Phoca vitulina

Linnaeus, 1758

Harbor Seal

Taxonomy

Subclass : Theria
Infraclass : Placentalia
Magnorder : Boreoeutheria
Superorder : Laurasiatheria
Order : Carnivora
Suborder : Caniformia
Infraorder : Arctoidea
Superfamily : Phocoidea
Family : Phocidae
Genus : Phoca

Species status

Living
Found in the wild
Listed in MSW3 2005

Authority citation

Linnaeus, C. 1758-01-01. Systema Naturæ per Regna Tria Naturæ, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio Decima, Reformata. Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm, 823 pp.

Authority publication link

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25033830

Original name as described

Phoca vitulina

Other common names

Common Seal · Harbour Seal · Eastern Atlantic Harbor Seal · Western Atlantic Harbor Seal · Eastern Pacific Harbor Seal · Kuril Seal · Western Pacific Harbor Seal

Type material

lost (number not known)

Type kind

nonexistent

Type locality

"in mari Europæo." Restricted by O. Thomas in 1911 to "Mari Bothnico et Baltico."

Biogeographic realm

Marine

Country distribution

Belgium · Canada · Denmark · Finland · France · Germany · Greenland · Iceland · Ireland · Japan · Mexico · Netherlands · Norway · Russia · Sweden · United Kingdom · United States · Portugal · Spain

Subregion distribution

USA(AK,WA,OR,CA,ME,NH,MA,RI,CT,NY,DE,NJ,MD,DC,VA)

IUCN Red List status

Least Concern

Species Permalink

https://www.mammaldiversity.org/taxon/1005926

Country distribution map

The map below provides a general overview. Most species inhabit only specific regions within countries. Hover over the highlighted regions to see the country name.

Names and synonyms

Present and past (if available) associated names to the species. Click on a name to view its details. If the list is long, scroll down to see more.

Halicyon richardii

(J. E. Gray, 1864)

Family

Phocidae

Root name

richardii

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

BMNH:Mamm:1861.10.9.8, BMNH:Mamm:1864.2.19.1

Type kind

syntypes

Type specimen URI

https://data.nhm.ac.uk/object/749d7f2d-c9b2-4d65-9b4d-6da4134a2bd1 https://data.nhm.ac.uk/object/7cf1c410-aa1f-4fea-b1d5-e7d1481c0963

Authority page

28

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/28500299

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London

Phoca vitulina mellonae

Doutt, 1942

Family

Phocidae

Root name

mellonae

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

CM 15215

Type kind

holotype

Authority page

111

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/52415040

Authority publication

Annals of Carnegie Museum

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Phoca vitulina

Linnaeus, 1758

Family

Phocidae

Root name

vitulina

Validity status

species

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

lost (number not known)

Type kind

nonexistent

Authority page

38

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25033830

Authority publication

Stockholm

Name usages

  1. Erxleben (1777:583, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/15873380) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/36060)
  2. Cuvier (1797:171, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/11637253) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/38531)
  3. Daudin (1802:192, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42033442) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/64044)
  4. Fischer (1814:xxi, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/29130082) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/12226)
  5. Illiger (1815:64, 103, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/11080920, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/11080959) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/38688)
  6. Desmarest (1817:583, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/18044355) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/60328)
  7. Godman (1826:313, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/49165623) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67289)
  8. Billberg (1827:29) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67228)
  9. Nilsson (1841:309, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/9707192) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/65304)
  10. Loche (1858:30, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/41949404) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/60564)
  11. True (1885:607, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/7306401) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/35039)
  12. Corbet & Hill (1980:107) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/63069)
  13. Honacki, Kinman & Koeppl (1982:289, 290) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/63071)
  14. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  15. O'Brien, Menninger & Nash (2006:537) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/7321)
  16. Mittermeier & Wilson (2014:180) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67175)
  17. Mammal Diversity Database (2018:ID #400000378) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67336)
  18. Mammal Diversity Database (2019:ID #400000378) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67337)
  19. Mammal Diversity Database (2024, https://www.mammaldiversity.org/taxon/1005926) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67250)
  20. International Union for the Conservation of Nature (2024, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/17013/45229114) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67246)

