An Arctic seal in temperate waters: History of the ringed seal (Pusa hispida) in the Baltic Sea and its adaptation to the changing environment

• DOI: 10.1177/0959683614551226
• Publication Date: 2014-10-07T06:22:07Z
• Authors: Pirkko Ukkonen; Kim Aaris-Sørensen; Laura Arppe; Linas Daugnora; Antti Halkka; Lembi Lõugas; Markku Juhani Oin...; Malgorzata Pilot; Jan Storå
• Keywords: Subfossil; Littorina

The ringed seal ( Pusa hispida) is an early immigrant in the Baltic Basin and has since its arrival experienced substantial changes climate, salinity productivity of Basin. In this paper, we discuss dispersal distribution during different stages Sea relation to past ongoing environmental changes. Subfossil remains around Danish Straits were radiocarbon dated order map species time periods. δ 13 C data used evaluating marine character sequence dates indicates a continuous presence earliest finds come from Skagerrak/Kattegat area (Denmark, Swedish west coast) date full glacial period Ice Lake. Basin, appears subfossil record Ancylus period, but main part Littorina stage. During stage, was at least periodically wider than today, covering also southern parts Baltic. breeding populations Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM) that winters cold enough for winter ice. influence can be seen collagen values, which serve as proxy qualitative water mass salinity.