164 



194) mystacial whiskers: 0 = smooth; 1 = beaded (Wyss 1988a). 



Systematic differences in the form, distribution, and number of vibrissae are apparent 

 throughout the pinnipeds (see Ling 1977). One striking morphology [although it may be 

 dependent on the thickness of the whisker (Chapskii 1967)] is the apomorphic derivation 

 of beaded mystacial whiskers. This condition, which gives the whisker a wavy outline, is 

 found to varying degrees in all phocids except Erignathus and Monachus spp., which 

 exhibit the typical carnivoran pattern (also found in the otarioids) of smooth whiskers 

 (King 1983; Wyss 1988a). This distribution has been interpreted to support the primitive 

 position of Monachus spp. within the phocids, with a convergent reappearance in 

 Erignathus (Wyss 1988a). As suitable material was often lacking to make direct 

 observations, we relied heavily upon the data of Wyss (1988a) to fill in any gaps. 

 The distribution above is indicated here. Beaded whiskers describe a synapomorphy of 

 the phocids with Erignathus and Monachus spp. independently reversing to re-obtain the 

 plesiomorphic condition. However, this character does not support a basal position for 

 Monachus spp. as supposed by Wyss (1988a). Instead the two genera independently re- 

 obtain smooth mystacial whiskers. 



195) secondary hairs: 0 = (largely) absent; 1 = present (Wyss 1988a). 



Carnivoran hair occurs in discrete units of a central primary hair surrounded by numerous, 

 smaller secondary hairs (Scheffer 1964; Wyss 1988a). As noted by Wyss (1988a). 

 characters involving either the morphology or the distribution of hair within these units 

 appear to be a potentially valuable, but sadly neglected area of pinniped systematics (see 

 Ling 1978). One interesting variation on the "monotonous" pinniped hair pattern (Scheffer 

 1964: 299) is the virtual lack of the secondary hairs in Odobenus, Mirounga spp., and 

 Monachus spp. At best, secondary hairs appear in one out of every 10 hair units in these 

 taxa, while some lack secondary hairs altogether (Scheffer 1964; Ling & Bryden 1981; 

 Wyss 1988a). As we could not make direct observations for this character, the data of 

 Wyss (1988a) were used. Parallel apomorphic losses of the secondary hairs in each of the 

 three genera above are indicated. 



196) relative overall size of males and females: 0 = females smaller than males; 1 = 

 females subequal to males; 2 = females larger than males (Ralls 1976; Kovacs & Lavigne 

 1992; McLaren 1993). 



Sexual dimorphism in which the male is larger than the female is common throughout the 

 Caniformia. This sexual dimorphism tends to reach an extreme in the otariids, where the 

 male may be four and a half times the size of the female in some species. Phocids exhibit 

 both sexual dimorphism and monomorphism, but are unusual in that females are larger 

 than males in certain species (Ralls 1976; Kovacs & Lavigne 1992). In some phocids, 

 corresponding sexual differences are apparently noticeable with respect to the robustness 

 of the skull (Allen 1887, 1902). 



Data for this character were obtained exclusively from the literature. Sources include 

 Bertram (1940), Ralls (1976), Bigg (1981), Bonner (1981), Burns (1981). Frost & Lowry 

 (1981), Kenyon (1981a, 1981b), Kooyman (1981a, 1981b, 1981c), Ling & Bryden (1981). 

 McGinnis & Schusterman (1981), Odell (1981), Ray (1981). Reeves & Ling (1981). 

 Ronald & Healey (1981), King (1983), Nowak (1991). and McLaren (1993). Whenever 



