CHANGES IN MORPHOLOGY WITH AGE IN MEDITERRANEAN MONK SEALS (MONACHUS MONACHUS)

摘要: In order to describe the pelage and external appearance of Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) prepare an age-sex classification guide, 120 seals from Cabo Blanco Peninsula colony in Western Sahara/Mauritania were periodically photographed between 1993 1996. Analysis pigmentation pattern, color pattern natural markings each established 48 phenetic types, which were, turn, arranged five groups (morphological classes) with multivariate cluster analysis (UPGMA). The variables that best define these are size color. variation related relative size, sex age 26 identified monitored over three years showed that: (1) after molt, varied considerably only non-adults, while adult was invariable; (2) marked sexual dimorphism exists adults' appearance; (3) a remarkable similarity neonate exists. With results, we propose guide facilitate identification field.