|
|
Deepseawaters
Home Deepsea
Animals
Caribbean Monk Seal
Caribbean Monk Seal
Common Name: Caribbean Monk Seal
Scientific Name: Monachus tropicalis
Description
The Caribbean monk seal,
also known as the "West Indian" monk seal, is a phocid or
true seal. It was last sighted in 1952 and is considered extinct.
This species is related to (same genus, Monachus) the Mediterranean
monk seal and Hawaiian monk seal.
Both of these species are considered to be critically endangered.
Caribbean monk seals had
a fairly large, long, robust body, and could grow up to about
8 ft (2.4 m) in length and weighed 375-600 lbs (170-270 kg).
Males were probably slightly larger than females, which is
similar to Mediterranean monk seals (Shirihai
and Jarrett 2006). Like other monk seals this species had
a distinctive head and face. The head was rounded with an
extended broad muzzle. The face had relatively large wide-spaced
eyes, upward opening nostrils, and fairly big whisker pads
with long light-colored and smooth whiskers. When compared
to the body, the animal's foreflippers were relatively short
with little claws and the hindflippers were slender. Their
coloration was brownish and/or grayish, with the underside
lighter than the dorsal area. Adults were darker than the
more paler and yellowish younger seals. Caribbean
monk seals were also known to have algae growing
on their pelage, giving them a slightly greenish appearance,
which is similar to Hawaiian monk seals.
Historical records suggest that this reclusive species may have "hauled out" at sites (resting areas on land) in large social groups (typically 20-40 animals) of up to 100 individuals throughout its range (Jefferson et al. 2008). The groups may have been organized based on age and life stage differences. Their diet probably consisted of fish and crustaceans.
According to historical records, Caribbean
monk seals had a long pupping season, which is typical
for pinnipeds living in subtropical and tropical habitats.
In Mexico, breeding season peaked in early December. Like
other monk seals, this species had four retractable nipples
for suckling their young. Newborn pups were probably about
3.3 ft (1 m) in length and weighed 35-40 lbs (16-18 kg) and
reportedly had a sleek, black lanugo coat when born (Jefferson
et al. 2008).
Habitat
Caribbean monk seals used
to be found in warm temperate, subtropical and tropical waters
of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the west Atlantic
Ocean. They probably preferred to haul out at sites (low sandy
beaches above high tide) on isolated and secluded atolls and
islands, but occasionally would visit the mainland coasts
and deeper waters offshore. This species may have fed in shallow
lagoons and reefs.
Distribution
Caribbean monk seals had
a historical "endemic" widespread range throughout
the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and west Atlantic Ocean.
In U.S. waters, they used to be found in the tropical West
Atlantic, from the Florida Keys and along the coast up to
the states of Georgia and South Carolina. In the Gulf of Mexico,
their range included the north-east and southern portions
(but not the northern and western areas). Their distribution
also included the east coast of Central America and north
coast of South America. Guyana may have been the easterly
extent of their distribution in South America. In the Caribbean,
they were known to occur in the Greater and Lesser Antilles,
Cuba, Jamaica, and other local waters (Shirihai and Jarrett
2006). There are historical records of breeding grounds in
the Bahamas and Yucatan, Mexico (Arrecife Triangulos). Their
migration patterns and other movements are not known.
Population Trends
Despite broad and intensive surveys, this
species has not been seen since the early 1950s. Sightings
of Caribbean monk seals are occasionally
reported, but these are most likely harbor seals, harp
seals, or hooded seals that have ventured a
long distance from their normal habitats. California
sea lions have also been reported in the Gulf of
Mexico, but these are usually individuals that have escaped
from captivity.
In March 2008, NMFS completed a five-year
status review [pdf] of the species and, based on the best
available information, concluded that the species is extinct.
Threats
Caribbean monk seals were
killed by hunters beginning when Spanish explorers arrived
from Europe (~1494). Besides early explorers, fisherman, sailors,
and whalers targeted and/or opportunistically took this species
for its fur hides, meat, and oil. Hunters were able to closely
approach these seals due to their non-aggressive and tame
behavior. They were also captured and killed for display in
museums and zoos. Fishing, coastal development and other exploitation
activities infringed on these animals, and may have caused
them to abandon their critical and vital habitat or depleted
their prey resources.
 Email To Friend
|
