Skeletal measurements from fossil seals from the western Ross Sea, Antarctica
Project
| Contributors | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Hall, Brenda | University of Maine | Principal Investigator |
| Koch, Paul L. | University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) | Principal Investigator, Contact |
| Costa, Daniel P. | University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Hoelzel, A. Rus | Durham University | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Rauch, Shannon | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI BCO-DMO) | BCO-DMO Data Manager |
Abstract
These data are published and discussed in:
Brault, E. (2017). An Examination of the Ecological and Oceanographic Effects of Mid-to-Late Holocene Climate Changes on the Ross Sea Ecosystem. UC Santa Cruz. ProQuest ID: Brault_ucsc_0036E_11435. Merritt ID: ark:/13030/m5dg1n5d. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/99s5j3fk
Sample collection:
Fossil seal samples were collected during the austral summers of 2005/06, 2006/07, 2012/13, and 2013/14 in Antarctica in the Dry Valleys and along the Victoria Land Coast (especially Inexpressible Island on Terra Nova Bay), Antarctica. Since this region experiences unusually dry and cold conditions, carcasses and bones are well-preserved, potentially for several thousand years, and therefore have unchanged isotopic compositions in most cases. The sampled species were crabeater, Weddell, leopard, and southern elephant seals. Latitude and longitude of each specimen was recorded and several photographs were taken of each specimen. Bone and carcass weathering states were determined. Several samples were gathered from the specimens. Most commonly, bone was collected, followed by skin and fur; nails, teeth, and whiskers were not frequently available for sampling, but taken when possible. Samples were collected with ethanol-cleaned tools, stored in Whirl-Pak bags, and refrigerated (~4 °C) when we returned from the field.
Species identification and radiocarbon analysis:
When possible, species identification of each specimen was conducted in the field via examination of teeth or bones with features unique to the four pinniped species. Additionally, the team at the University of Durham in the United Kingdom extracted and analyzed DNA from many specimens (described in Fossil Seal Bulk Isotopes 14C) to confirm or establish the species identification. Full details on radiocarbon dating are supplied in that sheet as well.
Most skeletal measurement were made in the field with a steel tape measure or calipers (for tooth row length). In many cases, parts of bones were obscured by tissue, so measurements are approximate. Refer to the Bone Measurment Guide (PDF).
BCO-DMO Processing:
-modifed parameter names (replaced spaces with underscores)
-changed date format from mm/dd/yyyy to yyyymmdd.
| File |
|---|
fossil_seal_skeletal_measurements.csv (Comma Separated Values (.csv), 256.49 KB) MD5:5ee71d0e34c31b670fa85c5f5e1f79d3 Primary data file for dataset ID 732661 |
| File |
|---|
Bone_Measurement_Guide.pdf (Portable Document Format (.pdf), 1.06 MB) MD5:8c242cdb9020fa4a20f8f8827a325c1b |
| Parameter | Description | Units |
| Sample_ID | Sample identification code | unitless |
| Collection_date | Date of collection formatted as yyyymmdd | unitless |
| General_area | General location of sampling | unitless |
| Sampling_region | More specific sampling location | unitless |
| Brief_description | Attributes of the specimen | unitless |
| Taxon_final | Final determination of the species: Cr = crabeater seal; Lp = leopard seal; SES = southern elephant seal; Wd = Weddell seal; ? = tentative identification | unitless |
| Age_class | Age class of the specimen (adult, sub-adult, pup, unknown) | unitless |
| Body_length | straight line length from nose to tips of hind flippers | meters |
| Comments_body_length | comments related to body length | unitless |
| Left_skull_width_mastoid_M1 | half width across skull at the mastoid (Pg. 1, Bone Measurment Guide (PDF).) | millimeters |
| Right_skull_width_mastoid_M1 | half width across skull at the mastoid (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Comments_skull_width_mastoid_M1 | comments related to skull width at the mastoid | unitless |
| Left_skull_width_zygomatic_M2 | half width across skull at the zygomatic (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Right_skull_width_zygomatic_M2 | half width across skull at the zygomatic ((Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Comments_skull_width_zygomatic_M2 | comments related to skull width at the zygomatic | unitless |
| Skull_length_occiput_premax_M3 | length of skull from occipital condyles to proximal premaxilla (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Comments_skull_length_occiput_premax_M3 | comments related to skull length | unitless |
| Left_upper_tooth_row_length_M4 | length of upper tooth row from P1 to M1 alveolus) (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Right_upper_tooth_row_length_M4 | length of upper tooth row from P1 to M1 alveolus) (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Comments_upper_tooth_row_length_M4 | comments related to upper tooth row length | unitless |
| Left_mandible_length_condyle_incisor_M1 | length of mandible from mandibular condyle to proximal most bone under incisors (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Right_mandible_length_condyle_incisor_M1 | length of mandible from mandibular condyle to proximal most bone under incisors (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Comments_mandible_length_condyle_incisor_M1 | comments related to madible length | unitless |
| Left_lower_tooth_row_length_M7 | length of lower tooth row from P1 to M1 alveolus) (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Right_lower_tooth_row_length_M7 | length of lower tooth row from P1 to M1 alveolus) (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Comments_lower_tooth_row_length_M7 | comments related to lower tooth row length | unitless |
| Atlas_greatest_breadth_M1 | maximum distance across atlas (Pg. 2, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Comments_atlas_greatest_breadth_M1 | comments related to maxium distance across atlas | unitless |
| Atlas_height_M2 | maximum dorso-ventral length (Pg. 2, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Comments_atlas_height_M2 | comments related to atlas height | unitless |
| Axis_greatest_length_of_arch_M1 | maximum length of arch, including processes (Pg. 2, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Comments_axis_greatest_length_of_arch_M1 | comments related to axis greatest length | unitless |
