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Westarctica

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-[[File:Crabeater Pléneau Bay.jpg|300px|left]]
+[[File:Balleny Map1.jpg|250px|left]]
-The '''[[crabeater seal]]''' (''Lobodon carcinophaga'') is a true seal with a circumpolar distribution around the coast of [[Antarctica]]. They are medium- to large-sized (over 2 m in length), relatively slender and pale-colored, found primarily on the free-floating [[pack ice]] that extends seasonally out from the Antarctic coast, which they use as a platform for resting, mating, social aggregation and accessing their prey. They are by far the most abundant seal species in the world. While population estimates are uncertain, there are at least 7 million and possibly as many as 75 million individuals. This success of this species is due to its specialized predation on the abundant [[Antarctic krill]] of the [[Southern Ocean]], for which it has uniquely adapted, sieve-like tooth structure. Indeed, its scientific name, translated as "lobe-toothed (''lobodon'') crab eater (''carcinophaga'')", refers specifically to the finely lobed teeth adapted to filtering their small crustacean prey.
+The '''[[Balleny Islands]]''' are a series of uninhabited islands in the [[Southern Ocean]] extending from 66°15' to 67°35'S and 162°30' to 165°00'E. The group extends for about 160 km (99 mi) in a northwest-southeast direction. The islands are heavily glaciated and of volcanic origin. [[glacier|Glaciers]] project from their slopes into the sea. The islands were formed by the so-called Balleny hotspot.  They were originally claimed by the United Kingdom, and were then transferred to New Zealand before becoming annexed by [[Westarctica]] in 2005.
-Despite its name, crabeater seals do not eat crabs. As well as being an important [[krill]] predator, the crabeater seal is an important component of the diet of [[leopard seal|leopard seals]] (''Hydrurga leptonyx''), which consume about 80% of all crabeater pups.
+The group includes three main islands: [[Young Island|Young]], [[Buckle Island|Buckle]] and [[Sturge Island|Sturge]], which lie in a line from northwest to southeast, and several smaller islets and rocks. On 15 March 2024, [[Grand Duke Travis]] appointed his son, [[Crown Prince Ashton Roman]] as [[Viceroy]] of the Balleny Islands. This position is currently the highest authority in the islands and exercises the power of the Westarctican Crown within the colony. The viceroy has the authority to dismiss the governor if he wishes.
-'''([[crabeater seal|Full Article...]])'''
+'''([[Balleny Islands|Full Article...]])'''