Sea Lion - Taxonomy

Taxonomy

Together with the fur seals, they constitute the Otariidae family, collectively known as eared seals. Until recently, sea lions were grouped under a single subfamily called Otariinae, whereas fur seals were grouped in the subfamily Arcocephalinae. This division was based on the most prominent common feature shared by the fur seals and absent in the sea lions, namely the dense underfur characteristic of the latter. Recent genetic evidence, however, strongly suggests Callorhinus, the genus of the northern fur seal, is more closely related to some sea lion species than to the other fur seal genus, Arctocephalus. Therefore, the fur seal/sea lion subfamily distinction has been eliminated from many taxonomies. Sea lions are related to the walrus and the seal. Nonetheless, all fur seals have certain features in common: the fur, generally smaller sizes, farther and longer foraging trips, smaller and more abundant prey items and greater sexual dimorphism. All sea lions have certain features in common, in particular their coarse, short fur, greater bulk and larger prey than fur seals. For these reasons, the distinction remains useful.

• Suborder Pinnipedia
  • Family Otariidae
    • Subfamily Arctocephalinae
      • Genus Arctocephalus (southern fur seal; eight species)
      • Genus Callorhinus (northern fur seal; one species)
    • Subfamily Otariinae
      • Genus Eumetopias
        • Steller sea lion, E. jubatus
      • Genus Neophoca
        • Australian sea lion, N. cinerea
      • Genus Otaria
        • South American sea lion, O. flavescens
      • Genus Phocarctos
        • New Zealand sea lion or Hooker's sea lion, P. hookeri
      • Genus Zalophus
        • California sea lion, Z. californianus
        • Japanese sea lion, Z. japonicus—extinct (1950s)
        • Galapagos sea lion, Z. wollebaeki
  • Family Phocidae: true seals
  • Family Odobenidae: walrus