List of mammals of Heard Island and McDonald Islands explained

This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Heard Island and McDonald Islands. There are approximately 29 mammal species in Heard Island and McDonald Islands.[1] [2]

The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature:[3]

EX ExtinctNo reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
EW Extinct in the wildKnown only to survive in captivity or as a naturalized populations well outside its previous range.
CR Critically endangeredThe species is in imminent risk of extinction in the wild.
EN EndangeredThe species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
VU VulnerableThe species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
NT Near threatenedThe species does not meet any of the criteria that would categorise it as risking extinction but it is likely to do so in the future.
LC Least concernThere are no current identifiable risks to the species.
DD Data deficientThere is inadequate information to make an assessment of the risks to this species.

Infraorder: Cetacea (whales)

The infraorder Cetacea includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. They are the mammals most fully adapted to aquatic life with a spindle-shaped nearly hairless body, protected by a thick layer of blubber, and forelimbs and tail modified to provide propulsion underwater.

Order: Carnivora (carnivorans)

There are over 260 species of carnivorans, the majority of which feed primarily on meat. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. This list is derived from the IUCN Red List which lists species of mammals and includes those mammals that have recently been classified as extinct (since 1500 AD). The taxonomy and naming of the individual species is based on those used in existing Wikipedia articles as of 21 May 2007 and supplemented by the common names and taxonomy from the IUCN, Smithsonian Institution, or University of Michigan where no Wikipedia article was available.
  2. Book: Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan 2014-2024 . 2014 . Australian Government Department of the Environment Australian Antarctic Division . 978-1876934-255 . Canberra . 80–81.
  3. Unless stated otherwise the IUCN statuses for each species are based on global assessments. Many of the species (especially whales and dolphins) are migratory.
  4. Web site: 7 December 2016 . Arctocephalus tropicalis — Subantarctic Fur-seal . Species Profile and Threats Database.