Dataset: Fossil Seal Skeletal Measurements

Name: Skeletal measurements from fossil seals from the western Ross Sea, Antarctica
Published: 2018-03-29
Keywords: biota, oceans

Cite This Dataset

DOI:10.26008/1912/bco-dmo.732661.1

Spatial Extent: N:-76.67755 E:164.72143 S:-78.9066 W:160.58937

Temporal Extent: 2005 - 2013

Project:

Collaborative Research: Exploring the Vulnerability of Southern Ocean Pinnipeds to Climate Change - An Integrated Approach (Southern Ocean Pinnipeds)

Principal Investigator:

Brenda Hall (University of Maine)

Paul L. Koch (University of California-Santa Cruz, UCSC)

Co-Principal Investigator:

Daniel P. Costa (University of California-Santa Cruz, UCSC)

A. Rus Hoelzel (Durham University)

Contact:

Paul L. Koch (University of California-Santa Cruz, UCSC)

BCO-DMO Data Manager:

Shannon Rauch (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, WHOI BCO-DMO)

Version:

Version Date:

2018-03-29

Restricted:

Validated:

Current State:

Final no updates expected

Skeletal measurements from fossil seals from the western Ross Sea, Antarctica

Abstract:

This dataset includes skeletal measurements from fossil seals from the western Ross Sea, Antarctica.

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Archival Copy

Version Date	Archive	Persistent Identifier (PID)	Date PID Issued
2018-03-29	Marine Biological Laboratory/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Library (MBLWHOI DLA)	10.26008/1912/bco-dmo.732661.1	2022-08-22

Description

These data are published and discussed in:
Brault, E. (2017). An Examination of the Ecological and Oceanographic Effects of Mid-to-Late Holocene Climate Changes on the Ross Sea Ecosystem. UC Santa Cruz. ProQuest ID: Brault_ucsc_0036E_11435. Merritt ID: ark:/13030/m5dg1n5d. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/99s5j3fk

Methods & Sampling

Sample collection:
Fossil seal samples were collected during the austral summers of 2005/06, 2006/07, 2012/13, and 2013/14 in Antarctica in the Dry Valleys and along the Victoria Land Coast (especially Inexpressible Island on Terra Nova Bay), Antarctica. Since this region experiences unusually dry and cold conditions, carcasses and bones are well-preserved, potentially for several thousand years, and therefore have unchanged isotopic compositions in most cases. The sampled species were crabeater, Weddell, leopard, and southern elephant seals. Latitude and longitude of each specimen was recorded and several photographs were taken of each specimen. Bone and carcass weathering states were determined. Several samples were gathered from the specimens. Most commonly, bone was collected, followed by skin and fur; nails, teeth, and whiskers were not frequently available for sampling, but taken when possible. Samples were collected with ethanol-cleaned tools, stored in Whirl-Pak bags, and refrigerated (~4 °C) when we returned from the field.

Species identification and radiocarbon analysis:
When possible, species identification of each specimen was conducted in the field via examination of teeth or bones with features unique to the four pinniped species. Additionally, the team at the University of Durham in the United Kingdom extracted and analyzed DNA from many specimens (described in Fossil Seal Bulk Isotopes 14C) to confirm or establish the species identification. Full details on radiocarbon dating are supplied in that sheet as well.

Most skeletal measurement were made in the field with a steel tape measure or calipers (for tooth row length). In many cases, parts of bones were obscured by tissue, so measurements are approximate. Refer to the Bone Measurment Guide (PDF).

Data Processing Description

BCO-DMO Processing:
-modifed parameter names (replaced spaces with underscores)
-changed date format from mm/dd/yyyy to yyyymmdd.

Data Files

File
fossil_seal_skeletal_measurements.csv (Comma Separated Values (.csv), 256.49 KB) MD5:5ee71d0e34c31b670fa85c5f5e1f79d3 Primary data file for dataset ID 732661

Supplemental Files

File
Bone_Measurement_Guide.pdf (Portable Document Format (.pdf), 1.06 MB) MD5:8c242cdb9020fa4a20f8f8827a325c1b

More Information about this dataset

Funding Sources

Funding Source	Award Number
NSF Office of Polar Programs (formerly NSF PLR)	OPP-1142108
NSF Office of Polar Programs (formerly NSF PLR)	OPP-1141849

Deployments

None available yet

Instruments

Measuring Tape

Supplied Name: steel tape measure or calipers

Supplied Description:

Most skeletal measurement were made in the field with a steel tape measure or calipers (for tooth row length). In many cases, parts of bones were obscured by tissue, so measurements are approximate.

Instrument Type

Generic Name: Measuring Tape

Generic Description:

A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fibre glass, or metal strip with linear-measurement markings. It is a common tool for measuring distance or length.

Parameters

Date and time formats are described in python strftime() syntax.

