The Rapid Population Collapse of a Key Marine Predator in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula Endangers Genetic Diversity and Resilience to Climate Change

• Published in: Frontiers in Marine Science
• Main Authors: Douglas J. Krause, Carolina A. Bonin, Michael E. Goebel, Christian S. Reiss, George M. Watters
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022
• Subjects: Antarctic fur seal; conservation status; South Shetland Islands; top-down and bottom-up control; edge population; Arctocephalus gazella; Science; Q; General. Including nature conservation; geographical distribution; QH1-199.5; Antarctic; Antarctic Peninsula; Shirreff; Cape Shirreff; Antarc*; Antarctic Fur Seal; Antarctic Fur Seals; Leopard Seal; Leopard Seals
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.796488; https://doaj.org/article/f7c07e0db9954c8a8caaefb4aa96d102

Antarctic fur seals (AFS) are an ecologically important predator and a focal indicator species for ecosystem-based Antarctic fisheries management. This species suffered intensive anthropogenic exploitation until the early 1900s, but recolonized most of its former distribution, including the southern...