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Avian predation on ringed seal Phoca hispida pups

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Summary

Ringed seals, Phoca hispida, born in exposed situations are killed by glaucous gulls, Larus hyperboreus. The small size of ringed seals adapted to giving birth in snow shelters makes them especially vulnerable to avian predators when born outside the lair. This might be one of the important factors in limiting the southern range of breeding in this seal species.

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References

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Christian Lydersen

    Present address: Bioenergetikkgruppen, Biologisk Institutt, Universitetet i Oslo, P.O. Box 1051, N-0316, Blindern, Oslo 3, Norway

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian Polar Research Institute, Lufthavn, P.O. Box 158, N-1330, Oslo, Norway

    Christian Lydersen

  2. Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Arctic Biological Station, 555 St. Pierre Blvd, H9X 3R4, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada

    Thomas G. Smith

Authors
  1. Christian Lydersen
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  2. Thomas G. Smith
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Lydersen, C., Smith, T.G. Avian predation on ringed seal Phoca hispida pups. Polar Biol 9, 489–490 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00261031

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00261031

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