The Amsterdam fur seal breeds on islands north of Antarctica and moves between rocky coasts and the surrounding sea.
Adult males have chocolate-brown to black backs, yellow chests and faces, and a crest of black fur that may rise when they are excited. Females have dark gray to chocolate-brown backs and pale yellow fur on the chest, neck, and face.
Researchers examined stomach and colon contents from four seal species, including the Amsterdam Fur Seal. The samples came from stranded dead seals at several sub-Antarctic locations. The Amsterdam Fur Seal was represented by two groups, making five sample groups in total. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure chemical components.
Across the stomach and colon samples, the researchers identified 29 known metabolites and 8 unknown metabolites. Four stomach metabolites and one colon metabolite did not differ significantly among the seal species in the study. The authors say that specific, reliable biomarkers are needed to indicate dietary exposure more precisely across seal populations.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
The authors found no significant differences among the seal species for four stomach metabolites and one colon metabolite. They call for specific, reliable biomarkers to indicate dietary exposure more precisely across seal populations.