The topography of the coronary arteries in the common seal (phocavitulina vitulina)

In 58 hearts of the common seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina), 95% of the hearts display the R-type of the coronary artery circulation, while in 5% the L-type is present. The findings coroborate the work of Drabek (1975) in lobodontine seals, but disagree with those in the northern seals described by Buerow (1838) and Marschner (1901). The absence of the origin of the left coronary artery in 5% of the cases makes the common seal vulnerable when exposed to difficult circumstances (DBO).