Growth in pinnipeds.

摘要: This review presents summary figures of, and fits growth curves to, data on body lengths (as standard length, SL, whenever possible) of pinnipeds at ages estimated to O.I y. (1) Generalized von Bertalanffy (vB) are fitted most data: Lx = L infinity (I - ea(x-x0)b, is length age x, x0 the origin curve (here chosen a priori as time initiation embryonic growth), asymptotic (which negative) determines rate approach asymptote, b influences 'shape' approach. (2) No single monotonic equation suffices for in which linear before birth remains so during early life. The vB only suitable describe mean newborns, animals one or more years old. (3) Also, males polygynous species, two functions needed account accelerated puberty. Generally Gompertz adequate adult these species. (4) equations permit statistical comparisons sizes rates, well individual variability growth-curve residuals), among populations (5) For following species (including different when available), reliability assessed parameters presented (with sexes separated where significantly different): walrus, California Steller sea lions, Antarctic, subantarctic northern fur seals, Hawaiian monk seal, crabeater, Weddell Leopard southern elephant bearded, hooded, ringed, Baikal, Caspian, spotted, harbour, harp, ribbon grey seals. (6) Some novel findings pertain follows. Although Pacific walrus generally stated be larger subspecies, females from Hudson Bay Foxe Basin, eastern Canadian Arctic, may long those Bering Sea. female seals have been assumed grow than males, there no significant difference complete data. Uniquely examined, relative (absolute residuals/predicted lengths) male amplified with age. Among ringed Svalbard, eastern, western high Bering, Chukchi, Okhotsk, Barents Baltic Seas, that breed land-fast ice rather floes, size variable extreme Arctic environments. Baikal seal confirmed smallest pinniped.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)