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Abstract

Note on the occurrence of the crebeater seal, Lobodon carcinophagus (Hombron & Jacquinot, 1842) (Mammalia: Pinnipedia), in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. On May 12, 2003, a crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophagus) was seen 3km upstream of the mouth of the Cação River (22º54’S; 43º50’W), southern Rio de Janeiro State. It was a female of 212cm in length, weighing approximately 180kg. A week prior (May 5), the same specimen (identified by a parallel scar pattern) had been observed at Costão Beach (24º19’S; 47º00’W), Peruíbe, São Paulo State. Two days later, the animal reappeared at Barra do Sahy Beach (23º47’S; 45º33’W), São Sebastião, São Paulo. Subsequently, the seal’s further northerly displacement to Cação River made a total distance covered of 229km. The occurrence of two cold fronts and the prevalence of southern currents in the first fortnight of May may have favored the displacement of this animal to areas of low latitude in southeastern Brazil. On June 16, 2003, a male of approximately 200cm in length was seen in Tombo Beach (24º00’S ; 46º18’W), Guarujá (São Paulo). It was the second appearance of L. carcinophagus in São Paulo in 41 days. This note confirms the occasional occurrence of this species along the Brazilian coast, and provides insights into the dispersion of the species in the southwestern Atlantic.