Clawed forelimbs allow northern seals to eat like their ancient ancestors

• Published in: Royal Society open science Vol. 5; no. 4; p. 172393
• Main Authors: Hocking, David P., Marx, Felix G., Sattler, Renae, Harris, Robert N., Pollock, Tahlia I., Sorrell, Karina J., Fitzgerald, Erich M. G., McCurry, Matthew R., Evans, Alistair R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Royal Society Publishing 01.04.2018; The Royal Society
• Subjects: Biology (whole Organism); Claws; Evolution; Feeding Behaviour; Forelimb Anatomy; Marine Mammals; Pinnipeds; claws; feeding behaviour; evolution; forelimb anatomy; pinnipeds; marine mammals

Streamlined flippers are often considered the defining feature of seals and sea lions, whose very name ‘pinniped’ comes from the Latin pinna and pedis, meaning ‘fin-footed’. Yet not all pinniped limbs are alike. Whereas otariids (fur seals and sea lions) possess stiff streamlined forelimb flippers,...