Phoca canina

Pallas, 1811

Family

Phocidae

Root name

canina

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

nomen_novum

Type

lost (number not known)

Type kind

nonexistent

Authority page

114

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/29114047

Authority publication

Saint Petersburg

Name usages

  1. Fischer (1814:xxi, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/29130082) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/12226)
  2. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Phoca variegata

Nilsson, 1820

Family

Phocidae

Root name

variegata

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

nomen_novum · preoccupied

Type

lost (number not known)

Type kind

nonexistent

Authority publication

Lund

Name usages

  1. Billberg (1827:30) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67228)
  2. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Phoca Linnæi

Lesson, 1828

Family

Phocidae

Root name

linnaei

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

nomen_novum

Type

lost (number not known)

Type kind

nonexistent

Authority page

415

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/24378048

Authority publication

Dictionnaire Classique d'Histoire Naturelle

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Phoca concolor

De Kay, 1842

Family

Phocidae

Root name

concolor

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

lost (number not known)

Type kind

nonexistent

Authority page

53

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/2003508

Authority publication

New York

Phoca ochotensis var. kurilensis

Inukai, 1942

Family

Phocidae

Root name

kurilensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

untraced (number not known)

Type kind

holotype

Authority page

930

Authority publication

Shyokubutsu oyobi Dobutsu

Phoca richardii geronimensis

J. A. Allen, 1902

Family

Phocidae

Root name

geronimensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:81520

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/3f2eac6d6-2fab-40b6-8526-547994fdf320

Authority page

495

Authority publication

Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Phoca richardii pribilofensis

J. A. Allen, 1902

Family

Phocidae

Root name

pribilofensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:83223 (= USNM:MAMM:A49550)

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/3fcc97706-48ee-451a-87cb-fd0d9a3ef256

Authority page

495

Authority publication

Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History

Name usages

  1. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  2. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Phoca stejnegeri

J. A. Allen, 1902

Family

Phocidae

Root name

stejnegeri

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:A21310

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/3af747346-135e-4f18-9cd0-403e55e51d2e

Authority page

485

Authority publication

Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History

Halichoerus antarcticus

(T. R. Peale, 1849)

Family

Phocidae

Root name

antarctica

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:A3648 (= USNM:MAMM:3741)

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/38ff28082-672f-4cbf-bd91-b5ba6b52717d

Authority page

30

Authority publication

Philadelphia

Phoca Pealii

Gill, 1866

Family

Phocidae

Root name

pealii

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

nomen_novum

Type

USNM:MAMM:A3648 (= USNM:MAMM:3741)

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/38ff28082-672f-4cbf-bd91-b5ba6b52717d

Authority page

4 (footnote)

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/33204501

Authority publication

Communications of the Essex Institute

Phoca insularis

Belkin, 1964

Family

Phocidae

Root name

insularis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type kind

holotype

Authority page

1217

Authority publication

Доклады Академии наук СССР

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Phoca Maculata

P. Boddaert, 1785

Family

Phocidae

Root name

maculata

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Authority page

171

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/28230135

Authority publication

Rotterdam

Name usages

  1. Desmarest (1817:587, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/18044359) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/60328)
  2. Lesson (1827:205, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/54207673) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/36839)
  3. Lesson (1827:206, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/54207674) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/36839)

Phoca littoralis

Billberg, 1827

Family

Phocidae

Root name

littoralis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Authority page

30

Authority publication

Stockholm

Name usages

Billberg (1827:30) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67228)

Calocephalus scopulicolus

(Lesson, 1827)

Family

Phocidae

Root name

scopulicolus

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

incorrectsubsequentspelling

Authority page

199

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/54207667

Authority publication

Paris

Name usages

  1. Lesson (1827:199, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/54207667) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/36839)
  2. Lesson (1842:82) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/36812)

Phoca richardii

V. O. Bailey, 1936

Family

Phocidae

Root name

richardii

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority page

335

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25806268

Authority publication

North American Fauna

Name usages

Bailey (1936:335, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25806268) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/35313)

