vs Common Seal

Aphanocapsa sideroderma compared with Phoca vitulina

Key Differences

is Not Evaluated while Common Seal is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Common Seal
Kingdom	Bacteria (Bacteria)	Animalia (สัตว์)
Phylum	Cyanobacteria (สาหร่ายสีเขียวแกมน้ำเงิน)	Chordata (สัตว์มีแกนสันหลัง)
Class	Cyanobacteriia	Mammalia (สัตว์เลี้ยงลูกด้วยน้ำนม)
Order	Cyanobacteriales	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)
Family	Microcystaceae	Phocidae (True Seals)
Genus	Aphanocapsa	Phoca (Harbor Seals)
Species	Aphanocapsa sideroderma	Phoca vitulina

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Common Seal

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~500.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

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.

Aphanocapsa sideroderma is a unicellular cyanobacterium forming colonial aggregates in gelatinous sheaths with iron-encrusted outer layers. It inhabits iron-rich freshwater environments including springs, streams, and wetlands. This photosynthetic bacterium produces energy through oxygenic photosynthesis and contributes to biofilm formation on iron-rich substrates.

Common Seal

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.