Introduction Ringed seals ( Pusa hispida ) are sentinel species of Arctic change, yet baseline microbiome data across their circumpolar range remain limited. Methods We profiled nasal and anal microbiomes from 90 free-ranging ringed seals across eight Arctic and sub-Arctic locations in Canada using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Results Body site was the primary determinant of microbiome structure, with nasal and anal asse...

Biologging tools can provide invaluable information on the movement and behaviour of animals, facilitating the elucidation of ecological dynamics, especially for wide-ranging species, and supporting conservation and management efforts. Harbour seals ( Phoca vitulina ) exhibit extensive habitat plasticity in their vast range across the northern hemisphere, with likely recent increases in abundance at northern latitudes, yet det...