Phoca richardii richardii

V. O. Bailey, 1936

Family

Phocidae

Root name

richardii

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority page

335

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25806268

Authority publication

North American Fauna

Name usages

Bailey (1936:335, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25806268) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/35313)

Phoca vitulina concolor

Wozencraft, 2005

Family

Phocidae

Root name

concolor

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority publication

Baltimore

Name usages

  1. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  2. Mittermeier & Wilson (2014:180) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67175)

Phoca vitulina richardii

Wozencraft, 2005

Family

Phocidae

Root name

richardii

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority publication

Baltimore

Name usages

  1. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  2. Mittermeier & Wilson (2014:180) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67175)

Phoca vitulina stejnegeri

Wozencraft, 2005

Family

Phocidae

Root name

stejnegeri

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority publication

Baltimore

Name usages

  1. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  2. Mittermeier & Wilson (2014:180) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67175)

Phoca vitulina vitulina

Wozencraft, 2005

Family

Phocidae

Root name

vitulina

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority publication

Baltimore

Name usages

  1. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  2. Mittermeier & Wilson (2014:180) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67175)

Callocephalus vitulinus

(E. Blyth, 1863)

Family

Phocidae

Root name

vitulinus

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority page

77

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/47534758

Authority publication

Calcutta

Name usages

Blyth (1863:77, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/47534758) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/37155)

Phoca variegata

G. Fischer, 1814

Family

Phocidae

Root name

variegata

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Authority page

xxi, 629

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/29130082 https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/29130716

Authority publication

Moscow

Name usages

Fischer (1814:xxi, 629, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/29130082, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/29130716) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/12226)

Phoca littorea

Thienemann, 1824

Family

Phocidae

Root name

littorea

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Authority publication

book

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Phoca scopulicola

Thienemann, 1824

Family

Phocidae

Root name

scopulicola

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Authority page

39

Authority publication

book

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Calocephalus vitulinus

(F. Cuvier, 1826)

Family

Phocidae

Root name

vitulinus

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority page

544

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25305777

Authority publication

Strasbourg

Name usages

  1. Lesson (1827:197, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/54207665) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/36839)
  2. Cuvier (1842:3, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/44518526) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/60227)
  3. Lesson (1842:81) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/36812)

Phoca Thienemannii

Lesson, 1828

Family

Phocidae

Root name

thienemannii

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

nomen_novum

Authority page

414

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/24378047

Authority publication

Dictionnaire Classique d'Histoire Naturelle

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Callocephalus dimidiatus

(J. E. Gray, 1850)

Family

Phocidae

Root name

dimidiata

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Authority page

24

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/12931833

Authority publication

British Museum Catalogue

Halicyon? Californica

(J. E. Gray, 1866)

Family

Phocidae

Root name

californica

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Authority page

367

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/9730112

Authority publication

British Museum Catalogue

Halicyon Richardi

(J. E. Gray, 1866)

Family

Phocidae

Root name

richardi

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

incorrectsubsequentspelling

Authority page

30

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/9729752

Authority publication

British Museum Catalogue

Halicyon Pealei

(J. E. Gray, 1871)

Family

Phocidae

Root name

pealei

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

unjustified_emendation

Authority page

2

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/15945468

Authority publication

British Museum Catalogue

Halicyon richardi

(J. W. Clark, 1873)

Family

Phocidae

Root name

richardi

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

incorrectsubsequentspelling · subsequent_usage

Authority page

556

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/28504823

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London

Halicyon richardsi

(P. L. Sclater in J. W. Clark, 1873)

Family

Phocidae

Root name

richardsi

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

unjustified_emendation

Authority page

556 (footnote)

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/28504823

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London

Phoca richardsi

J. A. Allen, 1880

Family

Phocidae

Root name

richardsi

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority page

454

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/1565661

Authority publication

Washington

Phoca vitulina

Trouessart, 1904

Family

Phocidae

Root name

vitulina

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

nomen_nudum

Authority page

286

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/53423167

Authority publication

Berlin

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Phoca kurilensis

McLaren, 1966

Family

Phocidae

Root name

kurilensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority page

470

Authority publication

Journal of Mammalogy

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

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