Leopard Seal - Phylogeny

Phylogeny

The leopard seal is classified under the family Phocidae. Its closest relatives are the Ross seal, crabeater seal and the Weddell seal, which together are known as the lobodontine seals. All these seals descend from the superfamily Pinnipeda, which evolved from bear-like ancestors. They have diverged from other taxa in the order Carnivora.

The leopard seal has many features analogous to other species. One feature is a forearm and five finger-like bones, which is the same structure found in humans and birds. However, in the leopard seal, these fingers are covered in a web of skin, which they use to propel themselves through the water. This is analogous to humans and birds, as humans use their fingers to manipulate tools, and birds use their fingers, covered in feathers, to fly.

The leopard seals share homologous features with its close relatives, the lobodontine seals. They all have dark fur on the tops of their bodies and lighter fur on their underbellies. Though the colors vary between these species, the colored fur serves the same function, which is camouflage against predators and as it stalks its prey.