Definition

Noun 1. A species of seal: A medium-sized, greyish to yellowish seal characterized by distinctive long, white whiskers (vibrissae) on its muzzle. It is native to the Arctic Ocean. * Scientific Classification: It is the sole species within the genus Erignathus.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Erignathus barbatus is uniquely adapted to life in the icy Arctic waters.
  • Researchers are studying the population decline of the Erignathus barbatus.
  • Its common name, the bearded seal, comes from the dense, long whiskers of the Erignathus barbatus.

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in scientific, zoological, and conservation contexts. In general English, the common name "bearded seal" is almost always preferred.
• In taxonomic writing, the binomial name is always italicized.

Variants and Related Words

• Bearded seal (n): The common English name for .
• Square flipper (n): Another informal common name, referring to the shape of its foreflippers.
• Erignathus (n): The genus name, of which is the only living species.

Synonyms

• Bearded seal
• Square flipper (informal)

Related Phrases / Terms

• Ice-associated seal: A term describing seals, like the , that depend on sea ice for breeding, molting, and resting.
• Benthic feeder: Describes its feeding habit; the primarily dives to the sea floor (benthos) to feed on bottom-dwelling creatures.

Noun

1. medium-sized greyish to yellow seal with bristles each side of muzzle; of the Arctic Ocean