vs Mediterranean monk seal

Hemiselmis anomala compared with Monachus monachus

Key Differences

• is Not Evaluated while Mediterranean monk seal is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Mediterranean monk seal
Kingdom	Chromista (Chromista)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Cryptophyta	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Cryptophyceae (Cryptophyceae)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Pyrenomonadales (Pyrenomonadales)	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)
Family	Chroomonadaceae	Phocidae (True Seals)
Genus	Hemiselmis	Monachus
Species	Hemiselmis anomala	Monachus monachus

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Mediterranean monk seal

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Mediterranean monk seal
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

Mediterranean monk seal

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Portugal and Ukraine. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Hemiselmis anomala is a unicellular cryptomonad alga found in marine and estuarine environments, characterised by its asymmetric, kidney-shaped cell and two unequal flagella for swimming. It contains phycobilin pigments allowing photosynthesis and plays a role in marine and coastal primary production. Cryptomonads like this species are significant contributors to phytoplankton communities in diverse aquatic habitats.