adaptations that allow phocid pups to endure these remarkable fasts, which are among the longest for any mammal, remain an area of active study and research.

Phocids make use of at least four different feeding strategies: suction feeding, grip and tear feeding, filter feeding, and pierce feeding. Each of these feeding strategies is aided by a specialized skull, mandible, and tooth morphology. However, despite morphological specialization, most phocids are opportunistic and employ multiple strategies to capture and eat prey. For example, the leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, uses grip and tear feeding to prey on penguins, suction feeding to consume small fish, and filter feeding to catch krill.{{Cite journal|last1=Kienle|first1=Sarah S.|last2=Berta|first2=Annalisa|date=2016|title=The better to eat you with: the comparative feeding morphology of phocid seals (Pinnipedia, Phocidae)|journal=Journal of Anatomy|volume=228|issue=3|pages=396–413|doi=10.1111/joa.12410|pmc=5341551|pmid=26646351}}

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{{Carnivora|C1.}}

{{Pan-Pinnipedia|P.|state=autocollapse}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q25587}}

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Category:Extant Miocene first appearances

Category:Pinnipeds

Category:Taxa named by John Edward Gray

Category:Non-human celestial navigation

Category:Taxa described in 1821