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[[File:Wesley LeMasurier.png|250px|left]]
[[File:Crabeater Pléneau Bay.jpg|250px|left]]
'''[[Wesley E. LeMasurier]]''' is an igneous petrologist/volcanologist who specializes in the study of Cenozoic volcanoes in the [[Marie Byrd Land]] region of [[Antarctica]]. He was responsible for geological research around many of [[Westarctica]]'s volcanic mountains. [[Mount LeMasurier]] was named in his honor.
The '''[[crabeater seal]]''' is a true seal with a circumpolar distribution around the coast of [[Antarctica]]. They are 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.


Dr. LeMasurier's work includes studying the origin and evolution of Cenozoic volcanic rocks, the nature of the tectonic environment of volcanism, and the volcanic record of glacial history. In 1990, after conducting a survey of [[Mount Berlin]], he declared the volcano to be "potentially active." Later, in 1994, during field work around [[Mount Siple]], Dr. LeMasurier knocked off a piece of rock from the mountain and sent it to Ruth Siple, the widow of [[Paul A. Siple]], for whom the mountain was named.
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]], which consume about 80% of all crabeater pups.


'''([[Wesley E. LeMasurier|Full Article...]])'''
'''([[crabeater seal|Full Article...]])'''

Latest revision as of 13:37, 19 March 2026

Crabeater Pléneau Bay.jpg

The crabeater seal is a true seal with a circumpolar distribution around the coast of Antarctica. They are 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.

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 seals, which consume about 80% of all crabeater pups.

(Full Article...)