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First confirmed record of a leucistic Antarctic fur seal pup born outside the Scotia Arc Islands

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Abstract

A leucistic Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) pup was born on subantarctic Marion Island during the austral summer of 2010/2011. This is the first confirmed record of a leucistic fur seal pup born outside the Scotia Arc islands. Additionally, we report on a leucistic adult female Antarctic fur seal producing typical black pups for five non-consecutive summers on Marion Island. The birth of a leucistic pup, together with the multiple black pups produced by the leucistic female, suggests that the recessive genes responsible for leucism are now entrenched within the Marion Island population.

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Acknowledgements

The Department of Environmental Affairs provided logistic support within the South African National Antarctic Programme. The Department of Science and Technology, through the National Research Foundation (South Africa), provided financial support. Thank you to Chris Oosthuizen for the photographs of the leucistic pup and Derek van der Merwe, Hugh Purdon, Jean Purdon and Tristan Scott for other observations of the leucistic female.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa

    M. Wege, M. Postma, C. A. Tosh, P. J. N. de Bruyn & M. N. Bester

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  1. M. Wege
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  2. M. Postma
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  3. C. A. Tosh
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  4. P. J. N. de Bruyn
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  5. M. N. Bester
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Correspondence to M. Wege.

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Wege, M., Postma, M., Tosh, C.A. et al. First confirmed record of a leucistic Antarctic fur seal pup born outside the Scotia Arc Islands. Polar Biol 38, 569–571 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-014-1573-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-014-1573-z

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