关键词: 食蟹海豹, 病理解剖, 死因分析, 南极, 菲尔德斯半岛

Abstract: On October 20, 2014, a dead crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophaga) was found at Fildes Pennisula, King George Island, Antarctica. In order to investigate the causes of the death, external morphological measurements and pathological anatomy were carried out one day later. The specimen was an adult female and looked unusually thin, with body length of 231 cm, body weight of 130 kg, and the subcutaneous fat thickness was only 1.8 cm, significantly lower than that in a healthy seal. No obvious traumas were found on its body, with the exception of a small wound located at the lower right side of body and part of the right eye was missed, which might have been eaten by a Southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus) according to the field observations. No pathologic change was found in the internal organs and there was no food residue in the stomach and intestines after the autopsy. However, there was severe problem with the teeth; the incisors and canines had some wear or breaks, and three postcanines were missed and the rest of the postcanines were loose, with the roots becoming black and damaged. In addition, the gum tissue was black and festering. Therefore, it was speculated that the death might be due to starvation caused by the dental problems.

Key words: Crabeater seal(Lobodon carcinophagus), Pathological anatomy, Death causes, Fildes Pennisula, Antarctica