CYTOGENETIC COMPARISON OF SOME PINNIPEDS (MAMMALIA: EUTHERIA)

Abstract

Karyotypes of the harbor seal, Phoca vitulina (2N = 32), the bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus (2N = 34), the Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddelli (2N = 34), the walrus, Odobenus rosmarus (2N = 32), the Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubata (2N = 36), and the northern fur seal, Callorhinus ursinus (2N = 36), are described and compared with those of the ringed seal, Pusa hispida, and California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, reported by other workers. These are discussed with reference to current theories of pinniped phylogeny and systematics. The number and morphology of chromosomes in these eight species, representing each family and subfamily of pinnipeds, were found to be remarkably similar. This is interpreted as evidence of close interrelationship, commensurate with the theory of monophyletic origin. Karyograms of the harbor seal and ringed seal are virtually identical, as are those of the bearded and Weddell seals and those of the Steller and California sea lions. The karyotype of the fur seal is similar to the sea lions', while that of the walrus resembles the phocids' in some ways and the otariids' in others. A need for thorough comparative studies and reappraisal of pinniped systematics at the subfamilial and generic levels is indicated.