Please note, this National Red List website contains a subset of data whilst we transition to national focal point driven data uploads. We thank you for your patience with this and welcome national contributors to get in touch to update their national dataset. Terms of Use including citation guidance are found here.

The previous dataset is available via: https://archive.nationalredlist.org/. This site is no longer updated but can help with most enquiries whilst we focus on redevelopment.

NRLD - 96370 | Phoca vitulina mellonae

Assessment ID
96370
Taxon name
Phoca vitulina mellonae
Infrarank
Phoca vitulina mellonae
Infratype
Subspecies (animalia)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Phoca vitulina mellonae
Common name(s)
Harbour Seal Lacs des Loups Marins subspecies (English), Phoque commun de la sous-espèce des Lacs des Loups Marins (Français)
Assessed taxon level
Subspecies
Infrarank
Phoca vitulina mellonae
Infratype
Subspecies (animalia)
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
carnivora
Family
phocidae
Genus
Phoca
Species
vitulina mellonae
Species authority
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
Canada
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
Canada
Country ISO code(s)
CAN
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Endangered; En voie de disparition
Abbreviated status
EN
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
This land-locked subspecies is endemic to Québec and may number as few as 100 individuals. It inhabits a small series of lakes in northern Québec and is the only subspecies to live entirely in fresh water. The population has declined due to hunting and may still be declining. Proposed hydro-electric development would cause pervasive changes to the habitat.; Cette sous-espèce confinée aux eaux intérieures est endémique au Québec, et sa population pourrait compter aussi peu que 100 individus. Elle habite dans un petit groupe de lacs dans le nord du Québec et est la seule sous-espèce à vivre uniquement en eau douce. La population a connu, et connaà®t peut-être encore, un déclin causé par la chasse. Des aménagements hydroélectriques proposés causeraient des changements considérables à l'habitat.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2007
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Environment Canada.
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN
Reference for methods given
COSEWIC- Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (2007)
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Yes
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Quebec
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
No information available
History
Designated Special Concern in April 1996. Status re-examined and designated Endangered in November 2007.; Espèce désignée ' préoccupante ' en avril 1996. Réexamen du statut : l'espèce a été désignée ' en voie de disparition ' en novembre 2007.
Publication
COSEWIC. 2007. Canadian Wildlife Species at Risk. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Web site: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/wildlife-plants-species/species-risk.html