| Axis_height_M2 | axis height | millimeters |
| Comments_axis_height_M2 | comments related to axis height | unitless |
| Left_scapula_greatest_length_M1 | from medial edge of the blade to glenoid tubercule (Pg. 3, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Right_scapula_greatest_length_M1 | from medial edge of the blade to glenoid tubercule (Pg. 3, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Comments_scapula_greatest_length_M1 | comments related to scapula greatest length | unitless |
| Left_scapula_collum_minimum_width_M3 | minimum distance across the neck of the scapula (Pg. 3, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Right_scapula_collum_minimum_width_M3 | minimum distance across the neck of the scapula (Pg. 3, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Comments_scapula_collum_minimum_width_M3 | comments related to scapula collum | unitless |
| Left_humerus_length_M1 | maximum length of humerus (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 4, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Right_humerus_length_M1 | maximum length of humerus (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 4, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Fusion_state_humerus_length_M1 | fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured). | unitless |
| Comments_humerus_length_M1 | comments related to humerus length | unitless |
| Left_radius_length_M1 | maximum length of radius (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 4, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Right_radius_length_M1 | maximum length of radius (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 4, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Fusion_state_radius_length_M1 | fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured). | unitless |
| Comments_radius_length_M1 | comments related to radius length | unitless |
| Left_ulna_length_M1 | maximum length of ulna (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 5, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Right_ulna_length_M1 | maximum length of ulna (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 5, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Fusion_state_ulna_length_M1 | fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured). | unitless |
| Comments_ulna_length_M1 | comments related to ulna length | unitless |
| Left_pelvis_length_M1 | maximum length of pelvis (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 5, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Right_pelvis_length_M1 | maximum length of pelvis (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 5, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Fusion_state_pelvis_length_M1 | fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured). | unitless |
| Comments_pelvis_length_M1 | comments related to pelvis length | unitless |
| Left_crista_ilium_breadth_M2 | length of crista illium (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 5, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Right_crista_ilium_breadth_M2 | length of crista illium (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 5, Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Fusion_state_crista_ilium_breadth_M2 | fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured). | unitless |
| Comments_crista_ilium_breadth_M2 | comments related to crista illium | unitless |
| Left_femur_corpus_smallest_length_M9 | smallest length of femur corpus (epiphyses not included in measurement) (Pg. 6. Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Right_femur_corpus_smallest_length_M9 | smallest length of femur corpus (epiphyses not included in measurement) (Pg. 6. Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Fusion_state_femur_corpus_smallest_length_M9 | fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured). | unitless |
| Comments_femur_corpus_smallest_length_M9 | comments related to femur corpus | unitless |
| Left_tibia_fibula_length_M3 | maximum length of tibia and/or fibula (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 6. Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Right_tibia_fibula_length_M3 | maximum length of tibia and/or fibula (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 6. Bone Measurement Guide) | millimeters |
| Fusion_state_tibia_fibula_length_M3 | fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured). | unitless |
| Comments_tibia_fibula_length_M3 | comments related to tibia and/or fibula length | unitless |
| Overall_comments | overall comments | unitless |
| Dataset-specific Instrument Name | steel tape measure or calipers |
| Generic Instrument Name | Measuring Tape |
| Dataset-specific Description | Most skeletal measurement were made in the field with a steel tape measure or calipers (for tooth row length). In many cases, parts of bones were obscured by tissue, so measurements are approximate. |
| Generic Instrument Description | A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fibre glass, or metal strip with linear-measurement markings. It is a common tool for measuring distance or length. |
Collaborative Research: Exploring the Vulnerability of Southern Ocean Pinnipeds to Climate Change - An Integrated Approach (Southern Ocean Pinnipeds)
NSF abstract:
Building on previously funded NSF research, the use of paleobiological and paleogenetic data from mummified elephant seal carcasses found along the Dry Valleys and Victoria Land Coast in areas that today are too cold to support seal colonies (Mirougina leonina; southern elephant seals; SES) supports the former existence of these seals in this region. The occurrence and then subsequent disappearance of these SES colonies is consistent with major shifts in the Holocene climate to much colder conditions at the last ~1000 years BCE).
Further analysis of the preserved remains of three other abundant pinnipeds ? crabeater (Lobodon carciophagus), Weddell (Leptonychotes weddelli) and leopard (Hydrurga leptonyx) will be studied to track changes in their population size (revealed by DNA analysis) and their diet (studied via stable isotope analysis). Combined with known differences in life history, preferred ice habitat and ecosystem sensitivity among these species, this paleoclimate proxy data will be used to assess their exposure and sensitivity to climate change in the Ross Sea region during the past ~1-2,000 years
| Funding Source | Award |
|---|---|
| NSF Office of Polar Programs (formerly NSF PLR) (NSF OPP) | |
| NSF Office of Polar Programs (formerly NSF PLR) (NSF OPP) |
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