Supplied Name	Supplied description	Supplied Units	Standard Name
Sample_ID	Sample identification code	unitless	sample
Collection_date	Date of collection formatted as yyyymmdd	unitless	date
General_area	General location of sampling	unitless	site_descrip
Sampling_region	More specific sampling location	unitless	site_descrip
Brief_description	Attributes of the specimen	unitless	sample_descrip
Taxon_final	Final determination of the species: Cr = crabeater seal; Lp = leopard seal; SES = southern elephant seal; Wd = Weddell seal; ? = tentative identification	unitless	taxon
Age_class	Age class of the specimen (adult, sub-adult, pup, unknown)	unitless	ageclass
Body_length	straight line length from nose to tips of hind flippers	meters	length
Comments_body_length	comments related to body length	unitless	comment
Left_skull_width_mastoid_M1	half width across skull at the mastoid (Pg. 1, Bone Measurment Guide (PDF).)	millimeters	width
Right_skull_width_mastoid_M1	half width across skull at the mastoid (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	width
Comments_skull_width_mastoid_M1	comments related to skull width at the mastoid	unitless	comment
Left_skull_width_zygomatic_M2	half width across skull at the zygomatic (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	width
Right_skull_width_zygomatic_M2	half width across skull at the zygomatic ((Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	width
Comments_skull_width_zygomatic_M2	comments related to skull width at the zygomatic	unitless	comment
Skull_length_occiput_premax_M3	length of skull from occipital condyles to proximal premaxilla (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Comments_skull_length_occiput_premax_M3	comments related to skull length	unitless	comment
Left_upper_tooth_row_length_M4	length of upper tooth row from P1 to M1 alveolus) (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Right_upper_tooth_row_length_M4	length of upper tooth row from P1 to M1 alveolus) (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Comments_upper_tooth_row_length_M4	comments related to upper tooth row length	unitless	comment
Left_mandible_length_condyle_incisor_M1	length of mandible from mandibular condyle to proximal most bone under incisors (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Right_mandible_length_condyle_incisor_M1	length of mandible from mandibular condyle to proximal most bone under incisors (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Comments_mandible_length_condyle_incisor_M1	comments related to madible length	unitless	comment
Left_lower_tooth_row_length_M7	length of lower tooth row from P1 to M1 alveolus) (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Right_lower_tooth_row_length_M7	length of lower tooth row from P1 to M1 alveolus) (Pg. 1, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Comments_lower_tooth_row_length_M7	comments related to lower tooth row length	unitless	comment
Atlas_greatest_breadth_M1	maximum distance across atlas (Pg. 2, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	width
Comments_atlas_greatest_breadth_M1	comments related to maxium distance across atlas	unitless	comment
Atlas_height_M2	maximum dorso-ventral length (Pg. 2, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	no_bcodmo_term
Comments_atlas_height_M2	comments related to atlas height	unitless	comment
Axis_greatest_length_of_arch_M1	maximum length of arch, including processes (Pg. 2, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Comments_axis_greatest_length_of_arch_M1	comments related to axis greatest length	unitless	comment
Axis_height_M2	axis height	millimeters	length
Comments_axis_height_M2	comments related to axis height	unitless	comment
Left_scapula_greatest_length_M1	from medial edge of the blade to glenoid tubercule (Pg. 3, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Right_scapula_greatest_length_M1	from medial edge of the blade to glenoid tubercule (Pg. 3, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Comments_scapula_greatest_length_M1	comments related to scapula greatest length	unitless	comment
Left_scapula_collum_minimum_width_M3	minimum distance across the neck of the scapula (Pg. 3, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	width
Right_scapula_collum_minimum_width_M3	minimum distance across the neck of the scapula (Pg. 3, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	width
Comments_scapula_collum_minimum_width_M3	comments related to scapula collum	unitless	comment
Left_humerus_length_M1	maximum length of humerus (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 4, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Right_humerus_length_M1	maximum length of humerus (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 4, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Fusion_state_humerus_length_M1	fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured).	unitless	sample_descrip
Comments_humerus_length_M1	comments related to humerus length	unitless	comment
Left_radius_length_M1	maximum length of radius (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 4, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Right_radius_length_M1	maximum length of radius (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 4, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Fusion_state_radius_length_M1	fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured).	unitless	sample_descrip
Comments_radius_length_M1	comments related to radius length	unitless	comment
Left_ulna_length_M1	maximum length of ulna (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 5, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Right_ulna_length_M1	maximum length of ulna (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 5, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Fusion_state_ulna_length_M1	fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured).	unitless	sample_descrip
Comments_ulna_length_M1	comments related to ulna length	unitless	comment
Left_pelvis_length_M1	maximum length of pelvis (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 5, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Right_pelvis_length_M1	maximum length of pelvis (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 5, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Fusion_state_pelvis_length_M1	fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured).	unitless	sample_descrip
Comments_pelvis_length_M1	comments related to pelvis length	unitless	comment
Left_crista_ilium_breadth_M2	length of crista illium (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 5, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	width
Right_crista_ilium_breadth_M2	length of crista illium (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 5, Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	width
Fusion_state_crista_ilium_breadth_M2	fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured).	unitless	sample_descrip
Comments_crista_ilium_breadth_M2	comments related to crista illium	unitless	comment
Left_femur_corpus_smallest_length_M9	smallest length of femur corpus (epiphyses not included in measurement) (Pg. 6. Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Right_femur_corpus_smallest_length_M9	smallest length of femur corpus (epiphyses not included in measurement) (Pg. 6. Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Fusion_state_femur_corpus_smallest_length_M9	fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured).	unitless	sample_descrip
Comments_femur_corpus_smallest_length_M9	comments related to femur corpus	unitless	comment
Left_tibia_fibula_length_M3	maximum length of tibia and/or fibula (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 6. Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Right_tibia_fibula_length_M3	maximum length of tibia and/or fibula (with or without epiphyses) (Pg. 6. Bone Measurement Guide)	millimeters	length
Fusion_state_tibia_fibula_length_M3	fusion state of epiphyses: proximal/distal. 0 = epiphysis lost or not visible; 1 = unfused (epiphysis off or loose); 2 = partially fused (epiphysis attached, but suture conspicuous); 3 = fully fused (episphysis strongly attached, suture obscured).	unitless	sample_descrip
Comments_tibia_fibula_length_M3	comments related to tibia and/or fibula length	unitless	comment
Overall_comments	overall comments	unitless	comment

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Database

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Dataset: Fossil Seal Skeletal Measurements