black sea red data book - Department of Biology

Synonyms: None.
Monachus monachus (Hermann, 1779)
Common names: Engl: Mediterranean monk seal; Russ: Tyulen'; Turk: Akdenizfoku.
Taxonomic description. Adult Monachus monachus are robust mammals, with short
flippers, a long fusiform body, and a proportionaly small head. The head is wide and
somewhat flat, with the eyes widely paced. The muzzle is particularly wide, but
compressed from top to bottom. The nostrils are situated at the top of the muzzle.
The vibrissae are smooth Females with four retractable teats. Colour varies in
isolated subpopulations. Most animals are dark brown. Some have a large white
belly patch.
rUCN Status
World level: CE
Black Sea Regional level: CE
Subregion level: CE
Order CARNIVORA
Family PHOCIDAE
Distribution, Habitat type, Critical habitats, Limiting factors. Monachus
monachus is sedentary. Underwater caves, shelters and long quiet beaches suit it best.
Marine zone up to depths of 50 metres in the Black Sea. Underwater caves and gravel
beaches are the critical habitat for this animal. Loss of habitat, incidental killings,
pollution, catching in nets, overfishing and coastal degradation all contributed to its
decline. However, live capture was one of the main reasons for the collapse of the
Black Sea population. On the Turkish coasts, 20 animals were captured in the
Zonguldak and Akcakoca areas before legal protection measures were taken in 1978
(Oztiirk, 1996). These animals were kept in zoos. All are now dead. A few
279