Comparative Study of the Calcanea of the Pinnipedia

Abstract

Calcanea of seals belonging to 16 genera (21 species) are compared and described. Some indices are valuable in separating members of the Otariidae from the Phocidae. Secondary sexual characters are not involved in differentiation of species. A re-examination of the taxonomic position of Mirounga angustirostris and possibly Arctocephalus pusillus should be made. Cystophara cristata has characteristics of the Phocinae as suggested by King.