The heart of the Harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) is described based on the dissection of six specimens of both sexes ranging in body weight from 23.2 to 46.4 kg. The heart is characterized, as in other seals, by a transverse broadness and a flatness of the ventricles along with an apex formed by both ventricles. Heart parameters are used for comparisons with those of other seals and land mammals. The heart width index (heart height/heart circumference) averages 33.4 compared to 28.7 for the Weddell seal and 39.0 for the felids. The right ventricle of the Harp seal heart is relatively long and very broad with a mean length index (TS/heart height) of 68.8 and a mean width index (TP/heart height) of 54.8. These functional heart parameters are discussed and physiological adaptations are suggested.

Keywords:
Gross anatomy, Heart, Cardiovascular system, Seals
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© 1982 S. Karger AG, Basel
1982
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