Population Structure of White Sea Harp Seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) as an Adaptation to Habitat Conditions

Resumo

The spatiotemporal distribution of harp seal pups around breeding grounds in the White Sea is considered. It is shown that spatial localization of groups of females with different terms of mass pup birth takes place. This somewhat confirms the data on the gregarious structure of White Sea harp seal population. It is possible to explain the structure of this adaptation of the seal population to different living conditions in different feeding areas.