Southern Elephant Seal Blood Parameters from 20 Individuals

Blood samples from 20 Southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) were collected for haematological and red blood cell metabolic studies. The data includes mean values for haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean cell volume, red cell count, enzyme activity, and other blood parameters. The metadata record was last updated in March 1993.

Use Cases

• Establish baseline haematological reference ranges for Southern elephant seals based on reported mean values.
• Compare red blood cell enzyme activity between pinnipeds and humans based on the described low activity.
• Analyze variation in erythrocyte sedimentation rates and eosinophil counts within the seal population.
• Study pinniped haemoglobin electrophoresis patterns based on the reported two major components.

Strengths

• Includes specific mean values and standard deviations for key haematological parameters (e.g., Hb 22.4 ± 1.4 g/dl, PCV 54.2 ± 3.8%).
• Data is derived from a defined sample of 20 individual animals.
• Covers multiple blood analysis domains: haematology, red cell enzymes, and metabolic intermediates.

Limitations

• Last updated 1993-03-28 23:59:59.999000; freshness should be verified.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

AU_AADC (Australian Antarctic Data Centre), ASAC Project 545.

Collection Method

Blood collection and laboratory analysis from captured seals.

Time Range

Collection date not specified; metadata updated 1993.

Freshness

Last updated 1993-03-28 23:59:59.999000

Geography

Likely Antarctic or sub-Antarctic regions (Southern elephant seal habitat).