2017-03-16 Thu

Aland Islands had issued 3 stamps in Remnants of the Ice Age stamp series on 3rd February 1997 worth 0.30 Finnish Markka each. These stamps feature 4 marine remnants of the Ice Age: Saduria Entomon (Crustacean), Mysis Relicta (Opossum Shrimp),Myoxocephalus Quadricornis (Fourhorn Sculpin) and Phoca Hispida Botnica (Baltic Ringed Seal).

Saduria entomon is a Benthic Isopod Crustacean found in the brackish Baltic Sea. Reaching a maximum length of 9 cm, it is one of the largest crustaceans having a life span of 3 or more years. They are sexually dimorphic and most individuals die after reproduction. It feeds on other benthic animals and is also a scavenger and a cannibal.

Mysis relicta is a small, transparent shrimp-like crustacean native to the lakes of Northern Europe and to the brackish Baltic Sea. Reproducing females bear a prominent brood pouch between their thoracal legs. The pleopods (abdominal legs) are reduced, except for a specialised pair of mating legs in males.

Myoxocephalus Quadricornis is a demersal fish distributed mainly in brackish arctic coastal waters. They are identified by the four bony protuberances on the top of their head (absent in the freshwater form), chainlike lateral line, sharp spines on the preoperculum and the absence of palatine teeth.

Phoca Hispida Botnica is the smallest and most common seal in the Arctic that live up to 30 years. They have a small head, short cat-like snout, plump body and their coat is dark with silver rings on their back and sides with a silver belly. Their small fore-flippers have thick, strong claws used to breathe up to 6 ft (2 m) thick ice. Females reach sexual maturity at 4 years while males thought to be monogamous breeders do not reach maturity until they are 7 years old.