Centric diatom vs Common Seal

Skeletonema subsalsum compared with Phoca vitulina

Key Differences

Centric diatom is Not Evaluated while Common Seal is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Centric diatom	Common Seal
Kingdom	Chromista (Chromista)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Ochrophyta (Ochrophyta)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Bacillariophyceae (Bacillariophyceae)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Thalassiosirales (Thalassiosirales)	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)
Family	Skeletonemaceae	Phocidae (True Seals)
Genus	Skeletonema	Phoca (Harbor Seals)
Species	Skeletonema subsalsum	Phoca vitulina

Conservation Status

Centric diatom

NE — Not Evaluated

Common Seal

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~500.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Centric diatom	Common Seal
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	30 years
Average Length	—	1.7 m
Average Weight	—	80.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Centric diatom

Habitat

Native to Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found across Europe (7 countries) and North America (United States).

Common Seal

Habitat

Typically found in diverse ecosystems where prey species are available.

Range

Found across Europe (7 countries) and North America (United States). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Centric diatom

The Centric Diatom (Skeletonema subsalsum) is a species in the genus Skeletonema. Found across Europe (7 countries) and North America (United States).

The most widely distributed pinniped, harbor seals inhabit temperate and subarctic coastal waters of both the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Adults reach up to 130 kg and spend roughly equal time at sea hunting fish, squid, and crustaceans and hauling out on beaches or rocks to rest. Their large, expressive eyes are adapted for underwater vision in low light. Harbor seals are a critical food source for orcas, sharks, and polar bears.