The genus Arctocephalus consists of eight of the nine species of fur seal. For details see the fur seal article, or the individual species articles.

Taxonomy

• Genus Arctocephalus
  • Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella
  • Guadalupe fur seal, Arctocephalus townsendi
  • Juan Fernández fur seal, Arctocephalus philippii
  • Galápagos fur seal, Arctocephalus galapagoensis
  • Brown fur seal (or Cape fur seal), Arctocephalus pusillus
  • New Zealand fur seal, Arctocephalus forsteri (validity questionable - see below)
  • Subantarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus tropicalis
  • South American fur seal, Arctocephalus australis

The number of species within the genus has been questioned, primarily based on limited molecular data. The issue is complicated by the fact some of the species are able to produce fertile hybrids. A recent review recommended the retention of seven species, deprecating the New Zealand fur seals to a subspecies of the South American fur seal, while also questioning the status of the Guadelupe fur seal.^[1] Other recent studies have indicated that the genus may be paraphyletic,^[2] in which case, all species except for the Cape fur seal may have to be split off into a separate genus.^[1]

References