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Front flipper from a subsistence harvested ringed seal showing the distinct claw bands. Pairs of bands are deposited annually (Benjaminsen, 1973, McLaren, 1958). The most proximal band (A), used for biological validations in this study, is hidden under the skin and fur at the insertion point of the claw. The central ridge (B) is the thickened dorsal and central portion of the claw (not sampled) and the lateral walls (C) are the area of the claw sheaths sampled in this study.
